CONFIRMATION. FROM A PRINTED PONTIFICAL, A.D. 1520 (471, f. 2).
Then comes an instruction on the mode of hearing confessions, and some practical advice on the kind of penances to give, e.g. if the penitent does not know the Pater, Ave, and Creed, he is to have such a penance set as will make him learn them; and he is to be examined as to his belief.
Next, as part of the instruction in the art of confession, comes a practical exposition of the ten commandments one by one; and in the same way an exposition of the seven deadly sins and of the venial sins; and of the sins of the senses; in all which we recognize a digest of Archbishop Peckham’s famous canon of instruction for preaching; then come counsels as to the remedies for the seven deadly sins. Then an instruction on the administration of Extreme Unction, with a kind of Office for the Visitation of the Sick.
When thou shalt to sick gone
A clean surplice cast thee on,
Take thy stole with thee right,
And pull thy hood over thy sight.
Bear thy Host anont[234] thy breast
In a box that is honest.
Make thy clerk before thee gynge[235]
To bear light and bell ring.[236]
This is the prayer of the sick before the unction—
My God, my God, my mercy and my refuge, Thee I desire, to Thee I flee, to Thee I hasten to come. Despise me not, placed in this tremendous crisis, be merciful to me in these my great necessities. I cannot redeem myself by my own works; but do Thou my God redeem me, and have mercy on me. I trust not in my merits, but I confide rather in Thy mercies, and I trust more in Thy mercies than I distrust my evil deeds. My faults, my great faults. Now I come to Thee because Thou failest none, I desire to depart and be with Thee. Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit, Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Amen. And grant to me, my God, that I may sleep and rest in peace, who in perfect Trinity livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.
PARISH PRIEST TAKING THE LAST SACRAMENT TO THE SICK.
XIV. CENT. MS., 6 E. VI., f. 427 verso.