The last days of Charles II / by Raymond Crawfurd.

  • Raymond Crawfurd
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The last days of Charles II / by Raymond Crawfurd. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    52/98 (page 42)
    James’s Memoirs. 42 THE LAST DAYS OF CHARLES II these words in a clear, audible voice, frequently lifting up his hands, and Hudleston, admitting his sacramental penance, gave him absolution. He then asked His Majesty if he would accept the other sacraments of the Church. Charles replied that he desired to partake of all that would help and succour a Catholic Christian in his condition. Hudleston next asked him if he would receive the precious body and blood of our dear Saviour Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. The answer came, ‘ If I am worthy, pray fail not to let me have it.’ The Host had not yet been brought, so Hudleston asked permission to proceed to the Sacrament of extreme unction : the King replied, ' With all my heart/ and he ‘ anoyled ’ him. Hudleston was now called to the door, where Father Bento de Lemoz handed him the Sacrament he had brought. Then returning to the King, he entreated him to prepare himself to receive it. The King raised himself up and said,‘Let me meet my Heavenly Father in a better posture than lying on my bed.’ Hudleston humbly begged him to repose himself, saying that God Almighty, who saw his heart, would accept his good intention. The King again recited with Hudleston the previous act of contrition, and received the holy sacra¬ ment for his viaticum, with the utmost devoutness. After this communion, Hudleston read the prayers termed ‘the Recommendation of the Soul’, appointed by the Catholic Church for the dying. The act of Contrition was recited a third time at the King’s request, and when it was finished, Hudleston, for his last spiritual encouragement, said, ‘Your Majesty hath now received the comfort and benefit of all the sacraments that a good Christian, ready to depart out of the world, can have or desire. Now it only rests, that you think upon the death and passion of our dear Saviour Jesus Christ,