the example of his patience, and also be made | faithful devotion to thee. Support him by this partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking, we beseech thee to have compassion upon our infirmities; and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us for the worthiness of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK.

A general Prayer for the Acceptance of our
Devotions for the Sick.

[From Bishop Andrews.]

hope under all his pain, and enable him patiently to submit to thy fatherly correction. Send him help now in time of need, both for his soul and for if it be thy good pleasure, restore him speedily his body. Bless the means for his recovery; and, to his former health, and inspire him with a serious resolution to serve thee more zealously all his days.

Or if thou hast otherwise resolved in thy wise counsels, deliver him from the fear of death, assist him in his last agony, give him an easy and cheerful passage out of this life, and send thy holy angels to conduct him into rest and peace with our Lord Jesus, for the same Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

[From Bishop Taylor.]
I.

II.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of mercies, the God O LORD, it is a great presumption that one sin- of peace and comfort, of rest and pardon, we thy ner should dare to commend another to thy Di- servants, in duty to thee, and charity to our brovine Majesty. And who would not fear to un-ther, humbly beg mercy of thee for him, to dedertake it? But thy commandment it is, "That scend upon his body and his soul. We come to we should pray for the sick members of thy thee in the name of Jesus, praying thee to pardon church, and mourn with them that mourn:" and the sins of this thy servant, and to bury them in thou hast promised that our prayers thus made, the grave of Him that died for us, that they may thou wilt receive. And now behold, O Lord, we never rise up in judgment against him, nor bring that are no way meet, but unworthy, utterly un-him in the day of trial, to shame and confusion worthy, to ask for aught for ourselves, charity of face. Amen. and compassion so binding us, are enforced to become suitors to thee for others, even for this thy servant, now afflicted by thee. Of thee we hope; GIVE thy servant, O Lord, patience in his sorof thee we desire; to thee we pray, in the most rows, comfort in his sickness, and restore him to meek and humble manner, and even from the bot-health, if it seem good to thee. And, however tom of our hearts. O Lord, that which thou mightest justly deny to our unworthiness, deny not, we beseech thee, to thine own gracious goodness. O Lord, forgive us our sins; O Lord forgive us our sins, our great and grievous sins, oft and many times committed, long and many years continued; so that we may be meet to pray for others, and our prayers be made unto thee in an acceptable time.

Graciously look upon our afflictions.

Pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts.
Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.
Favourably with mercy hear our prayers.
Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O
Christ.

Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ. Amen.

Particular Prayers for the Sick.

[From Bishop Patrick.]

O MOST gracious God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ hast united us all in one body, that we should love one another, and if one member suffers, all the members should suffer with it; we humbly implore thy tender mercies towards this thy servant, of whose afflicted condition we desire to have a compassionate sense and feeling.

Look graciously upon him, O Lord, and visit him with thy salvation. Vouchsafe him such consolations from above, as we should desire for ourselves, were we in his extremity. Give him a true penitent heart for all the offences that he hath at any time committed. together with a lively faith in thy Son Jesus, who came into the world to save sinners. Give him the comfort of a holy hope, that thou acceptest his repentance, and

thou shalt determine concerning him, yet make his repentance perfect, and his faith strong, and his hope steadfast, and his passage safe; that when thou shalt call his soul from the body, it may enter into the rest of the sons of God, and the bosom of blessedness, and be with the holy Jesus. Amen.

III.

O LORD, thou knowest all the necessities, and all the infirmities of thy servant: fortify his soul with spiritual joys, and perfect resignation; and take from him all inordinate affections to this world; and enlarge his heart with desires of being with thee, in thy heavenly kingdom.

IV.

LORD, let not any pain or passion discompose the order of his thoughts, or his duty; and lay no more upon thy servant than thou wilt make him able to bear; and together with the temptation, do thou provide a way to escape; even by the mercies of a longer and more holy life, or by the mercies of a blessed death; even as it pleaseth thee, O Lord, so let it be. Amen.

V.

LORD, let the tenderness of his conscience and the Spirit of God call to mind his sins, that they may be confessed and repented of: and let thy powerful grace remove from his soul every root of bit terness; and in the union of the holy Jesus, and in the love of God, and in the communion of all the saints, let his soul be presented to thee blameless, and entirely pardoned, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A larger Form of Prayer for the Sick.

[From Bishop Patrick.]

ASSIST us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(From Doctor Hammond.)

O LORD, bless, keep, and defend this thy servant with thy heavenly grace and benediction, that he may continue thine for ever, and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until he comes to thy everlasting kingdom.

Let thy mighty hand and out-stretched arm, Lord, be ever his defence; thy mercy and loving-kindness in Jesus Christ thy dear Son, his salvation; thy true and holy word, his instruction; thy grace and Holy Spirit, his comfort and consolation, both now and at the hour of death.

O LORD, the Father of our spirits, who givest us life, and breath, and all things, and hast not thought a crown of everlasting life too much to promise us, we believe that thou wilt not deny us what is needful and fit for us, both for our souls and our bodies, in our passage through this world, to that of honour, glory, and immortality. In this confidence, we more particularly recommend this thy sick servant to thy infinite and most compassionate mercy. Settle in his soul a steadfast faith, that thou dost not willingly grieve the children of men, but intendest good to him by this thy fatherly correction. And now since all other pleasures and enjoyments fail him, represent thyself more effectually unto him, as the only support and stay of his hope, and rock of salvation.-Whereinsoever he hath neglected thee, or committed any offence against thee, make him deeply sensible of it, and heartily sorrowful for all his transgressions. And as he earnestly desires pardon and forgiveness of thee, so work in him a serious resolution to live more circumspectly and righteously for the time to come. Assist him graciously, O Lord, that he may give a proof of his sincere intentions hereafter to submit himself in all things to thy will, by his patient submission to thy fatherly correction. O, that he may so quietly, so meekly, so humbly, and cheerfully resign his will unto thee, to suffer what thou inflictest, that he may be the more disposed to do readily whatsoever thou commandest. For which end, make him thoroughly apprehensive of thy sovereign power and authority over all creatures. Possess him with a great reverence of thy wisdom and justice, with an entire confidence in thy goodness and love, with a thankful remembrance of all thy past mercies to him, that so he may the better endure what thou layest-Psalm vi. 2. upon him at present, and may ever follow thy directions, and submit to thy orders, and delight to do thy will, O God.

Bless the remedies which are used for restoring him to his former health, that he may live to perform his duty with greater care; or if thou hast otherwise appointed, accept graciously of his purposes of amendment, and dispose him to return back his spirit willingly unto thee who gavest it; and with great humility and deep sense of his own undeservings, to expect thy mercy declared in Christ Jesus. Fix his mind steadfastly upon him, who hath led the way through the grave unto heaven, that he may not be affrighted with the approaches of death, but looking beyond it to that high and holy place, where the Lord Jesus is, may rejoice in hope of eternal glory.

And grant that every one of us, in our best state of health, may consider perpetually how frail and weak we are; that so we may not abuse ourselves by an intemperate use of any sensual pleasures, nor load our minds with the cares of this life, nor spend our days in a vain pursuit of the honour and glory of this world; but may pass all the time of our sojourning here, in fear; and may live so righteously and soberly in this present world, as becomes those who expect shortly to give an account to thee, who will judge all men according to their works. Hear us, O Lord, we most humbly beseech thee, through Christ Jesus, our merciful and compassionate Redeemer.

Amen.

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

PROPER PSALMS FOR THE SICK.

I.

O LORD, rebuke me not in thine indignation: neither chasten me in thy displeasure.Psalm vi. 1.

2. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak: O Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed.

3. My soul also is sore troubled but Lord, how long wilt thou punish me?—Psalm vi. 3. 4. Thine arrows stick fast in me and thy hand presseth me sore.-Psalm xxxviii. 2.

5. There is no health in my flesh, because of thy displeasure: neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sin.-Psalm xxxviii. 3.

6. For my wickednesses are gone over my head, and are like a sore burden too heavy for me to bear.-Psalm xxxviii. 4.

7. I am feeble and sore smitten: I have roared for the very disquietness of my heart.-Psalm

xxxviii. 8.

8. My heart panteth, my strength hath failed me, and the sight of mine eyes is gone from me. Psalm xxxviii. 10.

9. Therefore is my spirit vexed within me; my heart within me is desolate.-Psalm cxliii. 4. 10. Turn thee, O Lord, and deliver my soul: O save me for thy mercies' sake.-Psalm vi. 4.

11. Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble: incline thine ears unto me when I call; O hear me, and that right soon.-Psalm cii. 2.

12. For my days are consumed away like smoke: my heart is smitten down and withered like grass.-Psalm cii. 3, 4.

13. And that because of thine indignation and wrath for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.-Psalm cii. 10.

14. But I said, O my God, take me not away

Heb. xiii. 20, 21.

3. For I acknowledge my faults: and my sin is OCCASIONAL PRAYERS FOR THE

this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justi- A Prayer for a Person in the Beginning of his fied in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged. 5. Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, and in sin hath my mother conceived me.

HEAR my prayer, O Lord, and consider my new race of stricter holiness, and more severe redesire: hearken unto me for thy truth and right-ligion; or if he shall pass hence through the gates eousness' sake.--Psalm cxliii. 1. of death, he may rejoice in the hope of being admit

2. And enter not into judgment with thy ser- ted into that heavenly society, in which all thy vant: for in thy sight shall no man living be jus-saints and servants shall be comprehended to tified.-Psalm cxliii. 2. eternal ages. Grant this, for Jesus Christ's sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

health. Even so, blessed Lord, continue to assist, strengthen, comfort, and bless him, both now and for evermore, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

pray thee, the counsels of those who prescribe to this thy servant, and prosper the medicines which are used to procure him ease and strength, but let not his confidence in them lessen any thing of his dependence on thee, but make him sensible that A Prayer for one who is dangerously ill. every good gift is from thee, and that it is thou O ALMIGHTY God, "gracious, and merciful, that givest us help in time of need. To whom, and long-suffering, whose compassions fail not;' therefore, but to thee, should we flee in the day of look down, we beseech thee, upon the low and disour visitation? since it is thy blessing only that tressed state of thy servant, now lying in the exmaketh the means we use effectual; and, however tremity of sickness. The harder his illness presses vain the use of them is without thee, if thou bid-upon him, the louder does it call upon thee for dest them, the things or accidents which we do help. O be merciful therefore unto him, accordnot think of, or regard, shall recover us. O, there-ing to the necessity of his case, and according to fore, as their part, who administer to him, is the care, so let thine, O God, be the blessing, and his the comfort: and as he regards them as thy instruments, so let him own thee for the Author of his mercies, and to thee give thanks, and pay his vows and services; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

the multitude of thy tender mercies in Jesus Christ. Rebuke the distemper, that it prevail not over him to death; but turn its malevolent aspect into a joyous expectation of life. In as great danger as he is, yet if thou wilt, O Lord, we know thou canst make him whole; if thou speakest the word, it shall be done. In submission, therefore, to thy most wise and good disposal of all things, we beg this

A Prayer for a sick Person, when there appears mercy at thy hands, that thou wouldest let "this"

some Hope of Recovery.

[From Bishop Patrick.]

WE thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and Τε earth, that thou hast heard our prayers for thine afflicted servant, and given him some respite and hopes of recovery from this great illness. Blessed be thy goodness, that he hath not made his bed in the dust, but is likely to continue still amongst us, in the land of the living. Blessed be thy goodness for so great (and lately unexpected) mercy to him. And, O thou Preserver of man! who hast begun to revive and quicken him again; go on to perfect his cure, and forsake not the work of thy own hands. Repair all the decays in his outward man, that his mind may also recover its former strength, to praise and bless thy goodness to him.

And visit him, in the meantime, with thy heavenly consolation from above. Fill him with comfortable thoughts of thy love, and of the tender compassionate care which our Lord Jesus takes of all his afflicted servants. Endue him still with more patient submission to thy will, and enable him both quietly to wait upon thee, till thou hast finished his recovery, and also to continue steadfastly resolved to serve thee more faithfully with his restored strength, through Jesus Christ our blessed Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

Another, in Behalf of the sick Person, when he

finds any Abatement of his Distemper. ACCEPT, O Lord, of the unfeigned thanks of thy servant for abating the fury of his present distemper, and giving him some hopes of raising him up again to praise thee in the great congregation.

It is a great mercy, O Lord, and owing to thy goodness only, that his senses are preserved entire, and that he hath some respite, after so much uneasiness and pain, through the violence of his illness.

O perfect, if it be thy blessed will, what thou hast begun in him, and say to the distemper, "It is enough."

cause

bitter "cup pass away" from thy servant, and "a way for" him "to escape" out of this dangerous condition. O spare him a little, and his "soul shall live." Amen.

A Prayer for a sick Person when Sickness con

tinues long upon him.

[From Bishop Patrick.]

LOOK down, O Lord, we humbly beseech thee, with an eye of compassion on thy poor distressed servant, who hath lain so long under this severe affliction; and by how much the outward man is decayed and brought low by the tediousness of the distemper's continuing on him, by so much the more do thou be pleased to support him in the inner man by the gracious assistance of thy Holy Spirit. Give him unfeigned repentance for all the errors of his past life, and steadfast faith in thy Son Jesus Christ; a comfortable assurance of the truth of all his precious promises, a lively hope of that immortal bliss in which he reigns for evermore, and a strong sense of thy fatherly love to him, and care over him, which may make him heartily love thee, and entirely confide in thee, and absolutely resign both soul and body to thy wise disposal.

We know there is nothing too hard for thee; but that if thou wilt, thou canst bring him up even from the gates of death, and grant him a longer continuance among us. May it be thy good pleasure, O most gracious God, still to continue him here; spare him, O Lord, and deliver him also speedily from this misery, under which he hath so long groaned. Bless all the means that are used for his recovery, and for the support of his spirits, and give him refreshment during this tedious sickness. Release him from his pain, or grant him some ease, or else increase and strengthen his patience. Help him, in remembrance of thy past loving-kindness, to trust in thy goodness and submit to thy wisdom, and bear with an equal mind what thou thinkest fit to lay upon him; so that approving himself to thee in these and all other virtues, while thou triest him by so sore an afiliction, he may say at the last, with the holy Psalmist, "It was good for me that I was in trouble."

Teach him hence, to look up to thee continually, as the rock of his salvation, whence only he is to expect comfort and support: and give him grace always to make such a right use of thy favours, that he may daily find himself surrounded by the Unto thy infinite mercies we recommend him, light of thy countenance, and enjoy the blessings and to the compassionate kindness of our Lord Jeof thy heavenly benediction in all his ways, whe-sus Christ, who we hope will hear all the prayers ther in adversity or prosperity, in sickness or in of his friends for him, every where, and send his

Holy Spirit to be his comforter, and his good an- to repent of his former offences, and to "redeem gels to be his guardians, and direct those who are the time past," by a double diligence for the future, to advise and prescribe the means of his restora-if thou shalt in mercy raise him up again. Let tion, and bring him to praise thee again in the the remainder of his life be thine, and let nothing assemblies of thy saints upon earth; or (if thou separate him from thy love and service, but let it hast otherwise disposed in thy wise counsels) to be his whole care and study to provide oil for his praise thee in the great assembly of saints and lamp, and prepare for eternity; that so "all the angels in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord days of his appointed time he may wait till his and only Saviour, to whom with thee and the change come," and be ready whensoever his Lord Holy Spirit, be all praise, love and obedience, shall call him. Amen. world without end. Amen.

Prayer for the Grace of Patience, and a suitable
Behaviour in a sick Person to Friends and
Attendants.

HELP thy servant, O thou merciful Redeemer and lover of souls, to undergo this load of affliction, which thou hast laid upon him, with patience. "Lead him" gently by the hand to "the waters of comfort," and let "thy rod" and "thy staff support" him, now that he is obliged to "walk in the valley and shadow of death."

Let him consider thee, O blessed Jesus, in all thy weary pilgrimage and sufferings here upon earth, before thou enteredst into glory, "that he be not weary and faint in his mind."

For a sick Person who is about to make his
Will.

O LORD, who puttest into our hearts good desires, and hast inclined thy servant to "set his house in order," as well in relation to his temporal, as his spiritual, concerns, grant that he may do it with exact justice, according to the rules of our own religion, and the dictates of right reason. He unfeignedly thanks thee for thy great mercies, in having so liberally provided for him, that he may be rather helpful than chargeable to any, and die a benefactor and not in debt.

We charitably hope, that what he is now about to dispose of, was all procured by fair and righteous dealings, that he may comfortably feel, that "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

Let him be ready, with good Zaccheus, to`make restitution in the best manner he is able, and to

If relief does not come from thee so soon as he expects or desires, enable him still to hold out with long-suffering, and to wait with patience for it. And whatsoever thou doest with him, O Lord, let him be "dumb, and not open his mouth" to mur-say with Samuel: mur or repine, because it is thy doing." Make him acquiesce and rest satisfied, even in the bitterest dispensations of thy providence; and let no pains or sufferings ever drive him from thee, considering that no "temptation hath befallen him" but "what is common to men."

And, together with this patience towards thee, give him patience, O merciful Lord, towards all those who kindly and charitably minister unto him,

and attend about him.

Keep him from being humoursome, and showing crossness to their good counsels, or from being causelessly angry, and exceptious against their kind endeavours. If any evil accidents or indiscretions happen, let him not presently be outrageous to aggravate them, or break out into any reproachful or unseemly behaviour against them; but let him be pleased with the least expression of their kindness, and interpret every thing favourably; and on all occasions let him make it his study to oblige those who are obliging to him in this time of necessity, receiving with thankfulness their good offices, and praying God to reward them, for his Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

A Prayer for spiritual Improvement by Sickness. [From Dr. Inet.]

O MERCIFUL Father, who scourgest those whom thou lovest, and chastisest those whom thou wilt receive; let thy loving correction purify thy servant, and make him great in thy favour by his present humiliation. O let him learn "thy statutes" in this school of affliction:" let him "seek thee early" in it; and when his "heart is overwhelmed, lead him to the rock of salvation."

Let thy "rod" awaken him from his former security in sin, and let him sensibly find that thou "chastisest him for his profit, that he may be partaker of thy holiness."

Teach him, by this proof of thy fatherly correction, to be more dutiful for the time to come;

"Behold here I am: witness against me before the Lord; whose ox have I taken, or whose ass have I taken, or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed, or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it."

Lord, give him strength to order all things in as due and regular a manner as if he were well. Let his memory be perfect, and his judgment sound, and his heart so rightly disposed, that he may do nothing amiss, or through partiality, but that justice and integrity may be seen through the whole conduct of his will."

[If rich, add this.]

Let the light of his charity likewise shine gloriously before men, that out of the abundance thou hast been pleased to bless him with, he may plentifully give to the poor and distressed, though no otherwise related to him but as they are members of Jesus Christ, and brethren and sisters of the same communion.

Let him, O let him, now O Lord, and at all times, if thou shouldest graciously continue him here any longer, make to "himself such friends of the unrighteous mammon, that when these fail, they may receive him into everlasting habitations." Amen.

A Prayer for a sick Penitent.

[From Mr. Kettlewell.]

RIGHTEOUS art thou, O God, in all the pains and sorrows which punish our sins and try our patience, and we have none to accuse and complain of for the same but ourselves. This is the acknowledgment which thy servant makes, whom thou hast now afflicted. He receives it as the chastisement of a sinner, and is willing to bear chastisement for his sins, that he may thereby be reclaimed from them. Correct him, O Lord, that thou mayest not condemn him; and let him be