we most humbly beseech thee, through Christ Jesus, our merciful and compassionate Redeemer. Amen

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 king

much to promise us, we believe that thou wilt | becomes those who expect shortly to give an not deny us what is needful and fit for us, both account to thee, who wilt judge all men acfor our souls and our bodies, in our passage cording to their works. Hear us, O Lord, 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 Now the God of peace, that brought again thou commandest. For which end, make him thoroughly apprehensive of thy sovereign pow-herd of the sheep, through the blood of the from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Sheper and authority over all creatures. Possess him with a great reverence of thy wisdom and everlasting covenant, make you perfect in justice, with an entire confidence in thy good-every good work to do his will, working in you ness and love, with a thankful remembrance that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and of all thy past mercies to him, that so he may the better endure what thou lavest upon him ever. Amen. at present, and may ever follow by directions, and submit to thy orders, and delight to do thy will, O God.

dom.

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.

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 vexPsalm vi. 2.

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. Fixed. 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 so. journing here, in fear; and may live so righteously and soberly in this present world, as

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 hear. Psalm xxxviii. 4.

7. I am feeble and sore smitten: I have roared for the very disquietness of my heart. Psalm xxxviii. 8.

Heb xiii. 20. 2:

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

me.

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.

2. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Psalm cxliii. 2.

3. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm li. 17.

:

4. Lord, thou knowest all my desire and my groaning is not hid from thee Psalm xxxviii. 9.

5. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul gaspeth unto thee, as a thirsty land. Psalm cxliii. 6.

6. Hear me, O Lord, and that soon, for my

12. For my days are consumed away like smoke my heart is smitten down and wither-spirit waxeth faint: hide not thy face from me, ed like grass. Psalm cii. 3, 4. lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Psalm cxliii. 7.

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 in the midst of my age; forsake me not when my strength faileth me. Psalm cii. 24. 15. Wherefore in thee, O Lord, have I put my trust let me never be put to confusion. Psalm lxxi. 1.

II.

PSALM LI.

HAVE mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness: according to the multitude of thy mercies, do away mine offences.

2. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity: and cleanse me from my sin.

3. For I acknowledge my faults: and my sin is ever before me.

7. Haste thee to help me, O Lord God of my salvation. Psalm xxxviii. 22.

8. For thou art a place to hide me in: thou shalt preserve me from trouble: thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Psalm xxxii. 8.

9. Into thine hands I commend my spirit: for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Psalm xxxi. 5.

Glory be to the Father, &c.
As it was in the beginning, &c.

A Declaration of Forgiveness.
(From Bishop Cosins.)

I DO most humbly desire all, and every one whom I have offended, that they would vouchsafe to forgive me and I do freely and hearti4. Against thee only have I sinned, and donely forgive all the world, whereinsoever any this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.

5. Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, and in sin hath my mother conceived me.

6. But, lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts and thou shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.

7. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8. Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9. Turn thy face from my sins; and put out all my misdeeds.

10. Make me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.

11. Cast me not away from the presence: and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

12. O, give me the comfort of thy help again; and stablish me with thy free Spirit.

13. Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked: and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

III.

HEAR my prayer, O Lord and consider my desire: hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousness' sake. Psalm cxliii, 1.

hath offended me, or done me any manner of injury whatsoever, even as I desire to be for given of God, and to be absolved from my sins for the merits of my blessed Redeemer.

OCCASIONAL PRAYERS FOR THE SICK.

A Prayer for a Person in the Beginning of his
Sickness.

(From Bishop Taylor.)

O ALMIGHTY God, merciful and gracious, who in thy justice didst send sorrow and tears, sickness and death, into the world, as a punishment for man's sins, and hast comprehend ed all under sin, and this sad covenant of sufferings,-not to destroy us, but that thou mightest have mercy upon all, making thy justice to minister to mercy, short afflictions to an eternal weight of glory; as thou hast been pleased to turn the sins of this thy servant into sickness, so turn, we beseech thee, his sickness to the advantage of holiness and religion, of mercy and pardon, of faith and hope, of grace and glory. Thou hast now called him to suffer. Lord, relieve his sorrow and support his spirit, direct his thoughts and sanctify his sickness, that the punishment of

his sin may be to him a school of virtue. Make for thine afflicted servant, and given him some him behave as a son under discipline, humbly respite and hopes of recovery from this great and obediently, evenly and patiently, that he illness. Blessed be thy goodness, that he hath may be brought by this means nearer to thee; not made his bed in the dust, but is likely to that if he shall recover his former health, he continue still amongst us, in the land of the limay return to the world with greater strength ving. Blessed be thy goodness for so great (and of spirit, to run a new race of stricter holiness, lately unexpected) mercy to him. and more severe religion; or if he shall pass hence through the gates of death, he may rejoice in the hope of being admitted into that heavenly society, in which all thy saints and servants shall be comprehended to eternal ages. Grant this, for Jesus Christ's sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

A Prayer for Thankfulness in Sickness. O GOD, wonderful both in thy mercies and judgements, grant that the sense of thy ser. vant's present afflictions may not cause him to forget thy former mercies, which thou hast bestowed upon him: O, therefore, let the remembrance of those many and great blessings that he hath so long enjoyed at thy hand, be now the proper motives and incentives to the virtues of patience and humility, causing him cheerfully to resign himself to thy blessed will under all the dispensations of thy providence, though ever so hard; and patiently to wait for the return of thy loving-kindness in Jesus, which is better than life. Amen.

a sick Person's Recovery.

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

A Prayer for a Blessing on the Means used for 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.

(From Mr. Kettlewell.)

O GRACIOUS Lord, by whose word man lives, and not by any human means alone; direct, we 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 every good gift is from thee, and that it is thou that givest us help in time of need. To whom, therefore, but to thee, should we flee in the day of our visitation? since it is thy blessing only that maketh the means we use effectual; and, however vain the use of them is without thee, if thou biddest them, the things or accidents which we do not think of, or regard, shall reO, therefore, 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.

cover us.

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."

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 light of thy countenance, and enjoy the blessings of thy heavenly benediction in all his ways, whether in adversity or prosperity, in sickness or in health. Even so, blessed Lord, continue to assist, strengthen, comfort, and bless him, both now and for ever. more, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A Prayer for one who is dangerously ill.
O ALMIGHTY God, "gracious, and merci-

A Prayer for a sick Person, when there appears ful, and long-suffering, whose compassions fail

some Hope of Recovery.

(From Bishop Patrick.)

WE thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast heard our prayers

not;" look down, we beseech thee, upon the low and distressed state of thy servant, now lying in the extremity of sickness. The harder his illness presses upon him, the louder does it call upon thee for help. O be merciful there.

fore unto him, according to the necessity of and send his Holy Spirit to be his comforter, his case, and according to the multitude of thy and his good angels to be his guardians, and tender mercies in Jesus Christ. Rebuke.the direct those who are to advise and prescribe distemper, that it prevail not over him to death; the means of his restoration, and bring him to but turn its malevolent aspect into a joyous praise thee again in the assemblies of thy saints expectation of life. In as great danger as he upon earth; or (if thou hast otherwise disposis, yet if thou wilt, O Lord, we know thou ed in thy wise counsels) to praise thee in the canst make him whole; if thou speakest the great assembly of saints and angels in heaven, word, shall be done. In submission, there- through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Safore, to thy most wise and good disposal of all viour, to whom with thee and the Holy Spirit, things, we beg this mercy at thy hands, that be all praise, love and obedience. world withthou wouldest let "this" bitter cup pass out end. Amen.

away" from thy servant, and cause a way

for" him "to escape" out of this dangerous Prayer for the Grace of Patience, and a suitcondition. O spare him a little, and his soul shall live."

Amen.

A prayer for a sick Person when Sickness tinues long upon him.

(From Bishop Patrick.)

able Behaviour in a sick person to Friends and Attendants.

con-deemer and lover of souls, to undergo this load HELP thy servant, O thou merciful Reof affliction, which thou hast laid upon him, with patience. "Lead him" gently by the

Look down, O Lord, we humbly beseech hand to "the waters of comfort," and let "thy thee, with an eye of compassion on thy poor rod" and "thy staff support" him, now that distressed servant, who hath lain so long un-he is obliged to "walk in the valley and shader this severe affliction; and by how much dow of death."

the outward man is decayed and brought low Let him consider thee, O blessed Jesus, in by the tediousness of the distemper's continu- all thy weary pilgrimage and sufferings here ing on him, by so much the more do thou be upon earth, before thou enteredst into glory, pleased to support him in the inner man by "that he be not weary and faint in his mind." the gracious assistance of thy Holy Spirit. If relief does not come from thee so soon as Give him unfeigned repentance for all the er- he expects or desires, enable him still to hold rors of his past life, and steadfast faith in thy out with long-suffering, and to wait with paSon Jesus Christ; a comfortable assurance tience for it. And whatsoever thou doest with of the truth of all his precious promises, a live-him, O Lord, let him be "dumb, and not open iy hope of that immortal bliss in which he his mouth" to murmur or repine, because it reigns for evermore, and a strong sense of thy is "thy doing." Make him acquiesce and rest fatherly love to him, and care over him, which satisfied, even in the bitterest dispensations os may make him heartily love thee, and entirely thy providence ; and let no pains or sufferings confide in thee, and absolutely resign both soul ever drive him from thee, considering that no and body to thy wise disposal. "temptation hath befallen him" but "what is common to men."

We know there is nothing too hard for thee; but that if thou wilt, thou canst bring him up And, together with this patience towards even from the gates of death, and grant him a thee, give him patience, O merciful Lord, tolonger continuance among us. May it be thy wards all those who kindly and charitably good pleasure, O most gracious God, still to minister unto him, and attend about him. continue him here; spare him, O Lord, and Keep him from being humoursome, and deliver him also speedily from this misery, un- showing crossness to their good counsels, or der which he hath so long groaned. Bless all from being causelessly angry, and exceptious the means that are used for his recovery, and against their kind endeavours. If any evil for the support of his spirits, and give him re- accidents or indiscretions happen, let him not freshment during this tedious sickness. Re-presently be outrageous to aggravate them, or lease him from his pain, or grant him some ease, break out into any reproachful or unseemly or else increase and strengthen his patience. behaviour against them; but let him be pleas Help him, in remembrance of thy past loving-ed with the least expression of their kindness, kindness, to trust in thy goodness and submit and interpret every thing favourably and on to thy wisdom, and bear with an equal mind all occasions let him make it his study to ob what thou thinkest fit to lay upon him; so that lige those who are obliging to him in this time approving himself to thee in these and all other of necessity, receiving with thankfulness their virtues, while thou triest him by so sore an af- good offices, and praying God to reward them, fliction, he may say at the last, with the holy for his son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. Psalmist, "It was good for me that I was in trouble."

Unto thy infinite mercies we recommend him, and to the compassionate kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who we hope will hear all the prayers of his friends for him, every where,

A Prayer for spirituai 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 pu- he may plentifully give to the poor and distress. rify thy servant, and make him great in thy ed, though no otherwise related to him but as favour by his present humiliation. O let him they are members of Jesus Christ, and brethlearn" thy statutes" in this school of afflic-ren and sisters of the same communion. tion:" let him “seek thee early" in it; and Let him, O let him, now, O Lord, and at when his "heart is overwhelmed, lead him to all times, if thou shouldst graciously continue the rock of salvation." 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.

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."

A Prayer for a sick Penitent.

(From Mr. Kettlewell.)

Teach him, by this proof of thy fatherly correction, to be more dutiful for the time to come to repent of his former offences, and to "redeem the time past," by a double diligence RIGHTEOUS art thou, O God, in all the for the future, if thou shalt in mercy raise him pains and sorrows which punish our sins and up again. Let the remainder of his life be try our patience, and we have none to accuse thine, and let nothing separate him from thy and complain of for the same but ourselves. love and service, but let it be his whole care This is the acknowledgment which thy serand study to provide oil for his lamp, and pre- vant makes, whom thou hast now afflicted. He pare for eternity; that so "all the days of his receives it as the chastisement of a sinner, and appointed time he may wait till his change is willing to bear chastisement for his sins, that come," and be ready whensoever his Lord he may thereby be reclaimed from them. Cor

shall call him. Amen.

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

rect him, O Lord, that thou mayest not condemn him; and let him be judged by thee for his sins, and judge himself for them here, that he may have nothing but mercy without judg ment to receive at thine hands hereafter.

O LORD, who puttest into our hearts good But judge him, O God, with mercy, and net desires, and hast inclined thy servant to "set in thine anger. Judge him not according as his house in order," as well in relation to his his sins have deserved, but according as his temporal, as his spiritual, concerns, grant that weakness can bear, and according as thy com he may do it with exact justice, according to passions are wont to mitigate thy judgments the rules of our own religion, and the dictates and let his afflictions work in him a true reof right reason. He unfeignedly thanks thee pentance," not to be repented of," and prove for thy great mercies, in having so liberally a happy means, in the hand of thy mercy, to provided for him, that he may be rather help-reclaim him perfectly from all the errors into ful 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 say with Samuel:

“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."

which he hath fallen; and to confer that rest and peace upon his soul, which is denied to his body; for our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ's sake.

THOυ smitest him, O gracious God, that thou mayest cure him; and punishest his sin, that thou mayest thereby amend and reclaim the sinner; and he is weary of his sins, which have brought upon him all these sorrows, and which, as he seems now deeply sensible, will bring infinitely worse, unless he prevent the same by his timely and sincere repentance.

Help him, therefore, to search them out; and when he sees them, let him not stop at any one, but steadfastly resolve to renounce and amen Lord, give him strength to order all things all: Let thy love make him hate every evil in as due and regular a manner as if he were way, and render his purposes against them well. Let his memory be perfect, and his judg-strong and resolute, and his care in fulfilling ment sound, and his heart so rightly disposed, the same, vigilant and patient; and grant that 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,

the remainder of his days may be one continual amendment of his former errors, and dedication of himself to thy service. He desires life, only that he may serve thee; Lord, continue and confirm him in this purpose.

Lord, cure his folly by his misery; and teach. him, by the loss of his ease, to purchase the blessing of rue repentance, and the comfort

U