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, O 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.

tion: neither chasten me in thy displeasure.O LORD, rebuke me not in thine indignaPsalm 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.

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 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. 4. Lord thou knowest all my desire: and my O GOD, wonderful both in thy mercies and judggroaning is not hid from thee.-Psalm xxxviii. 9.ments, grant that the sense of thy servant's pre5. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul gaspeth unto thee, as a thirsty land.-Psalm

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

A Prayer for one who is dangerously ill. O ALMIGHTY God, "gracious, and merciful, and long-suffering, whose compassions fail 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 therefore unto him, accord

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 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 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."

bitter "cup pass away" from thy servant, and cause "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 continues 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 sickRelease him from his pain, or grant him ness. 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 affliction, 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, Unto thy infinite mercies we recommend him, that he may daily find himself surrounded by the 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

A

Holy Spirit to be his comforter, and his good an-
gels to be his guardians, and direct those who are
to advise and prescribe the means of his restora-
tion, and bring him to praise thee again in the
assemblies of thy saints upon earth; or (if thou
hast otherwise disposed in thy wise counsels) to
praise thee in the great assembly of saints and
angels in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord
and only Saviour, to whom with thee and the
Holy Spirit, be all praise, love and obedience,
world without end. Amen.

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

to repent of his former offences, and to "redeem
the time past," by a double diligence for the future,
if thou shalt in mercy raise him up again. Let
the remainder of his life be thine, and let nothing
separate him from thy love and service, but let it
be his whole care and study to provide oil for his
lamp, and prepare for eternity; that so "all the
days of his appointed time he may wait till his
change come," and be ready whensoever his Lord
shall call him. Amen.

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 HELP thy servant, O thou merciful Redeemer house in order,” as well in relation to his tempoand lover of souls, to undergo this load of afflic-ral, as his spiritual, concerns, grant that he may tion, which thou hast laid upon him, with pa- do it with exact justice, according to the rules of tience. "Lead him" gently by the hand to "the our own religion, and the dictates of right reason. waters of comfort," and let "thy rod" and "thy He unfeignedly thanks thee for thy great mercies, staff support" him, now that he is obliged to "walk in having so liberally provided for him, that he in the valley and shadow of death." may be rather helpful than chargeable to any, and die a benefactor and not in debt.

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."

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.

"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."

[If rich, add this.]

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 Keep him from being humoursome, and show-may do nothing amiss, or through partiality, but ing crossness to their good counsels, or from being that justice and integrity may be seen through causelessly angry, and exceptious against their the whole conduct of his will. 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. Ŏ 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;

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 Penilent.

[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

in his behalf, when he can no longer commend And hear, O most merciful Father, our prayers Help him, in the mean time, O Lord, to fit and himself to thy mercies. Pardon, good Lord, parprepare himself for this holy communion: fill his don all his sins; impute not to him any of his soul with reverence and godly fear; with earnest former follies; lay not to his charge his not imdesires and longings after divine life; with serious proving, or misusing, his reason and understandrepentance for all his past offences, and hearty re-ing, which we earnestly, but humbly, entreat thee solutions of living for ever after unto Jesus, who to restore to him, together with such a measure of died for him. O, let him meditate upon his thy divine grace, as may quicken and assist him bleeding Saviour with a "broken and a contrite to employ his thoughts to the best purposes, heart," which thou hast promised "not to despise:" especially in meditating on thy mercies, in studyforgive him all that is past, and give him grace ing thy praise, and in exhorting all others to love for the future, to "live more soberly, righteously, thee, to trust in thee, and sincerely obey thee. and piously, in this present world," if it shall be thy good pleasure to continue him in it.