II. A second Prayer for the acceptance of our Devotions; taken from Dr. Dodwell's "Sick Man's Companion." Page 79. Edit. 1768.

O LORD, we address thee in pursuance of thy own most gracious permission and command, in behalf of this thy afflicted servant. We are truly sensible of our unworthiness to ask any thing for ourselves, and presume to no merit in recommending a sinner like ourselves to thy mercy. But thy direction is, "That we should pray for the sick members of thy "church, and mourn with them that mourn. In discharge therefore of our duty to thee, in a just compassion to the sufferings of our distressed neighbour, and under a sense of our own ever perilous and uncertain state of life, we desire to join in imploring thy mercy and relief for this suffering partaker of our nature, and of our religion. We desire to pray with truth and sincerity, with trust in thy mercy, and resignation to thy providence. We desire to pray for him and for ourselves; for whether in sickness or in health, we ever stand in need of thy protection and grace. Continue us in, or restore us to, a sound state of mind and

body,

body, and a sincere desire of serving thee with all our faculties. Confirm us all in a christian faith and christian practice: pardon our sins that we may become acceptable petitioners to thee: and hear and accept the petitions which we now offer in his favour, for the sake and through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

III. A third Prayer for the acceptance our Devotion, taken from Dr. Stonhouse's "Sick Man's Friend." Page 176. Edit. 1788.

We who are dust, and to the dust must return, adore thee, O Lord God Almighty, for thou deservest all possible adoration. Thou hast strictly charged us to take heed, that we draw not nigh to thee with our lips, while our hearts are far from thee. Thou hast assured us, that thou wilt exalt those only who abase themselves, and give grace only to the humble. Thou art of purer eyes than to accept our prayers, unless they are offered up in sincerity and in dependance on the mediation of Jesus Christ the righteous, the advocate, and the propitiation for our sins. Now therefore, may we have

grace

grace to lift up our hearts to thee with sincerity, reverence, lowliness of mind, and a lively faith in Christ, that so our worship may be acceptable to thee our God, comfortable to ourselves, render us patient in sickness, and examples to all about us, and promote our fitness for thy kingdom of glory and immortality, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer in the beginning of sickness.

From Bishop Kenn's Manual, Page 129. Edit. 1781.

O heavenly Father, who in thy wisdom knowest what is best for me, glory be to thee.

Lord, if it seem good in thy sight, divert this distemper from me, which I now feel seizing on me, that I may employ my health to thy glory, and praise thy

name.

But if thou art pleased it should grow on me, I willingly submit to thy afflicting hand; for thou are wont to chastise those whom thou dost love; and I am sure thou wilt lay no more on me than thou wilt enable me to bear. 1 Cor. x.

13.

I know, O my God, that thou sendest

this sickness on me for my good, even to humble and reforın me; O grant it may work that saving effect in me.

Lord, create in me a true penitent sorrow for all my sins past, a stedfast faith in thee, and sincere resolutions of amendment for the time to come.

Deliver me from all frowardness and impatience, and give me an entire resignation to thy divine will: O suffer not the disease to take away my senses, and do thou continually supply my thoughts with holy ejaculations. Lord, bless all the means that are used for my recovery, and restore me to my health in thy good time; but if otherwise thou hast appointed for me, thy blessed will be done. O wean my affections from all things below, and fill me with ardent desires after heaven Lord, fit me for thyself, and then call me to those joys unspeakable and full of glory, when thou pleasest, and that for the sake of thy only Son Jesus, my Saviour. Amen.

Ejaculations in time of sickness.

From the same. Father, if it be possible, remove this cup from me; nevertheless

not

1

not my will, but thine be done. Matt. xxvi. 39.

Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me: but my sure trust is in thee, O Lord!

Forsake me not, O my God, when my strength faileth me; haste thee to help me, O Lord God of my salvation. Psal. xxxviii. 21, 22.

Lord, teach me so to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. Psal. xc. 12.

Deal thou with me, O Lord, according to thy name; for sweet is thy mercy. Lord, what is my hope! Truly my hope is even in thee.

O my soul, tarry thou the Lord's leisure: Be strong, and he shall comfort thy heart, and put thou thy trust in the Lord.

Into thy hands I commend my spirit; for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.

In my Father's house are many mansions; and thou, Lord Jesus, art gone before to prepare a place for us, that where thou art, we may be also. John xiv. 2.

Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.

O Lord God, we must all appear at the last day before thy judgment seat: O cleanse me from my sins, that I may be found