thou hast prepared for us to walk in, through Je- | of a sinner, but that he should rather turn from sus Christ our Lord; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Then shall be said or sung:

GLORY be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee, for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us: thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer: thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us: For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Then the Priest or Bishop (if he be present,) shall let them depart with this blessing:

his sin, and be saved; mercifully forgive us our trespasses: relieve and comfort us, who are grieved and wearied with the burden of our sins. Thy property is always to have mercy; to thee only it appertaineth to forgive sins: Spare us, therefore, good Lord, spare us whom thou hast redeemed. Enter not into judgment with thy servants, who are vile earth, and miserable sinners; but so turn thine anger from us, who meekly acknowledge our vileness, and truly repent us of our faults, and so make haste to help us in this world, that we may ever live with thee in the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

O GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men, that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health among all nations. More especially we pray for the good estate of the Catholic church, that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all, who profess and call themTHE peace of God, which passeth all under-selves Christians, may be led into the way of standing, keep your hearts and minds in the know- truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the ledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Fiour Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the nally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among those who are any ways afflicted in mind, body, you, and remain with you always. Amen. or estate; (especially him for whom our prayers are desired;) that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions, and this we beg for Jesus Christ his sake.

PROPER COLLECTS

THAT MAY BE USED WITH ANY OF THE PRAYERS
FOR THE SICK.

LET thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and, that we may obtain our petitions, make us to ask such things as shall please thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased Yet, O Lord God, most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death. Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our heart; shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou inost worthy Judge Eternal, suffer us not at the last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from

thee. Amen.

O MERCIFUL God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, we beseech thee to raise us from the death of sin

to the life of righteousness, that, at the general resurrection in the last day, we may be found acceptable in thy sight, and may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

O MOST mighty God, and merciful Father, who hast compassion upon all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, who wouldest not the death

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve; pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord.

O God, merciful Father, that despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as be sorrowful; mercifully assist our prayers that we make before thee in all our troubles and adversities whensoever they oppress us; and graciously hear us, that those evils which the craft and subtlety of the devil or man worketh against us be brought to nought, and by the providence of thy goodness they may be dispersed; that we thy servants, being hurt by no persecutions, (or afflictions,) may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy church; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

WE beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities, and for the glory of thy name turn from us all those evils that we most righteously have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honour and glory; through our only mediator and advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord.

tender love to mankind hast sent thy Son our ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who of thy Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; mercifully grant, that we may both follow

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.

[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 his body. Bless the means for his recovery; and, if it be thy good pleasure, restore him speedily to his former health, and inspire him with a serious resolution to serve thee more zealously all his days.

counsels, deliver him from the fear of death, assist Or if thou hast otherwise resolved in thy wise 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 bitterness; 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, 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 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.

to come.

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.

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

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 Bless the remedies which are used for restoring hand presseth me sore.-Psalm xxxviii. 2. him to his former health, that he may live to per- 5. There is no health in my flesh, because of form his duty with greater care; or if thou hast thy displeasure: neither is there any rest in my otherwise appointed, accept graciously of his pur-bones, by reason of my sin.—Psalm xxxviii. 3. poses 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 O Lord, we most humbly beseech thee, through Christ Jesus, our merciful and compassionate Redeemer. Amen.

us,

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 ever before me.

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.

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, 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.

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, according to the necessity of his case, and according to 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.

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 And visit him, in the meantime, with thy hea- Spirit. Give him unfeigned repentance for all the venly consolation from above. Fill him with com- errors of his past life, and steadfast faith in thy fortable thoughts of thy love, and of the tender Son Jesus Christ; a comfortable assurance of the compassionate care which our Lord Jesus takes of truth of all his precious promises, a lively hope of all his afflicted servants. Endue him still with that immortal bliss in which he reigns for evermore patient submission to thy will, and enable more, and a strong sense of thy fatherly love to him both quietly to wait upon thee, till thou hast him, and care over him, which may make him finished his recovery, and also to continue stead-heartily love thee, and entirely confide in thee, and fastly resolved to serve thee more faithfully with absolutely resign both soul and body to thy wise his restored strength, through Jesus Christ our disposal. 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."

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 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, 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 Je of 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