PRAYERS,

TO BE USED WITH A SICK PERSON.

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 honor, 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 his salvation.

Wherein soever

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 circumspeetly 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. Give him a true reverence for thy wisdom and justice, an entire confidence in thy goodness and love, a thankful remembrance of all thy past mercies to him, that so he may the better endure what thou lay

est upon him at present, and may ever follow thy directions, and submit to thy orders, and delight to do thy will.

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 purpose of amendment, and dispose him to give back his spirit willingly unto Him who gave 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 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 the 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 honor 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 Him, 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.

GRACIOUS God, give thy servant patience in his sorrows, comfort in this his sickness; and restore him to health, if it seem good to thee, in order to thy great and gracious ends, and his highest interests. And however thou shalt determine concerning him in this great trial, yet make his repentance perfect, and his passage safe, and his hope modest and confident; that when thou shalt call his soul from this corruptible body, he may enter into the security and rest of the sons of God, in the bosom of everlasting

blessedness, and in communion with Jesus Christ our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God! Father of all mercies, the God of peace and comfort, rest and pardon, we humbly entreat that thy mercy may descend to the soul and body of this distressed sufferer. Refresh him with the consolations of thy Spirit. Suffer not his pain or weakness, or any other calamity, to discompose his thoughts. Dispel his fears. Enliven his hopes. Lord, let him not be faithless, but believing; and though now he walketh in darkness, and hath no light, enable him to trust in thee, and to take shelter under the shadow of thy wings.

Settle in his soul a steadfast conviction that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men, but intendest good to them in all thy corrections. Show thyself unto him, O Lord! as the only stay and support of his soul, and as the rock of his salvation.

In the multitude of the thoughts and sor