ments fail him, represent thyself more effectually unto him, as the only support and stay of his hope, and rock of 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 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 pa tient 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 upon him at present, and may ever follow thy direc tions, 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 stead. fastly upon him who led the way through the grave unto heaven, that he may not be affrighted with the ap. proaches 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 wilt 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.

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 Dr. 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 outstretched 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.

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, work. ing in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.* Amen.

Heb. xiii. 20, 21.

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. Psalm vi. 2.

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 exliii. 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 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.

4. Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight that thou mightest be justified in thy say. ing, 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 thy 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 exliii. 1.

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 eth unto thee, as a thirsty land. Psalm exliii. 6.

gasp

6. Hear me, O Lord, and that soon, for my spirit waxeth faint: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Psalm exliii. 7. 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 thy 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 heartily forgive all the world, whereinsoever any hath offended me, or done me any manner of injury whatsoever, even as I desire to be forgiven 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 comprehended 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