ceiving it, after I have explained to you the nature, end, and design of that Sacrament in this and some future Visits. 66 In order to which I mean to read to you at different times, by little and little, as you may be able to attend to me, A Short and Plain Introduction for the better understanding of the Lord's Supper, with the necessary Preparation required," written by one of the best men, I believe, that ever lived *: and I pray God to give you understanding, that you may be thoroughly convinced of your sinfulness in having neglected it, and be duly prepared to receive it, when I shall think proper to administer it to you. And now, my Christian Brother, I would begin to read to you the Introduction I have been speaking of; but as the exhortation I have just addressed to you, and the prayers in which I wish you to join with me, will have sufficiently engaged your attention for the present, if not wearied your spirits, I shall rather defer it till my next Visit, giving you my reason for reading it at all; which is this: By hearing it read over distinctly by me, I think you will be able afterwards to read it yourself with greater edification, than if I were to desire you to read it first your * Bishop Wilson. self. At the end of every section there is a suitable prayer which I shall read after it; not by way of making it a present act of devotion; but that you may the more readily make it so, when you shall read it yourself, if you should be able to do so, after I have gone through the whole of it. If you should not be able then to read it yourself, I shall advise you to get some friend to read it to you, whom you may follow in the prayer after each section, and make it your own by saying heartily Amen. : And now that this Visit may not seem too tedious, I shall take my leave of you, as soon as I have prayed with and for you, in the manner in which I have before. 1 Here the Minister kneeling down with those who are attending on the Sick Person, may say: Remember not, Lord, our iniquities, nor the iniquities of our forefathers. Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever. Answer. Spare us, good Lord. Then the Minister shall say, Let us pray. Our Father, which art in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Minister. O Lord, save thy servant; Answer. Which putteth his trust in thee. Minister. Send him help from thy holy place; Answer. And evermore mightily defend him. Minister. Let the enemy have no advantage of him ; Answer. Nor the wicked approach to hurt him. Minister. Be unto him, O Lord, a strong tower; Answer. Answer. Fom the face of his enemy. Minister. O Lord, hear our prayers; Answer. And let our cry come unto thee. O Lord, look down from heaven, behold, visit, and relieve this thy servant. Look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy; give him comfort and sure confidence in thee; defend him from the danger of the enemy; and keep him in perpetual peace and safety, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. : Hear us, almighty and most merciful God and Saviour; extend thy accustomed goodness to this thy servant, who is grieved with sickness. Sanctify, we beseech thee, this thy fatherly correction to him, that the sense of his weakness may add strength to his faith, and seriousness to his repentance. That if it shall be thy good pleasure to restore him to his former health, he may lead the residue of his life in thy fear and to thy glory: or else give him grace so to take thy visitation, that after this painful life is ended, he may dwell with thee in life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. E We We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities, and for the glory of thy Name, turn from us all those evils which 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. Amen. Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy tender love towards mankind hast sent thy Son, our 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 partakers of his resurrection, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking, we beseech thee to have compassion upon our infirmities, and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouch safe |