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And now that I am come to you, to assist you in your repentance and devotions on your bed of sickness, I hope that you are both desirous and ready to join with me in Prayer.

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If the Sick Person be willing to join in prayer, the Minister may begin according to the order of the visitation of the sick, "Remember not, Lord," &c.; having first of all put to him the following Questions, touching his due reception of his sickness.

Bur before I proceed to pray with you, allow me to ask you a few ques

tions.

mighty God?

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2. Do you believe and acknowledge, not only his justice, but also his kindness therein, as in a father's visitation?

And that all which you do now suffer, is far less than you have deserved to suffer?

3. Do you therefore submit to it quietly, and without murmuring, because he sent it?

*

4. And do you look up to him for assistance and deliverance, and depend upon him to take it off again?

5. And are you willing that he should do this when he pleases, and contented to wait his good time for it?

6. And do you resign yourself up to his disposal, either to continue under your sickness, or to recover out of the same; to live or die, as he sees fittest for you?

7. Do you study to be as easy as you can to those who attend or minister about you; and to receive their well-meant care and services, kindly and thankfully?

8. Do you now plainly see the vanity of this world, and of all the possessions, pleasures, pomp and splendour thereof, which seemed the most tempting and desirable to you in time of your health? And are you fully sensible and convinced now, how little there is in them, and how soon you may be, or are like to be, taken from them?

9. Do you desire therefore to keep your heart loose, and taken off from the same? And to fix your hopes and desires upon God and heavenly things, which you will always find an help at hand, and a solid comfort in your need?

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10. Will

Answer.

10. Will you endeavour, by God's grace, to continue in this mind, and still to shew forth the same ; if, having by God's blessing recovered your former health, you should come to converse again amongst those worldly satisfactions, and be enabled to relish and enjoy them *.

And now, my beloved brother, as you have before expressed your desire to join with me, and those who are about you, in prayer, I will proceed in that necessary duty, according to the form which our Church prescribes.

Here let the Minister and the Sick Man's attendants kneel down, and the Minister shall say,

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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.

* These questions are taken from Mr. Kettlewell's "Trial and Juigment of the Soul," page 5. and fol lowing.

Then

Then the Minister shall say,
Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

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.

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Minister. Be unto him, O Lord, a strong tower,.

Answer. From the face of his enemy.

Minister. O Lord, hear our prayers;

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Answer.

Answer. And let our cry come unte thee.

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Minister.

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 be seech 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.

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