4th Form. If the Curate should visit any one sick who A form which is applicable happens to be of another communion, he may use this manner of speech :— "I know not, my Brother, whether this visit to any one of to you is welcome; for since I am of a comcommunion. munion differing greatly from your own, you another may, perhaps, imagine that I am about to inveigh against the tenets of your sect; but I would not have you be in fear of this; for although I wish that you and all others walking so adventurously and with so much hazard, in the crooked paths of error, would, ere it be too late, return to the safe way of truth, it appears to me an unseasonable time and unfitting undertaking to agitate a controversy with sick people, or to enter into a debate concerning points on every side much discussed: but no one can justly blame me, neither should you with reason be offended, if I friendly urge you to the performance of those things which, in the judgement of all, become you in your sickness, and which you cannot possibly omit without throwing away salvation, nor defer even for an hour without the greatest danger. Nor indeed for any other cause have I come unto you than that I might converse with you respecting those duties which are freely acknowledged by all Christians to be binding, and that I might exhort you to that penitence which by common consent is needful for all." With these prefatory words the Curate may proceed to explain the nature of repentance, showing its necessity, and by the strongest arguments exciting its performance as to remaining subjects to be entered into, some discovery may be made from the answers of the sick. : When the sick person visited happens to have 5th Form. this world's goods in abundance, the Curate may address him thus :— the Curate "Since God, my Brother, has bestowed upon A form which you many good things, it is but right that you may address should bear with resignation the evil He has rich. sent; and that you may the better remember to to one that is account the sickness with which you are oppressed amongst the divine favours, I would have you know that afflictions of this description have their advantages, and although they be bitter, they are wholesome medicines: they are able to teach you how vain, how uncertain, and how unworthy our affections are those worldly things which we so desperately love, since they can neither alleviate our pains, nor furnish consolation in our greatest need; they teach that they must sooner or later be relinquished, and that an account must most certainly be rendered of all the talents entrusted to you in this life; and that, therefore, it is the part of the wise so to regulate their worldly affairs, that they prove not hindrances, when this life is ended, to their eternal happiness and hence also, my Brother, you may learn that if in heaping up riches, or in withholding them, you have at any time offended against justice or the laws of charity, not only to supplicate God for pardon, but also now at last to tear your affections from earthly and to fix them upon heavenly things; and, as evidences of your : steadfast conversion to exercise yourself now and for the future, as far as your means will allow, in just and charitable works." From the replies of the sick person and from general rules laid down in a subsequent part of this Manual, the Curate may gain instruction how further to address him. Whenever he visits those who have long been weighed down by poverty, and are in great distress, the Curate may thus order his speech : 66 6th Form. the Curate • when he sick who is time dis through I perceive, my Brother, that you have not A form which attained to worldly riches, and hence my hope may use arises that you have entirely desired the more visits one substantial riches of another life, and that you at the same have wisely been laying up your treasures in tressed heaven, for thus verily will you abound in poverty. wealth, nor shall your harder lot impede, nay rather, whatever be the difficulties you contend with, your lack of this world's goods will thus far profit you that you can more earnestly seek the things which are above; and I doubt not but that God has placed you in such a condition with this very design; I hope, moreover, that you have lived devoid of envy and impatience, contented with your lot, and that with a cheerful will you entrust yourself and all your concerns to the providence of God and I would not that you should be distressed in mind if you must shortly leave your wife, or children, or any others with whom the close ties of blood connect you, destitute of wealth or friends, since you may be assured that God, who up to this time has provided for you, will also provide for them, and will, (if their own vices do not hinder it,) bestow upon them that which is expedient for them." To these or the like words the Curate may add whatever, according to subsequent rules laid down, or the answers of the person visited, shall seem to him desirable. 7th Form. If the sick man be very full of years the Curate may thus express himself: A form which may be ad dressed to "My Brother, thou hast now lived many years, and it is not right that you should |