the world with a stedfast faith in thy Son Jesus, with an unfeigned repentance for all the errors of my life past, with a holy indifference to all temporal things, and a cheerful resignation of my soul into thy hands, as into the hands of my merciful Creator, through the merits and mediation of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Another. GRACIOUS and merciful God, who in thy justice didst send sorrow and tears, sickness and death into the world as a punishment for man's transgression, and hast concluded all under sin, not to destroy us, but that thou mightest have mercy upon all, making thy justice to minister to mercy and the light afflictions of this life to an eternal weight of glory; as thou hast visited me for my sins with sickness and trouble, so make these trials the happy occasion of my growth in grace in this life and the increase of my glory in the world to come. And as thou hast thus called me to a fellowship with thy dear Son who was made perfect through suffering, grant that I may be brought nearer to him and thyself in holiness, purity, and love. Sanctify to me all the changing circumstances of my sickness, relieve my pains, and support me in dejection and distress. Enable me to behave myself with humility and sorrow, with submissiveness and patience, as a child un der the discipline of a father, that if I shall be restored to health of body and vigour of mind, I may return to the world with fresh strength for the race which is set before me and finish my course with joy; or if I pass from hence through the gate of death, I may be mercifully received into the bosom of my Lord, to reign with him in glory and bliss for ever and ever. Grant this O Heavenly Father, for the sake of our Advocate and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen. A Prayer for Patience. IGHTEOUS art thou O Lord, in all the pains and sorrows which thou hast brought upon me for the punishment of my sins, and the trial of my patience. I receive my sickness with humility as thy fatherly chastisement. Correct me O Lord, but not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. Let me judged for my sins here, that I may have nothing but mercy without judgment from thine hands hereafter. I lament and bewail my transgressions in bitterness of soul. Accept, I beseech thee, my unfeigned repentance, blot out all my misdeeds, and refresh me with the grace and comfort of thy Holy Spirit. But O Lord I beseech thee, not only to give me pardon for my offences, but strength and patience in my sufferings and trials. Support me in the weakness of my body, guard me in the temptations which as thy Son, sanctified by thy Spirit, and saved by thy mercy, I may here rejoice in hope, and hereafter sing eternal praises to the honour of thy name, through my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Another. MOST glorious and blessed Saviour, who alone hast power to forgive sin, to rescue us from its dominion, and to deliver us from the wrath of God, be gracious to me a miserable offender who confess thy justice in my sufferings and implore thy mercy in the pardon and forgiveness of all my transgressions. Remember not the follies of my childhood, nor the vanities of my youth, (the remissness and guilt of my riper years, nor my hardness of heart and contempt of thy word even in the infirmities of age.) Remember not the sins of my tongue, nor the outbreaks of my wrath, the unlawfulness of my desires, nor the wickedness of my deeds. Contend no longer with a miserable wretch, who acknowledges his guilt, and earnestly begs for the remission of his sins. Thou hast glorified thyself in all generations of the world, by giving pardon to the penitent and to the afflicted, comfort to the comfortless, freshment to the weary. Behold O Lord, rows of thy servant, and do away mine By thy manifold mercies and thine in 3. finite merits, by thine agony and bloody sweat, by thy strong crying and tears, by thy bitter cross and passion, by thy mighty resurrection, thy glorious ascension, and thy effectual intercession and mediation, hear me O Lord, and have mercy upon me. And however thou shalt see fit to deal with me here, vouchsafe at last unto my body a part in the resurrection of the just, and unto my soul the estate of joy, happiness, and immortality with all thy blessed saints in thy heavenly kingdom, through thine own prevailing merits O Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen. For a Blessing on the Means, which may be used for Recovery. FATHER of mercies and God of all consolation, our only help in time of need, I humbly beseech thee, to look upon me thy unworthy servant with mercy and favour, here lying under thy hand in great weakness of body. Lay no more upon me than thou wilt enable me to bear. Consider my weakness and proportion my trials to my strength, that I may endure them with patience and resignation to thy blessed will. Hear my complaints and remove the cause of them, as shall seem to thee most expedient for me. Give thy blessing to the means which may be used for my recovery. And since thou alone canst effectually remove my maladies, and skill, medicine, and attention are only instruments in thy hands that work according to thy good pleasure, speak the word O Lord, and thy servant shall be healed. But if thou shouldest not see fit to hearken unto my prayer, fit me for whatever in thy wise providence thou shalt order for me. Give me ease and comfort in my sufferings, or firmness and strength when my heart and my flesh are ready to fail. Guide me with thy counsel, and after that receive me with glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.. Another. MOST blessed and glorious Saviour, the great Physician of our souls, the sun of righteousness arising with healing in thy wings, who when thou didst appear among men went about doing good, and healing all manner of disease, and to whom now that thou hast ascended on high all power is given both in heaven and earth; look graciously upon thy servant, here lying in great weakness and suffering under thy chastening hand. O let the design of thy visitation be accomplished in the sanctification of my soul. And if it seem good unto thee O Lord, be pleased also to bless the ministry of thy servant my physician, in the means which he may use for the health of my body. Direct his judgment in the treatment of the disease, give efficacy to the medicines which he may prescribe, and so dispose all |