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and I doubt not, but that your friends who are about you, will readily join us in the prayer which I shall offer up to the throne of grace in your behalf for support under your sickness; and you need not doubt, but that, if you are sincere in your devotions and repentance, God will vouchsafe to hear you for the sake of his dear Son Jesus Christ: Therefore let us kneel down again and pray, and may God hear, accept, and grant our petitions!

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O Almighty God, merciful and gracious, who in thy justice did send sorrow and tears, sickness and death into the world, as a punishment for man's sin, 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 mercy, short afflictions to an eternal weight of glory; as thou hast been pleased to turn the sins of this thy servant into sickness, so turn, we beseech

This prayer is taken from "The Clergyman's "Companion in visiting the Sick," Page 96. Edit. 1788, there called "A prayer for a person in the beginning of sickness," and said to be "From Bishop Taylor."

thee

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thee, his sickness to the advantage of holiness and religion, of mercy and pardon, of faith and hope, of grace and glory. Thou hast now called him to suffer. Lord, relieve his sorrow and support his spirit, direct his thoughts and sanctify his sickness, that the punishment of his sin may be to him a school of virtue. Make him behave as a son under discipline, humbly and obediently, evenly and patiently, that he may be brought by these means nearer unto thee; that if he shall recover his former health, he may return to the world with greater strength of spirits, to run a new race of stricter holiness and more severe religion; or if he shall pass from hence through the gates of death, he may rejoice in the hope of being admitted into that heavenly society, in which all thy saints and servants shall be comprehended to eternal ages. Grant this, for Jesus Christ's sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

¶ Adding this,

O Saviour of the world, who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us, save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.

¶ Then

¶ Then the Minister shall say,

The Almighty Lord, who is a most

strong tower to all them trust in him, to whom all

that put their things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, do bow and obey, be now and evermore thy defence, and make thee know and feel, that there is no other name under heaven given to man, in whom and through whom thou mayest receive health and salvation, but only the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

And after that shall say,

Unto God's gracious mercy and protection we commit thee. The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore. Amen.

THE END OF THE FIRST VISIT.

THE

THE SECOND VISIT.

¶ On coming into the Sick Person's house, the Minister shall say,

Peace be to this house, and to all that dwell in it.

¶ When the Minister is come into the Sick Person's chamber, and has offered such salutation as his own prudence, according to the circumstances of the person he is visiting, shall suggest to him, he may say to him thus;

I return to you, my sick friend, according to the promise which I made when I last took my leave of you, to pray with you again, and to offer you my further assistance in the duties which every one ought particularly to perform when it pleases God to visit him with sickness: I hope, therefore, that I find you in a state not too weak to admit my visit, and that you are willing that I should pray with you, and proceed in such manner as the duty of my office requires me to do.

If the Sick Person is well enough, and willing to join in prayer, the Minister may here begin, as at his first visit, with Remember

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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.

Answer. Spare us, good Lord.

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.

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