In connection with this subject we may remark, that we have also provided an Office of consolation to be used with the parents after the death of young children; for this is an occasion when the greatness of affliction renders the ministry of prayer and exhortation and consolation particularly needful and comforting; and, it is evident that the general Office of consolation is quite inapplicable to such a case. The Office printed in this volume has been found, by experience of its use, to afford satisfaction and comfort to persons suffering under this very afflictive dispensation. In the use of the Litanies, the Priest can conclude them either with the usual grace (2 Cor. xiii.) or the blessing, p. 259, or the commendatory benediction of the Visitation Office, as he thinks fit in the particular case. Besides the use of the short Offices to which we have already pointed, (see p. cxlvi.) it is thought they may be found suitable to such cases of not very serious illness, yet of confinement to the bed or room, as the Minister may think fit to make an opportunity of a pastoral visit, or of repeating such visits from time to time. In such a case he will naturally desire to use prayers, and Scripture readings; and as the Visitation Office seems hardly applicable to cases of this kind, these short forms of prayer, with Scripture and Psalms, may be a useful manual on such occasions. And as in all cases of serious illness where he is visiting the sick man, he will desire to make the opportunity one also of instruction and improvement to those about him, and to teach them to realize that their office is not one of mere bodily service, but a religious duty, we have appended the directions to be given to such persons, with Psalms and prayers suitable to be said with them, pp. 259, 260. Such are the advices (imperfectly set out, indeed, and conveyed), which our studies coupled with our own experience, enable us to give our brethren in dealing with the many and various difficulties to be expected, and h commonly experienced in the ministration to the sick. And while we have attempted to give them such directions as may guide them in the use of the following Offices, and in their conduct in the sick room, we are sensible how great a field we have left untouched, of their personal preparation in heart and mind, by study, by meditation, and above all by prayer. For this it is indeed which can alone encourage and enable us to bear the weight of the Christian Ministry: the thought that thus prepared we go not forth in our own strength; that as the Ambassadors of GOD we are not alone; but that we have the Church to guide us in setting about our ministrations, GoD's Holy SPIRIT to influence us in the due performance of them, His Blessed Son to support us in going through them, and His own gracious promise to confirm the execution of them, if only we perform them in humility, in zeal, in earnestness, and in meek dependance on Him. While, therefore, the Christian Priest keeps before him that one text, which we quoted at the outset of this Introduction, to warn him against all presumption and self-confidence in undertaking his duties, so also, to hinder him from shrinking back from them in mistrust and despondency, let him look to that other text, Διὰ τοῦτο ἔχοντες τὴν διακονίαν ταύτην, καθὼς ηλεήθημεν, οὐκ ἐκκακοῦμεν. W. H. C. Laus sit Deo. CONTENTS. PAGE Preces Privatæ. Inquiries to be made concerning the Sick Party The Communion of the Sick. 2 3 7 17 The Ministration of Private Baptism of Children 31 An Office for the Private Baptism of those of Riper Years An Office of Consolation in the time of a great Calamity. 86 101 An Office to be used during Prolonged Sickness, and confinement to home 108 An Office for one about to undergo an Operation . 121 An Office for a person in a state of Insensibility An Office for one Sick of Pestilence The Office for holy Communion with one Condemned 169 170 An Office to be said after Communion of the Sick 185* 185 The manner of Commending the Sick to GoD at the hour of death An Office of Consolation with the friends of one deceased An Office to be used with Parents on the death of young children A Litany Commemorative of the Life and Passion of our A Litany to be said with the Sick Person before he receive A Litany to be said over one not likely to live A Litany to be said over a Sick Child Short Offices for divers occasions Directions for the attendants on the Sick, with Prayers, &c. 259 XXVIII. The blessing of true penitence 312 XXIX. The blessing of physicians, and on medicines 312 XXX. Christian excellence progressive 314 XXXI. Watchfulness 315 XXXII. The blessing of meekness, poverty and suffering 316 XXXIII. Lovingkindness and forgiveness 317 XXXIV. The sacrifice of righteousness 319 XXXV. Holy Communion. 320 Lections from Sutton's Disce Mori 325 tation I. How the Sick should demean himself in the beginning II. How the Sick should dispose of worldly Goods and Pos sessions III. How the Sick should apply his mind to Prayer and Medi IV. How the Sick may be moved to constancy and persever ance V. How they may be advertised who seem unwilling to 333 336 VI. How they may be induced to depart meekly that seem loath to leave worldly goods, &c. VII. How the Impatient may be persuaded to endure pain IX. How the dying in his agony may be prepared towards 342 346 350 his end 357 X. A consolation to all those that lament for the dead Exhortations by Bishop Stearne I. For any ordinary case II. To one of ill fame backward in confessing his sins Exhortations by Bishop Wilson 1. To such as are very ignorant 2. To such as are vainly confident 3. To such as want comfort, being dejected Exhortations adapted from Bishop Wilson 1. To the rich 2. To a very poor person 3. To such as are in affliction Considerations for Several Particular Cases by Bishop Taylor 1. For awakening a careless person 2. For exciting contrition 3. Against presumption 4. Against unreasonable fears of not having sins pardoned An ancient Exhortation on Faith, Charity, and Repentance PAGE 384 384 385 386 387 388 389 389 390 391 392 394 396 398 398 399 399 401 402 404 404 406 408 412 412 416 419 422 431 437 ABP. LAUD and BP. ANDREWES Propositions and Inferences to be made to the Sick, Examination of Sick Man's Faith. Examination of Sick Man by the Precepts of the Gospel, A short form of Examination of one near death, ABP. ANSELM 543 DR. ISHAM 491 KETTLEWELL 499 DR. SHERLOCK 514 |