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MANUAL FOR THE SICK.

WHEN the Minister cometh into the Sick Man's presence, he will by kind and judicious questions discover what is the strength of his body, and the state of his mind. He will thus be enabled to proceed in such a manner as shall be most conducive to the Sick Person's benefit.

Oftentimes from the violence of his disorder, the Patient is totally unable to pay attention to reading, or to join in prayer. In such cases, it will be useless and even cruel to harass him by questions or by conversation, from which, in such a state, no comfort can be derived. The only thing then to be done, is to minister to the wants of the body, and, as far as shall be possible, to ease it's pain, and remove it's uneasiness.

But if circumstances shall allow of his so doing, the Minister shall exhort the Sick Person, seeing that for aught he knoweth to the contrary, his end may be near;-to repent him truly of his sins, and to be in charity with all the world; to forgive,

from the bottom of his heart, all persons that have offended him :—and if he hath offended any other, to ask them forgiveness;and where he hath done injury to any man, that he make amends to the uttermost of his power; and if he hath not before disposed of his goods, let him then be admonished to make his will. That so, all his worldly affairs being duly settled, he may be the better able to turn himself heartily and entirely to the care of his Soul.

Then shall the Minister read the following Prayers always giving heed to the sick man, and proceeding no farther than his strength shall seem able to bear; first questioning him in the articles of his faith, that he may know whether he has a plain and sufficient understanding of the manner of his salvation, through Jesus Christ.

FROM THE LITANY.

O God the Father of Heaven, have mercy upon us, miserable Sinners! O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us, miserable Sin

ners!

O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, have mercy upon us, miserable Sinners! O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, Three Persons and one God, have mercy upon us, miserable Sinners! In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our wealth; in the hour of death, and in the day of Judgement, Good Lord, deliver us!

That it may please thee to succour, help, and comfort, all that are in danger, necessity, and tribulation, We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord!

Lord, have mercy upon us!
Christ, have mercy upon us!

Let us pray,

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 : For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

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

beseech 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 ended, he may dwell with thee in life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Minister exhort the sick Person after this form, or other like.

Dearly beloved, know this, that Almighty God is the Lord of life and death, and of all things to them pertaining, as youth, strength, health, age, weakness, and sickness. Wherefore, whatsoever your sickness is, know you certainly, that it is God's visitation. And for what cause soever this sickness is sent unto you whether it be to try your patience for the example of others, and that your

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