ther, in these his great, and, for any thing we | Give us all (and particularly thy servant, for know, his last agonies. whom we are now interceding) a sense of our And as the fore-mentioned instances are own vileness; give us unfeigned repentance for lively significations of thine unbounded good-all the errors of our life past; that, being cast ness, and were written for our comfort and in-down, thou mayest raise us up, and become struction, that none should despair of pardon; merciful to us, miserable sinners. so with the greatest confidence we now recommend this our distressed brother to thy divine protection, beseeching thee to forgive all that is past, and to receive him at last into thine "everlasting habitation." Amen. A Prayer for one who is hardened and impenitent. Let us all find, by blessed experience, that "we grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ;" and that "his commandments" are not “grievous" to us, but rather the delight and desire of our souls; that so at last we may be presented to him "holy and unblameable, and unreprovable in his sight." Amen. A Prayer for a sick Woman that is with Child. LORD God Almighty, who art the "Father of our spirits," and who "turnest the hearts of men as thou pleasest; who hast mercy on O GOD, the help of all that put their trust whom thou wilt have mercy, and whom thou in thee, the support of the weak, and the relief wilt thou hardenest ;" let thy merciful ears be of the needy; look with pity upon this woman open, we pray thee, to the supplications which thy servant, who at best acknowledgeth herself we now offer to thy Divine Majesty, in the be- but a weak and helpless creature, but much half of this thy servant, who appears insensible more so now in her present condition, when of his sin and folly, and on whom all means to thou hast added weakness to weakness, and lead him to repentance have hitherto seemed made her to travail with much sickness, togevain and ineffectual. Take from him, we hum-ther with the burden of child-bearing. bly entreat thee, all ignorance and hardness of O Lord, be thou graciously pleased to proheart: remove from him all prejudice against, portion thy strength to her weakness, and as and contempt of, thy sacred word and ministry: pains and sorrow take hold upon her, inspire let him no longer make a mock of sin," but her with fresh vigour and courage to rely upon be sensible that the wisdom he has hitherto thee, her only support in time of need, and the gloried in, is the greatest and most dangerous rock of her salvation. folly. Open thou his eyes, that he may see the wonderful things of thy law." Show thy mercy upon him, and grant him thy salvation. Convince him of the vanity and madness, as well as danger, of his past ways. 66 A Prayer for a Woman in the Time of her Let her not be disquieted with the fear of any evil, since none can happen unto her without thy permission; but give her grace patiently to resign herself to thy blessed will in all things, who knowest what is best for her, and wilt lay His understanding, we fear, is now darken- no more upon her, we trust, than thou wilt en ed, and his heart hardened through the deceit-able her to bear. fulness of sin: O, do thou enlighten his dark Bring strength, O Lord, out of weakness, mind, and let him at last see the beauties of and health out of sickness; and make her, in holiness, which have so long been hidden from thy good time, a joyful mother of a hopeful his eyes. Take from him this" stony heart, child, which may do good in its generation, and give him a heart of flesh." Awaken his and be an instrument of thy glory here, and a slumbering and inattentive soul, that it may blessed inhabitant of thy heavenly kingdom delight in things agreeable to its nature, and hereafter. Amen. be employed in things that make for its everlasting peace. O give him understanding, and he shall yet live. Thou that canst revive souls which are dead in sin and trespasses, and make even such as lie in the grave of corruption to become glorious saints and even martyrs O MOST Mighty Lord, who hast given us for religion, hear our prayers for our brother, innumerable pledges of thy love, and encouwho seems to be on the brink of destruction; raged us to trust in thee for ever, and to exand pity poor sinners that have not pity on pect with quiet and patient minds the issue of themselves. thy wise and good providence; we most humIt is the unhappiness of being long accustom-bly commend thy servant, in this her extreed to sin, that we are not soon made sensible mity, to thy care and blessing; beseeching of our errors, nor easily made to know them. thee to give her a gracious deliverance, and to It is the pride of our nature to be unwilling to ease her of the burden wherewith she labours. acknowledge our faults, and to confess our sins: We ourselves are monuments of that mercy but let thy grace, O God, teach us to deny this which we beg of thee. Thou didst preserve ungodly lust. Do thou humble in us all high our weak and imperfect frame, before we were and vain imaginations; suppress all proud born. Thou hast succoured and supported us thoughts and haughty opinions of ourselves. ever since, many times beyond our hopes, and (From Bishop Patrick.) the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice." "Restore unto her, O Lord, the joy of thy salvation, and uphold her with thy free Spirit; then shall she teach transgressors thy way, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver her" from this great affliction, " O God, thou God of her salvation, and her tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness." always beyond our deservings. We commit And forasmuch as she putteth her whole trust ourselves, and every thing belonging unto us, in thee, give her strength and patience promost heartily unto thy hands; remembering portionable to all her pains and agonies. Supthat thou hast the same power and goodness port her spirits under them, and, if thou pleasstill, by which we came into the light of the est, carry her safely through the same, and living. We cannot desire to be better pro-" make her to hear of joy and gladness, that vided for, than as thy infinite wisdom judgeth most convenient for us; unto that we refer ourselves, beseeching thee, if it be thy good pleasure, that her deliverance may be as speedy as her cries unto thee; or her patience as great and long as her pains. Thou who ripenest the fruits of the earth, and then givest us the gathering of them to our comfort, blast not, we beseech thee, the fruit of the womb; but bring it to maturity, and deliver it safe into thy servant's hand as a new pledge of thy goodness to her, to be an instrument of thy glory, and a future comfort and blessing to thy servant, who travails in so much pain with it now. Or if thou hast otherwise determined, Lord, give her grace to submit to thy holy will, and to rest satisfied in thy wise appointments, and never to distrust thy goodness and care over her. Hear us, O Father of mercies, and pardon hers and all our offences, and pity our infirmities: make us more thankful for what we have received, and more fit for the blessing which we now request; and prepare us for all thy future mercies, either in this life, or in the next, through thy infinite love and compassion declared to us, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. A Prayer for a Woman who cannot be delivered without Difficulty and Hazard. Thy mercies and power are still the same, and will be the same for ever. O let them now be shown in this thy servant's delivery, as they have been formerly on the like occasion; that so, by having fresh instances of thy loving kindness, she may still praise thee more and more. O perfect her repentance, and pardon her sins. Give her patience whilst she lives, and peace when she dies, and, after death, the happiness of a blessed eternity, which thou hast promised and prepared for all that love and fear thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Prayer for Grace and Assistance for a Woman after Delivery, but still in Danger. (From Mr. Kettlewell.) O FATHER of mercies, what thanks can we worthily give unto thee for thine unspeakable goodness to this thy servant, and her helpless thou hast done for her! The pangs of death infant, and for the wondrous things which compassed her, and she found trouble and sorrow. The mouth of the pit was opened, and ready to shut itself upon her: but thou hast graciously assuaged her pains, and turned her sorrows into joy. O LORD God of all comfort and consolation, who art the refuge of the distressed, and the help of all that depend upon thee; we thy unworthy servants do now offer up our supplications at the throne of thy majesty, in the behalf of this thy servant, who is in great pain and misery. Thou hast been pleased to bring Lord, we will ever adore and magnify thy the child to the birth, but there is not strength mercy, which has dealt so lovingly with her, to bring forth. On this account, thy servant and praise thy truth and faithfulness, which is in violent agonies, crying out in her pangs, have not suffered her hopes to fail. We will and pouring out her soul to thee in prayer. O never forget how mindful thou hast been of grant that "it may be in an acceptable time." the low estate of thy handmaid; for she has "Thou art our salvation; thou shalt pre-been supported by thy power, O blessed God, serve us from trouble; thou shalt compass us in her greatest weakness. She has tasted thy about with songs of deliverance." O let thy goodness in the midst of all her pangs and servant feel these blessed effects of thy goodness; and as thou hast brought to the birth, enable her, we beseech thee, to bring forth, that she may rejoice in the workmanship of thy hands, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Consider the low estate of thine handmaid, and deliver her soul from death, her eyes from tears, and her feet from falling. Gracious art thou, O Lord, and righteous; thou preservest the simple, and helpest those that are in misery." Help thy servant therefore now, we humbly entreat thee, who stands in so much need of it. Accept her tears, and assuage her pain, as shall seem most expedient for her. sorrows. which thou hast most graciously begun, and Perfect, O Lord, that deliverance to her let her not be lost, after the wonders which thou hast already done for her. Continue her patience, and her humble de dents to which she is still exposed. Support pendence on thee, under the pains and acciher spirits, and raise her up again in thy due time. Thy mercy and power are still the same, and will be the same for ever. O let them still be shown for her recovery, as they have • This is to be omitted, if it be the first child. been already for her delivery; let them be knowest best what is fit, both for it and us, and shown upon her, that she may praise thee wilt do what is fit for both, and therefore we more and more. leave it to thee, to dispose of it as thou pleas But if, in thy paternal providence, where- est. But whether it be to life or death, let it unto we pray she may willingly commit her- be thine in both, and either preserve it to be self, thou hast determined otherwise concern-thy true and faithful servant here on earth, or ing her, thy blessed will be done. Dispose her take it to the blessedness of thy children in the either to life or death, as thou pleasest, only kingdom of heaven; through our Lord and in both to thy mercy: and whether living or Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. dying, let her still please thee, and be thou her portion. O perfect her repentance, and give her patience whilst she lives, and peace when she dies, and after that, the happiness of a blessed eternity, which thou hast prepar ed for all that truly fear thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. If the Child be living, this may be added: PRESERVE likewise her tender infant, Father of mercies, and let its own weakness, and our cries, commend it to thy care. A Prayer for a Person who, from a state of Health, is suddenly seized with the Symptoms of Death. O MOST gracious Father, Lord of heaven and earth, Judge of the living and of the dead, behold thy servants turning to thee for pity and mercy, in behalf of ourselves and this thy servant. It was but lately that we beheld him in as promising a state of health and life, as any one of us seems to be in at present, and therefore our concern is so much the greater to behold so sudden a change, and so unlook Keep also afterwards in health and safety, and as it increases in years and stature, let it increase in wisdom, and in thy fear. Weed for an instance of our mortality. beg not for it wealth or greatness, but wisdom to know and to serve thee. For, O Lord, we do not desire life, either for ourselves or it, but that we may live to thee, and grow daily in love and thankfulness for all thy mercies, and in faith and patience, and all holy obedience, which may fit us for the happiness which thou hast promised; through Jesus Christ our only Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. Prayers for a sick Child. (Visitation Office.) We know, O Lord, thou canst bring back from the brink of the grave, and as suddenly raise thy servant again as thou hast cast him down, and therefore we think it not too late to implore thy mercy upon him for his recovery; at least we beg of thee to spare him a little, that he may recover his strength, and have time to make his peace with thee," before he go hence, and be no more seen.” But if it be thy will to remove him at this time into another world, O let the miracles of thy compassion, and thy wonderful mercy, supply to him the want of the usual measures of time, that he may fit himself for eternity. And let the greatO ALMIGHTY God and merciful Father, to ness of his calamity be a means to procure his whom alone belong the issues of life and death; pardon for those defects and degrees of unrealook down from heaven, we humbly beseech diness which this sudden stroke hath caused. thee, with the eyes of mercy upon this child, And teach us all, we beseech thee, from this unnow lying upon the bed of sickness: visit him, expected fate of our brother, to be continually O Lord, with thy salvation; deliver him in thy upon our guard, and to watch and pray, since good appointed time from his bodily pain, and we know not the hour when the "Master of save his soul for thy mercy's sake; that if it the house cometh," whether " in the evening, shall be thy good pleasure to prolong his days or at midnight, or in the morning." here on earth, he may live to thee, and be an Lord, thou hast now called thy servant beinstrument of thy glory, by serving thee faith-fore he was aware of it; O, give him such a fully, and doing good in his generation; or great and effectual repentance in this exigence, else receive him into those heavenly habitations, where the souls of them that sleep in the Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual rest and felicity. Grant this, for thy mercy's sake; through Amen. Jesus Christ our Lord. that in a short time it may be sufficient to do the work of many days. Thou regardest, O Lord, the sincerity of our hearts more than the measures of time, in our conversion; accept therefore, we beseech thee, the few minutes of thy servant's unfeigned tears and humiliation for his sins, as if they were hours and days of a longer preparation; and let it be thy plea. sure to rescue him from all the evils he deserves, and all the evils he fears, that in the songs of eternity which angels and saints shall sing to the glory of thy name, this also may be reckoned amongst thine invaluable mercies, that thou hast redeemed his soul from death, and made him partaker of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Prayer for a sick Person, when there appeareth small Hope of Recovery. (Visitation Office.) him, from the sudden change of health to sickness, consider how few and evil all his days have been, and that there is no satisfaction in what have we to do in this world, but to devote any thing, but in knowing thee, O God. Lord, ourselves wholly to thy service, and to make ready for the world to come? O, that we may all of us be mindful of this "one thing necessary," that we may finish our "work,” before we finish our course." O FATHER of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need; we fly unto thee for succour in behalf of this thy servant, here lying under thy hand in great weakness of body. Look graciously upon him, O Lord, and the more the outward man decayeth, strengthen him, we beseech thee, so much the more continually with thy grace and Holy Spirit in the inner man. Give him unfeigned repentance for all the errors of his life past, and steadfast faith in thy Son Jesus, that his sins may be forgiven and his pardon sealed in heaven, before he go hence, and be no more We know, O Lord, that there is no work impossible with thee, and that, if thou wilt, thou canst even yet raise him up, and grant him a longer continuance among us. Yet forasmuch as in all appearance the time of his dissolution draweth near, so fit and prepare him, we beseech thee, against the hour of death, that after his departure hence in peace, and in thy favour, his soul may be received in- A commendatory Prayer for a sick Person at to thine everlasting kingdom; through the mediation of Jesus Christ thy Son, our Saviour. Amen. seen. ful and serious consideration of these things, Quicken thy servant, O Lord, into a powernow thou hast brought him into more intimate acquaintance with them. Instruct and assist him in this great work of preparation to die. Show him how to do it, and help him with good his dissolution draweth near, he may have nosuccess to perform it; that when the time of thing else to do, but to resign himself willingly and cheerfully into thy hands, as into the hands of a merciful Creator, there to remain with thee for ever in that blessed place where sin and sickness and death shall be no more. Amen. the point of Departure. [Visitation Office.] O ALMIGHTY God, with whom do live the A general Prayer for Preparation and Readi- spirits of just men made perfect; we humbly ness to die. commend the soul of this thy servant our dear brother into thy hands, as into the hands of a LORD, "what is our life, but a vapour, faithful Creator, and most merciful Saviour; which appeareth for a little time, and then va- humbly beseeching thee, that it may be acceptnisheth away?" Even at the longest, how able in thy sight. And teach us, who survive, short and transitory! and when we think our-by this and other daily instances of mortality, selves most secure, yet we know not what a to see how frail and uncertain our own condiday may bring forth; nor how soon thou may-tion is, and so to number our days, that we est come, before we are aware, to call us to our last account. Quickly shall we be as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Quickly shall we be snatched away hence, and our place here shall know us no more. Our bodies shall soon lie down in the grave, and our souls be summoned to appear before the tribunal of Christ, to receive our everlasting doom; and yet, O Lord, how do the generality of mankind live in this world, as if they were never to leave it! How unmindful are we all of our departure! how improvident of our time! how careless of our souls, and negligent in our preparations for eternity! so that thou mightest justly cut us off in the midst of our sins, and our unpreparedness to appear before thee. But, O God of all comfort and mercy, remember not our sins against thee, but remember thy own love to us in Jesus Christ, and thy tender mercies which have been ever of old. O, remember how short our time is, and "so teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." In the days of our health and prosperity, let as, from the example of our brother's weakness, remember our own approaching fate; and let may seriously apply our hearts to that holy and heavenly wisdom, which may bring us to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord. Amen. A Litany for a sick Person at the time of (From Bishop Andrews.) O God, the Father of heaven, O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Save and deliver him. O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Have mercy upon him: O, holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, Remember not, Lord, his offences; call not to mind the offences of his forefathers; but spare him, good Lord, spare thy servant, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood, and be not angry with him for ever. From thy wrath and indignation; from the been already for her delivery; let them be knowest best what is fit, both for it and us, and shown upon her, that she may praise thee wilt do what is fit for both, and therefore we more and more. leave it to thee, to dispose of it as thou pleas But if, in thy paternal providence, where- est. But whether it be to life or death, let it unto we pray she may willingly commit her- be thine in both, and either preserve it to be self, thou hast determined otherwise concern- thy true and faithful servant here on earth, or ing her, thy blessed will be done. Dispose her take it to the blessedness of thy children in the either to life or death, as thou pleasest, only kingdom of heaven; through our Lord and in both to thy mercy: and whether living or Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. dying, let her still please thee, and be thou her portion. O perfect her repentance, and give her patience whilst she lives, and peace when she dies, and after that, the happiness of a blessed eternity, which thou hast prepar ed for all that truly fear thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. If the Child be living, this may be added: PRESERVE likewise her tender infant, Father of mercies, and let its own weakness, and our cries, commend it to thy care. A Prayer for a Person who, from a state of Health, is suddenly seized with the Symptoms of Death. O MOST gracious Father, Lord of heaven and earth, Judge of the living and of the dead, behold thy servants turning to thee for pity and mercy, in behalf of ourselves and this thy servant. It was but lately that we beheld him in as promising a state of health and life, as any one of us seems to be in at present, and therefore our concern is so much the greater Keep it also afterwards in health and safe- to behold so sudden a change, and so unlookty, and as it increases in years and stature, leted for an instance of our mortality. it increase in wisdom, and in thy fear. We beg not for it wealth or greatness, but wis- from the brink of the grave, and as suddenly We know, O Lord, thou canst bring back dom to know and to serve thee. For, O Lord, raise thy servant again as thou hast cast him we do not desire life, either for ourselves down, and therefore we think it not too late or it, but that we may live to thee, and to implore thymercy upon him for his recovery; grow daily in love and thankfulness for all at least we beg of thee to spare him a little, thy mercies, and in faith and patience, and all that he may recover his strength, and have holy obedience, which may fit us for the hap-time to make his peace with thee," before he piness which thou hast promised; through Jesus Christ our only Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. Prayers for a sick Child. (Visitation Office.) go hence, and be no more seen." But if it be thy will to remove him at this time into another world, O let the miracles of thy compassion, and thy wonderful mercy, supply to him the want of the usual measures of time, that he may fit himself for eternity. And let the greatO ALMIGHTY God and merciful Father, to ness of his calamity be a means to procure his whom alone belong the issues of life and death; pardon for those defects and degrees of unrealook down from heaven, we humbly beseech diness which this sudden stroke hath caused. thee, with the eyes of mercy upon this child, And teach us all, we beseech thee, from this unnow lying upon the bed of sickness: visit him, expected fate of our brother, to be continually O Lord, with thy salvation; deliver him in thy upon our guard, and to watch and pray, since good appointed time from his bodily pain, and we know not the hour when the "Master of save his soul for thy mercy's sake; that if it the house cometh," whether" in the evening, shall be thy good pleasure to prolong his days or at midnight, or in the morning." here on earth, he may live to thee, and be an Lord, thou hast now called thy servant beinstrument of thy glory, by serving thee faith-fore he was aware of it; O, give him such a fully, and doing good in his generation; or great and effectual repentance in this exigence, else receive him into those heavenly habita- that in a short time it may be sufficient to do tions, where the souls of them that sleep in the Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual rest and felicity. Grant this, for thy mercy's sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (From Mr. Kettlewell.) LORD, pity the troubles and weakness of this infant, and pity our sorrows, who are afflicted with it, and for it. Ease it of its pains, and strengthen it when it lies struggling for life. Raise it up again, if it shall please thee, to grow in years and stature, in wisdom and virtue; and thereby to comfort us, and glorify thee. We believe, O Almighty Father, that thou the work of many days. Thou regardest, O Lord, the sincerity of our hearts more than the measures of time, in our conversion; accept therefore, we beseech thee, the few minutes of thy servant's unfeigned tears and humiliation for his sins, as if they were hours and days of a longer preparation; and let it be thy pleasure to rescue him from all the evils he deserves, and all the evils he fears, that in the songs of eternity which angels and saints shall sing to the glory of thy name, this also may be reckoned amongst thine invaluable mercies, that thou hast redeemed his soul from death, and made him partaker of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |