APPENDIX. SHOULD any Clergyman so far approve of this little book, as occasionally to make use of it; he may sometimes find it expedient to leave it with sick persons whom he may be called to visit, and also to provide for them such prayers as may be profitably used by them during their sickness. With submission therefore to the better judgment of those of my brethren who are more conversant in this important duty, and from their own experience have furnished themselves with better means of discharging it—with an earnest desire at the same time to facilitate to my younger brethren a duty, which at first they are too apt to shrink from, not so much from an unwillingness to enter upon it, as from a fear lest they should too imperfectly discharge it, I have here subjoined a few general prayers for the use of the Sick, taken from different books, referring the Ministers who visit them to the authors themselves for more particular particular ones; which, in the course of their ministry, they will find it necessary. to consult if they are desirous of discharging the duty to the comfort of those they visit, and to the satisfying of their own consciences: which they certainly will be, if they reflect with due seriousness on the great importance of it. What I here offer to the perusal of my clerical brethren, is intended rather as an introduction to the duty, than a complete method of carrying it on from the beginning to the end of sickness: for particular cases will arise in visiting the Sick, as well as in other affairs, to which general rules will not always be applicable. The faithful pastor will carefully watch these, and endeavour to provide himself, as experience will teach him, against all emergencies, and be prepared with suitable prayers either to use with the Sick, or for the Sick to use themselves. Should the foregoing division of the "Order for the Visitation of the Sick," into Four Visits, render the duty more easy, or the following Prayers at all contribute to the satisfaction of the Minister in putting them into the hands of the Sick, or to the Sick themselves in the use of them, it will very much contribute to mine, in having been in the least degree instru F5 instrumental towards either. But if, as many more copious instructions on the subject are to be met with, my attempt should be thought needless, and but little or no good should arise from it, either to the visiting Minister or to the visited Sick, I shall at least enjoy the secret pleasure of having failed in a work of great importance, undertaken with a consciousness of inability to execute it so completely as it ought to be, but at the same time with an earnest desire to facilitate the difficulties of the Minister, and to promote the spiritual welfare of the Sick a motive, which I trust will at any rate secure me from censure, as it may put it into the minds of those who are better qualified, to execute it more correctly, if it should appear to them, that the method in which I have proceeded is at all desirable, and capable, as it undoubtedly is, of improvement. THE THE following Prayers may occasionally be used by Sick Persons during their illness: or, if they are too weak, by a friend. If in the absence of a Clergyman, a sick Person should desire any friend to pray with him, he may use either of the three following Prayers as a proper introduction to his Devotions. A general Prayer for the acceptance of our Devotions for the Sick, taken from "The Clergyman's Companion for visiting the Sick." Page 81. Edit. 1783. I. O LORD, it is a great presumption that one sinner should dare to recommend another to thy divine majesty. And who would not fear to undertake it? But thy commandment it is, "That we "should pray for the sick members of thy church, and mourn with them "that mourn." And thou hast promised that thou wilt receive our prayers thus made. And now, behold, O Lord, we who are no ways meet, but unworthy, utterly unworthy, to ask for aught for ourselves, charity and compassion so binding us, are ·F-6 enforced enforced to become suitors to thee for others, even for this thy servant, now afflicted by thee. Of thee we hope; of thee we desire; to thee we pray, in the most meek and humble manner, and even from the bottom of our hearts. O Lord, that which thou mightest justly deny to our unworthiness, deny not, we beseech thee, to thine own gracious goodness. O Lord, forgive us our sins; O Lord, forgive us our sins, our great and grievous sins, oft and many times committed, long and many years continued; so that we may be meet to pray for others, and our prayers be made unto thee in an acceptable time. Graciously look upon our afflictions. hearts. Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people. Favourably with mercy hear prayers. our Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ. Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ. II. |