faith and fear. Increase their number, O Lord, and enable us, through thy grace, to be of their company, that we may stand with all thy people at thy right hand: nay, hear thee call us "blessed," and bid us enter into thy kingdom there, to see thee face to face. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say one of the following Collects :

ALMIGHTY and ever-living God, who makest

us both to will and to do those things that be good and acceptable unto thy divine Majesty; we would offer our humble supplications unto thee for these thy servants who have made a public profession of their Christian faith, and expressed their earnest desire and prayer to be enabled to fulfil their duties as disciples of Jesus Christ. Let thy Fatherly hand ever be over them: let thy Holy Spirit ever be with them: guide and help, strengthen and sanctify them, we beseech thee; that, by the living bond of obedience and charity, they may be united to thee and thy beloved Son. Amen.

ORD of all power and might, who art the

author and giver of all good things; graft in our hearts the love of thy name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all thy goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE

Then shall follow the Benediction:

HE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.

Amen.

VISITATION OF THE SICK.

One or more of the following Passages of Scripture may be repeated:

EHOLD, happy is the man whom God cor

BEHOLI

recteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty; for he maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee; for thy right hand hath upholden me.

God restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the path of righteousness, for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto those who wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

For the Lord will not cast off for ever; but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye who hope in the Lord.

Then may the Minister say one of the following prayers, or any other he may think suitable.

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 life is ended, he may dwell with thee and with thy glorified Son in life everlasting. Amen.

Or,

MOST merciful God, who according to the multitude of thy mercies dost so put away the sins of those who truly repent that thou rememberest them no more; open thine eye of mercy upon this thy servant, who most earnestly

desireth pardon and forgiveness. Renew in him, most loving Father, whatsoever hath decayed by his own carnal will and frailness. Consider his contrition; accept his tears; strengthen him with thy blessed Spirit; and when it shall be thy will to take him hence, receive him into thy heavenly presence, and into everlasting fellowship with thy most dearly beloved Son. Amen.

SAN

IN BEREAVEMENT.

ANCTIFY to thy servants, O God, the loss of one of our number by death. Look with pity upon our sorrows; and grant that the affliction which it has pleased thee to bring upon us, may awaken our consciences, and soften our hearts, and impress upon us such convictions of thy holiness and power, that we may place in thee our only happiness, and strive to please thee in all our ways. And give us grace constantly to look forward to that life which is beyond death, and over which death has no power, revealed to us by thy dear Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

ΜΕ

IN ANY AFFLICTION.

ERCIFULLY regard us, O Lord, in our present trouble, and make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us. Strengthen us to bear the cross which is laid upon

us.

Give us grace to look to the example of our