turn to our places in the family circle; yet, since we are assured that it is out of the fullness of Thy fatherly love that Thou sendest us sickness as well as health, and that it is by trials and sorrows that we are to be fitted for Thine eternal kingdom, we are still more desirous that we may not be unreasonably anxious as to what lies before us, but may make it our first and most fervent prayer, that our hearts and souls may be conformed to Thy will. O, our Father! make us Thine, wholly Thine; what Thou willest, when Thou willest, and how Thou willest; to Thee would we commit ourselves with the most unreserved confidence. Leaning on Thine Almighty arm, we shall have strength and patience equal to our pain and troubles; and looking to Thee for support and guidance, we shall have even death's dark valley illumed by the light of Thy countenance. We would earnestly pray, Thou greatest and best of Beings! that shouldst Thou be

pleased once more to restore us, the fruits of this present dispensation may appear in a purer, a more pious, thoughtful and industrious life; and should we leave the world and return to Thee, that Thou wilt sustain our drooping spirits, lead us to the grave with Thy fatherly tenderness, and finally unite us with our dearest friends, with Jesus and with the whole church of the first-born at Thy right hand for evermore. Amen.

V.

[From Jeremy Taylor.]

GRACIOUS God, give Thy servant patience in his sorrows, comfort in this his sickness; and restore him to health, if it seem good to Thee, in order to Thy great and gracious ends, and his highest interests. And, however Thou shalt determine concerning him in this great trial, yet make his repentance perfect, and his passage

safe, and his hope modest and confident; that when Thou shalt call his soul from this corruptible body, he may enter into the security and rest of the sons of God, in the bosom of everlasting blessedness, and in communion with Jesus Christ our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

VI.

GREAT and good God, who readest our inmost hearts! Thou knowest how much need thy servant has of Thy gracious aid in this hour of grief and pain. I am frail, I am weary; soon it may be that I shall be no longer numbered among the dwellers on earth; to whom shall I look but unto Thee? Thou canst make me strong in faith; Thou canst raise me above all my troubles; Thou canst lift me up to Thyself in heaven. O Father Almighty, O holy and merciful Father! look down upon Thy child with pity,

wipe away my tears, enable me henceforth to bear calmly, patiently, resignedly and cheerfully, all my sufferings, and grant me a happy issue out of all my trials. All I ask in the name and as a disciple of Thy dear Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

VII.

[From Jeremy Taylor, altered.]

SPARE us a little, that we may recover our strength, before we go hence, and are seen no more. Grant that we may never sleep in sin or death eternal, but that we may have our part of the first resurrection, and that the second death may not prevail over us. Grant unto all sick and dying Christians, mercy and aids from Heaven, and receive the souls returning unto Thee, and number them among the righteous. Grant unto Thy servants to have faith in the Lord Jesus, a daily meditation of death, a contempt of world

ly mindedness, a longing desire after heaven, patience in our sorrows, comfort in our sicknesses, joy in God, a holy life, and a blessed and peaceful departure; that our souls may rest in hope, and may be raised again the last day, to enter into the communion of saints and everlasting life. Amen.

VIII.

For a sick person when there are indications of recovery.

[Altered from Bishop Patrick.]

WE thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast heard our prayers for Thine afflicted servant, and given him some respite and hopes of recovery from his illness. Blessed be Thy goodness, that he is likely to continue still amongst us in the land of the living. And, O Thou Preserver of man! who hast

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