turned away His wrath, and hath comforted thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(107.) Another.

Amen. (177.)

BLESSED be the Lord God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath not left my work destitute of His mercy and His truth'; and hath led me in a right way to perfect mine art towards this His servant, who was sick even unto death. O Lord, have mercy upon us, and be graciously pleased to establish for many years the health which Thou hast restored unto him; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (178.)

(108.) Thanksgiving to be used by the Sick Man, after his Recovery.

(S. Augustinem.)

O LORD, my Saviour, Thou hast often snatched me from the jaws of death, when grievous sickness did oppress me; and in perils by land and sea, and of fire and sword, and in whatsoever dangers I have been, Thou wast ever with me to deliver me. For Thou knewest, O Lord, that if death had then come hastily upon me, the depths of hell would have received my soul, and I should have been condemned for ever; and so Thy

1 Gen. xxiv. 27.

m

Soliloquia, c. xviii.

mercy and Thy grace, O Lord, did prevent me, to save me from destruction both of body and soul. These and all other Thy benefits, O Lord, didst Thou shew unto me, and yet was I blind, and did not know them until Thou hadst enlightened me. Now therefore, O Lord, the Light of my soul; O God, my Life, by which I live; the Light of mine eyes, by which I see; behold Thou hast enlightened me, and I acknowledge Thee, and unto Thee do I give thanks, although they are poor, and wretched, and unworthy of Thy benefits. For Thou alone, O Lord, art my God, and Thou lovest our souls, and hatest nothing that Thou hast made; and therefore do I beseech Thee to continue Thy goodness towards me; for the sake of Jesus Christ Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. (180.)

(109.) Another of the same.

BLESSED be God that liveth for ever", and blessed be His kingdom; for He doth scourge, and hath mercy He leadeth down to hell, and bringeth up again; neither is there any that can avoid His hand. Confess Him before the nations, and extol Him before all the living, for He hath

n Tobit xiii. 1, & c.

afflicted us with sickness, and hath healed us, in order that we may declare His greatness, and that beside Him there is no God°. He hath scourged us for our sins, and hath had mercy again, and He will save us therefore see what He hath done for us, and confess Him with your whole mouth, O ye sinners, and turn and do justice before Him; who can tell if He will accept you, and have mercy on you? As for me, I will extol my God, and my soul shall praise the King of heaven, and rejoice in His greatness. Bless the Lord, all ye His chosen; keep ye holy-days of joy, and acknowledge Him; praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits?; for Jesus Christ His sake. Amen. (181.)

(110.) When departing from a Sick Man whose State is doubtful.

O LORD GOD, merciful Father, who hast promised Thy divine help when man's assistance faileth, and hast commanded us to call upon Thee in the time of trouble 9: I beseech Thee that Thou wouldest have mercy upon this Thy servant, who now lieth between hope and fear. O Lord, I seek Thee while Thou mayest be found, I call upon Thee while Thou art near; be present, I pray

Isai. xliv. 6.

Ps. ciii. 2.

q Ps. 1. 15.

Isai. lv. 6.

Thee, with this sick man by Thy heavenly grace ; and do Thou guide and direct all the works of our art to his benefit, and to Thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (182.)

(111.) Another of the same.

O LORD GOD, the Lord of life and death, Thou art gracious and true, long-suffering, and in mercy ordering all things; to know Thee is perfect righteousness; yea, to know Thy power is the root of immortalitys: we resign ourselves entirely unto Thee; and do Thou what is best for Thine honour and glory, and for the safety of our souls; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (183, 4.)

(112.) To be used with a Dying Man, before

departing from him.

IN THINE anguish and sorrow thou shalt cry unto the Lord thy God, and He will hear thy voice. May the Lord perfect thee, and save thee; and may He prepare thee in this short life for everlasting happiness, unto which He hath called thee in Christ Jesus. To Him therefore, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour, and glory, and power, for ever and ever. Amen. (186.)

Wisd. xv. 1. 3.

(113.) In Behalf of those who are at the Point of Death.

O LORD, who hast power of life and death; who leadest to the gates of hell, and bringest up againt: Have mercy, I beseech Thee, upon this sick man, and guard his soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (190.)

(114.) Another of the same.

O ALMIGHTY God, the preserver of our souls, who dost chasten every man whom Thou lovest, and thereby dost graciously constrain him to amendment of life: We give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, for Thy manifold mercies, and in Thy loving-kindness do we put our trust, most humbly beseeching Thee that Thou wouldest have mercy upon this Thy servant, and grant unto him that the enemy of his soul may not prevail against him, but that he may obtain a passage hence to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (191.)

(115.) Another of the same, to be used with the Sick. (S. Jerome ".)

u

O GRACIOUS Jesus, my strength and comfort, who dost hold me up and deliver me; Thou art

t Wisd. xvi. 13.

Euseb. de Morte Hieron., in S. Hieron. Opera, tom. xi. p. 312. Ed. Veron. 1742.