Thine in this my calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (17.)

(7.) Before Study.

m

O LORD Jesu Christ, the fountain of all wisdom and of healthful medicine; who when twelve years old didst go up with Thy parents to Jerusalem to the feast of the passover, and wast found in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions with attention and reverence: Bestow on me, I pray Thee, Thy grace, that with a ready and teachable mind, without bitterness, disobedience, or drowsiness, I may in this appointed place both hear the learned precepts which mine instructors in the divine art of healing may propound, and also that I may learn all that is good, and bring forth abundant fruit. Take from me, O blessed Lord, all dulness of mind and understanding, that I may not spend the prime of my life, nor the expense of my studies, in vain. Instil into me a thirst for true wisdom, and an ardent love for the study of medicine, so that I may the sooner perfectly learn its precepts, considering that of the Most High cometh healing, and that the skill of the physician shall lift up his head, and he

m Luke ii. 41.

shall receive honour of the King, and in the sight of great men he shall be in admiration". Pour forth, therefore, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge upon me, and also upon those whose teaching I am now about to hear; that they may explain all things piously and learnedly, and that I, with others, may eagerly and attentively receive, and also keep in memory, that which is healthful and profitable unto all men, and may increase not only in stature, but also (treading in Thy footsteps) in wisdom and favour with God°; and that I may help men daily, to the spreading of Thy wisdom. and of the art of healing that cometh from Thee, for Thy glory and the benefit of mankind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (10.)

(8.) For Grace to glorify God.

O LORD Jesu Christ, Almighty and everlasting God, open my heart and my lips, that I may bless and glorify Thy name, which is blessed above every name. Cleanse my heart from all evil and corrupt thoughts, that my lips may continually praise Thee, and my mind meditate upon Thee; that my life may glorify Thee, and my soul bless Thee; that I, who am created by Thy goodness alone, to the praise and glory of Thy name,

Ecclus. xxxviii. 2, 3.

• Luke ii. 52.

may always, and as long as I live in this mortal state, remain devoted to Thee, so that finally I may attain to serving Thee in the presence of Thy divine Majesty; who with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen. (16.)

(9.) Thanksgiving for Wisdom.

BLESSED be the name of the Lord for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are His: He changeth the times and the seasons: He taketh away and restoreth health: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him. I thank Thee, and praise Thee, O Thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now that which I desired of Theep, even the knowledge of the art of healing; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. (19.)

:

P Dan. ii, 20, &c.

(10.) For more than human Skill.

O LORD God of heaven, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whenever we know not what we ought to do, this only is left, that we should direct our eyes to Thee, and wait for Thy help. For whatsoever things are most difficult and hidden in our art, are therefore perchance beyond the grasp of the human mind, in order that we may mistrust ourselves, and learn that all things are in Thy hand. And therefore by Thy just judgment did so many wise men of Babylona perish through their own sinfulness, because they ascribed too much to their own art, and thought that nothing which it did not teach, could be possible to man through Thee. But even as Thou in those things most difficult and unknown to human reason, didst hear Daniel' with his companions seeking mercy of Thee, and flying to Thee with prayers, and didst open to him those secret things; so do Thou, O Lord God, give to me in the more difficult and secret, the more unknown and incurable diseases, a knowledge of Thy mysteries, and a wisdom even greater than our art can teach. Make me a partaker of Thy divine knowledge, without which many diseases can neither be learnt nor healed. Enlighten my mind, that I may

q Dan. ii. 12.

Dan. ii. 18.

know that medicine is not so much an art, as a gift of Thy Holy Spirit; and that I may wholly believe that by the help of the same Spirits I can be sufficient for my calling, and that those things which are impossible for human reason, will be easier through Thee. Grant this, O Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. (24.)

(11.) Confession of Weakness, and Prayer for Divine Help.

O LORD God Almighty, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, together with the Son and Holy Spirit, hast made heaven and earth, with all the ornament thereof; who hast bound the sea by the word of Thy commandment; who hast shut up the deep, and sealed it by Thy terrible and glorious name; whom all men fear, and tremble before Thy power; for the majesty of Thy glory cannot be borne, and Thine angry threatening toward sinners is importable: but Thy merciful promise is unmeasurable and unsearchable; for Thou art the most high Lord, of great compassion, long suffering, very merciful, and repentest of the evils of men. Thou, O Lord, according to Thy great goodness, hast promised to us a sufficiency • Prayer of Manasses.

• Ecclus. xxxviii. 2.