Lord of all things, and there is no man that can resist Thee, which art the Lorda. Thou knowest all things, and Thou knowest, Lord, that we have not assembled here according to custom inconsiderately, but that we might examine the powers of nature in all those things which tend to the health of the body of man, and the due performance of its functions, and may recognise Thee, our God, in the works of Thy hand. And now, O Lord God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, despise not the portion which Thou hast chosen out of this assembly for Thyself. Hear our prayer and be merciful unto such as are desirous of learning, that they may live, O Lord, and praise Thy name, and may bring forth worthy fruit from that which they hear; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (29.)

(16.) Glory to God at the End of Lecture.

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (30.)

• Esther xiii. 9, &c.

1 Tim. i. 17,

(17.) Another Form of the same.

BLESSING, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (31.)

(18.) Another.

O PRAISE the Lord, all ye nations; praise Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great towards us; and the truth of the LORD endureth Praise ye the LORD. Amend. (32.)

for ever.

(19.) For Divine Help in Writing.

O LORD, who hast chosen the writings of men to explain the art of healing, and therein to celebrate Thy name, that there may be a silent school of medicine for the use of those who can not have the voice of living teachers to instruct them: Make all my writings holy, and profitable to our calling; let them proceed according to Thy word, and bring forth fruit; remember Thy mercy, O Lord, and suffer them not to perish; but let them turn to Thy glory, and the good of mankind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

e Rev. vii. 12.

Amen. (33.)

d Ps. cxvii. 2.

с

(20.) Another for the same.

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open; who knowest that in my writings I may expose myself to the slanders of mine enemies, and that though I can easily be freed from them by my silence, yet I write these things, and am well content to suffer all that they can do, through Thy fear, and through diligence in my calling, not of arrogance, and pride: Give me, O God, the assistance of Thy Holy Spirit, that I may in all things seek Thine honour and glory; through Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (34.)

(21.) Another.

O ETERNAL God, from whom no secrets are hid, who knewest all things before they were made Thou seest, Lord, how great is my grief, both for the impediments which beset the path of sound medical learning, and the difficulties which attend the study of it; for by these the talents of many in our calling may be wasted, and they themselves fail to bring forth their fruit. And now with a just zeal, and according to the vow of my calling, I begin the labour of my hand, either that I may make plain that which is obscure, or that I may refute errors, or that I may add something to that which

has been already made known. But since I not only expose myself to the malice of mine enemies, but also through the weakness of human reason am in great danger of departing from the truth, and leading astray the unlearned, who may follow me and my teaching; I beseech Thee, through Thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, that Thou wouldest direct me in my writings, and all my thoughts, words, and actions, by Thy Holy Spirit, that they may not in any point err from Thy commandment, nor bring on me the guilt of innocent blood. There is nothing in man without Thy will; in Thy hand are all my discourses, all my writings, and all the works of mine art. O Lord, give me a right mind, and make me desirous of aiding my brethren in all things; then will many gratefully sing praises unto Thee, and will glorify Thy name for ever; in and through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen. (35.)

(22.) For Forgiveness of past Sins.

THOU hast chastised me, O Lord, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke : turn Thou me, and I shall be turned, for Thou art the Lord my God. Surely after that I was turned, I repented and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even con

:

founded, because I did bear the reproach of my youthe. O Lord, remember not my sin, but of Thy goodness look upon me; for Jesus Christ His sake. Amen. (36.)

(23.) To Jesus Christ for true Piety.

(S. Bernard'.)

O GOOD Jesus, O loving Jesus, O Jesus Son of the Father, full of mercy and truth, O sweet Jesus, have pity upon me, according to Thy great mercy; O gracious Jesus, I beseech Thee, by that precious blood which Thou didst vouchsafe to pour forth upon the cross for us miserable sinners, that Thou wouldest cast away all mine iniquities, and that Thou wouldest not despise me, who humbly seek Thee, and call upon this Thy holy name of Jesus. This name of Jesus is a merciful name; this name of Jesus is a health-giving name. For what is Jesus but "a Saviour?" O good Jesus, who hast created me, and who hast redeemed me with Thine own blood, Thou who hast made me from nothing, O let me not be condemned. O good Jesus, Thine almighty goodness hath made me, let not mine own wickedness destroy me. O good Jesus, recognise what is Thine own in me, and wipe away from me

• Jeremiah xxxi. 18, 19.

f Perhaps Opera, tom. ii. p. 390. A. (Ed. Paris, 1586.)