Thee therefore, O heavenly Father, that Thou wouldest be present with me, so to strengthen my faith, that I may resist the enemy when he cometh upon me. Help me, Lord Jesu, for I am straitened on every side; and enlighten mine eyes that they may be joyful in Thee. Thou, who hast redeemed me from the power of the devil, guard me in this temptation, that I may praise Thee and glorify Thy name for ever. O comfort me with Thy word, that I may know that Thou art merciful unto me, and may patiently wait for Thee, and put my trust in Thee. O God the Holy Ghost, who with the Father and the Son art mine only consolation in my sorrow, make Thy brightness to shine upon me, and kindle in me the light of faith, that I may overcome mine enemy, and obtain a blessed departure hence unto life everlasting. O holy Trinity, strengthen me and save me, for in Thee do I put my trust, and unto Thee do I commend my spirit. O Lord Jesu, guard my soul, which Thou hast redeemed with Thy most precious blood, and lead it from this vale of misery into Thy heavenly kingdom, where, in the communion of the faithful, it may live in endless joy. And this I most humbly beg in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. (197.)

(121.) To be used before an Operation.

O LORD God, the strength of our health, who not only givest medicine to heal our sickness 9, but also wisdom to the physician: Bless the means, I humbly beseech Thee, that are used by me for the ease and comfort of this Thy servant ; and so direct the skill employed in his behalf, that, if it be Thy blessed will, it may be effectual to the working of a speedy cure. But more especially I beg of Thee, O Lord, so to assist the counsels of those who take thought for his health, and so to prosper the work I am about to perform, that, by Thy mercy, it may have a happy end, O guide Thou my hand this day, that, in firm reliance on Thine Almighty Providence, it may not slip; and give this sick man strength and patience to endure the pain, and to quit himself with Christian fortitude. Hear me, O Lord, hear me; and do Thou in Thy goodness assist the endeavours of man by stretching forth Thy hand to heal; so that by Thy blessing this our brother may be restored to health and strength, and may live to serve Thee more faithfully for the time to come; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.-See Hannam's Invalid's Help, &c.

9 Ps. cxlvii. 3.

(122.) On any Abatement of Sickness.

O MOST merciful God, who, of Thy great goodness, hast comforted and relieved this Thy servant in his sickness by an interval of ease: We humbly bless and praise Thy holy name for this and all the other mercies which Thou hast bestowed upon him. Continue, we beseech Thee, this relief, and grant, if it be Thy blessed will, that it may lead to his recovery; but, whatsoever Thou willest, gracious Father, concerning the further improvement of his body, give him grace to turn this visitation to the welfare of his soul, and make him know and feel that there is none other name under heaven given unto man in whom and through whom he may receive health and salvation, but only the name of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ". Amen. —Hannam.

(123.) For a Woman with Child.

O LORD God, who, as a punishment for the sin of the mother of all living, didst multiply her sorrow and conceptions, and thus entail upon women the great pain and peril of child-birth : Defend this woman Thy servant both now and in the time of her travail, and grant her a safe de

Acts iv. 12.

Gen. iii. 16.

liverance for Thy mercy's sake. Give her, most gracious Father, comfort and sure confidence in Thee, so that she may patiently and cheerfully wait until her days shall be accomplished; and when the time of her delivery draweth near, do Thou for Thy goodness' sake shorten her anguish, and support her through her troubles, and grant that they may leave her a joyful mother of a hopeful and healthy child. Into Thy hands, O Lord, we commend both her body and her soul, in the humble hope that Thou wilt preserve her from all danger, and in Thine own good time enable her to pay her vows in the courts of Thy houset for all the benefits done unto her; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.-Hannam.

(124.) Prayer in Behalf of a Sick Person.

BLESSED Jesus, we desire neither life nor death, but Thy most holy will; Thou art the thing, O Lord, that we look for; be it unto us according to Thy good pleasure. If it be Thy will that this Thy servant should die, receive his spirit, and grant that in Thee and with Thee he may have everlasting rest. If it be Thy will that I should be the means in Thy hand of prolonging his days,

Ps. cxvi. 13.

and that he live any longer upon earth, give him grace to amend the rest of his life, and with good works to glorify Thy holy name, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest ever one God, world without end. Hook's Private Prayers.

Amen.-See

(125.) Another of the same.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful God and Saviour, extend Thine accustomed goodness unto all Thy servants who are grieved with sickness, especially unto those under my care. Sanctify, I beseech Thee, this Thy fatherly correction to them; that the sense of their weakness may add strength to their faith, and seriousness to their repentance; that, if it shall be Thy good pleasure to restore them to their former health, they may lead the residue of their lives in Thy fear, and to Thy glory; or else, give them grace so to take Thy visitation, that, after this painful life ended, they may dwell with Thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.-See the Order for the

Visitation of the Sick.