We cannot like pain; it is not joyous, but grievous. Still we can welcome it as a messenger from God, sent to teach us to know Christ, and the fellowship of His sufferings, that we may be conformed to His death, if by any means we may attain to the resurrection of the dead.

The sharpest pains in this life will soon end; and God, in pity to our weakness, grants us intervals of ease and comfort: but the miseries and tortures of the next world have no end, no refreshment, no intermission.

May the God of all grace, who hath called you unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." Amen.

Prayers.

"COME unto Me, all ye that labour, and

are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

"They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy." Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father, &c. Amen.

O Lord, save this Thy servant;
Who putteth his trust in Thee.

Send him help from Thy holy place;
And evermore mightily defend him.

O remember not the sins and offences of his youth;

But according to Thy mercy think Thou upon him, for Thy goodness.

Look upon his adversity and misery;

And forgive him all his sin.

O Lord, hear our prayers;

And let our cry come unto Thee.

LORD, the Father of mercies and God

of all consolation, our only help in time of need, we humbly beg Thy favour for this Thy servant, now lying under Thy correction. Consider his weakness, and enable him to bear what Thou layest upon him with Christian patience and resignation. Send him ease from his pains, and let all his sufferings tend to purify his soul; through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

0

BLESSED Jesus, who, in Thy wise Providence, dost call Thy people to take up their cross, and to suffer for Thy sake, give to this Thy servant patience to bear that cross which Thou hast laid upon him without fainting or murmuring; and when his afflictions press hardest upon him, let the graces and comforts of Thy Holy Spirit also abound in him, that looking unto Thee, the Author and Finisher of his faith, he may cheerfully endure the cross, and through much tribulation may enter into Thy heavenly kingdom; for Thine own merits' and mercies' sake. Amen.

LORD Jesu Christ, who wast graciously pleased to suffer death upon the cross for us; vouchsafe, we humbly beseech Thee, to offer and shew forth to God the Father, for the soul of this Thy servant, all Thy bitter Passion and sufferings, which Thou didst bear upon the cross for us miserable sinners; and deliver him from all pains and sorrows, which by his sins he hath deserved. Hear us, O blessed Saviour, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost for ever and ever. Amen.

THE

HE Almighty Lord, who is a most strong tower to all them that put their trust in Him, to whom all things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth do bow and obey, be now and evermore thy defence; and make thee know and feel that there is none other Name under heaven given to man, in whom, and through whom, thou mayest receive health and salvation, but only the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

UNTO God's gracious mercy and protection

we commit thee. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore. Amen.

SECTION XI.

SUDDEN AND DANGEROUS ILLNESS.

DEARLY beloved, you are, it may be, in a very short time to appear before God.

Try then to resign yourself entirely to His good pleasure, whether for life or death; and say, Father, not my will, but Thine be done!

Have you any directions to give as to your temporal affairs, that you may afterwards devote all your powers to the care of your soul?

If God causes your sun to set while it is yet day, and brings down your strength in your journey; if He is pleased to deny you time to prepare yourself, as you would wish, to meet your God; He will mercifully accept your good intention of doing so, if you turn to Him in hearty repentance and true faith.

Consider therefore as well as your strength will permit,