A Prayer before Taking of Physick..

Almighty God and Merciful Father, to whom alone belong the Issues of Life and Death; thou killest and makest alive; thou bringest down to the Grave, and raisest up again. I come unto Thee as to the only Physician, who canst cure my Soul from Sin, and my Body from Sickness. I defire neither Life nor Death, but resign my self to thy most holy Will.

But fince thou hast appointed outward Means for the Curing of Sickness, and Restoring of Health; I have fent to thy Servant, the Physician, who hath prepared these Medicines for me; Which I receive as Means fent from thy Fatherly Hand...

O that it would please thee of thine infinite Goodness and Mercy, to sanctify this Physick to my

my use; and to give such a Bleffing unto it, that it may (if it be thy Will and Pleasure) remove this my Sickness and Pain; and restore me to Health and Strength again.

But if thou hast sent this Sickness, as thy Messenger to call me out of this World; Thy blessed Will be done.

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O make me meet to be a partaker of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light.

And whensoever my Soul shall depart from the Body, grant that it may without spot be prefented unto thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

If the Sick Perfon is so weak, or so much in Pain, that he cannot thus Pray for himself; Then let some one of his Friends Say this Prayer for him; Only changing the Person: As We for I, Him or Her, for My or Me.

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ftate, and Confulted your Health, you have done with this World; and should leave the Thoughts and Concerns for it, to those who come after you.

You are now to take Care of your precious immortal Soul; and to prepare for that vast Eternity, that unalterable State, you are entring into.

This is indeed the Work of your whole Life; and should not be deferr'd to a Sick and Dying Bed; (as I have Admonished you in a short Difcourse of Deathbed Repentance.)

However, upon the near Approach of Death, a more folemn Preparation is expected from you.

And for your Assistance in this great Work, on which Eternity depends, send speedily for your Minister, whilft you are

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capable of his Advice, and defire him not only to Pray for you, but also to give you fuch Instruction and Comfort, as your Case may require.

Now fuch Direction of the Clergy is of great Advantage, and little less than necessary, to Sick and Dying Persons. Who being disturbed and diverted with Vifits, weakened and difordered with Pain; terrified and amazed at the Approaches of Death; are very unable, under these Circumstances, to Guide and Direct themselves.

In such a Cafe, an Orthodox and Prudent Minifter, will give you found and seasonable DireCtions.

He will Admonish you,

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1. To bear your Sickness with

Patience.

2. He will direct you, To per

fect and compleat your Repentance.

3. To exercise Faith and Trust in God.

4. He will Admonish you to a chearful Submission to the Will of God, in being ready to Die, and to leave this World, when and how the Divine Wisdom shall fee it fit.

These are the several Instances, wherein the Clergy do Direct the Devotions of Sick and Dying Perfons. And according to this Method, I shall endeavour to Affift you, in the following Difcourse.

Of Patience under Sickness.

O avoid Mistakes, and to remove the Fears of fome

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fcrupulous Persons, 'tis pertinent to Premise;

That by Patience under Siekness, I do not mean an Infenfibility of your Pains. As if being exhorted to be Patient, you were

not