tably to the health of his Soul ; although he do not Receive the Sacrament with his Mouth. And therefore, in fuch Cafes, the Sick Man is not to be dif couraged, nor too much trou bled for the want of it. The Sick Man's Abfolution. but IF the Sick Man is troubled with any weighty Matter; and cannot quiet his own Confcience, requireth further Comfort or Counfel; in fuch a Cafe he is exhorted by the Church, to open his Grief, by making a Special Confeffion of his Sins, to the Minister that vifits him. And having in Farticular Confeffed thofe Sins that are perplexing to his Confcience, the Minifter will abfolve him (if he humbly and heartily defires it) in this Form. Our OUR UR Lord Jefus Chrift, who hath left Power to his Church, to Abfolve all Sinners, who truly Repent and Believe in him; of his great Mercy forgive thee thine Offences: And by his Authority committed to me, I Abfolve thee from all thy Sins, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft. Amen. This Form of Absolution is not to be pronounced by any Lay-man, but only by a Prieft (or Presbyter) in Holy Orders. Who after the Abfolution, is directed to fay the following Collect. Let us Pray. Sick. Most Merciful God, who Vifitation according to the Multi- of the tude of thy Mercies, doft fo put away the Sins of those who truly Repent, that thou remembrest them no more; Open thine Eye of Mercy upon this thy Servant, who P 2 who most earnestly defireth Pardon and Forgiveness. Renew in him, moft loving! Father, whatsoever hath been decayed, by the Fraud and Malice of the Devil, or by his own Carnal Will and Frailness. Preferve and continue this Sick Member in the Unity of the Church. Confider his Contrition. Accept his Tears. Affwage his Pain; as fhall feem to Thee moft expedient for him. And forafmuch as he putteth his full Truft only in thy Mercy, impute not unto him his former Sins: But ftrengthen him with thy Blessed Spirit. And when thou art pleased to take him hence, take him unto thy Favour. Through the Merits of thy moft dearly beloved Son, Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen. This Prayer, in the Abfence of the Minifter, may be repeated by any of the Company, in behalf of the Sick. And AND. here, let the Sick Man be affured, for his Comfort; That if he doth believe the Promises of the Gospel, and doth truly Repent of all his Sins; then this Sentence of Absolution, pronounced by the Minister, will be ratified and confirmed in Hea ven. For tho 'tis true, That none can forgive Sins, but God only: Who hath reconciled us to himfelf by Jefus Chrift; Yet, faith the Apostle, he hath given to us the Miniftry of Reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5. 18. For our Bleffed Saviour, the great Bishop of our Souls, gave this Authority to his Church, and to the Paftors of it. Whofe foever fins ye remit, they are remitted unto them. Joh. 20. 23. And whatsoever ye shall loose on Earth, fhall be loofed in Heaven. Matth. 18.-18. Vifitation of the Sick. Prayers for a Sick Perfon in Father of Mercies, and God of all Comfort, our only Help in time of need; We fly unto thee for Succour, in behalf of this thy Servant, here lying under thy hand in great Weakness of Body. Look graciously upon him, Ọ Lord; and the more the outward Man decayeth, ftrengthen him, we beseech thee, fo much the more continually with thy Grace and Holy Spirit, in the inner Man. Give him unfeigned Repentance for all the Errors of his Life past, and stedfast Faith in thy Son Jefus; that his Sins may be done away by thy Mercy, and his Pardon fealed in Heaven, before he go hence, and be no more feen. We |