tably to the health of his Soul; although he do not Receive the Sacrament with his Mouth. And therefore, in such Cases, the Sick Man is not to be difcouraged, nor too much troubled for the want of it. The Sick Man's Absolution. IF t F the Sick Man is troubled with any weighty Matter; and cannot quiet his own Conscience, but requireth further Comfort or Counfel; in such a Case he is exhorted by the Church, to open his Grief, by making a Special Confession of his Sins, to the Minifter that vifits him. And having in Particular Confessed those Sins that are perplexing to his Conscience, the Minister will abfolve him (if he humbly and heartily defires it) in this Form. Our UR Lord Jesus 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 Absolve thee from all thy Sins, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 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 Absolution, is directed to fay the following Collect. Let us Pray. Most Merciful God, who Visitation tude of thy Mercies, dost so put away the Sins of those who truly Repent, that thou remembrest them no more; Open thine Eye of Mercy upon this thy Servant, Sick. who most earnestly defireth Pardon and Forgiveness. Renew in him, most loving Father, whatsoever hath been decayed, by the Fraud and MМаlice of the Devil, or by his own Carnal Will and Frailness. Preserve and continue this Sick Member in the Unity of the Church. Confider his Contrition. Accept bis Tears. Afswage his Pain; as shall seem to 'Thee most expedient for him. And forafmuch as he putteth his full Trust only in thy Mercy, impute not unto him his former Sins: But strengthen him with thy Blessed Spirit. And when thou art pleased to take him hence, take him unto thy Favour. Through the Merits of thy most dearly beloved Son, Jefus Christ our Lord. Amen. This Prayer, in the Abfence of the Minifrer, may be repeated by any of the Company, in behalf of the Sick. And A A N D. here, let the Sick Man be assured, for his Com-fort; 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 himself by Jesus Christ; Yet, faith the Apostle, he hath given to us the Ministry of Reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5. 18. For our Blessed Saviour, the great Bishop of our Souls, gave this Authority to his Church, and to the Paftors of it. Whofe Soever fins ye remit, they are remitted unto them. Joh.20.23. And whatsoever ye shall loose on Earth, shall be loofed in Heaven. Matth. 18. 18. : Vifitation of the Sick. Prayers for a Sick Perfon in Father of Mercies, and Look graciously upon him, O Lord; and the more the outward Man decayeth, strengthen him, we beseech thee, so 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 be go hence, and be no more seen. We |