with compassion on that member of this family, on whom Thou hast laid Thy chastening hand.

Sanctify to him Thy fatherly correction, that it may yield in him the peaceable fruits of righteousness. Work in him true repentance towards Thee, and faith unfeigned towards the Lord Jesus Christ, so that he may obtain forgiveness of his sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified. Teach him to submit with meekness to Thy will; comfort him with a persuasion of Thy favour; support him with the hope of eternal life.

We earnestly pray that, if it seem good to Thee, Thou wouldst bless the means employed for his recovery, that his sufferings may be relieved, his health restored, and his days prolonged to serve Thee on the earth. But if Thou hast appointed that this sickness shall be unto death, prepare him, O God, to depart in peace; and mercifully receive him into those blessed mansions which Thou art reserving in heaven for the faithful.]

We thank Thee, O God, that Thou hast not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Help us, we pray Thee, with true faith to rest upon Him, and all our life long with purpose of heart to cleave to Him; that being redeemed with His most precious blood, and sanctified by the grace of His Holy Spirit, we may, in all our trials, be supported by a comfortable persuasion of Thy love, and a lively hope of inheriting Thy glorious kingdom.

Father of mercies, extend Thy compassion to all Thy people whom Thou hast visited with affliction. Supply their wants. Relieve their sufferings. Enable them to bow in meek submission to Thy will. And let Thy fatherly chastening be conducive to their growth in grace and preparation for eternity.

And now, O God, we humbly commit ourselves, and those whom we love, to Thy care. Defend us alike from all adversities which may befall the body, and from all temptations which may assault and hurt the soul. Prepare us for every event which may befall us. And grant that, whether in health or in sickness, in joy or in grief, in life or in death, we may be enabled to glorify Thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.-Amen.

Evening Prayer for a Family visited with Sickness or any other Affliction.

LORD our God, who inhabitest eternity, but dwellest also with the humble and contrite spirit, incline Thine ear to the voice of our supplications. Although we are unworthy to come into Thy presence, or to receive any blessing at Thy hands, yet let it please Thee favourably to regard us, through the merits and mediation of Thy beloved Son. Hide Thy face, we beseech Thee, from our sins, and blot out all our iniquities. Put not away Thy servants in anger; Thou hast been our help; leave us not, neither forsake us, O God of our salvation. Work in us, by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that broken and penitent heart which Thou dost not despise. And mercifully fulfil to us Thy promise, that Thou wilt not contend for ever, neither wilt Thou be always wroth, lest the spirit should fail before Thee, and the souls which Thou hast made.

Almighty God, who orderest all things in heaven and earth according to Thy wise counsel, give us grace that we may reverently adore, and cheerfully submit to Thy most blessed will. Teach us to acknowledge that Thou art just in all Thy ways, and holy in all Thy works. And however mysterious Thy dealings with us may seem to be, cause us to be persuaded in our hearts that Thy judgments are right, and that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted us. Convince us that we are not worthy of the least of all Thy mercies, and that we have no cause to murmur when Thy gracious gifts are withheld or withdrawn from us. Confirm our faith in Thee as our reconciled God, whose just anger hath in Christ Jesus been

turned away, and whose thoughts towards us are thoughts of peace, and not of evil. Teach us to know Him whom we have believed, so as to be persuaded that He is able to keep unto the great day that which we have committed to Him. And satisfy our souls with the assurance, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[O God, in whose hand is the life of all mankind, and the breath of every living thing, look with compassion on that member of this family, for whom, in his time of sore trouble, we intercede.

Lord, rebuke him not in Thine anger, neither chasten him in Thy hot displeasure. Turn Thou unto him and have mercy on him, for he is desolate and afflicted. The troubles of his heart are enlarged; O bring Thou him out of his distresses.

We know, O Lord, that nothing is too hard for Thee, and that, if Thou wilt, Thou art able to make him whole. Arrest, we beseech Thee, the progress of his disease. Bless the means employed for its removal. And spare him, that he may recover strength before he go hence and be no more. But whatever may be Thy purpose with respect to him, enable him to say, The will of the Lord be done. And graciously prepare him for what may be awaiting him, that whether he live or die, he may be Thine.

Grant to Thy servant a truly penitent heart for all the sins he hath at any time committed, together with a lively faith in Thy Son Jesus Christ, who is able to save him unto the uttermost; so that the transgressions of his past life may be blotted out, and the joys and comforts of Thy

favour may be restored to him. Let Thy Holy Spirit be shed on him abundantly, to strengthen him for the endurance of his sufferings, to purify him from all remaining sin, and to witness that he is a child of God and an heir of heaven. And if it be Thy will at this time to remove him from us, grant him a peaceful departure out of this life, and graciously receive him into those heavenly mansions, where the souls of them that sleep in the Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual rest, and blessedness in Thy presence.]

O God, who art very pitiful and of tender mercy, look with compassion on all Thine afflicted people. Assuage their grief; relieve their sufferings; and overrule Thy chastening for their good.

Extend Thy favour to all our brethren of mankind. Our heart's desire and prayer is that they may be saved.

And now, O God, we humbly commit ourselves, and all whom we love, to Thy fatherly care. Fulfil to us Thy promise, that Thou wilt never leave us nor forsake us. And let the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and minds, through Jesus Christ; to whom, with Thee, and with the Holy Spirit, be glory everlasting.—Amen.