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O Almighty God and most mercifull Fa∣ther, that hast crea∣ted, and by thy wis∣dome doest preserue and gouerne all things, we poore sinners prostrate our selues at thy feete, to powre out our Prayers for a sicke creature, whom it hath pleased thee to
cast into the snares of death. But in doing thus our owne vnwor∣thinesse, representeth it selfe to our eyes. What are we, that we should dare to entreate for one, who in thy sight, (it may be) is holier and better then wee our selues are, and we consequently haue more neede, that some other should pray for vs. Not∣withstanding, O wise and most mercifull Lord, seeing that thou hast commanded vs for to pray one for an other, sanctifie (wee pray thee) our heart, and guide our tongue, that our weake prayers may be acceptable vnto thee. Whereby wee desire of thee, that thou wouldest fauou∣rably behold, this our brother lying in great distresse. Doe not behold in him that corruption, which as well by originall sinne,
as by dayly transgression hee is fallen into. But (O Lord) re∣gard him as thy creature, and as the worke of thine owne hands. Cast not thine eyes on his owne deformity, but on the worke of thy mercy, whereby thou hast renewed thine image in him. Forgiue vs, forgiue him all his sinnes and transgressions, for his names sake, whom thou hast mercifully appointed to bee a ransome for vs; before the foun∣dation of the world, and reuea∣led in due time, to wit, Iesus Christ, who descended from heauen to take on him mans na∣ture, and in the same to suffer for vs, and by suffering to saue those, that beleeue in him. Grant him, O Father, and grant each of vs, to bee of that little flocke, which through his merrits is
elected to saluation. Strengthen him in faith, that he, as a mem∣ber of Christ may assure him∣selfe that he is partaker of all his merits. We entreat thee for our selues: we entreat thee for him as our brother in Christ, and especiall for him, as one to whom our lone is confirmed by a long continuance of dwelling and liuing together. O Lord, we pray for him as for our owne soule. Be mercifull vnto him. Let him tast of thy meekenesse. Let him feele in his soule, that thou hast quitted him of all his sinnes, and turned thy wrath from him. Strengthen him in body strengthen him in soule. Shew thy power in this wealie flesh of his. Touch his tongue, that he may call on thee, and de∣clare his good hope, euen in
this his greatest frailty. Or at the least, O God, so infuse thy diuine light into his Spirit, that it may driue away all dazeling and darknesse from him. Turne away from him all distrust, and distresse of minde. O Lord be mercifull vnto him: And by this example teach vs wisdome, that we in our greatest prosperi∣ty, may flye all vaine arrogan∣cie, beholding here what a ten∣der worme man is, when thou doest but visite him with sicknes. But at this present, O Father, comfort him that feeles this by experience. Strengthen him, and mercifully receiue him into thy protection. Shield him from the arrowes of that wicked one, that still is wandring about, but chiefely assaulting vs in our greatest extreamity. Set him
free, O Lord, and if it seeme good vnto thee, restore vnto him his former health. If not, send thine Angels vnto him, ••hat they in due time may bring his soule into thy bosome. Let him with Stephen, if not with bodily eyes, yet with the eyes of faith, see his Sauiour standing in hea∣uen, euen ready to receiue his soule. This we desire, this we begge of thee, O Lord, for thy Sonne, our Sauiours sake, euen in that prayer which he hath en∣dited for vs, and begunne with that comfortable word Our Fa∣ther.
Our Father that art in heauen, heare vs whom thou hast vouch∣safed to name thy children. Hal∣lowed, among vs, be thy Name. Thy Kingdome come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heauen, euen
in this our weakest brother. Giue vs this day our dayly bread, not that of our body onely, but the Spi∣rituall and necessary foode also of our soules. Forgiue him, and forgiue vs our trespasses, as wee for∣giue them that trespasse against vs. Lead vs not into temptation: take compassion on our weakenesse, that hardly can resist any thing. But deliuer vs all from euill. For thine onely, O Fa∣ther, is the Kingdome, the power, and the glory, for euer and euer, Amen.