XLV.

FOR A BLESSING ON THE USE OF MEDICINE AND OTHER REMEDIES.*

Thou, O Father of Mercies, healest the broken in heart, and bindest up their wounds. Thou givest medicine to heal their sickness, and healest all their diseases. Thou hast created medicines out of the earth. Grant, I beseech Thee, Thy blessing to the means used for my relief, if so it seemeth good unto Thee. Thou, O blessed Jesus, didst not despise the use of human remedies. Thou didst anoint the eyes of the blind to give him sight. Thou canst bless the simple things of the world for my relief, yet without Thy blessing the wisdom of the world is foolishness, the skill of man is as nothing, and his medicines are worthless as the dust of the earth that is blown away by the wind.

Thou makest sore, O Lord; if it seemeth good to Thee, do Thou bind up my wounds. Thou woundest, and Thy hands make whole. Thou canst strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees. Unto Thee do I look for succour: I am feeble and sore smitten, there is no health in my bones; but Thou, O Lord, canst heal mine infirmities, Thou canst

recover me, and make me to live. I submit myself to Thee to live or to die as shall seem best in Thy sight. If it please Thee that this remedy, this balm for my pain, should assuage it, and restore my strength, to Thee, O Lord, be the praise: if it please Thee that it prove of none avail-if Thy sentence is, in vain shalt thou use many medicines, for thou shalt not be cured; if the cup of suffering may not pass from me except I drink it, Thy will be done. Lord, give me strength to suffer, and to will and to do Thy good pleasure. Strengthen me on the bed of languishing, make Thou all my bed in my sickness.

Be with me now and evermore, for the sake of Thy blessed Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

XLVI.

THAT SICKNESS MAY BRING FORTH ITS PROPER FRUITS.* *

Lord God of mercy, great hath been Thy loving-kindness unto me. In great mercy hast Thou afflicted me, to lead me in paths of rightcousness, to heal me of my wounds. Grant, Lord, that this suffering may not be in vain. Thou hast turned Thine hand upon me, purely purge away my dross, O Lord, and take away all my tin: purify and purge me as gold and

silver in the refiner's fire, that I may offer unto Thee an offering in righteousness: let me be Thine in the day when Thou makest up Thy jewels. When Thou givest me the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, let mine ears hear a voice behind me, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and to the left. Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path. I am afflicted very much; quicken me, O Lord, according unto Thy Word. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord. Suffer not my foot to be moved from the narrow way that leadeth unto life. Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved. Thou knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hid from Thee. That which I see not teach Thou me. Thou makest sore, and bindest up; Thou woundest, and Thine hands make whole. Lift me up, O Lord; I humble myself before Thee. I am bound with fetters, and holden in cords of affliction. Show me my work, and my transgressions that I have exceeded; open my ear to discipline, that I may return from mine iniquity, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appear

ing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Thy judgments are right, in faithfulness hast Thou afflicted me; let, I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort.

Thou Who art the Captain of my salvation, Who wast made perfect through suffering, sanctify my sufferings to me.

In all my affliction, Thou art afflicted. Let the Angel of Thy presence save me: in Thy love, and in Thy pity, redeem me, O Lord my Saviour. Amen.

XLVII.

TO BE ENABLED TO GIVE THANKS FOR
SUFFERING.

O Blessed Jesus, help me to feel that there should be no greater comfort than to be made like unto Thee, by suffering patiently adversities, troubles, and sicknesses. Thou Thyself wentest not up to joy, but first Thou didst suffer pain. Thou didst not enter into Thy glory before Thou wast crucified. Most gladly, therefore, would I glory in my infirmities; but for the present they are not joyous to me, but grievous.

Thou art touched with a feeling of my infir mities; Thou wast in all points tempted as I

am; and Thou didst say, Father, save me from this hour; If it be possible, let this cup pass from me. O Thou Man of sorrows, who art acquainted with grief, I thank Thee for those gracious words.

My spirit indeed is willing, but my flesh is weak; and I am afraid of Thy judgments. Yet, O my Saviour, I would by any means attain to the resurrection of the dead. I would suffer with Thee, that I may also reign with Thee.

Help me now to rejoice in my sufferings, and to fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh. Make me to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, and to be fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. O Lord, I am sick nigh unto death, but do Thou have mercy upon me.

Thou didst humble Thyself, Jesus, my Redeemer, and becamest obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross. I bless Thee, that it is given to me, not only to believe on Thee, but also to suffer for Thy sake. May I be filled with the fruits of righteousness, unto the glory and praise of God, abounding therein with thanksgiving, giving thanks always, for all things. I ask these blessings not for myself alone, but for all who are called to the fellowship of Thy sufferings; and may the Holy