A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

If the party be irrecoverably sick, or ready to depart out of this world, then we may, in stead of praying for his restoring to health, make, in his behalf, these following petitions:

If the party be irrecouerably sicke, or ready to depart out of this world, then we may, in stead of praying for his restoring to health, make, in his behalfe, these following petitions:

And seeing (O Lord) thou hast smitten thy sick servant (as we conceive) irrecoverably, and doest now purpose to put an end unto the days of his pilgrimage; we most humbly beseech thee, to prepare him for thine own Kingdom. Wean his mind and affections from the world and earthly vanities, where he is but a stranger, and fix them wholly upon spiritual and heavenly things, as it becometh a Citizen of thy Kingdom. Let him earnestly desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, seeing that is best of all, and let him long after the vision and fruition of thee, in whose presence is fullness of joy for evermore. To this end (O Lord) reveal thy self unto him more clearly then ever heretofore, that seeing thy beauty, goodness and excellency, his heart may be thoroughly inflamed with thy love. Give him, even whilst he liveth, an entrance into thy Kingdom, not only by the assurance of faith and hope, but also by letting him have a lively taste of those heavenly joys, which thou hast prepared for him. Moderate his griefs and pains, that they may not hinder his soul from mounting aloft in divine contemplations; and secretly whisper unto his heart sweet comforts by thy Spirit, when as he is, through weakness, insensible of outward consolations. Inflame his heart with fervent love towards thee and his brethren; yea even his enemies for thy sake, that he may be assured, that his sins are forgiven of thee; because thou givest him grace to forgive all men. Strengthen him against the tentations of all his spiritual enemies, and manifest thy power in his weakness, by giving unto him a full and final victory over them. Frustrate the malice of Satan, defeat his policies, and confound his power, that he may not prevail against him in this last conflict. Arm him against the fear of thy wrath and severe justice, by assuring him that Christ hath appeased the one, and satisfied the other. Comfort him against the fear of death, by persuading him, that Christs death hath swallowed it in victory, pulled out the sting thereof, and made it harmless; yea exceeding profitable, as serving now for a passage to glory and happiness; and by strengthening him, to apply unto himself these consolations, by a lively faith. Wean his heart from worldly cares, that they may be no distractions to hinder him in his heavenly journey;