t of his power. And if he have
not before disposed of his goods, let him then be admonished to
make his Will, and to declare his debts, what he oweth, and what
is owing unto him; for the better discharging of his conscience,
and the quietness of his Executors. But men should often be put in
remembrance to take order for the settling of their temporal
estates whilst they are in health_.
_These words before rehearsed may be said before the Minister
begin his Prayer, as he shall see cause_.
_The Minister should not omit earnestly to move such sick persons
as are of ability to be liberal to the poor_.
_Here shall the sick person be moved to make a special confession
of his sins, if he feel his conscience troubled with any weighty
matter. After which confession, the Priest shall absolve him_ (_if
he humbly and heartily desire it_) _after this sort_.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath left power to his Church to
absolve 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.
_And then the Priest shall say the Collect following_.
Let us pray.
O most merciful God, who, according to the multitude of thy
mercies, dost so put away the sins of those who truly repent, that
thou rememberest them no more: Open thine eye of mercy upon this
thy servant, who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiveness.
Renew in _him_ (most loving Father) whatsoever hath been decayed by
the fraud and malice of the devil, or by _his_ own carnal will and
frailness; preserve and continue this sick member in the unity of
the Church; consider _his_ contrition, accept _his_ tears, assuage
_his_ pain, as shall seem to thee most expedient for _him_. And
forasmuch 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 Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.
_Then shall the Minister say this Psalm_.
_In te, Domine, speravi_. Psalm lxxi.
In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust; let me never be put to
confusion: but rid me, and deliver me in thy righteousness;
incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
Be thou my strong hold, whereunto I may alway resort: thou hast
prom
|