y mercy, that by thy blessing upon _him_ and upon those who
minister to _him_ of thy healing gifts, _he_ may be restored,
if it be thy gracious will, to health of body and mind, and give
thanks to thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
_Amen_.

THE COMMUNION OF THE SICK

_Forasmuch as all mortal men be subject to many sudden perils,
diseases, and sicknesses, and ever uncertain what time they shall
depart out of this life; therefore, to the intent they may be
always in a readiness to die, whensoever it shall please Almighty
God to call them, the Curates shall diligently from time to time_
(_but especially in the time of pestilence, or other infectious
sickness_) _exhort their Parishioners to the often receiving of
the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ,
when it shall be publicly administered in the Church; that so
doing, they may, in case of sudden visitation, have the less cause
to be disquieted for lack of the same. But if the sick person be
not able to come to the Church, and yet is desirous to receive the
Communion in his house; then he must give timely notice to the
Curate, signifying also how many there are to communicate with
him,_ (_which shall be three, or two at the least,_) _and having a
convenient place in the sick man's house, with all things necessary
so prepared, that the Curate may reverently minister, he shall
there celebrate the holy Communion, beginning with the Collect,
Epistle and Gospel here following_.

THE COLLECT.

Almighty everliving God, Maker of mankind, who dost correct those
whom thou dost love, and chastise every one whom thou dost receive:
We beseech thee to have mercy upon this thy servant visited with
thine hand; and to grant that _he_ may take _his_ sickness patiently,
and recover _his_ bodily health, (if it be thy gracious will,) and
whensoever _his_ soul shall depart from the body, it may be without
spot presented unto thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. _Amen_.

THE EPISTLE. Hebr. xii. 5.

My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when
thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth,
and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

THE GOSPEL. St John v. 24.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall
not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

_After which the Priest shall proceed accordi