THE OFFICE FOR THE VISITATION OF THE SICK. FROM THE LITURGY. ¶ When any person is sick, notice shall be given thereof to the minister of the parish; and when he comes into the sick person's house, he shall say, PEACE be to this house, and all that dwell in it." REMARKS. Here it may be proper to observe, that the 67th Canon is expressed ambiguously: the words are, "When any person is dangerously ill, the minister ❝or curate, having knowledge thereof, shall resort "to him, or her, to instruct and comfort them in " their distress." It does not certainly appear by this Canon whether ministers are required to visit the sick without being sent for or not, which may imply either of information by special message, or otherwise by common report. Some think the intention of our Church is, that ministers should go both sent for, and unsent for. This therefore is a matter which must be left to the discretion of the clergy. In the Rubric before the Order for the Visitation of the Sick, the care of sending for the minister is left to the sick. He may never have heard of their sickness, or, if he has, may not be so good a judge when his visit will be seasonable, or when the party is best able to join with him. The Canon will be fulfilled, as it may be interpreted either way. Peace be to this house and all that dwell in it.] This office is introduced by that pious salutation of CC I When he cometh into the sick man's presence, he shall say, kneeling down. REMEMBER not, Lord, our iniquities, nor the iniquities of our forefathers: spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood; and be not angry with us for ever. Answ. Spare us, good Lord. ¶ Then the Minister shall say, Let us pray. Our Father, which art in heaven*. the Jews, who wished peace (which they constantly did) to those they met morning and evening. Christ too enjoined his disciples, on their entrance into any house, to salute it, by saying, "Peace be to this house." (Luke x. 5.) The sense of the words is very suitable, for peace signifies all outward blessings; but when it is used in a way of salutation, it properly signifies health: whence "Is he well?" Is he in health? or (according to the Jewish phrase)" Is there peace to him?" mean the same thing. When families therefore are afflicted with sickness, they ought to be prepared to receive this salutation as a real blessing; and heartily to welcome the ministers, who, in the time of their calamity, come to bring peace and salvation to their dwellings. * As too many repeat the Lord's Prayer by rote, it may sometimes be necessary to try whether the sick person has a proper sense of his need of the things for which he prays. In order to this, the above, or the like examination, founded on the petitions contained in that prayer, will soon discover whether they proceed from his heart, or are merely words of course, EXAMINATION. [Have you considered, that God is the Father of the world and of men, that you have been made in his likeness; that he is still providing for you; that he is your redeeming Father, having sent his Son to redeem you; and that he is high and glorious, dwelling in heaven? How little do the generality think of his throne and habitation, honour and perfections, when they come before him!] Hallowed be thy name. EXAMINATION. [Do you consider what great things are signi fied by his name? It includes his majesty, power, glory, and other attributes. Have you been desirous that his excellencies should be made. known, and endeavoured (as opportunity offered) to contribute to this end yourself in thought, word, and deed? Or have you prayed, as the generality do, unmeaningly, having had little regard for his name, honour, or glory? Is it your heart's desire that religion should flourish, that men should sanctify God, and make him their fear and their dread, as well as the object of their love? How else can you pretend to pray, Hallowed be thy name? Alas! how little have our hearts accompanied this petition!] Thy kingdom come. EXAMINATION. [Namely, thy kingdom of grace here, and thy kingdom of glory hereafter. Do you love God's kingdom? Would you have it to come into the world? Where God reigns, godliness must reign and would you have godliness to reign? Then how holy must our cities, towns, and vil you lages be! There must then be more reading, more praying, more preaching than there is now. And should you like that? Are you not apt to think, that we have too much prayer and too many sabbaths already? What should we have then if God's kingdom of grace was to come more fully here? Surely this petition is but little considered by too many who use it. Can we neglect godliness ourselves, and despise it in others, and yet pretend to pray, Thy kingdom come? Do you think that some of your acquaintance are already too religious; and yet do pray, Thy kingdom come? How holy must men be, when they are hearty subjects of God! How holy will the kingdoms of this world be, when they become the kingdoms of God and his Christ! How holy will princes, magistrates, ministers, and masters of families then be! The kingdom of God is "righteousness, peace, and "joy in the Holy Ghost." (Rom. xiv. 17.) And have you ever desired these things? Do not the generality often use this petition either ignorantly, or hypocritically? Do not their hearts give their tongues the lie, when they say, Thy kingdom come?] Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. EXAMINATION. [If you love not godliness and the kingdom of God, how can you put up this petition? God's will is just, holy, and pure: his will is, that you should no longer cherish your sins, but live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. And have you desired all this? I fear too much to the contrary. How is the will of God done in heaven? It is done there perfectly, joyfully, constantly. Yet how ready have we been here on earth to resist and refuse his will, the authority, justice, and love of his will! How ready to repine and murmur at his providence, and to rebel against the discoveries of his will! Pardon us, O Lord, that we have not more sincerely and uprightly prayed, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven; in us passively, and by us actively.] Give us this day our daily bread. EXAMINATION. [Have you sought for food and raiment at God's hand? Have you not rather depended solely on your money, parts, or industry? But have you considered that your estate, parts, industry, and health are all from God? He can, by destroying your substance, talents, and business, deprive you of your daily bread. All things depend on him and his blessing. If you have your daily bread, God can prevent its nourishment, take away your appetite and digestion, so that neither food nor medicine shall do you any good. Have you not need therefore to pray to him for your daily bread, and thus acknowledge your daily necessities, and daily reliance on the God of your life? You are not permitted to ask for two day's subsistence at once: God expects to see you every day on your knees, renewing your petitions, as sensible of your dependence on him for a supply of all your wants. Is this your daily practice? And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. EXAMINATION. [You must obtain forgiveness of your sins, or you are undone for ever. There is no justifying yourself before God. You must confess and bewail your sins, and earnestly solicit a pardon. |