INFIRM, SICK AND DYING Members of the Church of England, CONSISTING OF THE SICK MAN'S COUNSELS, PRAYERS, AND MEDITATIONS. IN THREE PARTS. BY HENRY STRETTON, M.A., OxoN., PERPETUAL CURATE OF CHURCH HIXON, NEAR STAFFORD : AUTHOR OF THE "ACTS OF S. MARY MAGDALENE," CHURCH HYMNS." ETC. "Is any sick among you, let him call for the Elders of the Church."-S. James v. 14 LONDON: JOSEPH MASTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET AND NEW BOND STREET. MDCCCLII. 138. f. 32. PREFACE. THE design of this manual is to furnish for the use of sick and dying members of the Church of England such a guide for their spiritual comfort and benefit, during a period of trial which needs the appliance of every support and consolation, to soften in any degree its severity, as may both give them directions how best to conduct themselves while labouring under their affliction, and provide them with a body of prayers and meditations suited to all the various occasions which are incidental to the season of sickness. Dr. Christopher Sutton, in his Preface to the "Disce Mori," says, "We are charged not to let men live loosely, and most unchristianly to depart this world; to lead their lives, and to go out of their lives without order. . . . . Though there be not in use unguentes cum oleo, the anointing with oil,' which we find rather appropriate to the former times of the Church, and nearest unto the Apostles themselves; yet we say with S. James, 'Infirmatur quis, inducat presbyteros.' 'Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the Church.' And to this end is our Church form of prayer set down 'An Order for the Visitation of the Sick' so entitled." In endeavouring |