madea, and for the recovery of health in sickness should use the gifts of healing which Thou hast given him: Thou hast placed such a power in the herbs of the field, that by them both diseases may be removed, and pains in the body of man assuaged. Great also are the rewards which Thou hast promised to those who visit the sick, and who in healing them are faithful unto Thee; but against those, who by their medicines cause the death of the innocent, or bring their life into danger, Thou hast denounced Thy heaviest wrath, even though in this world they go unpunished. And therefore, O Lord, I acknowledge the perils which attend me in this my calling; I know that it bringeth upon me not only the praise of man, but also a heavy burden, and grievous to be borne; I know that it is not brute beasts that are intrusted to my charge, but Thy beloved children, whom Thou hast redeemed with the precious blood of Thy dear Son; I know that those who treat the sick without due care, offend the very apple of Thine eye; I know, too, that Thou art always ready to hear those who call upon Thee in the time of trouble. Help me therefore, O Lord, with Thy Holy Spirit, that I may so perform all the duties of my calling in Thy sight, that Thy children may not rise up against me before Thy

Wisd. ix. 1, &c.

judgment-seat. Who am I, O Lord, that I should be sufficient for these things? I am but a man, weak and powerless, nor is my whole life long enough to exhaust all the resources of mine art; my reason may easily go astray in the judgment of many things, so that I may err as well in doing too much for the sick, as in neglecting what is needful for their relief. O Lord of mercy, give me wisdom, that sitteth by Thy throne, and reject me not from among Thy children; for I Thy servant and son of Thine handmaid am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of many things. For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if Thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded. Therefore, O Lord, send down to me Thy wisdom out of Thy holy heavens and from the throne of Thy glory, that being present she may labour with me, that I may know what is pleasing unto Thee. So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I heal the people righteously, and be worthy to sit in the seat of my fathers. Give me, O Lord, a right spirit within me, that I may take in hand the cure of the sick in Thy fear and love; not for the sake of gain alone, but out of compassion and Christian charity. Enlighten my heart and mind by Thy holy word, that those things which Thou judgest good, I also

may value; and those things which Thou esteemest evil, I also may hate; and that every thing which displeaseth Thee, I may avoid. Bestow on me Thy blessing in all my studies, and in the works of my calling with the sick; and so direct me, O Lord, by Thy Holy Spirit, that I may faithfully serve and benefit Thine elect; and at the last day may stand with a joyful spirit before Thy judgmentseat; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (98.)

(59.) Prayer for the Use of the Young
and Unlearned.

O ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, how many are the sick, but how few are those who are really skilled to heal them! And therefore what counsel or hope can there be, unless Thou, O Lord God, be present with Thy help, and enable us, who are young and unlearned, to withstand the first beginnings of disease? But forasmuch as we do not know sufficiently the nature of man's body, and the power of different remedies, we beseech Thee, O Lord, so to govern and direct us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may never attempt any thing beyond our strength, nor bring upon ourselves the guilt of having shed the blood of others. Give unto us, O Lord, grace and wisdom, that we may under

stand the simpler kinds of disease, and in those that are more difficult may in time commit the sick unto the care of those who have more learning and experience than ourselves. Grant also that in those lighter affections which we strive to cure, we may walk warily, and through Thee may bring forth worthy fruit according to our strength ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (99.)

(60.) For Carefulness in lighter Diseases.

O LORD God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is indeed most true that even the slightest wounds may not be neglected. Do Thou therefore so direct me in the works of my calling that I may never trifle with any sickness which Thou hast sent, nor think that it may be managed without Thy fear. How often have those of most learning and experience been put to shame and reproach for their rashness in foretelling the event of diseases which seemed to them but light, and for their neglect in the treatment of them; how often too have wounds which seemed to heal, again rankled and become incurable, even as king Asa, when he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians, found a common disease become unto him incurable and deadly. Surely we sin against

b 2 Chron. xvi. 12.

Thee, O God, if we place too much confidence in our own art, or teach the sick to trust in our skill rather than in Thy mercy. Grant therefore, O Lord, my God, that in every disease I may submit myself to Thy will; so shall not my reason wander from its end, nor my treatment be wanting in success. To Thee, O Lord, be ascribed all righteousness, and praise, and glory, for ever and ever; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son. Amen. (100.)

(61.) For Perseverance in Study.

O MOST merciful Father, how easily do we slide from our labours and studies into slothfulness, luxury, and negligence; for now that I have begun to practise medicine in the strength of mine art and of Thy grace, and Thou hast made me glad with good success, I have become slower in perfecting knowledge. Pardon me, O Lord, my God, and make me most anxious to learn yet more and more of the deep things of our art. Grant that by day and night I may study medicine seriously, and read with judgment the writings both of old and of later times; and that I may honour the learned as mine instructors, and gladly follow the guidance of mine elders; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (101.)