Wherefore, though thou hast now visited our house with sickness, and art calling us to humiliation for our sins, yet we would still speak good of thy name, and love and bless thee. We desire at this season to remember all the past mercies with which thou hast been pleased to bless us and our household. God forbid that our present grief should make us unmindful of the constant benefits we have enjoyed. How long has each of our family laid down and risen up, gone out and come in in health, strength and peace? How long has the candle of the Lord shone upon us without intermission? For these multiplied favours, blessed, O Lord, be thy good and holy name; since the smallest of benefits is more than we deserve, and the sharpest affliction less.
To us, on account of our transgressions, is most justly due indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish. Wherefore then should living men complain, men and transgressors, for the punishment of their sins? Shall we receive so much good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil? patiently and contentedly receive evil also; this temper we know, O Lord, is our bounden duty; O form it in us. And as in great compassion to us, thou hast opened a way of relief for us under every trouble, by directing, commanding, and encouraging us in all our afflictions to pour out our complaints unto thee, and tell thee of all we fear and feel; to thee, O Father of mercies, do we make our supplication at this time. O Lord be not far from us.
In entire submission to thy most wise and holy will, we do now earnestly pray for that person whose sickness fills us with so much concern. O look upon him (or her) in his low estate; suffer not,
