This page needs to be proofread.

diligent cure, by busy disposition and also by studious exhortation; for without doubt such force and necessity runneth upon them suddenly, that if it were possible all a whole city ought [to] run hastily to a person that dieth.

CHAPTER VI

THE ORISONS AND PRAYERS THAT OUGHT TO BE SAID UPON THE SICK PERSON IN THE ARTICLE OF DEATH

Finally it ought to be known that the orisons which follow ought to be said upon, or over, a sick person, above the prayers that our Mother, Holy Church, hath accustomed to say over the sick persons labouring to the death.

And if the sick person be [a] religious the covent ought to be assembled by the table[1] as it is accustomed; and after they ought to say the litany with the orisons, and the psalms ordinary and accustomed. After the which may be said the prayers that follow, as long as the time shall suffice; and [they] may be rehearsed again divers times for to move the sick person the more to devotion, if he hath yet the usage of reason. And this is not done for necessity, but for the profit and devotion of the sick person.

And as touching the sick persons, seculars [there]

  1. A flat board which was struck in place of a bell.