'«•'■■■ LIBRARY OF THE Theological Semirvary, BV 490¥^^.ir6Tl833' A manual for the afflicted Book, '^''' A DONATION FROM deceived ^^y %4t 0^. '^'^ :<«!# ^. ii-r ->^-n ^^^^^' '^ffti M ♦ hMh^^'"^'?^ 1^ >0%^'. MANUAL C^21 THE AFFLICTED: COMPRISING A PRACTICAL ESSAY ON AFFLICTION, AND A SERIES OF MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS, SELECTED AND ARRANGED FOR THE USE OF THOSE WHO ARE IN SORROW, TROUBLE, NEED, SICKNESS, OR ANV OTHER ADVERSITY. BY THE REV. THOMAS HARTWELL HORNE, B. D. OF SAINT John's college, Cambridge ; Author of the 'Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures.' WITH AN INTRODUCTION, AND AN APPENDIX OF DEVOTIONAL POETRY, BY THE RIGHT REV. GEORGE WASHINGTON DOANE, BISHOP OF NEW JERSEY. BOSTON: ALLEN AND TICKNOR. 1833. to be above the stroke of passions, is a condition equal to angels j to be in a state of sorrow, without the sense of sorrow, is a disposition beneath beasts : but duly to regulate our sor- rows, and bound our passions under the rod, is the wisdom, duty, and ex- cellency of a christian. Flavel. Entered according to an Act of Congress in the year 1833, by Allen and Ticknor in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. Printed by Kane & Co. 127 WashiiiKton Siicet. PREFACE TO THE LONDON EDITION. Sorrow is excluded from no circle ; it is abun- dantly distributed, and it is shared in some meas- ure by all. So long as there is calamity in the world, any attempt to alleviate it cannot be unsea- sonable ; and in the hope, that he might present to some at least of those, who are " in sorrow, trouble, need, sickness, or any other adversity," suitable aids for meditation and prayer, together with topics of scriptural consolation, the editor was induced to undertake the present little manual. It consists of two pans : viz.: — I. A Practical Essay on Affliction, includ- ing the Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures concern- ing the origin and design of afflictions ; observa- tions* on the best preparation for afflictions and for the improvement of them, together with our duty on being delivered therefrom : and on the privilege and duty of prayer, especially in seasons of affliction. II. Consolation for the Afflicted: or, a Series of Meditations and Prayers. Of these, a considerable portion is selected and arranged from the Scriptures, especially from the Book of * These o' servatioas are abridged from the Contem- plations of Sir Matthew Hale. See Note in p 20. IV PREFACE. Psalms ; which, while they carry with them the greatest weight and authority to every truly Christian mind, are peculiarly fitted to express and to cherish the devout affections of the heart. The remaining prayers and meditations are se- lected, principally, from the Liturgy of the United Church of England and Ireland, (pronounced by a late learned and candid dissenting minister to be " the first of uninspired compositions,'') and from the devotional writings of our earlier English divines; whose names are a sufficient guarantee for the correctness of the sentiments therein ex- pressed. To those who " are in heaviness through mani- fold temptations," and who "know — every man — the plague of his own heart:" — to those who are " weary and heavy laden," and whose " hearts are failing them for fear; " — to all " who do truly and earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for their sins, and who do believe the gospel; " — to all, in fine, who " are any ways afflicted in mind, body, or estate," is this little Manual of Counsels, Meditations, Prayers and Promises, respectfully offered, in the hope that, with the divine BLESSING, it may prove an aid to devotion, and may lead them to the only source of consolation in trouble, communion with the Father of Mercies and God of all Comfort, and with His Son Jesus Christ. INTRODUCTION ;Y THE AMERICAN EDITO It was the saying of an old Divine, that though God " had one Son without sin, he never had one without sorrow, trial, and temptation." So that, as the blessed Captain of our salvation was himself" made perfect through suffering," all who would follow him, and be indeed the children of God, must follow him through the valley of the Cross. It is by no means, however, to be inferred that affliction is, of necessity, the means of spir- itual advantage. Neither prosperity nor adversity are, in themselves, blessings, but only as they are duly improved. There may be a sorrow which is not a " godly sorrow," and does not work "re- pentance unto life." It is to him who " endureih temptation," bears up under, and overcomes it, and not who merely suffers it, that St. James promises a " crown of life." And the apostle Paul, in that beautiful and most consoling passage, where he reminds us that " no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous," takes care to remind us that to them only who are " exercised," — trained and disciplined — " thereby," does it " afterward " yield " the peace- alle fruit of righteousness." Afflictions, so re- garded, instead of being evils, as is the common estimate, are, in the truest sense, blessings. How can it be otherwise .'' Cannot God as easily send joy as sorrow, light as darkness, life as death.'' And since his " mercy is over all his works," and, " as a father pitieth his children " even so he hath VI INTRODUCTION. compassion upon us, how else can suffering and sorrow, except so far as they are the natural con- sequence of sin, be reasonably accounted for? It is the Chrutian philosophy alone which thus truly teaches the nature and the uses of afflictions. They are the " precious balms" which are to heal and soothe our souls. They are the chastisements of a father, correcting us in love. They are the trials of our faith, making it " more precious than gold, though it be tried with fire." " For our light affliction;" saith the apostle, — "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing," — " our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ; " while we look " — provided we look, so long as we look — " not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." One would think that truths so reasonable and comfortable, and, when declared to us, so obvi- ously just and profitable, would take deep root in the hearts of men. And since all are " born to troui)le, as the sparks fly upward," that all would lay them up in store against the day of adversity, as lessons personally " profitable" to themselves " for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." But it is proverbially not so. Few then are taught the proper use of adversity, until, like an armed man, it comes upon them: and. too often, takes them unawares. David con- fessed that it was good for him that he had been afflicted; and that before he was afflicted he went wrong. Manasseh, " when he was in affliction, besought the Lord his God," and "he was entreat- ed of him, and heard his supplications;" and it was the dechiration of Luther, the illustrious reformer, "T never knew the meaning of God's word, till I was afllicied." INTRODUCTION. Vll It is in this view of tiie nature, purpose, and value of atiiictions, and in tlie consideration of our continual disposition to misunderstand and misuse thieni, that manuals for the atflicted, like that be- fore us, have been so frequently compiled, and deserve, when faithfully and judiciously executed, to be so highly esteemed. " Among the variety of subjects," says Richard Cecil, " on which a minister is called to treat, many may suit particular cases ; but when he speaks of affliction, he speaks of that which is sure to interest every one, at one period or other of their lives." The remark is universal in its application. The note of sorrow is the key- note of humanity. The hand that strikes it, strikes a chord in every breast, of woman born. A " manual for the afflicted" is a maimalfor man- kind. He that already is •' in sorrow, trouble, need, sickness, or any other adversity," welcomes it, because he is in want of present consolation; he that is still " at ease in his possessions," because *' he knows that his day is coming." It is the peculiar recommendation of this little volume that it is eminently scriptural. A great portion of it is in the very words of Scripture. A considerable part of the rest is from the Book of Common Prayer, of which it is scarcely too much to say, that Protestant Christendom is agreed in regarding it, as only not inspired. For what remains, such names as Taylor, and Ken, and Kettle well, and Nelson, are unquestionable author- ity to believers, that it is conceived and born of Scripture. Sufficiently various for nearly all occa- sions of adversity, and yet not exceeding reasona- ble limits as regards expense or inconvenience, it is admirably fitted for general circulation. The present writer, with no other interest in the pub- lication than he holds in common with all its readers, does not hesitate to say, that, for its size and cost, he knows of no similar work comparable INTRODUCTION. with it. To all who have, or can have kindred with its sul)jects, — and who is he that this descrip- tion does not include? — he most affectionately commends this little book, not without prayer, that the Holy Spirit of consolation may acconipany it in all, with his sustaining, illuminating and sancti- fying graces ! It only remains that the writer speak, in very few words, of his connection with this reprint. It has been his privilege, for more than ten years, to enjoy the correspondence, and to experience, though the Atlantic has always rolled between them, the generous friendship of its learned and excellent author. In several of his letters, during the last summer and autumn, he spoke of his in- tention to make such a compilation, and gradually developed his plan. " I wish to bring it out," (he writes in July, during the prevalence of the Cholera,) " in a cheap and portable form, for the pocket, or the ladies' ' work box.' I purposely select from the Scriptures, in the hope that my manual may be more extensively useful, while men's hearts are failing them for fear .'*'' In a later letter he says, " 1 hope to have it ready for publi- cation on the 20th of October, my birth-day : and shall beg your acceptance of a copy as soon as published, the first which will reach America." " The chief part of the meditations and prayers," he writes September 29th, " are selected and arranged from the Holy Scriptures: to these I propose to add a ^qw from our liturgy, and from the manuals of prayer published (for the jnost part) by our elder divines. There is an unction about them which is seldom seen in modern com- posers of devotions. If I can make room, I think of putting into an appendix a selection of devo- tional hymns, and poetical imitations of the Psalms, suited to occasions of affliction.^' — When to a work so high in intrinsic merit, the charm was added INTRODUCTION. IX which the interest of friendship lends, it will read- ily be believed that the present writer was not slow in accetiing to the request of the enterprising and tasteful publishers who have undertaken the re- print, to introduce it by a short preface, to Ameri- can readers. It seemed to him that its value would be increased by adding, in an appendix, as the author originally designed, a few pieces of devotional poetry. The introduction, and the mottoes connected with it, and the appendix except- ed, no other addition or alteration has been made. Of the present republication, it may be proper to add, the respected author has no knowledge. In conclusion, if for labor so light, and so con- genial with his feelings, the undersigned could claim reward, it has been richly found in the sat- isfaction of introducing to the knowledge of the sons and daughters of affliction, among his own countrymen, a work so eminently fitted, with the aid of the blessed Spirit, to comfort them in all their tribulation ; and in making more extensively known among them an author, who, at the hands of all who esteem private virtue, unconquerable industry, extensive learning, and exalted piety, deserves so well. And now, with pious Mr. Fiavel, he would say to every mourning reader of this little book, " Go thy way. Christian, to thy God. Get thee to thy knees in the cloudy and dark day. Retire from all creatures, that thou mayest have thy full liberty with God, and there pour out thy heart before him, in free, full, and broken-hearted confessions of sins." "Beg him, in this distress, to put under thee the everlasting arms. Entreat one smile, one gracious look, to enlighten thy darkness, and cheer thy drooping spirit. Say with the prophet Jeremiah, ' Be not thou a terror to me; thou art ray hope in the day of evil.' And try what relief such a course will afford thee. Surely, if thy heart be sincere in this course, thou t X INTRODUCTION. shaltbe able to say with the Psalmist, * In the mul- titude of the sorrows that I had in my heart, thy comforts have refreshed my soul.' May the good Lord mercifully grant it, for Jesus Christ's sake ! G. W. D. Boston, 6 March, 1833. ^ TABLE OF CONTENTS. PART I. ON AFFLICTIONS CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF SCRIPTURE CONCERNING THE ORIGIN AND DESIGN OF AFFLICTIONS. Page Section I. On the Source of Afflictions - 1 1. Afflictions are appointed by God himself - ibid. 2. Afflictions are no Proof of Guilt though they are sometimes the Consequence of Sin and the Punishment of Guilt - - - 2 3. Afflictions are sometimes the means of bring- ing back Transgressors to their Duty - 3 Section II. On the Design of God, in the Permission of Afflictions - - 4 1. Afflictions are not Marks of the Anger of God, but of his paternal Love - -ibid. 2. Afflictions are designed to turn us aside from Iniquity - - - - - 5 3. And for the Trial of our Faith and Obedience Hid. 4. Afflictions are designed to promote Humility 7 5. And to make us Partakers of God's Holiness 8 6. Afflictions are designed that the Life of Jesus should be manifested in his Body (the Church) 9 Section III. On the Duties of the Afflicted 11 1. Attention, Docility, and Self-Examination - ibid. 2. Humility - - - - - 12 3. Confession of Sins - - - - ibid. VI CONTENTS. 4. Repentance.— Conversion - - - 13 Example of Repentance - - - 14 5. Prayer - - - - - 15 Examples of Prayer under Affliction - ibid. 6. Patience - - - - - 16 7. Resignation to the Will of God - - 17 Examples of Resignation and of entire Sub- mission to the Will of Grod - - 18 8. Hope 19 9. Firm Reliance on the Divine Promises - 20 Examples of Firm Reliance upon God, in Afflictions - - - - 21 10. Holiness, and fervent Desires for Holiness - 24 11. Joy -.--.- ibid. Examples of Persons who rejoiced amidst Tribulations - - - - 25 12. Mutual Sympathy and Consolation - - ibid. CHAPTER II. ON THE BEST PREPARATION FOR AFFLICTIONS, AND OUR IMPROVEMENT OF THEM; AND OUR DUTY ON BEING DELIVERED FROM THEM. Section I. On the best Preparation for Af- flictions . . . - 26 Section H. Counsels for our Deportment un- der Afflictions - - - 35 Section HI. On the Duty of those who have BEEN DELIVERED FROM AFFLICTIONS - 46 CHAPTER HI. ON THE PRIVILEGE AND DUTY OF PR4YKR, ESPE- CIALLY IN SEASONS OF AFFLICTION. Section I. On the Nature and Importance OF Prayer. — Motives and Encourage- ments TO Prayer - - - 55 1. Nature of Prayer ... - ibid. XIV CONTENTS. PART II. CONgOLATION FOR THE AFFLICTED. CHAPTER I. DEVOTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE ^ AFFLICTED IN MIND.' Section I. Devotions for Persons ' that do truly and earnestly repent of their Sins.' I. Prayers that God would vouchsafe to assist their Devotions, and to hear and accept their Supplications - - - - 87 1. From the Holy Scriptures - - - ibid. 2. From the Book of (Join mon Prayer - - 88 II. Confessions {in the Language of the Holy Scriptures) of a person deeply convinced of Sin 89 HI. Prayers, suited to those who feci the ' iutoler- able Burthen of their Sins. 1. From the Holy Scriptures - - - 90 2. From the Book of Common Prayer - - 92 3. The Prayer of one convinced of Sin. [Soro- cold.] 94 4. A Prayer for Contrition. [Whole Duty of Man.] - - - - - 9G 5. Promises (in the Language of the Holy Scrip- tures) of Pardon to the Penitent - - Hid. 6. A Prayer for Pardon of Sins. [Kettlewell.] 100 7. A Prayer that we may not relapse into Sin. [Bishop Duppa.] - - - - 101 8. Observations on the Nature of a Relapse into Sin - - - - - 102—108 9. A Prayer after a Relapse into Sin, from the Book of Common Prayer - - 108 10. Another Prayer on the same Occasion. [Spinckes.] - - - - 109 CONTENTS. XIU The Object of Prayer - - - 56 II. The Importance of Prayer - - - ibid. 1. It is indispensable to our Happiness, as is at- tested - - - - - 57 [i.] By the Nature of Things - - ibid. [ii.] By Experience - - - 58 [iii.] By the Testimonies of the Word of God 59 2. Every thing is attainable by Prayer - - C4 [i.] The Humble J*enitent becomes rich by Prayer - - - - - G5 (1 .) Instances of Answers to Prayer from the Old Testament ... - ibid. (2.) From the New Testament - - 66 [ii.] The feeble Believer becomes strong by Prayer - - - - 69 (1.) Instances from the Scriptures - - ibid. (2.) And from the Experience of Individuals 70 WJiy God does not always answer our Prayers 72 Section II. On the Dispositions requisite to ACCEPTABLE PrAYER - - - 73 I. The proper subjects of Prayer - - 74 II. In what MANNER and with what dispositions we should offer our Petitions - - 75 1. With a deep Sense of the Presence of God - 76 2. With Sincerity of Intention - - ibid. 3. With Humility - - - - 78 4. With Earnestness, Fervor and Perseverance 79 5. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ - 80 6. In Faith 81 7. With Sentiments of Charity towards all Man- kind - - - - - 82 The Plappiness resulting from devout and humble Prayer - - - - 83 t CONTENTS. XV 11. A Prayer for Peace of Mind, and Comfort in the Enjoyment of it. [Kettle well.] - 111 Section II. Devotions adapted to Circum- stances OF SPIRITUAL Distress. 1. Complaint and Prayers of a Soul that feels its Weakness - ... - 112 1. Complaint (in the Language of Scripture) of a Soul that feels its Weakness - - ihid. 2. A Prayer (in the Language of Scripture) for one who is conscious of his Weakness - 113 3. Another Prayer on the same Occasion, from the Liturgy - - - - 114 4. Promises of Strength and Support - - ihid. II. Complaint and Praxjers of an afflicted Soul - 116 1. Complaint (in the I language of Scripture) of a deeply afflicted Soul ... ihid. 2. Pravers (in ti e Language of Scripture) for a Person under spiritual Distress 118 — 120 3. Other Prayers for Persons binder spiritual Dis- tress - . - . . ihid. (1.) From the Liturgy - - . . Hid. (2.) Another Prayer on the same Occasion. [IJisliop Duppa.] - - - - 121 (3.) Another Prayer. [Merrick.] - - 124 (4.) Another Prayer. [Nelson.] - - 125 4. Promises addressed to a troubled and afflicted Soul - - - - - 126 Selection I. - - - 126—130 II. - - - 130—132 Skction III. Prayers under Sorrow and Djes- pondency. I. Observations on Seasons of Desertion or sup- posed Absence of the Holy Spirit. [Dr. Knox.] ... - 132—135 II. Prayers under Sorrow and Despondency ihid. 1. A Prayer, in the Language of Scripture ihid. 2. A Meditation, in the Language of Scripture - 136 3. A Prayer in Sorrow and Despondency. [Bishop Taylor - - - - 137 XVI CONTENTS. 4. A Prayer against Despair. [The Poor Man's Rest.] 138 5. Promises addressed to those who are in Sor- row and Despondency - - - 139 Section IV. Devotions for those who are PERPLEXED WITH DoUBTS AND TEMPTA- TIONS. 1. A general Prayer for one who is perplexed in Mind. [Kettlewell.] - - - 141 2. A Prayer for one who is full of Doubts. [Bishop Patrick] - - - - 142 3. A Prayer for one who is disturbed with wick- ed and blasphemous Thoughts. [Lewis.] 145 4. A Prayer for a Person, who is under Doubts concerning the Lawfulness of any Action. [From the New Manual of Devotion.] - 14G in. Prayers in Seasons of Temptation. - - 143 1. From the Book of Common Prayer - - ibid. 2. A Prayer against Temptations. [Bishop Taylor.] 149 3. A Prayer against the Temptation of the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. [Soro- cold.] - - - - - 150 CHAPTER II. DEVOTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE ^ AFFLICTED IN BODY.' Section I. Prayers adapted to a season of great Mortality. 1. A Penitential Confession and Supplication, during the Prevalence of a Pestilential Epidemic. [In the Time of James I.] - 152 2. A Psalm from the Sciiptures, for a season of Pestilence. [Form of Prayer for the Fast- day, March 21, 1832.] - - - 157 3. Prayers adapted to a Season of Pestilence. [The same Form of Prayer.] - - 159 4. Prayers that we may be prepared for Death - 101 (1.) Chiefly from the Holy Scriptures - ihid. (2.) From the Offices of the Church - 162 CONTENTS. XVU (3.) A Prayer for a blessed Departure, in Time of Health or in Sickness. [Bishop Taylor.] 1C3 (4.) A Praver, that we may be prepared for Death. [Burder.] - - - - 1G4 Section II. Selections from the Holy Scrip- tures, SUITABLE to A SeASON OF SlCK- NEss. [Hele.] Selection 1. On the Mortality of Man - - 1G5 H. On the Certainty of a future Judg- ment ----- 1G7 in. On the Shortness and vanity of Life - - - - - 1G9 IV. Supplicatory for Pardon of Sin - 170 V. On the Uncertainty of the Time of our Death - - - - 171 VI. On the Universality of the last Judgment - - - - 172 VII. On the Certainty of Death and of a General Resurrection to Eternal Life 174 VIII. Death the Lot of all ; the Felicity of the Righteous . - - 176 IX, References to select Chapters of the Holy Scriptures, which may be profit- ably read during a long Illness - 179 Section III. Psalms suitable for Meditation DURING Sickness, with Collects founded on them. [Bishop Taylor.] 1. Psalm vi. For the Remission of Sins - 180 2. Psalm XXV. For Deliverance from Sin - ibid. 3- Psalm xxxii. Confession of Sins, and a Prayer for Pardon - - - 181 4. Psalm xxxviii. A Prayer for Remission of Sins 182 5. Psalm xxxix. Meditation on the Shortness of Life, and a Prayer preparatory to Death 183 6. Psalm 11. A Prayer for the Pardon of Sins and the Restitution of God's Favor - ibid. 7. Psalm Ixxxviii. A Prayer in Time of Sick- ness and in Danger of Death - - 184 XVlll CONTENTS. 8. Psalm xc. A Meditation on Deatli and a Prayer preparatory to it - - - 185 9. Psalm cxxx. A penitential Psalm or Prayer for Pardon, and for Redemption from Sin 186 10. Psalm cxliii. A Prayer for Paidon of Sin and Direction in the Way of Righteousness 187 Section IV. Prayers which may be offered BY OTHERS IN BEHALF OF THE SiCK, - 188 1. A Prayer for Comfort to the Sick. [Soro- cold.] ..... Hid. 2. A Prayer, that the Sickness may be made a Blessing. [Bishop Taylor.] - - 180 3. A Prayer for a Person under deep Melan- choly. [Jenks.] - - - - 190 4. A Prayer for a sick Child. [Visitation of the Sick.] 191 5. A Prayer for a sick Child in imminent Dan- ger. [Dr. Assheton.] ... 192 Section V. Devotions for the Use of sick Persons themselves, - - 193 1. A Prayer at the Commencement of Sick- ness. [Whole Duty of Man.] - - Hid. 2. Another on the same Occasion. [Bishop Ken.] - - - - - 194 3. Another on the same Occasion. [New Year's Gift.] - - - - - 19G 4. A Prayer for a Blessing on the Use of Medi- cine. [Dr. Assheton.] - - - 198 5. Ejaculations from the Scriptures, and a Prayer for Patience in a lingering Illness. [Dr. Coney.] . _ . - ibid. 6. A Prayer for Ease, when the Sickness be- comes very painful. [Kettlewell.] - 200 7. On the Abatement of Pain. [Kettlewell.] - 201 8. On Want of Sleep. [Anonymous.] - -ibid. 9. An Act of Resignation. [Bishop Taylor.] - 202 10. A Prayer for Thankfulness under Sickness or other Affliction - - - 203 11. A Prayer to be used when there is any Abatement of the Disorder or prospect of Recovery. [New Manual.] - - 204 CONTENTS. XIX 12. A Prayer for a sick Person who is tempted to despair. [Bishop Ken.] - - 205 Section VI. Devotions in the Prospect of Dissoli;tion. . . - - 207 1. A Psahn. collected from the Holy Scriptures, for a Person near Death - - - il>id. 2. A Prayer, in the Language of Scripture, in the Prospect of Death - - - 210 3. A Prayer and Confession for the Sick, who are unprepared to die. [Baxter] - - 211 4. A Prayer against th»^ Fear of Death. [Kettle- well.] 214 5. A Prayer for a blessed Death. [Hele.] - 216 6. A Prayer, that we may be prepared for our last End. [Bishop Duppa.] - - 217 7. A Prayer for a joyful Resurrection to eter- nal Life. [Hele.] - - - - 218 8. A Prayer when a sick Person is joyful and glad to die. [Primer of K ing Edward VI.] ibid. 9. A Prayer for a Person in imminent Danger of Death. [Bishop Taylor.] - - 219 10. Another Prayer on the same Occasion, [So- rocold.] 220 11. A Prayer which may be offered for a Person in the Agonies of Death - - - 221 12. Anolher Prayer on the same Occasion - 222 13. A short Form of recommending the Soul un- to God. [Bishop Andrews.] - - Hid. 14. Another on the same Occasion. [Bishop Cosin.] 223 15. A Prayer for a sick Person at the Point of Departure. [Visitation Office.] - - 224 16. Devotions which may be used by a Minister or Friend with the bereaved Relatives and Friends of the Deceased. [Bishop Hobart.] 225 CHAPTER III. DEVOTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE ' AFFLICTED IN ESTATE.' 1. Prayers, in the Language of Scripture, for a Person who is forsaken by his Friends, or exposed to Calumny - - - 228 XX CONTENTS. 2. A Prayer for Submission to the Will of God, under Loss of Pro]>erty or Friends. [Bish- op Patrick.] - - - - 231 3. A Prayer for a Family under any grievous worldly Loss. [Dr. Belfrage.] - - 234 4. A Prayer to be used by a Widow. [Bishop Patrick] 236 5. A Prayer for an Orphan. [Bishop Patrick.] 238 6. A Prayer for an aged Person. [Dr. Dodd.] ibid. 7. A Prayer under any Injuries, Abuses, or Provocations. [Dr. Dodd.] - - 239 CHAPTER IV. THANKSGIVINGS FOR DELIVERANCE FROM AFFLIC- TION. I. A Prayer of Thanksgiving for any great Deliverance. [Bishop Taylor.] - - 240 IL A Hymn of Thanksgiving for Deliver- ance from Trouble of Mind - - 241 in. A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Deliver- ance from Trouble of iMind. [Kettlewell.] 242 IV. Thanksgivings for Recovery from Sick- ness ..... 244 1. A Hymn of Thanksgiving, collected from the Holy Scriptures ... md^ 2. A short Prayer of Thanksgiving for Recov- ery. [Whole Duty of Man.] - - 247 3. Another shorter Form of Thanksgiving. [Bishop Ken.] - - - - 248 4. A larger Form of Thanksgiving for Recov- ery. [Bishop Gibson.] ... ibid. 5. A Prayer of Thanksgiving for a Patient in an Hospital or Infirmary on his Recovery. [St. James Stonhouse, Bart ] - - 251 (5. A Prayer on Deliverance from a Pestilen- tial Epidemic. [From the Book of Com- mon Prayer.] - - - 252 PART 1. ON AFFLICTION. i THE PATH OF SORROW, AND THAT PATH ALONE, LEADS TO THE LAND WHERE SORROW IS UNKNOWN: NO TRAVELLER e'eR REACh'd THAT BLEST ABODE, WHO FOUND NOT THORNS AND BRIARS ON THE ROAD. (by SYMtO.V PATRICK, D. D. BISHOP OF ELY.) VOUCHSAFE, O LORD, TO EVERY ONE THAT SHALL PERUSE THIS BOOK THE ILLUMINA- TION OF THY HOLY SPIRIT, TO UNDERSTAND THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE FAITHFULLY DECLARED THEREIN, ACCORDING TO THY MIND AND WILL : AND WORK IN ALL OUR HEARTS MOST DEVOUT AFFECTIONS TO OUR BLESSED SAVIOUR, FOR OUR INCREASE IN FAITH, AND LOVE, AND HOLY OBEDIENCE. AMEN. CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF SCRIPTUEE CONCERNING THE ORKJIN AND DESIGN OF AFFLICTIONS. SECTION I. ON THE SOURCE OE AFFLICTIONS. 1. Afflictions are appointed hy God himself. Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; yet man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward. Man, that is born of woman, is of few days, and full of trouble. His flesh upon him shall have pain ; and his soul within him shall mourn. All his days are sorrow; and his travail, grief: yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. The days of our years are three score years and ten ; and if, by reason of strength, they be four score years, yet is their strength labor and sorrov/ ; for it is soon cut off, and we flee away. (Job v. 6, 7. ; xiv. 1. 22. Eccles. ii. 23. Psal. xc. 10.) Man is chastened also with pain upon his bed; and the multitude of his bones with strong pain : so that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul 1 » THE DOCTRINE OP THE SCRIPTURES dainty meat. His flesh is consumed away that it cannot be seen ; and his bones, that were not seen, stick out. Lo ! all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit to be enlightened with the light of the living. (Job xxxiii. 19—2-2. 29, 30.) [Let] no man be moved by these afflictions, for yourselves know that we are appointed there- unto. In the world [saith Christ], ye shall have tribulation : but, be of good cheer, I have over- come the world. Yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (1 Thess. iii. 3. John xvi. 33. 2 Tim. iii. 12.) 2. Affiictions are no prooj of guilt, tJioitgk they are sometimes the consequence of sin, and the punishment of guilt. Suppose ye that the Galilaeans [whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices] were sinners above all the Galilseans, because they suffered such things ? Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them ; think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem 1 I tell you, nay. But, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke xiii. 2. 4. 5.) The Lord God said unto Adam : BECAUSE thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and' hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee saying, " Thou shalt not eat of it :" cursed is the ground for thy sake : in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee ; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread until thou return to CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 3 the ground, for out of it wast thou taken : for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Gen. iii. 17—19.) The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold; THEREFORE shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. Who hath woe ? who hath sor- row ? who hath contentions ? who hath wounds without cause ? who hath redness of eyes ? They that tarry long at the wine. (Prov. xx. 4. : xxiii. 29, 30.) The foolishness of man perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth against the Lord. He that soweth vanity, shall reap vanity. Where- fore doth a living man complain ? a man for the punishment of his sins. Ye have ploughed wick- edness ; ye have reaped iniquity ; ye have eaten the fruit of lies. (Prov. xix. 3. Lam. iii. 39. Hos. X. 13.) 3. Afflictions are sometimes the means of bring- ing hack transgressors to their duty. Thou shalt consider in thine heart, that as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. When Manasseh was in afflic- tion, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth : therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. Many are the afflictions of the righte- ous. If they be bound in fetters, and beholden in the cords of affliction, then he showeth them their work and their transgressions that they have ex- ceeded. (Deut. viii. 5. 2. Chron. xxxiii. 12. Job V. 17. Psal. xxxiv. 20. Job xxxvi. 8, 9.) When He slew them, then they sought Him ; 4 THE UOCTIUNE OF THE SCRIPTURES and they returned and inquired early after God. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being fast bound in afliiction and iron, BECAUSE they rebelled against the words of God and contemned the counsel of the Most High ; THEREFORE He brought down their heart with labor. They fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their dis- tresses. Lord, in trouble they have visited Thee ; they poured out a prayer, when thy chastening was upon them, (Psal. Ixxviii. 34. cvii. 10 — 13. Isa. xxvi. 16.) SECTION H. ON THE DESIGN OF GOD IN THE PERMISSION OF AFFLICTIONS. 1. Afflictions are not marhs of the anger of God, hut oj his paternal love ; and are intended to show the evil of departiiig from God ; and also in order that his children may not he condemned with the ivorld. God doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. Whom the Lord loveth, he correcteth ; even as a father the son, in whom he delighteth. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. (Lam. iii. 33. Prov. iii. 12. Heb. xii. G. Rev. iii. 19. Psal. ciii. 13.) CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. O Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee. Know therefore and see, that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God ; and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of Hosts. When we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. The Lord hath chastened me sore, but He hath not given me over unto death. The Lord hath taken you and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto Him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day. (1 Cor. xi. 32. Psal. cxviii. 18. Deut. iv. 20.) 2. Afflictions arc designed to turn us aside from iniquitjj. If they be holden in cords of affliction, . . . . He openethalso their ear to discipline, and com- mandeth that they return from iniquity. He openeth the ears of n^.en, and sealeth their in- struction, that He may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eye. Job xxxvi. 8. 10. ; xxxiii. 16, 17. Psal. xxxii. 8 ) The children of Israel cried imto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against Thee ; we have sinned ; do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto Thee. (Judg. x. 10 15.) 3. Afflictions are designed for the trial of our fcdtli and obedience. Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God hath led thee to prove 1* 6 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or no. Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water, .... that he might prove thee. (Deut. viii. 2. 15, 16.) In the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to Hezekiah to inquire of the wonders done in the land [of Judah], God left him, to try him, that He might know all that was in his heart. (2 Chron. xxxii. 31.) Some of them of understanding shall fall, to TRY them. The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold ; but the Lord trieth the hearts. Thou, O God, hast proved us ; thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. (Dan. xi. 35. Prov. xvii. 3. Psal. Ixvi. 10.) Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, Lord, and teachest him out of Thy law. Be- fore I was afflicted I went astray ; but now have 1 kept Thy word. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Thy statutes. I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right; and that Thou, in very faithfulness, hast afflict- ed me. (Psal. xciv. 12 ; cxix. 67. 71. 75.) Sorrow is better than laughter : for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. When Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteous- ness. Tribulation worketh patience. [God chas- teneth us] that the trial of our faith being more precious than gold, though it be tried with fire. CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. / might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (Eccl. vii. 3. Isa. xxvi. 9. Rom. v. 3. 1 Pet. i. 7.) 4. Afflictions are designed to promote humility. Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God hath led thee .... to humble thee. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I com- mand thee this day : lest, when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses and dwelt therein, and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multi- plied, and all that thou hast is multiplied ; then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget th'' Lord thy God, .... who fed thee in the wilder- ness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, . . to HUMBLE thee, (i^eut. viii. 2. 11 — 14. 16.) When Nebuchadnezzar's heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. And he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses : they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will. (Dan. v. 20, 2L) Every valley shall be exalted, and every moun- tain and hill shall be made low ; and the crooked shall be made' straight, and the rough places plain. (Tsa. xl. 4.) Lest Paul should be exalted above measure 8 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES .... there was given to him a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan, to buffet him. (2 Cor. xii. 10.) 5. Afflictions are further designed to make us partakers of God's Holiness, and bring forth more fruit. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh, who chastened us after their own pleasure ; but God [chasteneth us] for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. (Heb. xii. 9, 10.) Behold ! I have refined thee, but not with sil- ver : I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. (Isa. xlviii. 10.) I am the true Vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away ; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring FORTH MORE FRUIT. (John XV. 1, 2.) The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord. His going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (Prov. iv. 18. Hos. vi. 3.) The grace of God, that bringeth salvation unto all men, hath appeared; teaching us, that, deny- ing ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Clirist ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 9 unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Tit. ii. 11—14.) 6. Afflictions are designed^ that the life of Jesus should be manifested in his body (the church), and that every believing member of it should be glorified together loith him, and finally may enjoy an everlasting rest. Though he [Christ] was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God : for we also are weak in [marginal rendering with'] him, but we shall live with him by the power of God. (2 Cor. xiii. 4.) Because (says Christ) I live, ve shall live also. (John xiv. 19.) It is a faithful saying : for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him ; if we suffer, we shall also reign with him ; if we deny him, he will also deny us. (2 Tim. ii. 10, 11.) If [we are] children, then [are we] heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ : if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the suffer- ings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen : for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (Rom. viii. 18. 2 Cor. iv. 17.) This is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 10 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES Rejoice, insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings ; that, when his glory shall be re- vealed, yemav be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Pet. ii. 19.' iv. 13.) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for, when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James i. 22.) But, in order that we may attain this glorious reward, we must remember what our Saviour declares to be indispensably necessary. " If any man will [be willing to] come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me." (Matt. xvi. 24.) " Father ! I will, that they also whom Thou hast given me, may be with me where I am ; that they may behold Thy glory which Thou hast given me : for Thoulovest me before the found- ation of the world." (John xvii. 24.) Paul and Barnabas confirmed the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribu- lation enter the kingdom of God. (Acts xiv. 22.) What are these which are arrayed in white robes, and whence come they ? These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev. vii. 17, 18.) Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of -Thy Law; that thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, and do him good at his latter end. (Psal. xciv. 12, 13. Deut. viii. 15.) There remaineth therefore a rest to the CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 11 people of God. Let us labor thereforfi to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same ex- ample of unbelief [as the disobedient Israelites]. (Heb. iv. a U.) I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me : — Write, Blessed are the dead which