FRIENDLY ADVICE TO A PATIENT; Calculated more particularly for the Use of the Sick, belonging to the Infirmaries, as well the Out-patients, as those within the House; tho’ the greatest Part of it is suitable and of equal Service TO EVERY SICK PERSON. By JAMES STONHOUSE, M.D. Physician to the County Infirmary at Northampton; and formerly of St. Johns College, Oxford. Did not HE that made me in the Womb make him? and did not ONE fashion us in the Womb? Job xxxi. 15. Condescend to Men of low Estate. Rom. xii. 16. THE TENTH EDITION. LONDON: Printed by Charles Rivington, For John Rivington, in St, Paul's Church-Yard. PREFATORY ADVERTISEMENT. The Friendly Advice, in this little Treatise, will appear to the Reader, somewhat foreign to the Pro- vince of a PHYSICIAN: — Doubtless it is so - but the Experience of many Years in that Character, particu- larly in the COUNTY INFIRMARY at NORTHAMPTON, gave me too many sad Instances of the Want of other than medical Assistances, and that too in Matters of ever- lasting Concern. To limit therefore to one particular Province, a Regard for our Fellow-Creatures, when it is capable of being so beneficially extended, would in my Opinion, debase even Humanity itself, and is utterly inconsistent with the Christian Temper. And tho’ a due Deference to the Publick inclines me to justify this Under- taking, yet every candid Reader will readily allow, that I need not make much Apology to others, for what my own Conscience assures me is a necessary Duty.—The frequent Opportunities of observing different, and for the most Part uncultivated Minds, under those various Circumstances of Distress, which intitle them to Ad- mission into a publick Infirmary, and especially my Con- versation with Patients there in the Progress of their Distempers, and sometimes in the last Hours of their Lifes, have furnished me with some particular Advan- tages for an Undertaking of this Nature; which, easy as it may seem, they who think and assert it to be so, will give, by that very Assertion, a sufficient Proof of their own Disqualifications for it.- It may too often be incon- siderately, and therefore unsuccessfully attempted; but perhaps they who are best able to perform it, are the most feasible of its Difficulties. A2 It iv PREFATORY It indeed requires no less Attention to a Variety of Cir- cumstances in order to restore Health and Soundness of Mind, and to the several Symptoms in order to cure the Diseases of the Body: For it is by no Means sufficient to say, I will talk to a Man in such or such a Manner, be- cause he is sick, or in Pain:—The Nature of his Malady, the Course of Life, which in some Instances might occa- sion, or contribute towards it; the Tenderness, or In- flexibility of his own Nature; any Abuse or Defect of his Reason or Education; his Presumption or Despair, the various Approaches towards either Extreme; and the Sense or Disregard which he shews to Chastisements or Mercies; all these, I say, require a very different Treat- ment. So that whoever can justly hope to succeed, must not only have a distinguishing, and well disposed Mind, but be long conversant in these several Circumstances; he must also be habitually exercised in the Methods, and well furnished with the Arguments and Texts, proper for Conviction, Reproof, Instruction, Exhortation and Comfort. These Reflections, which suggested the apparent Use- fulness of some such Help as this, had with me the Force of an Obligation to attempt it, so far as is consistent with any general Plan, or Course of Directions; though still we must allow that there will be a great Difference be- tween what is written down, and the casual unrestrained Freedom of a personal Conversation; together with such a prudential Use of Opportunities as will arise from Ob- servations of the Patient’s Disposition, sometimes indeed to be learnt in his very Countenance.—From these a Judgment may be formed, what Sort of Discourse will be most suitable at that particular Time; and how far he is likely to reject, or receive any Profit by it. The Advice of the Physician, how judiciously soever given, will in many Cases be fruitless, even where our Expectations are the most sanguine; and one Time or other, must necessarily become so in all: But whilst Reason is not wholly extinct, the good Offices of the Chris- tian may always be useful.—Having therefore deliberately weighed the Design, I was encouraged to proceed in the Ex- ADVERTISEMENT. v Execution of it, for these obvious Reasons among others— “ that nothing of this Kind had hitherto been published, “ and that one of my Profession might reasonably hope for “ some particular Attention; especially from those who “ have entertained a favourable Opinion of me, and “ were, or had been under my Care, as a Physician.” Whatsoever I have advanced either in this Preface, or in the Treatise itself, is entirely agreeable to the Convic- tions of my own Conscience, as to the certain Evidence, and great Importance, of those Principles and Practices, which I have inforced and recommended: And I shall esteem myself peculiarly happy, if what I have here sug- gested may have its due Weight and Influence on the Minds of those, who read it; and animate them, as our Saviour has injoin’d, to SEEK FIRST (preferably to every other Consideration) THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: “For what shall it profit a Man if “He gain the whole World, and lose his own Soul?” Having thus unreservedly avowed the settled Principles of my own Heart, founded upon the most mature Delibe- ration, and a long Observation on Men, Manners, and Things:—And having been induced by the mast charita- ble and friendly Motives, as well to the Acknowledge- ment of my own religious Opinions, as to this Under- taking in general, I am inclined to hope my Reader will in the same Disposition, most readily excuse whatsoever in Point of Judgment, or Impropriety of Expression, might admit of Censure; and that, if he cannot altoge- ther think in the same Manner with me, our Difference in Opinion may no Ways lessen our good Will and Af- fection, but that he will candidly allow me the same Li- berty of judging, which he has an undoubted Right to use for himself. After all, if this publick Testimony of my firm Belief of CHRISTIANITY; the free Declaration of my own Sentiments; and my compassionate Regard to the im- mortal Souls of the lowest of my Fellow-Creatures, should expose me to any Degree of Contempt and Ridicule, in such an Age as this, wherein Levity of Mind, and its natural Consequences, Dissoluteness of Manners, are A3 equally vi PREFATORY, &c. equally evident and deplorable, I shall not be very anxi- ous as to the Event (being well satisfied in the Appro- bation of my own Conscience as to the Integrity and Benevolence of my Views) but shall refer myself to the Decision of that Day, when the Secrets of all Hearts shall be manifested, and our eternal States unalterably determined. Northampton, July 9, 1748. VERSES [vii] VERSES to the Author. LONG had the Art of Healing been confin'd To save the Shell, the Prison of the Mind; Curious had view'd the yellow Ducts of Bile; And trac'd the Silver Channels of the Chyle, Pursu'd the Purple Maze thro' ev'ry Vein, The Nerves that vibrate, and the Glands that strain. Hills, Vallies, Woods, and Springs were all explor'd. The Sea was ransack'd, and the Earth was * bor'd. Thus Sons of Med’cine! all your fond Regard This perishable Frame of Man has shar'd; Nor did the Soul your due Concern employ, Tho' doom'd to endless Pain, or endless Joy. Thy Knowledge no such narrow Limits bound. Thy Labours, STONHOUSE, take an ampler Round. With equal Skill, and with a warmer Heart, Successfully you cure the mortal Part; Whilst with each Cordial, heav’nly Balm you pour, To cheer the Sick, or calm the dying Hour. 'Tis Thine the tender † Moments of Address To seize, and strongly sacred Truths impress: To bid the Patient's Pray’r with Faith arise, And breathe its grateful Incense to the Skies. To urge the Saviour's all-atoning Blood; And animate the Sinner to be good. Humane, as learn'd, with other’s Bliss you glow Feel, sooth, deplore, and heal another’s Woe. Ardent while thus your Christian Efforts seek Health for the Poor, and Comfort for the Weak; Your Care for their immortal Welfare shewn, With heighten'd Lustre shall augment your own. N.B. These Verses, written by an anonymous Hand, were inserted (unknown to the Author of this Treatise) in the publick Papers of 1749, and here added by parti- cular Desire. * In searching for different Mines, and Minerals, it is customary to bare the Earth; and some of the most efficacious Medicines are taken from thence; as Mercury, Sulphur, Steel, and Antimony* † Molissima Fandi tempora, VIRG, TO [viii] To JAMES STONHOUSE, M.D. Written soon after Recovery from a dangerous Illness. 'TIS laudable—'tis friendly (sure!) Corporeal Maladies to cure: But'tis a more exalting Praise The Sin-distemper’d Mind to raise; To meditate with godlike View The Health of Soul and Body too. THEE for this WORK shall Thousands bless, (Read on the Beds of pale Distress) And thank the providential Woe, That brought them HELPS like thine to know. The heal’d Artificer, whose Hand Domestick, pressing Wants demand, More useful made by Thee shall come, A double Blessing to his Home. The well-rul’d Family shall prove An happier House of Faith, and Love; And own that all the Joys they share. Sprung from thy Pen, and medick Care. Oh! long belove'd, long honour'd live! Example to thy Brethren give; May THY ATTEMPT to ev’ry Heart An emulative Zeal impart! And let their prais'd Ambition be, To act like * BOERHAAVE, and like THEE. MOSES BROWNE. * This is intended as a Reference to a very conspicuous, and ex- emplary Part of Dr. Boerhaave's Character; namely, that he did not think that the most referential Acknowledgement, and most open Pro- fession of his Religion, as a Christian, derogated in any Degree from his high Reputation, as a Physician it was his constant Rule to rise very early, and to spend about an Hour in secret Prayer, and in Meditation on some Part of the Scriptures.---This Rule he recom- mended to his intimate Friends, us the best He could give them for their [ix] STANZAS occasioned by Dr. STONHOUSE’s Friendly Advice to a Patient, FRAIL Sons of Dust! Sad Offspring of polluted Clay! No longer good or just To Vice and Folly still a Prey, Say, can ye hope for Happiness below? Alas! its limpid Streams thro’ purer Channels flow. their Preservation; judiciously observing, that the Health of the Body must, more or less, be dependent on the Tranquillity of the Mind—and that “there is no Peace to the Wicked.” Being asked “how it was possible for Him to undergo so much “ Fatigue in his Profession?" He replied, “I have habituated myself “ from my Infancy to Punctuality and Dispatch; and my Morn- “ ing’s Retirement gives me Spirits for the Day; and enables me " to act, as in the immediate Sight of GOD:"--that GOD, to whose Bounty He attributed all his Abilities; to whose Grace He ascribed all his religious Attainments; by whose Providence he had long been directed, and supported in a Profession which engaged him in a necesary and constant Attention to the various Distresses, and Miseries of his Fellow-Creatures; and to whose Will he was entirely resigned in every Circumstance which related to Himself, or others. ---May the Example of this Eminent * Man extend its Influence to his Admirers, and Followers! and whilst they pursue his medical Knowledge, may they aspire to that exalted Piety of which he was so admirable a Pattern! * See his Life, from whence the following Quotation is taken, which shews what Regard the great Boerhaave paid to Religion.—“His Time “ was wholly taken up in visiting the Sick, searching into every Part of “ Medicine with the utmost Diligence, and reading the Scriptures, which “ he generally did after Morning Prayer--He was particularly fond of such “ Authors as placed the Love of God, and its consequential Duties, in the “ clearest Light; and was therefore remarkably compassionate to his Fellow- “ Creatures, and cheerful in his Family, even under the most trying Af- “ flictions.”--He would sometimes say with JOE, “Shall we receive “ Good at the Hand of God, and shall we not receive Evil?"—especialiy when that very Evil, how grievous soever at present, is designed for our fu- ture Good; for “as a Father chasteneth, his Son, so the Lord our God chasteneth " us.” Deut. viii. 5. Say, [x] Say, can you Flow’r, Tho'ting'd its silken Buds with Gold, If cank’rous Worms devour Its pearly Germs ere they unfold, Ere Hope its spreading Beauties to display? Alas! its Leaves contract, grow wrinkled, and decay. Created pure, Man was the Child of Health, and Joy; Oh! had his Faith been sure, His bliss had been without Alloy. But Sin, and Death prevail’d; and with them rose Disease, insatiate Fiend, with all her kindred Woes. Ye vengeful Train Of Ills, that rack the Race of Man! Sad Family of Pain, That make him loath Life’s little Span! Say, was it given you uncontroul’d to rage? No!--Medicine brings her Balms your Fury to assuage. The eternal King, Whose tender Mercies still endure, Has bid the genial Spring Pour forth a thousand Herbs of Cure, Has bid the Sea, the Fountain, and the Mine To case the torturing Pang, their lenient Stores resign. At his Command Fair Charity shoots from the Skies; She opes each wealthy Hand, And bids yon friendly Walls * arise; She spreads the Couch, prepares the healing Draught, And come, ye Poor, she says, “Here find Relief unbought." Hail sacred Dome! Hail blest Asylum of the Poor! Lost in his lonely Home, The Hind diseas'd bad died obscure: But here restor'd to Labour and to Life, Again he clasps his Babes, and cheers his drooping Wife. * The INFIRMARY. 'Nor [xi] Nor rais’d alone To transient Life, that soon must end; From Mercy's downy Throne Here bless Impressions oft descend: For see while Medicine makes the Body whole, This little Tract affords Prescriptions for the Soul. Yes, gen'rous Friend, Thy Skill attempts the nobler Part, The will deprav'd to mend, To probe and cleanse the ulcerous Heart, and, through the Saviour's all-restoring Blood, To raise to endless Life the Penitent and Good. T.P. This little Tract is sold at Three-Pence stitched, or at a Guinea an Hundred, to such as are so chari- tably disposed as to give it away, if wanted to be sent into foreign Parts, or for the Use of Patients in the Infirmaries, it will be most adviseable to have it sewed in Pasteboards. The Society for promoting Christian Knowledge has adopted it into the Number of those Books which they disperse, as properly calculated for the Revival, and Advancement of true Religion; and it may be had, upon the Terms of the Society, by any of their subscribing Members: namely, at Half-Price; the other Half being defrayed out of the So- ciety's Fund. The Bookseller begs Leave farther to add, that the Price of this is less than that of any other Tract of the same Size; which is owing to the Largeness of the Impression, which, through the Hope of supplying most of the Infirmaries, he has printed, and to the Author’s Generosity in not taking Copy-Money for this, or any of the preceding Editions. N.B. A little Tract, intitled, SPIRITUAL DIREC- TIONS to the Uninstructed, written by the same Author, is likewise adopted by the Society, These two little Tracts are generally bound up together. CONTENTS. INtroduction Page I SECTION I. ADVICE to a Patient, considering him as under the afflicting HAND OF GOD. Advised to regard God as the Author of Affliction 3 To examine himself whether he be a real Christian 4 Whether he be a profligate Sinner ibid. Whether he be a mere outside Christian 5 Advice to the Self-convicted 12 Address to the Sincere Christian ibid. To improve this Retirement for Self-Knowledge ibid. To inquire into the Design of the present Affliction 13 SECTION II. ADVICE to a Patient, considering him as in a Place, where he is daily receiving many Mercies. Several of those Mercies enumerated 14 Thankfulness advised 15 With due Expression of Gratitude 16 All Advantages to he improved for Recovery ibid. For Salvation ibid. Five religious Opportunities in a well-regulated Infirmary namely, Reading 17 Prayers 19 Sermons 20 Sacrament 21 A Spiritual Guide 22 SECTION III. ADVICE to a Patient, considering him surrounded with several instructive Objects and Circumstances. Advice on seeing Spectacles of Distress 24 - of Mortality 52 - on having Opportunities of doing Good 26 - in Case of Amendment ibid. - in Case no Relief should be obtained 27 - in Case of Recovery 28 - on Dismission ibid. Conclusion 29 The whole of this Advice reviewed, and Summed up in a Prayer 30 A Prayer to be used during Sickness 33 -after Recovery 33 Exhortation to promote Christianity as the Means of Happiness 34 FRIENDLY FRIENDLY ADVICE TO A PATIENT. INTRODUCTION. ONE of our blessed Saviour’s principal Com- mandments is, “Thou shalt love thy Neigh- “bour, as thyself*;”-one of those on which, he tells us, hang all the Law and the Prophets. In Obedience therefore to this Command, it is my constant and sincere De- sire that every Neighbour, especially every afflicted Neigh- bour, should be truly dear to me; and I can confidently say, that the Advice I am now offering, proceeds from real Love to you, as a Fellow-Creature, as a Fellow-Christian, and as one now in a Condition, that intitles you so par- ticular Compassion. To be at once sick or and poory perhaps too unin- structed, are afflicting Circumstances indeed;—and it ought certainly to dispose me, according to the Abilities God has given me, cheerfully to do my Part, as a Physician, a Chris- tian, and a Subscriber towards your Cure, Instruction, and * Matt. xxii. 39 B Sup- 2 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. Support.--But as Charity to the Soul is unquestionably the noblest of all Charities, I would especially attend to that; heartily wishing so to join the happy Purposes of a Re- FORMATORY with those of an INFIRMARY, as not only to restore your bodily Health, but effectually to promote your spiritual Welfare, and eternal Salvation. “ For the Benefits of an Infirmary (as hath been ex- “ cellently observed by the Reverend Dr. GREY, in his “ Sermon preached at the Opening of this Charity, at “ Northampton,) are not confined to bodily Pain and Sick- “ ness, but may extend themselves yet further, to the “ Spiritual Maladies of those, who are under the Care of “ it. The Ignorant here may be instructed, and the “ Dissolute reclaimed, and the Dead in Trespasses and “ Sins, through the all-powerful Grace of God, be raised “ to the Life of Righteousness.—-The strict Regularity to “ which the Patients are obliged, the spiritual Assistance “ which is charitably administered to them, the Aptness “ of Men’s Minds to receive religious Impressions In Time “ of Sickness and Distress, and the good Improvement “ that will be made of it, to the pressing home upon them “ their everlasting Concerns, whilst they are here in a “ suffering and declining Condition, all contribute to this “ happy Change.—And who is there, that feels not an “ inward Pleasure (a Pleasure that must greatly overpay his “ Liberality) when he reflects, that by a small Benefaction “ He may be happily instrumental not only to the pro- “ longing of a MORTAL LIFE, but to the saving of an “ IMMORTAL SOUL.” The Visits of a Physician to every particular Patient cannot be long, and much of the little Time he spends with each, must be employed in the Advice peculiar to his Profession. The great Duty of instructing the Ignorant can but rarely, in any measure, and never fully be discharged by him. I would therefore gladly make up the Deficiency, by applying myself to you in this Manner; which enables me to speak to those whom I see not;—to those at the rearest Distance from me,-—and perhaps I may continue to peak when my Lips are silent in the Dust; for though I am not a Minister, I should scarcely think I deserved I the FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 3 the Name of a CHRISTIAN, if I was not willing, when pro- per Occasions offer, to instruct and comfort you, as your Circumstances and my own may permit; and not you only, but such others as may hereafter stand in need of the same charitable Assistance. Suppose me then at your Bed’s Side, and to address you, I. As under the afflicting Hand of God; II. As lodged in a Place where you are daily receiv- ing many of his Mercies; III. As surrounded with several instructive Objects and Circumstances, which, if it be not your own Fault, may be very serviceable to you. SECTION I. ADVICE to a PATIENT, considering him as under the afflicting Hand of God. THE first necessary Advice will arise from the Conside- ration, that you are now under the afflicting Hand of God.—The Place in which this finds you, as a Patient, supposes two very grievous Afflictions concur; namely, That you are under some Illness or unhappy Accident; and that you are so poor as not to be able, at your own Ex- pence, to procure proper Relief.—The Governors would not have admitted you, if they had not been persuaded this was your Case: And there would be so much Injustice and Wickedness in deceiving them into such a Persuasion, that I shall not entertain any such Suppostition. To regard God as the Author of Affliction. You are afflicted, and I hope you know your Afflictions come from the Hand of God. —You must know it, if you believe there is a God, and that he preserves, governs, and di- rects all Things: A Fact so evident to the common Sense of Mankind, that, I would hope, none can so much as question it.--Now if you believe that God so far regards you as to send Afflictions (as you know too, that “ He does not afflict willingly, or B2 “ grieve 4 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. “grieve the Children of Men *,”) you must believe, that He has merciful Designs in afflicting you; - and that, as He is always present with you, so, He observes what In- fluence this Affliction has on your Mind; as a wise Phy- sician who has prescribed for a Patient, will attentively remark what Effects his Prescriptions have produced. The Apostle expresly tells us, That God corrects us “ for our Profit, that we may be Partakers of his Holi- “ ness †.” —But that we may be so, it is necessary, as Solomon directs, “ in the Day of Adversity, to consi- “ der ‡." —My first Advice and Request to you there- fore, is, that you would seriously consider what is your present State of Mind, that so you may the better appre- hend the particular Design of our heavenly Father in thus chastising you. To examine whether He be a real Christian. Let me intreat you to reflect, in the first Place, whether you have Reason to believe that you are, or are not, a real Christian:- I take it for granted that you are called a Christian;- that you have been baptized; - and that you have not expressly renounced your Baptism; - that you have often attended some Place of Christian Worship;- and that you believe the Scriptures to be the Word of God. Whether he be a profligate sinner. But, certainly, this alone is not enough to prove you a real Christian, and to secure your Salvation: For if there be any Crimes in the World, that can draw down the Wrath of God, and expose us to the manifest Danger of eternal Damnation; such Crimes are too frequently found among some, who are baptized, who attend public Wor- ship, and deny not the Truth of the Scriptures.—Are there not, among such, “ Whoremongers, Liars ||,— “Adulterers, Thieves, Covetous, Drunkards, Revilers, “Extortioners §?”—Now the Scripture expressly says, of all these. That they shall not inherit the Kingdom of God; and that the abused Name of a CHRISTIAN, which they presumptuously retain, shall be so far from * Lamentat. iii. 33. † Heb. xii. 10. ‡ Ecclcs. vii. 14. || Rev.xxi. 8. § I Cor. vi. 9, 10. availing FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 5 availing them, that it shall enhance their Condemna- tion'*:-Nor is profane Swearing and Sabbath-Breaking, though persisted in by such) Multitudes, less destructive; for “the Wages of these Sins is (eternal) Death,” and the Practice of them a sure Sign of an irreligious Heart. If you therefore find, in your own Conscience, that you profane the Name of God;-that you customarily break his Sabbaths (as if you would force your Way through that Fence, to a Thousand other Transgressions;) -that you have lived in secret, or open Uncleanness;- that you allow yourself in Lying, Stealing, Cheating, Covetousness, Drunkenness, Backbiting, or Injustice; or in any other evil Course, which you know to be con- trary to the Word of God, and the Design of his Gospel; you cannot doubt one Hour, nay, one Moment, about your State.-Whatever your Notions and Pretences, and Forms of Religion may be, you are undoubtedly wicked under the Displeasure of God; and in Danger of everlasting Misery.-You have therefore Reason to think, that God thus afflicts you, to rouze and awaken your Conscience;—to shake you as it were, out of this dead Sleep of Sin, that you may humble yourself before him; left this Sickness consign you over to Death, and Death to that Judgment, for which you are so unprepared. Or whether he be not a mere outside christi- an, destitute of inward Religi- on. But I must in Faithfulness farther tell you, that though you may be free from any such abominable Wickcdness, as I have descri- bed, you may nevertheless be a formal, lukewarm, and fruitless Professor of Chris- tianity,—under the Guilt of numberless Sins, in the Way to utter Ruin.--Undoubtedly you are so, if you have “no Fear of God before your Eyes † —if you have “no Love to God ‡ --if you live “ without God in the World ||; --if you have not been used to pray;--and I * “ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into “ the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the Will of my Father “ which is in Heaven.” Matt. vii. 21. † Psalm xxxv., I, ‡ John v. 42. || Ephes. ii. I2. B3 Will 6 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. will add, (for indeed the Proof of this may be brought to a short Issue) if you have not been used to pray * alone, and have not been sincere and earnest with God in your Addresses.--It has often and justly been said, “ a Man “ may as well live without Breath, as a Christian with- “ out Prayer:" And merely to pronounce Words before God without any inward Meaning or suitable Affection, is not really Prayer, whatever it may be called. Nay, I must tell you farther, That though you may have felt some Awe of God upon your Heart, and though you may, in a customary and formal Manner, have prayed to him in Public, or in secret, or even with some tran- sient Affection, yet you are not a real Christian, if you have not a true Faith in Christ; that is to say, if you have not been made thoroughly sensible †, that you are a misera- ble Sinner,--that,as all your Faculties are the Gift of God, (who needs not the Services, or Assistance of the purest Angel, much less the imperfect Obedience of guilty Man,) you cannot be justified before God by any Works of your own;- if you have not been fully convinced that you can be saved only through Christ, and obtain Pardon and Ac- ceptance through the Merit of his Blood and Obedience, by which he procured for us the Offers of Grace, and all the Blessings of the new Covenant;- If you have not, I say, in this Persuasion, committed yourself to God, through Christ the Almighty Saviour; with a sincere Desire to be holy here, in order to be happy hereafter; with an unfeigned Repentance for all your past Sins; and with an humble Resolution, that, by the Grace of God, * When thou prayest, enter into thy Closet, &c. Matt. vi. 6. The Word CLOSET, in our English Translation, signifies, in the ORIGINAL, Closet, Chamber, Wardrobe, Warchouse, or any other se- parate Apartment.--And Christ might probably use a Word of such Latitude, that none might plead, in Excuse for the Omission of secret Prayer, the Want of so convenient a Place for Retirement as they could wish.-—I thought it necessary just to hint this, and to observe farther, that every Patient in a Public Infirmary may consi- der himself, when kneeling at his Bed-side with his Curtains drawn around him, to be (scripturaily speaking) in his Closet, † John i. 8. You FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 7 you will reverence all his Commands; and labour, for the Time to come, to obey them.-If Such a Faith, and Consciousness of your own Insufficiency be wanting, I must declare to you again, (though with much Concern) that your Hope is no other than Presumption;—and it Would be great Treachery to God, and Cruelty to your Soul, should I flatter you in it. Here I must observe that Presumption is not confined to that audacious Disposition, which is evident in hardened and profligate Sinners, who seem to disregard, and even defy their Creator. There is another Kind of Presump- tion, the more dangerous on account of its Disguise, which may be such as to conceal its Nature Tendency from those, who are the most deeply inferred with it.-For in- stance, there are some who are inclined (though surely through Ignorance, for I cannot in Charity suppose any other Cause) to think themselves in no Danger, nor their Souls at all distempered. Their Insensibility, not less danger- ous to the Mind, than a mortified Limb to the Body, requires a peculiar Treatment: Those I mean whose Conscience is quiet and easy on a false Foundation; and whose Language, even on the Verge of Eternity, is of this Kind. “ I have done no Harm--I have wronged “ no one-I am as good as the rest of my Neighbours— “ I am no more afraid to die than others.”-And to such as These, who know not the Corruptions of their own Na- ture, their immense Distance from their most Holy Crea- tor, or their Need of a Saviour, I am now addressing my- self; to awaken in them, if possible, a thorough Sense of their own Vileness; and as this Expression is warranted by Scripture (see Job xl. 4.) it can admit of no just Ex- ception—nor will any I hope, on such an Occasion as this, think what follows it too severe,—for whatever may be the Appearance of Severity, I must allure the Reader, that such Passages, where-ever they occur, are extorted by the most compassionate and zealous Concern for his eternal Welfare,—Would it not be greater Cruelty to conceal the deplorable Misery of your spiritual Condition, than through an ill-judged Compassion to omit the Prescrip- tion of a needful Remedy, because it may be loathsome to the 8 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. the Taste? Or to forbear through a false Tenderness a necessary Incision, because it will be painful to the Flesh. I must remind you therefore, that an inspired Writer speaks not of this, or that notorious Sinner, but of every Man, when placed in the immediate Sight and Presence of God, as appearing ‘‘abominable and filthy.” (See Job xv. 16.) And to make you more sensible of this, with which the Generality of Mankind seem so very little affected, I must intreat you, that you would imagine yourself called by NAME into the Presence of our GREAT JUDGE.—Suppose that you saw him seated upon his Tri- bunal, in all the Pomp, Majesty, and Terror, in which He will be manifest at the last and DECISIVE DAY.— Imagine, that while all the World was in Flames around you, and the Pit of eternal Destruction opened its Mouth to swallow up those miserable Creatures, whom Divine justice should doom to it, God should charge home upon you the Guilt of every Sin, that from the first Day in which you were capable of an actual Violation of his Law, even to the present Moment, you have committed, in every Place, Circumstance, and Relation of Life; and should add to the Account,—all the Means of Grace which you have neglected, or used without Advantage, viz, at- tending on Sermons without Edification;—on Sacraments without Faith and Repentance;--praying without At- tention;—confessing without Remorse;—hearing the Terrors of the Law without being alarmed;—the com- fortable Proposals of the Gospel without embracing them; —all the Gifts and Talents, with which he had intruded you, and which you have not duly improved, or proba- bly have perverted into Occasions of Mischief.--lmagine Him to reckon with you for every forgotten Mercy he has bestowed upon you, through so many Years of Prosperity and Comfort, with which you have been blessed; and for the needful Afflictions, which, in his fatherly Wisdom, he has seen fit to appoint, and by which you have not been humbled in a becoming Manner;—for every Conviction of your own Conscience, and Motion of his Spirit, which you have not seconded, nay, which you have resisted and over- FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 9 overborne.-For all the Vanity, Pride, and Licentious- ness of your Thoughts;-for all your lascivious, passionate and slanderous, yea, “all your idle Words.” (Matt. xii. 36.) by which is meant, every Part of your Conver- sation, that has an evil Tendency or Effect either design- ed, or naturally resulting from it,-and all this too in Comparison with what He knew you might have been, and might have done for his Service, with the Capacities and Opportunities which he has given you:-In comparison too with the many better Purposes you have formed, and solemn Resolutions and Vows which you have made and broken:-And then let your own Heart answer, whether you would dare to stand the Consequences of such an Ex- amnation and Account as this:-Or whether all your towering Considence would not be blasted by the Curse denounced “against every one that continueth not in all Things which are written in the Book of the Law, to do “ them,” Galat. iii. 10. Call all these awful Representations at once,-- and, in full View of them all, let Conscience answer, whe- ther before that Tribunal you would presume to say. Judge me, O Lord, by my own Virtue and Duties: I “ am the Man who have completely obeyed all thy Com- “ mandments.” Nay, would you venture to say, “ Judge me, O Lord, by the best Month, or Week, “ or Day, as it appears to thy all penetrating Eye, and stands in Comparison with thy perfect Law.”—— Or would you not much rather choose to cast yourself (without any Exception for the best of your Days or Du- ties) upon the overflowing Mercy of God and the Merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, our compassionate Re- deemer? And if you intend to make that your Refuge and your PLEA at the Bar of God; prepare yourself for it not only by disclaiming all Pretences to Merit of your own; not only by acknowledging yourself an unprofitable Servant (because far beyond this must be the best and ho- liest of the Sons of Adam appear wanting, if weighed in the strict Balance of God’s justice) but by the most hum- ble and sincere Acknowledgment of your own Cor- ruption, 10 FRIENDLY ADVISE to a PATIENT. ruption, and wretched State. Fly to this, your only Plea, instantly, and as an Act of the Almighty’s Grace, plead it, solemnly, plead it continually. Are you at a Loss for a Form? Lo! a short but most important Addition to that of the Publican (see Luke xviii. 13.) may well be the first, “ God be merciful to “ me a Sinner, for the Sake, and through the Merits of “ my only Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ!”--Great and very prevailing is the natural Eloquence of a truly broken and contrite Heart, howsoever conceived and ex- pressed. Let me again urge you to make this your Plea, and plead it immediately; God only knows, how few the Mo- ments may be in which you will have Room to plead it, before you are called to Judgment:-—To that Judgment which will teach the haughtiest Sinner, what a “fearful “ Thing it is to fall into the Hands of the Living God *. “ And compel him to cry to the Mountains to fall upon “ him, and the Rocks to cover him,” from that far more dreadful Sentence, “ Depart from me ye cursed into “ Everlasting Fire.” Here I think it very necessary to add in order to prevent Mistakes, that this deep Humiliation, and solemn Application to the Mercy of God, through Christ, is appointed by HIM, as the Evidence of our thorough Conviction and deep Sense of our--own Wants and Unworthiness, which is a previous and necessary Qualification for the Reception of his Grace. Being thus humbled, and thus applying to Heaven, we shall receive the necessary Supplies of divine Assistance to subdue the DOMINION of Sin in our Hearts, and to animate us to the PRACTICE of uni- versal Righteousness, and true Holiness; (that Divine Principle) without the sincere Prevalency of which “ no “ Man shall see the Lord ‡." Holiness, I say, the great End of the Gospel as well as the Law;--to produce and advance which, the Grace of God through Jesus Christ has been revealed and imparted to us. Now if with this Sense of your own Weakness and Wants, and a firm Faith in Jesus Christ and his Gospel, * Heb. x. 51. ‡ Heb. xii. 14. which FRIENDLY ADVICE to a Patient. 11 which is styled by the Apostle "the Power of God unto- “ Salvation to every one that believeth;” if thus grounded you conscientiously guard against all known Sin, and be truly sorry when you fall into any by Infirmity or Surprise;—and in such a Case, apply immediately to the Mercy of God, through the Merits of Christ, for your Pardon, with re- newed Resolutions against Sin for the future, and hearty Desires, that God would preserve you from all Impiety; then indeed you are a real Christian:-And I should be sorry if any thing I have here written should be the Means of giving you the least Distress. Weigh this Matter therefore impartially; weigh it with the strictest Attention;-for if this be not your Cha- racter, be assured you are an unpardoned Sinner;—you are under the Curse of God’s Law;—and you must be- lieve,--repent,--and be reformed.-The whole Temper of your Heart, and the whole Course of your Life*, must be changed, or you must perish forever.-Take it not as resting on the Authority of a weak and fallible Mortal, but as the Decision of our Divine Master himself, the faithful and the true Witness, who has expressly said, and solemnly repeated it, “Except ye repent, ye shall all “ likewise perish †;—He that believeth not, is condemn- “ ed already, and the Wrath of God abideth on him ‡ ; “ and the Wicked shall go away into everlasting || Pu- “ nishment §. * John iii. 3. †Luke xiii.3. ‡John iii, 18, 36. || Matt. xxv. 46. § Now upon the whole what can a careless debauched Per- son say to these Things? Though he sturdily bears up at present against these Impressions, can he think, that he shall always be to brave it out against God and his own Conscience? Can he suppose, that he shall not (at least in the last Hours of his Life) con- demn himself with very dismal Reflections on the Folly of his Sin, and the terrible Foreboding of its Punishment; as others, equally Unthinking and unhappy, have done before him?-Too many there are who slight Religion in their Health and Prosperity, though they can- not but esteem it in Time of Danger and Death. See Page 55. of that alarming little Book, Dr. WOODWARD’s Fair Warning to a careless World---in which he has collected the Sentiments of the most eminent Men, in their serious, or dying Hours. If 12 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a Patient. Serious Advise to the Self-con- victed. If your Heart condemn you on this Exa- mination, I intreat you, by the Mercies of God on one Hand, and the Terrors of the Lord on the other—and by the Worth of your immortal Souls, that you immediately and earnestly sup- plicate the Almighty for Pardon and Grace through our Mediator Jesus Christ; and that you make your Appli- cation to some whom you have Reason to believe are themselves acquainted with vital Religion, and especially to some Clergyman, whose tender Concern for your im- mortal Welfare, may make him willing to give you the Instruction and Assistance which your Circumstances re- quire; lest this Illness should end in Death, and Death in your final Condemnation, and irrecoverable Ruin. In the mean Time, let me observe for your Encourage- ment, that there is Reason to hope that a compassionate God intends to prevent it, by this seasonable Affliction; and that, as the Apostle says, You are chastened, that you may not be condemned with the impenitent World*.—Improve these tender Moments; improve the Advantages you now enjoy; and it is not improbable but it may appear, that you were brought into this Infirmary, that your Abode and Relief here might be the Means of bringing you to Heaven? Address to the sincere Christi- an. I speak this to you on a Supposition of your being under the Conviction either of a pro- fligate, or of a careless and lukewarm State of Life; but I would rather hope, that this little Tract may fall into the Hands of many, who are be- come acquainted with real Religion; and that I may address my Reader, as a Child of God, whom he chastises in special Love; as a “ Branch in Christ, which bears “ Fruit, and which he purges, and prunes, with the sharp “ Knife of Affliction, that you may bring forth more Fruit†.” To improve this Retirement for Self-Knowledge. In this Case, I would urge you wisely to improve the Opportunity of your present Retirement from the Labours of your Call- ing.—You have now vacant Days;-—and, perhaps too, sleepless Nights,—spent in Silence on a Bed * I Cor. xi. 32, † John xv. 2. of FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 13 of Sickness, or of Pain.-Use these tedious, but precious Hours in examining your own Heart,-in searching and trying your Ways*, that you may learn the special Design of Providence in this Dispensation;-that you may recol- lect what Duties you have been most accustomed to ne- glect in the Place, and Relation in which you are fixed, and what Temptations have been most ready to prevail on you; and, in some lamented Instances, to draw you aside from HIM, whose Goodness, Forbearance and Mercy, you had so often experienced. To enquire into the Design of the present Af- fliction. Lift up your Heart to GOD, from time to time; and say humbly, whilst you are bearing his Chastisement, “ Shew me where- “ fore thou contendest: with me †.—What “ I know not, teach thou me; and where- “ in I have done Iniquity, may I do so no more‡."- Yield yourself with a true filial Submission to the Rod of your heavenly Father:-Bear it patiently ||;--bear it thankfully:- Let Thoughts of God’s unspeakable Love to you in Christ and of your most unfeigned Love and entire Submission to him, as your Father, mingle themselves with all you suffer from his Hand;-and labour earnestly, that whether the Health of your Body be recovered, or continue to decline more and more, the * Lamentat. iii. 40. †Job x. 2. ‡Job xxxiv. 32. || The common Language of ignorant, and indevout Minds, which we daily hear, is of this Kind: “I must bear the Pain; or “ I must submit to the Affliction under which I now lie, because “ I cannot help it.”—I know there is no Remedy, and therefore I “ must strive to bear it as well as I can.”—A Heathen might say all this, and more; but it is by no means the Voice of a Christian, or a Proof of that Resignation to the Will of God, and Submission to his fatherly Corrections, which becomes the Duty of every sin- cere Professor of Christianity.—Those who love God will obey him, not because they must, but because they think it right; not doubting the friendly Intentions of the Almighty Parent in thus afflicting them; and that it is as much for their spiritual Welfare, as taking a Medicine by the Direction of a judicious Physician would be for their Bodily Health.—The Language therefore of the real Christian is “ Speak, Lord, and so assist me, that I may cheerfully obey. “ Strike, Lord, and so assist me, that I may patiently bear.” C Health 14 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. Health of your Mind may be greatly promoted by this Course of Discipline, and by every Day of it. The Particulars here advised would in the main equally suit you under your present Affliction, if you lay on your own Bed, in your own Chamber, and had the re- quisite Supports and Assistances ministered to you, at your own Expence. But let it be remembered that I am now speaking to you, as a Patient in an Infirmary:-A Place where, as I have hinted to you already, you are surrounded with many Mercies, and with many Objects and Circumstances, which, if it be not your own Fault, may greatly contribute to your particular instruction. SECTION II. ADVICE to a Patient, considering Him as in a Place where He is daily receiving many Mercies. Several Mercies enumerated. YOU are in a Place where you are sur- rounded with many Mercies, for which, therefore, you ought to be very thankful;- thankful to God, as well as to your human Benefactors.- You have convenient Lodging,—an easy warm Bed,- a good House around you, shelter you from the Incle- mency of the Weather; an Inclemency, by which Dis- tempers in a Cottage are, at same Seasons of the Year, ren- dered much more dangerous, and painful than they would otherwise be.-You have Attendants to wait on you, as your Necessities require, Night and Day.-You have Food sufficient and proper,-such as may comfort and support Nature, without feeding your Distemper.-And then you have the most suitable Medicines, in their greatest Perfec- tion, prescribed by PHYSICIANS, judged (by those who have consigned this Office to them) to be of approved Skill and Experience:—Nor can they be under the least Temp- tation to overload you with them; a Circumstance which is of no small Importance.—These Gentlemen visit you at Stated Seasons; and are always ready to attend you, if an extraordinary Circumstance in your Case should make it necessary. 2 If FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 15 If you are wounded, or under the Agony of a broken Bone, or in other Circumstances, that require the im- portant Aid of SURGEONS, there are likewise some of that useful and necessary Profession, ready to attend you With their Assistance;--which would else, perhaps, have been so expensive, that you might have been ruined by procuring it, or have perished for want of it.-So that, upon the Whole, such as are in a superior Situation, if they have not a great Command over themselves, and are not so happy as to fall into very faithful Hands, may want many of those Advantages, which you have here for your Comfort and Recovery. Thankfulness advised. Have you therefore not abundant Reason to be thankful to your Benefactors, and, above all, to GOD, for these good Things, and for that happy State, into which, amidst all your Afflictions, you are now brought?—I say, above all, to GOD, because it is HE gives Them a Power to help you, and a Will to do it.-lt is He that encourages them to go on from Year to Year, with renewed Expence, and to take such frequent Trouble in Attendance, as many of them do, on no other Consideration than that of being beneficial to you. Methinks, in this View, you should be praising God every Day, and every Day intreating, that his Blessing may abundantly rest upon those whom He has made, in these Instances, the Instruments of his Goodness to you.—And indeed you should be very thankful to Him, not only on your own Account, but that of others. Poor as you are, I could earnestly wish that you might be rich in the Grace of Christian Charity; and if you are so, you will be concerned for others as well as so yourself.-You will rejoice and be thankful for the Relief which every Patient in the INFIRMARY, or belonging to it, receives by this useful FOUNDATION;-it will delight and comfort you to think how many such Houses of Mercy there are in our Nation, how many Thousands have been already relieved and recovered by Means of them;--and what a Probability there is, that in future Times they may be more numerous, and more useful too, by gaining Expe- rience in the ART OF DOING GOOD;—and your opening C 2 Mind 16 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. Mind (if it be formed aright) will rejoice in the Prospect of Relief and Comfort to those, who are yet unborn. With due Ex- pression of Gra- titude. If you have any Spark of Gratitude to God, for your own Share in this merciful Provision, you will also be enquiring what Return you should make?-The Answer is easy:-Truly, the most acceptable Thing both to God and Man, which you can do in your present Circumstan- ces, is to endeavour to improve, as much as possible, all the Advantages which you here enjoy both for Body and Soul.-Do not therefore, as some foolishly do, neglect this Opportunity, and so disappoint the charitable Designs and Efforts of your best Friends. All Advantages to be improved for your Reco- very, It is less necessary for me to urge you to make the best Use of the Advantages you enjoy, for the Recovery of your Health, not only as it may be reasonably supposed you do it, but will as according to the Rules of such Places as these, any great and visible Irregularity will not be endured:-Yet there are little mischievous Artifices, which some Patients will practice, and which may now and then pass undiscovered;-especially to procure what may be improper for them to eat or drink, which you ought conscientiously to avoid; for as it would be hurting yourselves, and perplexing your Physician, so it would be grosly abusing the Charity, of which you have sought to partake, either to omit what you are appointed to do, or to do that, which out of a tender Regard to your Bene- fit, and that of others is forbidden. and for your Salvation. But what I have now chiefly in view, is to urge you to a diligent Care in improving every Opportunity for the Benefit of your Souls; which (whatsoever the Degree may be) are un- questionably more or less distempered; and, being of in- finitely greater Value than your Bodies, demand that sovereign and necessary Cure, which Religion alone can afford. You will have in this INFIRMARY frequent Opportu- nities of hearing or reading the Scriptures, and other good Books, FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 17 Five Religious Op- portunities in a well-regulated In- firmary, viz. Reading. Books, of attending Prayers, Sermons, and Sacraments, and of conversing with some spiritual Guide.--If all these be duly improved, you may have Reason to bless God for every one of them. You have Bibles in each Ward; let them not lie neglected. But if you are able, read them yourself, or else get another to read them to you; but daily, one Way or other, keep Up an Acquaintance with the Contents of that divine Book, as you have Opportunity, and the State of your Health will permit:-Above all, be mindful to read such Portions of Scripture, as are most suitable to your own Case; and lest you should be at a Loss where to find pro- per Passages, I have pointed out the following, as parti- cularly fit for the Perusal and most serious Consideration of the Sick, especially those in an Infirmary,--and before you begin to read them, always make use of the Col- lect * for the second Sunday in advent, or some such Prayer.--Suitable Ejaculations too while you read, will, not, I hope be forgotten. The Book of Job. Psalm VI. XXII. XXX. XXXII. XXXIV. XXXVIII. XLI. XLIX. L. LI. LXXI. Psalm LXXIII. LXXVII. LXXXVIII. XC. CII. CIII. CVII. CXVI. CXXX. CXXXIX. CXLV. Ecclesiastes XII. * The Collect. ** Blessed God, who hast caused all Holy Scripture to he written “ for OUR Learning, grant that I may in such wise hear them, “ read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by Patience “ and Comfort of thy Holy Word, I may embrace and ever hold “ fast the blessed Hope of everlasting Life, which thou hast given “ me in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.” C3 Isaiah 18 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. Isaiah XXV. XXVI. LIII. Jeremiah II. III. XXXI. The Book of Lamentations. Hosea VI. XIV. Micah VII Matthew XXV. XXVI. XXVII. Romans V. VIII. XII. 1 Corinth. XV. 2 Corinth. IV. V. XI. Ephesians V. VI. Philippians I. III. I Thessalon. I. V. Hebrews XI. XII. XIII. James I. I Peter I. III. IV. 2 Peter III. I John I. II. III. Revelat. II. III. XXI. XXII To apply and profit by these Chapters, will demand the same Care and Attention on your Parts, as was re- quired on mine to collect them.-Let me therefore intreat you by no Means to pass over them with Disregard, or indifference. They are of the utmost Importance to you: Consider them as Arch—Pause on them:--Take some weighty and comfortable Verse to lay up in your Me- mory, that you may meditate on it by Night as well as by Day.- tho TEXTS of Scripture, which, in Several Infir- maries, are written on the Walls, in the respective Wards, may, by the Blessing of God, be very useful, if thus Se- riously read, and frequently made the Subject of your Meditation. But besides your principal and constant Instructor the BIBLE, you will stand in need of other pious Books, the judicious Choice of which, is of much greater Conse- quence than (considering your Education) you can be Supposed to apprehend. Some FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 19 Some of this Kind you probably may have of your own, or you may have an Opportunity of borrowing such.-Excellent Instructions are to be drawn from them, and when you have obtained such as you apprehend may best supply your Wants, let me intreat you to make fre- quent Use of them.-Particularly remember that Books, which contain Forms* of Prayer, are not to be read only at the Time of your Devotions, but you are to study them carefully; to acquaint yourself with the true Sense and Meaning of every Expression, that you may understand clearly what you ask, or what you utter, and why? Without which your Prayers will be but vain Babblings. It is true, if you are confined to your Bed, by any acute Illness, which requires † Rest, and will not admit of attentive Thoughts, Reading must be impracticable.— But there are so many Patients in other Circumstances, that I thought this Advice very proper for them, espe- cially as the inactive State to which they are necessitated by their Condition, may be a Means of contracting an Habit of Idleness, if they should not be directed to some useful sedentary Employment; and if a Number be capable of fitting to any Kind of Work together, (which is often the Case) then one, who can read well, may read to-the rest, while they follow their Business, but not with so loud a Voice as to disturb any to whom that might be prejudicial; all which may be left to the Judgment of the- MATRON; and it may, by the Blessing of God, be pro- ductive of good EfFects. Prayers. You will hear Prayers, suited to the Gene- rality of Patients, read in your Wards several * Such as Bishiop Gibson on Family Devotion, Jenks's Devotions, etc. etc. † Though such as are in a State of great Weakness are incapable of doing any Thing, they ought to remember that there are PASSIVE as •well as ACTIVE Duties; that is to say, they may glorify God and give Proofs of Obedience, not only by Doing, but by Suffering. The Soldier of Christ is not always in Action, but sometimes appointed to re- main still, and to watch in the appointed Station; and blessed is that Servant whom his Lord at his coming shall find so doing. Time 20 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. Times in a Week-Weigh them diligently;-endea- vour to keep your Mind attentive to every Sentence*; and strive to make every Prayer your own, by offering it up to God with Faith, Humility, and Devotion; always re- membering, that whatever Prayers you may hear, or even speak they are not your Prayers, unless they express the real Sentiments of your own Soul before that God, who searches all Hearts, and tries the Reins of the Children of Men;--and is greatly displeased with those who draw nigh unto him with their Mouth, and honour him with their Lips, while their Hearts* are far from him. Such Pre- tences to Prayer are an Abomination to the Lord. If the particular Method of public Worship here should be something different from that to which you have been accustomed, make no unnecessary Exceptions, but be thankful for the Advantages you have, and endeavour to make the best Use of them.—Such Places as these are not proper Scenes for Disputes about Religion, nor are the Days of Affliction proper Seasons for them. The Faith of all real Christians is principally the same as to the grand Articles of it.--The Blessings which we ask of God, are the same; (namely) That He would pardon our Sins,and cleanse our Hearts by his Holy Spirit,—and enable us through a Principle of Faith and Love, to live soberly as to ourselves, righteously as to our Neighbour, godlily t as to our heavenly Father; and so to improve all our Enjoyments and Afflictions, that we may all be fit for Heaven, and at last may all meet there. These are Sentiments to which every good Man can join, and at the End of which he will be sure to put his hearty Amen; for indeed he ought never to withhold it, when he has an Opportunity of joining in such Petitions as express the very Vitals of Religion; whether these Ex- pressions are, or are not in frequent Use in the several Con- gregations with whom he has usually associated. Sermons. If Sermons should be preached in the Infir- mary (as it may reasonably be supposed they often will) observe especially what is most suitable to your * Matt, xv. † Titus ii, 22 own FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 21 own Case, lift up your Heart to God for a Blessing be- fore the Discourse begins, and when it is ended;-and, if you have an Opportunity of conversing with other Pa- tients, be ready to talk on what you have heard, in an humble, thankful Manner, that you may acquire some Benefit by it, and retain any serious Impressions that have been made on you. Sacrament. As for the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, it is no doubt an useful and excellent Ordi- nance, admirably fitted to administer Consolation and Establishment to Christians under all their Trials;--to awaken their Graces,—and to confirm their good Reso- lutions, by reminding them of the Atonement of Christ, and by representing his dying Love. But I beseech and charge you, that you do not attend the Sacrament in a careless Manner, or as if you thought it would work like a Charm, and that the outward Per- formance of that Action would be of any Significancy to your Salvation, unless it be attended with a lively Faith * in CHRIST, unfeigned Repentance for all your Sins, and sincere Purposes of better Obedience.--On these Principles you are to regard it, As a REMEMBRANCE of the Death of Christ: particu- larly his Sufferings in his Character--in his Body--in his Soul for your Sake. As a SEAL of the Covenant, which is confirmed in this holy Solemnity, and by which all true Believers are intitled to every Blessing;-particularly pardon of Sin-Assistance of the Holy Spirit-and eternal Life. As a Badge of your Christian Love † to all your Brethren in Christ, however they may he distinguished from each other ln their different Forms of Professions, or Ranks in Life; Particularly acknowledging yourselves, in the most solemm Manner to be the Children of one Almighty Father—re- deemed by one Saviour--and Heirs of one, and the same immortal Glory. Reflect on these Ends and Purposes, that you may see how far you desire to comply with them:-Examine yourself as to the Truth of Religion, in your Heart,-- * Heb. iv. 2. John xiii. 35. and 22 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. and your Advance or Decline in it.-Meditate on the DEATH OF CHRIST;-read those Portions of Scriptures which describe his * Sufferings;--or especially refer to them,--and join to these the Assistance of the best human Writers, that you can procure †.-But, above all, en- deavour to bring with you, to the Table of the Lord, that HUMILITY and FAITH;--that LOVE and DEVO- TION, which may make your Attendance acceptable to Christ, and useful to yourself. And when you have received the Communion, endea- vour to carry it in your Memory and Heart CONTINUALLY, and bear your Afflictions like one, who has seen the Re- presentation of a suffering Saviour;-who has received such Favours from him,-and lies under such great and solemn Obligations to serve him faithfully during the Re- mainder of your Life. Use of a spiri- tual Guide. At such Times especially (though not at such Times only) it will be your great Wis- dom to make life of the Opportunity you may have for conversing with some spiritual Guide.--The * See particularly Matt, xxvi, xxvii. Mark xv. Luke xxii, xxiii. John xviii, xix. † See Dr. Wilson (the late Bishop of Man) on the Lord’s Supper. As there are few religious Subjects, which have been more fre- quently handled, and perhaps I might add less understood, than the Sacrament, I would here recommend this short but clear Tract, which I most sincerely wish in the Hands of almost every Commu- nicant, especially of the Patients in all our Infirmaries.-And I prefer this to every other on the Subject, for the following Reasons, (namely) There are several concise and affecting Meditations on the most pertinent Texts of Scripture--The Questions proposed for Self- Examination, are immediately founded on the Expressions so properly used in our Book of- Common Prayer (see Bishiop of Man on the Sacrament, Page 26.)---and the whole Communion Service is there printed in a large Letter, with useful Directions and suitable Eja- culations on the Sides.---So that it is remarkably well calculated to prevent the Inconveniency which I have often observed with Con- cern, when the Communicants are confused in turning backwards and forwards from their Common Prayer Book to their Sacrament Book, at a Time when their Thoughts should be all Attention to the Words of the MINISTER;--whereas such a Treatise as this would help devout Minds, without diverting them from the Duty in which they should be employed. Minister FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 23 Minister who officiates, if he be that worthy Man, whom I hope you will always find him, will not look upon you with Indifference, or be less solicitous about your eternal State, because you are Poor; well knowing that every Soul is equally valuable in the Sight of its Creator, and that there is “ One Thing needful” in every Station of Life, from the highest to the lowest. That done, the Poorest can no Wants endure, But that not done, the Richest must be Poor. Nay more, such a Minister will not himself be content with reading the Forms of Prayer, or going through other outward Parts of Worship; but he will be glad to converse with every Person of the Infirmary, as Ne- cessity may require, and his other Engagements permit.-- It will be the very Joy of his Heart, to see that you are impressed with the Hand of God, while it is Smiting you *, and that you will give him an Opportunity of contributing to your Improvements in Divine Knowledge, and Chris- tian Piety,-He will gladly deny himself in some agreeable Visits abroad, or entertaining Studies at home, that he may, by this humble Office of Christian Charity, con- tribute to the Glory of God, and the Salvation of a Soul, Which is to exist for ever. And, besides the Assistance you may receive from him, Who is so kind as to give you his stated Attendance, occasional Access will not be denied to the Minister of your own Parish or Congregation †, who, if he be within Reach, and understand his own Duty and Interest, will be glad of an Opportunity of visiting you, and conversing seriously with you.—He will even bless God with all his Heart for it, both as it may be a Means of present Ser- vice, and may open a Prospect, in case you should reco- ver, of his greater Usefulness to you in the Course of his future Ministry.-And consequently will farther establish his Title to that invaluable Promise, and that distinguished * I Sam. xxvi. 10. † Care is taken, that Patients of all Persuasions may be so disposed, as to be attended in the Manner they desire. See Nor- thampton Infirmary Statutes, Page 46. Reward, 24 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. Reward, “ They that turn many to Righteousness, shall “ shine like Stars in the Firmament.” Dan. xii. 3. Make a proper Use of this happy Concurrence of Circum- stances.-Lay open to the one, or the other, or both, the State of your Mind.-Hear their Advices, Instructions, and Prayers,-and express an unfeigned Gratitude to them for all the kind Offices which they are ever ready to do you, in these Circumstances of Humiliation and Distress. I farther reminded you, in the Beginning of this little Treatise, that as there are many Mercies, which you re- ceive here, so also it is a Place where you are surrounded with many Objects and Circumstances, which may be very useful to you, if it be not your own Fault. SECTION III. Advice to a Patient, considering him as surrounded with several instructive Objects and Circumstances. Advice on See- ing Spectacles of Distress. YOU see around you many under great and heavy Afflictions, perhaps much greater than your own.—And in all that you see, and in all that you feel, you may perceive the sad Consequences and Effects of Sin-'Tis SIN that has, as it were, turned the World into one GREAT INFIRMARY. -'Tis SIN that has introduced all the Evils which we experience, and which we behold.-'Tis SIN that forces the compassionate Father of Men to have recourse to such Smarting Rods, to humble and reform his thoughtless, foolish, rebellious Children. Lay it to Heart and pray earnestly, that God would bless all these Things to you, and to your Fellow-Sufferers. Think likewise of the infinite LOVE and Compassion of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, in bearing far more severe Pains and Torments for you than you now feel, or than any of your Fellow' Patients endure.-And once more think, if the Chastising Strokes of God’s Rod be so painful and grievous, what must the Fierceness of his Wrath in Hell be?--What must those miserable Spirits endure, whom God FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 25 God has FOR EVER cast away from his Presence *?-who are tormented in that Flame † prepared for the DEVIL and HIS ANGELS‡-who have no Eye to pity them;-no Hand to relieve them;—and no Hope of being released, even by Death itself; which they invoke, and it flies from them ||.-Oh how agonizing the Consideration! that TIME and DEATH are fled from their Call; and that Despair and Horror must be their Portion for ever more. Learn Patience under your own Afflictions, when you see others, perhaps, so much worse than yourself;-or, it may be, languishing, while you are recovering;-grow- ing worse instead of better, under the most proper Applica- tions, and drawing near to the Grave. You may per- haps see some poor Creatures under the Necessity of losing precious and useful Limbs for the Preservation of their Lives.--Learn then, from every sad Spectacle of this Kind, to reflect how much more reasonable it is to give up the dearest Lusts, when they threaten, as most cer- tainly they all threaten, the Life of our SOULS.-How well is it worth our while to cut off a Right Hand, or pluck out a Right Eye §, rather than by criminal Indulgence to bring Ruin on ourselves, and be call into Hell, where, as our Lord tells us (THRICE, within the Compass of six Verses) their Worm dieth not, and (as He testifies FIVE Times within the same Compass) that the Fire is not quenched, Mark ix. 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48. Advice on See- ing Spectacles of Mortality. You have likewise Spectacles of Mortality perhaps near you; Death may come into the very Ward in which you are lodged, and you may see a dead Corpse, lying for a little while in the very next Bed †.- Oh! lay it to Heart;—Look upon that awful Sight,-- and think what is become of the Soul, which lately dwelt Psalm li. II. †Luke xvi. 24. ‡Matt. xxv. 41. Rev. ix. 6. § Matt. v. 29. † It is well known, that it is usual in INFIRMARIES very quickly to remove Corpses into the DEAD-HOUSE, to prevent the Inconve- nience which might arise from their continuing long among the Patients.—Nevertheless, while the Spectacle is before their Eyes, it is so affecting, that I could not refrain from mentioning it. D in 26 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. in that forsaken Clay!-What a great Change has it already proved! An Hour or two ago it was with you, and its Fellow-Patients;-but now it is with Angels, or with Devils,—triumphing in the Presence of Christ, or bemoaning itself in Chains of Darkness. “ So (may “ you say to yourself) so must I in a little while, even “ though God should bless the Means of my Recovery “ from my present Illness; so must in a few years, and “ perhaps in a few Days, lie cold among the Dead;-and “ so must this immortal Soul, this too much neglected “ SPIRIT of mine, be an everlasting Inhabitant of Hea- “ ven or of Hell.-Lord, quicken me by this awful Pro- “ vidence;-and so teach me to number my Days, that “ I may apply my Heart unto true * Wisdom.” Advice on hav- ing Opportuni- ties of doing Good. Once more consider, that the Provi- dence of God has brought you into a Place, where, perhaps, you may have an Op- portunity of doing Good; which you should most joyfully embrace, to the utmost of your Power.-How ill soever you are, you may per- haps do some Good,-as an Example of Patience, and of Gratitude,-by a quiet Submission to God’s Hand,— by a thankful Compliance with all the Methods of Cure, -and by behaving with a becoming Respect to those who have the Care of you,—endeavouring to make that Care as light and easy to them as you can, and to give them as little Trouble as possible. dvice in Case of Amendment. If it please God, that you recover a little, or if under your Illness you are capable of moving about, which is often the Case, there are many other Ways, by which you may, perhaps, he useful in the Infirmary,-For Instance,-by Reading to others,-and by teaching them to read; by learning some of them to write and cast Accompts;—or by in- structing them in the Catechism, &c.-by Working for them;-or by assisting, which in Duty you ought, under the Direction of the Matron, in attending upon others; -and by taking proper Times and Seasons of speaking to your Fellow-Patients, comforting them under their Pains * Psalm xc. 12. and FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 27 and Sorrows, by advising them for their spirltual Good,-- and cautioning them tenderly and affectionately against any Thing which you see amiss in their Conduct.-You will yourself find the Pleasure, the Benefit, the Reward of this; and therefore you will not think I have improperly added this to the other Circumstances which may be useful to you, if it be not your own Fault. Advice, if no Relief Should be obtained. If you find no immediate Benefit by the Method used for your Recovery, be not impatient,- nor by any Means envy such as do. Suspect not the Skill, or the Inte- grity of those who have the Care of you; for the PHY- SICIANS of PRINCES are often unsuccessful and even the ROYAL Patient grows worse and worse under their Care; -nay, the most judicious PHYSICIANS THEMSELVES are at last obliged to submit to Death.-If therefore you re- ceive any Benefit, be very thankful to God for it, though; the Amendment be ever so small;-or if no Relief CAN be obtained *, yet remember that it is GOD’s WILL; -what HE orders (who is WISE as well as GOOD) is always best;-to which if you submit,. and endeavour to improve the Dispensations of his Providences, it will be?, in the End, to your everlasting Advantage. * If this should be the Case of the Irreligious, surely they should not delay an Hour or a Moment; but instantly prepare for the una- voidable or approaching Change.-—If of the Religious, they will know the Value of the following PROMISES, namely, “Fear thou “ not, for lam with thee: Be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I “ will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee “ with the Right Hand of my Righteousness." See Isaiah xli. 10. “ Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, “ I will fear no Evil, for Thou art with me, thy Rod and thy Staff “ comfort me." See Psalm xxiii. 4. “ My Flesh and my Heart faileth: but God ls the Strength of my “ Heart, and my Portion for ever." See Psalm lxxiii. 26. “ Thanks be to God, which giveth us the Victory, through our Lord “ Jesus Christ" See I Cor. xv. 57. These comfortable and precious Promises, if FIXED in the Me- mory, and rendered familiar to the Mind, will, I doubt not, revive the Heart, when no Cordial can support the Sinking Body, D 2 But 28 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. Advice in case of Recovery. But if you should recover, be not unmind- ful, when you leave the Infirmary, to report what Good you have seen and received there, with Thankfulness: Particularly for some Time after you have received this Benefit, return thanks to God for your Recovery, using the Prayer for this Purpose, inserted at the End of this Treatise, or any other to the same Effect. —And as for what may have been amiss (which I hope in such Societies will be very little) blaze it not abroad, to promote a Prejudice against such Places, which would be very ungrateful, and very mischievous; but give proper Hints of it in the first Place to the Officers, or superior Servants within the House; and if that should not be found sufficient, then to the Governors, or Trustees, who will always have it in their Power to rectify what has really been wrong.—Such respectful Remonstrances will then be well taken, and may be the Means of doing a general Good. Advice on Dis- mission. And it is very probable you will, at your going out of the Infirmary, have some little Treatises given you, suitable to the Circum- stances of your Recovery: Read them with Diligence and Care,-lay the Contents seriously to Heart,-and charge it on your Conscience, that you never, never. forget “the “Vows you have made in Trouble*,” and the merciful Hand that has brought you out of it. The Friendly Advice † you are now reading, which will still remain in your Possession, may have its future as well as present Use;—and I hope it will be made much * Psalm xvi. 14. † This FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT, is given away at the Northampton Infirmary (and at Several others) to all the Out as well as A-Patients, on their Admission, by the Chairman, who strictly enjoins them to make a proper Use of it; not only while they con- tinue PATIENTS, but so long as it shall please God to spare their Lives after they are discharged. Bishop Gibson's SERIOUS Advice to Persons lately recovered from Sickness, is likewise given away at this Infirmary, and at most others, to all such Patients as have received a Cure there. more FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 29 more familiar to your Mind by continued Use.-One of the first good Effects of which will certainly be your con- stant Attendance (at least weekly) on PUBLIC ORDI- NANCES;-and especially the SACRAMENT, for you will easily perceive, that many of the Thoughts here suggested will have a Tendency both to convince you of the Importance of such Institutions, and to prepare you for an Improvement of them, agreeable to the great Purposes designed in their Appointment. The Conclusion. To conclude-This plain, but serious, and I hope, suitable Advice. I once more recommend it to your attentive and repeated Pe- rusal, hoping it may engage your particular Regard, as coming from the Hand of a PHISICIAN;-a Considera- tion, methinks, which should at least affect those Patients Who are under my personal Care.-At the same Time, I recommend you to the Protection of Heaven—heartily Wishing your Recovery from your Illness, if it be the Will of an All-wise and gracious God; and (however that may be) a religious Improvement of these “ compa- “ ratively light Afflictions, which are but for a Moment, “ that they may work out for you a far more exceeding “ and eternal Weight of Glory. 2 Cor. iv. 17.” To have contributed in any Degree to so excellent an End, will be at once my Delight and Reward.-I ten- derly commiserate your Calamity, I regard you as a Par- taker of the same Human Nature, and Christian Profes- sion.-I desire to approve myself your sincere Well-wisher, by every Office of Humanity and Charity within my Power; and have therefore for your Good, and as what I apprehend to be my Duty, given you this very im- portant, and very friendly ADVICE: In the strict Ob- servance of which you will promote your own most va- luable Interests, and my inexpressible Satisfaction. This is a Return which I may reasonably expect on your Part, and I here request it of you—and may God Almighty assist: with his Blessing the Endeavours on both Sides, that in the great Day of Accounts, neither of them may be found fruitless. Northampton, July 9,178,. James Stonhouse. D 3 The 30 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. The whole of this Advice reviewed, and Summed up in a PRAYER. Submission and Confession, Thanksgiving, ALmighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I adore thee as the wise and gracious Governor of all thy Creatures, and the sovereign Disposer of all Events.-I acknowledge thy Hand in the Afflictions under which I now labour; and I confess, that they are far less than mine Iniquities have deserved.-May I have Wisdom and Grace to improve the afflicting Stroke of thy Rod, and discern Him, who has appointed it; and though this Calamity is not joyous, but grievous; may it hereafter bring forth in me the peaceable Fruit Righteousness. Thanksgiving. I thank thee, O LORD, that I am brought into this Infirmary: I praise thee for all the Accommodations, Refreshment, Comfort and Help I here have: I glorify thee, that thou hast put it into the Hearts of our kind Benefactors, to provide such Places of Reception for those in my Circumstances. May thy Blessing attend all such Friends to Mankind; and mayest thou direct and prosper all their Endeavours for my Good, and that of others in the same afflicted Condition. Prayer for im- provement of sickness. Grant, O Lord, that I may search and try my Ways, and again turn unto thee.- May I improve the Leisure of such a State as this to examine my own Heart; and may I-be led to form a right Judgment of myself!-lf I am yet an unreformed Sinner, discover to me, I beseech thee, my Danger, and my Misery; and give me by thy renewing Spirit, an unfeigned Repentance towards God, and a true Faith in Christ, that I may turn from every Sin, and devote myself for ever to thy Service.-If I am already in a State of Acceptance with thee, stengthen, I beseech thee, all my Graces more and more, and subdue all the Remainders of Sin in my Heart; and particularly, teach me Righteousness by those Things, which I now suffer. Gra- FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 31 Prayer for Im- provement of the present Ad- vantages. Graciously assist me, O God, that I may religiously improve all the Advantages I here enjoy: May I carefully read thy Word, thank- fully receive the Admononitions of thy Ministers, heartily join in their Petitions, and devoutly remember my Saviour’s Death, especially at the Sacra- ment; and may all these Sights of Sorrow and Distress, lead me to reflect on the Evil of Sin, and on the Love of CHRIST, manisfested in those Sufferings which he en- dured for my Sake: He went about doing Good; May I, when I have any such Opportunity here, embrace the Occasion with Readiness and thankfulness. Prayer for Suc- cess and for Support. Lord, if it be thy heavenly Will, (for without thy Concurrence, vain is the Skill of the most judicious Physician) give Suc- cess to the Means employed for my Reco- very, and restore me to Health, Comfort, and Usefulness again ; nevertheless, if thou seest fit, in thine unerring Wisdom to deny my Request, “ thy Will be done!” “ Support me under the most incurable Evils, and grant “ that I may not think it long to wait thy Leisure, who “ hast condescended to wait so long for the Return of a “ Sinner. Let me see LOVE in thy Rod, as well as Jus- “ TICE in all thy Dealings: And while my outward Man “ decays, may the inner Man be renewed Day by Day.” For an easy and happy Death. O Lord, if thou art pleased that this Vi- sitation shall be a Sickness unto Death, and that HERE I must die, prepare me for that important Hour; give me an easy and comfortable Pas- sage out of this Life, and take me into thy heavenly Pre- sence, where Sin and Sorrow shall be no more. This, and whatever else thou seest necessary or expedient for me, I beseech thee to grant, for the Sake of Jesus Christ my Lord, into whose Hands I desire daily to commit my Spirit; and to whom, with Thyself and the Holy Ghost, I would ascribe everlasting Praises. Amen. N.B, The Petitions of this Prayer are all independent one of another, so that could it be learnt by Heart, the Patient might repeat any one of them separately, and by adding his hearty Amen to it, make a short and distinct Prayer of it without wearying himfelf, or distressing ex- bausted Nature, which frequently requires Rest, 2 A Prayer 32 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. A Prayer to be used during Sickness. If the sick Person so very ill, that he cannot read this himself, he may desire some Friend to repeat it to him; but he must be sure devoutly to make it his own, and at the Conclusion of it add his hearty Amen. ALmighty and most righteous LORD GOD, in whose Hands are the Appointments of Life and Death, give me Grace to consider, that this my Sickness is of thy sending; and to acknowledge the sufice, as well as the Mercy, of thy Visitation, and my Sufferings. May I look up to Thee for Strength to bear, and Grace to profit by it. It comes, O God, as a Scourge for my Sins, which is to make me see, feel, and avoid them; as thy Medicine to cure my spiritual Diseases; and as thy fiery Trial, which is to prove me, and to purge away my Dross. Let it not fail. Lord, in answering these gracious Purposes. Bring to my Mind all such Considera- tions as may revive, succour me, and raise me above all Discouragements and Fear. Let my Thoughts, under this Visitation, be only those of Love and Thankfulness; of Re- signation and Obedience; of Humility and Hope in thy Mercy. Give me, I beseech Thee, a full Trust in thy most gracious Promises, nor let me shew any indecent Carriage in my Afflictions, which would add to my Guilt, if I die; or to my Remorse and Shame, if I live. Father of Mercies pity thy sick Servant, and out of Compassion to my Weakness, lessen my Sor- rows. Pardon my restless Complainings, and support me under them by thy Comforts. Direct and recompense the Labours and Kindness of those, who charitably and friendily attend me in my Sickness. Keep me always submissive and devout towards Thee, and no Ways impatient, or un- grateful towards those around me. May thy B1essing ac- company all their Endeavours, for my Good, and all the Medicines directed. Put an End, in thy due Time, to my Disease FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 33 Disease [or to my Pains] and either restore me to my Strength, Health, and Ease, granting me the Mercies of a longer Life; or else prepare me more immediately for a longer and comfortable Death, for our LORD JESUS CHRIST’s Sake, who died for my Sins, and rose again for my Justification. Amen. A PRAYER to be used after Recovery. Has God mercifully restored you to Health? Surely you cannot doubt the Obligations you lie under, to be thankful for it. Shocking indeed, that out of ten Lepers cleansed, only one should return to give Glory to God: But take Care that you follow not the Example of the Nine, for instances of such Ingratitude are too common. See Luke xvii. 17.- After Recovery therefore use the following, or some such Prayer. Most gracious and merciful God, the Fountain of Life, I return Thee humble and hearty Thanks for having spared the Life of thy Servant: I adore Thee as the Author of my Cure, and praise Thee for the Success thou hast given to those Applications which were the Means of effecting it. May I remember the Chastisements, the Instructions, and the Deliverence I have received; and may I be enabled to perform the good Resolutions I made in my Sicknes. As Thou hast condescended to hearken to the Prayer of so sinful a Creature, may I call upon Thee as long as I live. Being made whole, may I go away and sin no more, lead a worse Thing come unto me. Having known the Bitterness of Affliction, may I pity and endeavour to relieve these who labour under it: And may I never forget my Obligations to Thee, and the Kindness of those about me [especially to the Subscibers of this Infirmary, and my other Benefactors] whom I humbly recommend to thy continued Kindness, and everlasting Favour, through JESUS CHRIST my LORD and SAVIOUR. Amen. An 34 FRIENDLY ADVISE to a PATIENT. An Exhortation to a general Concurrence in pro- moting Christianity, as the certain Means of Happiness. HAving now finished the FRIENDLY ADVICE to a Pa- tient, I must here bespeak the Candour of everyone (especially of the learned Reader, if any such should con- descend to examine it minutely) to excuse the Im- perfections and Defects which he may meet with in this little Treatise.-I am far from the Arrogance of sup- posing, that such will not frequently occur to his Obser- vation; but I would hope that whatsoever is deficient, or less intelligible than might be wished, will be sup- plied, explained, or enforced by the Kind of Offices of benevolent Clergymen, and other serious Christians, who may visit the Afflicted in our Infirmaries, or elsewhere; and I shall only beg Leave to remind my Readers in ge- neral, of a very obvious, but yet a very important Re- mark; namely, That to attempt, at least, to dissipate that Cloud of Ignorance, which has overspread the Generality of our Fellow-Creatures; and to let in the Light of the Gospel upon their benighted Minds; to contribute, as far as in us lies, within our respective Provinces, to sup- press Vice; and to promote practical Religon in our Neighbourhood; is the common Concern, and not con- fined to a peculiar Order of Men. It is in the Power of every private Christian to suggest religious Hints to his Relations, Friends, and others Such Hints, judiciously timed, may, through the Grace of God, awaken the careless; reclaim the vicious; and set forward an universal Reformation -A Work this of the utmost Importance, both to the flourishing of our civil Constitution, and to the Maintenance of the Pro- testant Cause;-and, in short, to the whole of our present and eternal Welfare:-A Work, which we cannot rea- sonably hope to see accomplished, without the Concur- rence of many Hands; and which (as in the Case of a spreading Conflagration, or a prevailing Rebellion) calls aloud for Help from every Quarter: A holy Silence is FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. 35 is nevertheless that Man’s Duty who suspects, he shall in- jure the Truth (for want of Talents or Prudence) by endeavouring to enforce it,-He may, however, pro- mote the Gospel in his Practice, by a holy Life and Conversation. These Considerations, and the Motives alledged in the Prefatory Advertisment, have induced me to throw in my Mite towards this great and necessary Undertaking.-I have endeavoured to obviate all just Censures; but there is a Disposition which may, which doubtless will, incline some to make the Design itself, and the Execution of it by a Physician, equally the Subjects of Ridicule.-I am far from desiring to contend with such: Let them en- joy, to the full, any Triumph, real or imaginary, over me, as the Writer; The Cause of Christianity, in which I have engaged, will be ever superior to their utmost Efforts; and mine, howsoever weak they may ap- pear, will be abundantly repaid by that Satisfaction which arises from the Convictions of Truth, a Fidelity to Christ, and the Consciousness of Sincerity.-May others, whose Influence is more extensive, exert themselves with supe- rior Advantage; may their Endeavours be attended with more abundant Success; may they be enabled to remove the CAUSES of that Corruption and Remissness which hinder the good Effects of Instructions and Exhortations; -and may all, rich and poor, high and low, join to accomplish this momentous Design; duly reflecting, that none of us can long have any Opportunity of glorify- ing God in our Lives and Conversation; and that there- fore it is highly incumbent on us to do Good, while We have it in our Power, since “ the Night cometh, when “ no Man can work.” Upon the whole, let us always be mindful of these very important Truths; namely, that Modes and Forms, Habits and Ceremonies, can never he Essentials of Reli- gion; but that Peace and Humility, Meekness and Cha- rity are so:--that Guilt is the certain Spring of Anxi- ety; that to be Good is to be happy; that Increase of Goodness is Increase of Happiness; that Angels are happier than Mankind, because they are better;— and 36 FRIENDLY ADVICE to a PATIENT. and that the whole System of Christianity (which is the fulfilling the Law and the Prophets) tends to produce the utmost Perfection of Goodness, attainable by Mortals in this Life, in order to the Acquisition of eternal Life, and eternal Happiness hereafter.—Were these Truths implant- ed deeply in all our Hearts, we should soon find such a Reformation, as every good Man would wish, though per- haps none can expect.-lt is our Duty, however, to pray for it daily, and to promote it to the utmost of our Power-and I am therefore unwilling to suppose that any of my Readers will refuse fervently to unite their Petitions with mine, that the glorious God, who is the Creator and Lover of Mankind, would afford us his all power- ful Grace, that we may respect these Truths as they deserve, that we may use the Means for the Attainment of that great End, which his infinite Goodness has proposed; and that we may, at all Times, and in all Places, be ever careful to do our Part towards it; always remem- bering, “ that for this Purpose was the Son of God man- “ fested, that he might destroy the Works of the Devil; “ and purify to himself a People zealous of good Works.” FINIS.