The Order for the Visitation of the Sick

Take therefore in good part the chastisement of the Lord: For (as Saint Paul says in the twelfth Chapter to the Hebrews) whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? But if you are without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh, who corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.¹

These words, good brother, are written in holy Scripture for our comfort and instruction; that we should patiently, and with thanksgiving, bear our heavenly Father's correction, whenever by any manner of adversity it shall please his gracious goodness to visit us.²

And there should be no greater comfort to Christian persons, than to be made like unto Christ, by suffering patiently adversities, troubles, and sicknesses. For he himself went not up to joy, but first he suffered pain; he entered not into his glory before he was crucified.³

So truly our way to eternal joy is to suffer here with Christ; and our door to enter into eternal life is gladly to die with Christ; that we may rise again from death, and dwell with him in everlasting life.⁴

Now therefore, taking your sickness, which is thus profitable for you, patiently,⁵

I exhort you, in the Name of God, to remember the profession which you made unto God in your Baptism.⁶

And forasmuch as after this life there is an account to be given unto the righteous judge, by whom all must be judged, without respect of persons,⁷

I require you to examine yourself and your estate, both toward God and man; so that, accusing and condemning yourself for your own faults, you may find mercy at our heavenly Father's hand for Christ's sake,⁸

and not be accused and condemned in that fearful judgement.⁹