240. When any person is sick, notice shall be given thereof to the Minister of the Parish; who, coming into the sick person's house, shall say,
The direction that notice should be given to the Minister of the parish was first inserted in the Prayer-Book of 1662; indicating that he is the proper person to discharge the Priest's duty in ministering to the sick.
This office, being of a more solemn and formal character than an ordinary visit to a sick person, should be used, if possible, with proper ornaments of the Minister, such as the Surplice and Stole, or, at all events, the Stole.
241. When he cometh into the sick man's presence he shall say, kneeling down, Remember not, Lord, &c.
242. Then the Minister shall say, Let us pray.
243. Then shall the Minister exhort the sick person after this form, or other like. Dearly beloved, &c.
244. If the person visited be very sick, then the Curate may end his exhortation in this place, or else proceed. Take therefore, &c.
245. Here the Minister shall rehearse the Articles of the Faith, saying thus, Dost thou believe, &c.
246. The sick person shall answer. All this, &c.
247. Then shall the Minister examine whether he repent him truly of his sins, and be in charity with all the world; exhorting him to forgive, from the bottom of his heart, all persons that have offended him; and if he hath offended any other, to ask them forgiveness; and where he hath done injury or wrong to any man, that he make amends to the uttermost of his power. And if he hath not before disposed of his goods, let him then be admonished to make his Will, and to declare his Debts, what he oweth, and what is owing unto him; for the better discharging of his conscience, and the quietness of his Executors. But men should often be put in remembrance to take order for the settling of their temporal estates, whilst they are in health.