Rules for Discoursing with the Sick - John Sterne (1660–1745)

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Whoever has well considered the various duties pertaining to the pastoral office, will readily acknowledge that scarcely any are more important, or more difficult to be rightly discharged, than those which are due to the sick. They are duties which demand the greatest activity, and require the utmost discretion; and if altogether neglected, or carelessly and injudiciously discharged, most dangerous to the sick will be the consequences. If, therefore, I dilate upon this part of the sacerdotal office, and publish the result of my own experience, the information I have gained from converse with others, and that which I have derived from books, I shall, I think, be recompensed for my labours; and this the more so, because I am unacquainted with any work by which any one, though he should read with attention, may be sufficiently furnished for the performance of this important office. - Summary by First Chapter

John Sterne (1660–1745) was an Irish Church of Ireland clergyman, bishop of Dromore from 1713 and then bishop of Clogher from 1717.

John Sterne
Life
The only son of John Stearne, by his wife Dorothy, daughter of Charles Ryves (died 1700), examiner in the chancery of Ireland, he was born in Dublin. He was educated at the cathedral school under Mr. Ryder, and entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 2 April 1674, his tutor being Philip Barbour. He graduated B.A. 11 February 1677, M.A. 12 July 1681, and D.D. in July 1705.

Having been ordained deacon in October 1682 by Anthony Dopping, bishop of Meath, Sterne served for a time as his domestic chaplain. About 1688 he was made vicar of Trim, County Meath; in October 1692 he was instituted to the rectory of Clonmacduffe, and in June 1703 to that of Killary, both in the diocese of Meath. On 11 September