FORM OF PREPARATION

FOR

HOLY COMMUNION.

It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is Holy, and after vows to make inquiry. Prov. xx. 25.

Thou who desirest to receive the most comfortable Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ must previously (as the Church teaches) consider the dignity of that Holy Mystery, and the great peril of the unworthy receiving thereof; and so search and examine thine own conscience (and that not lightly and after the manner of a dissembler with God, but so) that thou mayest come holy and clean to such a heavenly feast, in the marriage garment required by God in Holy Scripture, and be received as a worthy partaker of that Holy Table.

The

way and means thereto is

1. To examine thy life and conversation by the rule of God's commandments.

2. Whereinsoever thou shalt perceive thyself to have offended, either by will, word, or deed, there to bewail thine own sinfulness, and to confess thyself to Almighty God, with full and stedfast purpose of amendment of life.

3. If thou shalt perceive thine offences to be such as are not only against God, but also against thy neighbours, then to reconcile thyself

* Comp. Rubrics, § 2 and § 3 before Communion Service.

unto them; being ready to make restitution and satisfaction according to the uttermost of thy power, for all injuries and wrongs done by thee to any other; and being likewise ready to forgive others that have offended thee, as thou wouldest have forgiveness of thine offences at God's hand; so that thou mayest be in perfect charity with all men.

4. Having thus repented thee truly of thy former sins, to come with a full trust and lively faith in God's mercy through Christ (thankfully remembering His death), and with a quiet conscience.

5. If thou canst not quiet thine own conscience by the use of the preceding means, to go to some discreet and learned Minister of God's word, and open thy grief; that thou mayest receive the benefit of Absolution, together with ghostly counsel and advice.

THE PREPARATION.

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try out my reins and my heart. I will wash my hands in Innocency, O Lord, and so will I go to Thine Altar; that I may shew the voice of thanksgiving.

1.

Ps. xxvi. 2. 6, 7.

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hid, Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of The Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

2.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all

them that are penitent; Create and make in me a new and contrite heart, that I worthily lamenting my sins, and acknowledging my wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ.

THE EXAMINATION AND CONFESSION.

By the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom. iii. 20.

1ST COMMANDMENT -Thou hast commanded, O God, and I have promised solemnly, that I would have none other Gods but Thee.

But I confess, O Lord my God, I do mournfully confess that other Lords beside Thee have had dominion over me.

That I have not studied to know Thee that I might believe on Thee as the Great God; the Father, of Heaven, Who made me and all the world; the Son Who hath redeemed me and all mankind; the Holy Ghost Who sanctifieth me and all the elect people of God.

That I have not sought, as I might have done, to bring others to know Thee and to obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

That, knowing Thee as Thou hast graciously revealed Thyself to me in Thy Word, I have not glorified Thee as God, neither been thankful.

Rather I have inclined to trust in man, and to make flesh my arm, and my heart has departed from Thee, my God.

That I have

Lord, have mercy upon me; Christ, have mercy

upon me; Lord, have mercy upon me. O God, forgive, I beseech Thee, my manifold transgressions of this Thy holy law during the time past, and incline my heart to keep it for the time to come.

2ND COMMANDMENT. - Thou hast commanded, O God, and I have solemnly promised, That I would not make to myself any graven image, nor in any way provoke Thy jealousy, by idolatrous, or false worship.

But I confess, O Lord my God, I do mournfully confess that my worship of Thee has too often rested in mere outward forms, and been little better than idolatrous.

That, time after time, I have not worshipped Thee in spirit and in truth.

That I have drawn near to Thee with my lips, while my heart has been far from Thee.

That I have set up strange idols in my heart, pride, vain-glory, covetousness, evil concupiscence, &c. &c., and worshipped the God of this world more than Thee.

That I have

Lord, have mercy upon me; Christ, have mercy upon me; Lord, have mercy upon me. O God, forgive, I beseech Thee, my manifold transgressions of this Thy holy law during the time past, and incline my heart to keep it for the time to come.

3RD COMMANDMENT.-Thou hast commanded, O God, and I have solemnly promised, that I would not take Thy Holy Name in vain.

But I confess, O Lord my God, I do mournfully confess, that I have been verily guilty, as concerning this Thy word and my own vow.

That I have not reverenced Thee-Thy Holy Name -Thy Word-Thy House-Thy Ministers-Thy Ordinances-Thy Holy Sacraments-as I ought to have

done.

That I have often uttered words-profane-irreverent" idle ”—unbefitting the mouth of a good Christian.

That I have

Lord, have mercy upon me; Christ, have mercy upon me; Lord, have mercy upon me. O God, forgive, I beseech Thee, my manifold transgressions of this Thy holy law during the time past, and incline my heart to keep it for the time to come.

4TH COMMANDMENT.-Thou hast commanded, O God, and I have solemnly promised, that I would remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

But I confess, O Lord my God, I do mournfully confess, that I have not hallowed Thy day of rest as I ought to have done.

That too often I have not regarded it as a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; but have been doing my own ways, and finding my own pleasure, and speaking my own words, instead of meditating on Thy ways, and speaking of Thy honour.

That I have not exhorted others, as I might have done, to attend upon Thy service, but have rather been myself inclined to forsake Thy sanctuary.