has blotted them out as a cloud from the summer sky; and that, when sought for, they shall no more be found. How wonderful is this! that He who knows and remembers all things will nevermore even remember the sins I have committed against His Divine majesty! But this, O my soul, is no reason why I should forget and not remember my past sins. Yea, let me the more remember them, because my God graciously says He forgets them. Let me humble myself, while I think of the sins of my childhood, the sins of my youth, the sins of my riper years. Let me humble myself while I think of the sins I have committed day by day, since the time my God brought me with penitence and faith to the foot of my Saviour's cross. I shall thus imitate the contrition and brokenness of spirit which I read marked the saints of old. I shall thus copy Abraham, who called himself "dust and ashes." I shall thus resemble Job, who said, "I abhor myself and repent." I shall thus be like Isaiah, who cried, "Woe is me; I am undone. Unclean,

unclean!" I shall thus, too, walk in the steps both of the pardoned David, who said, "My sin is ever before me;" and of the forgiven Paul, who confessed, "I am (not I was), I am! the chief of sinners." At this Table, therefore, may I be enabled to remember Thee, O Jesus, as having died for all my "sins, negligences, and ignorances," and as having, by Thy spotless obedience even unto death, opened the doors of heaven to me and to all Thy believing people. May I, therefore, now feed on Thee in my heart by faith-faith in Thy cleansing blood, faith in Thy justifying righteousness. May I through faith rejoice in hope of one day seeing Thee face to face in Thine everlasting kingdom. In that kingdom, Lord, remember me; and let me be with Thee and all Thy redeemed Church, and see Thee and be like Thee in Thy glory. Lord, I believe: help Thou my unbelief. Lord, increase my faith. Lead me now into Thy banqueting house, and let Thy banner over me be love.

At the time of the celebration of the Communion, the Communicants being conveniently placed for the receiving of the holy Sacrament, the Priest shall say this exhortation.

DEA

EARLY beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how Saint Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to try and examine themselves, before tehy presume to eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. For as the benefit is great, if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament; (for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood; then we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us ;) so is the danger great, if we receive the same unworthily. For then we are guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ our Saviour; we eat and drink our own damnation, not considering the Lord's Body; we kindle God's wrath against us; we provoke him to plague us with divers diseases, and sundry kinds of death. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent you truly for your sins past; have a lively and steadfast faith in Christ our Saviour; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men; so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy mysteries. And above all things ye must give most humble and hearty thanks to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for the redemption of the world by the death and pas

sion of our Saviour Christ, both God and man; who did humble himself, even to the death upon the Cross, for us, miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and the shadow of death; that he might make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlasting life. And to the end that we should alway remember the exceeding great love of our Master, and only Saviour, Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding he hath obtained to us; he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death, to our great and endless comfort. To him, therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, let us give (as we are most bounden) continual thanks; submitting ourselves wholly to his holy will and pleasure, and studying to serve him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Amen.

Then shall the Priest say to them that come to receive the holy Communion,

YE

E that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.

¶Then shall this general Confession be made in the name of those that are minded to receive the holy Communion, by one of the Ministers; both he and all the people kneeling humbly upon their knees, and saying,

A

LMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ¶ Then shall the Priest (or the Bishop, being present) stand up, and turning himself to the people, pronounce this Absolution.

A

LMIGHTY God our heavenly Father, who of His great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.