If by such means you cannot so prepare yourself as to receive this holy Sacrament with a quiet conscience, the Church (in the first Exhortation to be used when notice of Communion is given) bids you go to your Parish Priest," or to some other discreet and learned minister of GOD's word, and open your grief, that by the ministry of GOD'S holy word, you may receive the benefit of absolution, together with ghostly counsel and advice, to the quieting of your conscience, and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness." "This is surely such advice as should not be neglected, neither at the time of coming to the Sacrament, nor any other, when we are under any fear or reasons of doubt concerning the state of our souls. And for want of this many have run into very great mischief, having let the doubt fester so long that it hath either plunged them into deep distresses of conscience, or, which is worse, they have, to still that disquiet within them, betaken themselves to all sinful pleasures, and so quite cast off all care of their souls." "But, GOD knows, it is not only doubtful persons to whom this advice might be useful: there are others of another sort, whose confidence is their disease, who presume very groundlessly of the goodness of their estates and for those it were most happy, if they could be brought to hear some more equal judgments than their own in this so weighty a business." Thus far the author of the "Whole Duty of

Man," (Sunday III. Sec. 23). Little need be added. Only remember that the greater the benefit to be derived from any means of grace, when rightly used, the greater is the harm that it will do you if abused. Do not ask a Priest to receive your confession, unless you are resolved with GOD's help to renounce the sins which you desire to confess, and whatever you may from his instruction discover to be sinful. But if you use this ordinance, with a deep and true contrition, and a humble confidence in GOD's mercy through CHRIST, you may hope for His blessing on it, and that He will Himself speak peace to your soul, and enable you to go and sin no more."

66

After Evening Prayers.

THE SACRIFICE OF OURSELVES.

Text.-"Let this mind be in you which was also in CHRIST JESUS.

He

humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."-Phil. ii.

5, 8.

(U.)

FOR my sake, O my GOD, did Thy

beloved SON choose for Himself a

humble lot on earth, and walk and dwell among the poor and lowly.

For my sake did He suffer reproach and shame; cruel mockings and scourgings.

For my sake did He submit patiently to be judged of man, and to be numbered with the transgressors.

It was for me and for my salvation, that the LORD of life endured the cross, and poured out His soul unto death in agony and desolation.

What can I offer in return for all that He hath done and borne for me?

I will no longer seek or love the praise of sinful man.

I will renounce the world and all its evil ways, opinions, fashions, customs.

I will cast out every thought, and feeling, and disposition, that is not according to Thy holy will.

And I humbly offer up to Thee, O GOD, my body, soul, and spirit; yea, all my affections, faculties, and powers.

Vouchsafe to sanctify the offering by Thy SPIRIT, and to accept me in Thy dear SON.

I confess that I have before this vowed and not performed.

I am utterly unworthy to draw near to Thee with any offering.

But Thou canst make me less unworthy. Thou canst take from me all that displeases Thee.

O cleanse me, merciful FATHER; though fires.

it be in the very

Only give me the spirit to resign myself, all that I am and all that I have, gladly into Thy hands, and thus to make the sacrifice my own in will and deed.

Or this, (V.)

For my sake, Blessed JESUS, didst Thou give up all and everything; and drain the bitter cup of sacrifice to its last dregs.

And Thou commandest me to take up my cross and follow Thee.

O give me of Thine own mind and SPIRIT, that I may be crucified with Thee to the world and to the flesh.

Angel of our better Covenant, touch me with Thy fire from heaven, and consume all that is of sin within me.

O that I may so die unto sin now, that when Thou comest again the enemy may have no part in me.

Lo, I am called into the sanctuary of my GOD, and bidden to join in the blessed memorial of Thy holy Sacrifice.

Be Thou among us then, our great High Priest, to intercede, and bless, and offer.

Plead for me and for Thy Church the merits of Thy Blood, and present me before Thy FATHER in heaven, a living sacrifice of penitence and love.

Text.-"They that are CHRIST'S have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."-Gal. v. 24.

The Prayer.

O GOD, Who in Thy SON JESUS CHRIST hast set before us a perfect example of sacrifice and self-denial; enable me also by Thy grace to give myself wholly up to Thee, and to be content and glad to spend and be spent, to do and forbear, to suffer and rejoice, according to Thy holy will; through the same JESUS CHRIST, our LORD. Amen.

[Prayer for particular graces.]

Our FATHER, &c.

[Collect for the Season.]

GOD the FATHER, &c. (as at p. 10.)