THUS we, and not other, must thoroughly examine, and not lightly look over ourselves, not other men; our own conscience, not other men's lives: which we ought to do uprightly, truly, and with just correction. O, saith Chrysostom, let no Judas resort to this table, let no covetous person approach. If any be a disciple, let him be pre. sent. For Christ saith, with my disciples I make my passover. Why cried the deacon in the primitive Church, If any be holy, let him draw near? Why did they celebrate these mysteries, the choir-door being shut? Why were the public penitents and learners in religion commanded at this time to avoid? Was it not because this table received no unholy, unclean, or sinful guests? Wherefore if servants dare not presume to an earthly master's table, whom they have offended, let us take heed we come not with our sins unexamined into this presence of our Lord and Judge.-Homily concerning the Sacraments. THE PREPARATION. Spend the interval between the notice and the celebration in earnestly endeavouring to realize the requirements laid down in the catechism, according to the directions of the foregoing exhortations.1 But first of all kneel at the throne of grace, and offer up the following prayer:— Prayer before Examination. Hear the voice of my humble petition, O Lord, now I cry unto Thee, and lift up my hands toward Thy mercy-seat. Behold, Lord, now I am about to search into my own heart; but alas, alas! my heart is deceitful, and desperately wicked, how can I know it? Thou, therefore, that searchest the heart, and triest the reins, discover to me all the evil and deceits of my own heart, that I may confess, and bewail, and forsake them, and obtain mercy, and be meet to offer the Holy Oblation, and to par 1 See also the exhortation at the time of the celebration, beginning "Dearly beloved in the Lord," &c. |