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our souls in the course of our duty, that our religion has provided for them.

To all which let me add, thirdly, that the shortness and uncertainty of our lives, being considered, we ought, upon that account, to make the same preparation against the hour of our death, that we are required to do for coming to the holy table. And since men are so very apt to put both the thoughts of death and their provision for it afar off; it is an instance of the great mercy and concern of our Saviour Christ for us, that by calling us frequently to his table, and requiring so strict a preparation for it, he has thereby engaged us to keep our souls always in such a state as will fit us for dying, should we chance, ere we are aware, to be surprised by death.

8. Q. What is the next thing wherein we are to examine ourselves before we come to the holy communion?

A. Whether we have a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ; i. e. do stedfastly believe that if we truly repent us of our sins, God will not only most certainly forgive them, but as an earnest of it, does here, in this very sacrament, ratify and seal anew his covenant with us, and make us partakers of the benefit of that redemption which our blessed Saviour purchased for us by the sacrifice of his own body and blood.

9. Q. Why do you call such a faith as this a lively faith?

A. To shew that our faith is then only acceptable unto God, and profitable to our salvation when it is lively and active, and works in us such a sincere repentance of our past sins, and such a constant and

uniform obedience to God's commandments, as our Saviour, in his Gospel, requires of us. For otherwise to know and assent to the truths of our religion, without living agreeably thereunto, will carry us no farther than the worst of men may go; and even the devils themselves, as St. James says, do go. James, ii. 19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble.

10. Q. What is the next particular upon which we are to examine ourselves before we come to the holy communion?

A. Whether we come to it with a thankful remembrance of Christ's death; which is therein designed to be set forth and shewn by us. Whether we are truly sensible of the infinite love of God, and condescension of Jesus Christ, thereby declared to us. Whether we are careful always to keep up in our minds a lively memory of his death and passion : and do, by the sincerity of our love to God, and the zeal we have for our duty, endeavour, in some measure, to testify how hearty a sense we have of those unspeakable mercies which he has been pleased thereby to favour us withal.

11. Q. What is the last thing concerning which we are to examine ourselves?

A. Whether we are in charity with all men: whether we do not only freely forgive whatsoever injuries any may chance to have done us, but are so entirely friends with them as to be ready to do them all the kindness we can; and that as sincerely and heartily as if they had never offended us, or otherwise done us the least injury.

12. Q. Is this all that is required of us before we come to the Lord's Supper?

A. Other exercises there are which may profitably be made use of by us, in order to our better performance of those duties we have before mentioned. Such are some extraordinary acts of prayer and devotion to God; and of charity towards our neighbour. A retirement from the business and conversation of the world; but especially from the follies and vanities of it. And these accompanied with some acts of severity and mortification, whilst we are making the examination of ourselves before proposed.

But these must be governed by the rules of prudence, as every man's business, opportunities, needs, state of health, and the like circumstances either require or will allow of.

13. Q. Is such a preparatory examination of ourselves so necessary before we come to the holy table, that we may, in no case, presume to come without it?

A. No, it is not: those who live in a strict and regular course of life, and have nothing extraordinary happen to them, as they always know what their state towards God is, so are they always ready to receive this holy sacrament; and need not be afraid, upon any occasion, to partake of it, although they had not the opportunity of making a particular previous preparation of themselves for it. Yet, if even these should design to go, at a certain time (before known) to the communion, they not only piously may, but in duty ought to do somewhat of this kind, in order to their going with the better dispositions to it.

14. Q. What if by this means a good Christian should not be able fully to satisfy himself concerning his worthiness to go to the holy table?

A. In that case he ought to consider what it is that puts him in doubt of it; and having so done, let him take the advice of some person whom he can rely upon, but especially of his minister, about it: that so being freed from his scruples, he may go with a quiet mind, and a full persuasion of conscience to this spiritual feast, and with comfort receive the benefits of it.

15. Q. What if upon the examination it shall appear that he is not in a state of going to this sacra

ment?

A. He must then, for the present, refrain from it, and make all the haste he can to remove the impediment, and reconcile himself to God, that so he may be in a condition both to come worthily to it; and to be made partaker of those graces which are thereby communicated to every faithful receiver of it.

PROOFS SUBJOINED. Matt. v. 23, 24. Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. xxii. 11. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having on a wedding garment? and he was speechless.

PART VI.

OF CONFIRMATION.

SECT. LII.

How it is performed in our Church. Of the reasonableness and benefits of it; and the obligation which lies upon all who are baptized to be confirmed, before they come to the holy Communion.

1. Q. Is there any thing farther required of those who come to the Lord's Supper?

A. Yes, there is; namely, that they be first confirmed by the bishop. It being ordained by our church,“ that none shall be admitted to the holy communion until such time as he be confirmed, or be ready and desirous to be confirmed.†

2. Q. What do you mean by confirmation?

A. I mean the solemn laying on of the hands of the bishop, upon such as have been baptized, and are come to years of discretion.

3. Q. How is this performed among us?

A. It is directed to be done after a very wise and solemn manner. For, first, the bishop having given notice to the minister of his intention to confirm, and appointed a time for the doing of it; the minister is to call together such of his parish as are come to years of discretion, and have not yet been confirmed; and to examine them in their church catechism; and

+ Rubric at the end of the Confirmation Office.

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