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we receive thereby. Teach me, O LORD, the right way, and lead me in the paths of holy preparation, that I may be received as a worthy and welcome guest at this Thy heavenly table; possess my mind with a true sense of the greatness of this mystery, and the excellency of Thy mercy, in preparing this table for our spiritual food: inspire my soul with pure and pious dispositions, and instead of those filthy rags of my righteousness, clothe me with the righteousness of the saints, that my heart may be a clean though homely receptacle for my SAVIOUR, and one day fitted for the blessed society of Saints and Angels in Heaven, through JESUS CHRIST Our LORD. Amen.

OUR FATHER, &c. See Psal. xxiii., xxvi., cxi.

FOR THE GIFT AND GRACE OF REPENTANCE.

ALMIGHTY and eternal LORD GOD, who art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and hast more especially enjoined all those who compass Thine altar to wash their hands in innocency, vouchsafe me unfeigned repentance for my past sins, a hearty sorrow

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and contrition of spirit to lament my sinfulness, and most firm and steadfast purposes to lead a new life. It is the voice of thy wondrous goodness and mercy, that if the wicked will forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, Thou wilt have mercy upon him, and abundantly pardon him. O let Thy goodness, whereof I have had so great a share, and plentiful experience, lead me to repentance not to be repented of, that I may be a fit guest at Thy Son's table. "Have mercy upon me, O LORD, and according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out all my transgressions for Thy mercy's sake in CHRIST JESUS, the Son of thy love, whom Thou hast set forth to be the propitiation for our sins." Grant this, O merciful Father, for the sake of my blessed SAVIOUR and REDEEMER, Amen. See Psal. vi. xxv. xxxii. xxxviii.

A PRAYER BEFORE SELF-EXAMINATION.

O LORD, Thou that art a searcher of all our hearts, and a discerner of the very Thoughts, and in whose sight all things are naked and open, be pleased to

impart a ray of Thy heavenly light, to discover all the sins and infirmities of my past life, and whatsoever else Thou knowest wherein I have done amiss, that henceforward no secret sin may lie undiscovered and corrupted in my soul; that by examining my life and conversation by Thy law, the rule and measure of my duty, I may understand the true state and condition of my soul, and from a just sense and sight of all my transgressions, through the assistance of Thy grace and heavenly benedictions, I may be enabled to reform my life, and to turn my feet unto Thy testimonies; so faithfully to search and examine my own conscience, that I may come holy and clean to the heavenly feast, and be received as a worthy partaker of that holy table which Thou hast called me to. Grant this for Thy mercy's sake in CHRIST JESUS. See Psal. cxxxix.

Amen.

BRIEF HEADS OF SELF-EXAMINATION UPON EACH

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OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

1st. Though I have not atheistically denied the

being of a GOD, or wickedly renounced him by

apostasy, yet have I not loved, desired and delighted in other things more than in GOD? Or, have I not feared men, and dreaded the displeasure of the world, more than GOD? Or, have I not trusted in men, and relied upon the world, more than upon GOD? Have I not despaired of God's mercy? Or, by presuming too much upon it, encouraged myself in sin ? Have I not been unthankful for mercies received? Or, have I not ascribed the glory and honour of what I now enjoy to myself, more than to GOD ?" GOD be merciful to me a sinner, and lay not this (or these) sins to my charge.

2. "

Though I have not worshipped GOD by images, yet have I not entertained gross and false conceptions of him? Or, have I not wilfully omitted coming to Church or to the public prayers, when I had no just occasion to hinder me? Or, have, I not rudely, irreverently, or wantonly behaved myself during the time of Divine Service? Or, have I not wilfully refused to come to the LORD's Supper, when I have been called to it? Or, have I not rashly and unadvisedly received the Sacrament without due preparation? Or, have I not broken my

Vows and resolutions which I then made?

GOD be

merciful to me a sinner, and lay not this (or these) sins to my charge.

3. "If I have not openly blasphemed the name of GOD, yet have I not lightly or irreverently spoken of Him? Or have I not profanely jested upon, or abused His holy places or persons, or any thing else dedicated to His service? Or, have I not taken GOD's name in vain, by common swearing and cursing? Or, have I not taken false and unlawful oaths? Or, have I not broken my own vows and resolutions, especially my baptismal ? GOD be merciful to me a sinner, and lay not this (or these) sins to my charge.

4. "Have I not neglected the worship of GOD on his Sabbaths? Have I not spent part thereof in vain sports, idle discourses, visits, and many other unnecessary affairs? Or, have I not suffered others to profane the Sabbath, when it was in my power to restrain them from so doing? GOD be merciful to me a sinner, and lay not this (or these) sins to my charge.

5. "Have I not been stubborn, irreverent and undutiful towards my parents, rejecting their counsels,

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