Am I kind to others, tender-hearted, forgiving them, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven me? Do I strive to stifle, as soon as they rise up in my mind, all envious, grudging, or revengeful thoughts? Do I, to the utmost of my power, assist my neighbour in his poverty, distress, or sickness? AFTER SELF-EXAMINATION. ONFESS your sins to God in your own words, make particular mention of the circumstances which have increased their guilt and shame-make no excuse-be sure that God will take into full account all your weakness, and the power and craft of your enemy. You may also use the following Psalm :-- H PSALM LI. Miserere mei, Deus. AVE mercy upon me, O God, after Thy great goodness: according to the multitude of Thy mercies do away mine offences. 2. Wash me throughly from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my sin. 3. For I acknowledge my faults and my sin is ever before me. 4. Against Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified in Thy saying, and clear when Thou art judged. 5. Behold, I was shapen in wickedness: and in sin hath my mother conceived me. 6. But lo, Thou requirest truth in the inward с parts and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly. 7. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8. Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice. 9. Turn Thy face from my sins: and put out all my misdeeds. 10. Make me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me. II. Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy holy Spirit from me. 12. O give me the comfort of Thy help again : and stablish me with Thy free Spirit. 13. Then shall I teach Thy ways unto the wicked and sinners shall be converted unto Thee. 14. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou that art the God of my health and my tongue shall sing of Thy righteousness. 15. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord: and my mouth shall show Thy praise. 16. For Thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it Thee: but Thou delightest not in burntofferings. 17. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt Thou not despise. 18. O be favourable and gracious unto Sion: build Thou the walls of Jerusalem. Glory be, &c. [Psalms vi., xxv., xxxii., xxxviii., lxxxvi., cxxx., and cxliii. are more or less penitential, and any of them may be used with, or instead of, this Psalm.] TAKE PARTICULAR NOTICE OF THESE WORDS A OF THE CHURCH. ND because it is requisite, that no man should come to the Holy Communion, but with a full trust in God's mercy, and with a quiet conscience; therefore if there be any of you, who by this means cannot quiet his own conscience herein, but requireth further comfort or counsel, let him come to me, or to some other Minister of God's Word, and open his grief; that he may receive such godly counsel and advice, as may tend to the quieting of his conscience and the removing of all scruple and doubtfulness. |