Book IV. of J E S U S C H R I S T.

303
Church of Chrift, Converfion to Sinners , Peace co wounded Confciences, Comfort to the Afflicted, Strength to the Feeble, and to thy felf abundance of Grace, and an exceeding great Reward.
C H A P. VI.
An Jfi of Preparation before the Sacrament.
Difcifh^ OEhold, Lord, with thy wonted Mercy, D the Doubts and Confufions of my trou- bled BreafI:. For, when I look up to Heaven, and confiderthe Ma jefty of my Great, my Holy God- and from thence draw my eyes back upon my felf, and view my own Vilenefs and horrible Sinfulnefs j I am all perplexity, and Diftradion, and Horror. Thou biddefl me come ; and if I refufe or negled to com.- ply with that gracious Invitation, I forfake my own Mercy, and deprive my felf of Life and Happinefs. But if I come unworthily, i am equally miferable ^ and fhall be punifhed for the high Indignity, of bringing fo polluted a Guefl: to fo pure and heavenly a Feaft. What Courfe then (hall I take to befafe, when Danger and Death threaten on either hand ? I will even fly to thee, my God ; and, inftead of confukingvvithFlefli and Blood, or hearkning to the deceitful Infinuations of my too rafh, or too timorous Reafon, will ask Counfel of Thee, my Infallible and only Oracle in Difficulties, my never-failing Help in Neceflities and Diftreifes.
Teach me, I befeech thee, the right way, and lead ine in fuch Methods of Holy Preparation, as may be proper and fuitable to fo exalted an Acl of Religion. J know that thefe Approaches to thee in the Blefled Sacrament are exceeding beneficial apd delightful;
but
304 €)C tl^e imitation Book IV.
but make me know withal^, in what manner thou muft be approached^ to render that which is defirable in ic felf fafe and profitable to me in particular. Give me, I befeech thee, a due Senfe of the Greatnefs of the Myftery , and the Excellence of thy Mercy in it ; and, confequent to that, fill my Soul with pure and holy AfFe6lions, with earneil Longings, with Godly Sorrow, with fincere and iledfad Refolutions, with profound Reverence and ardent Devotion ; that my Heart may be a clean, though homely Receptacle for my Saviour, fach as he will not difdain ; and I fo well- difpofcd a Gueft at this Divine Feaft,this Spiritual Sa- crifice, that thou may'ft bid me welcome to thy Table, and the Food I receive there may nourifli me up to Health and Life Eternal. Amen,
Chap. VIL Of Self-Examination.
Chri[t^ A ^^'^^ ^^^ keepings, keep thy heart, and x\ whether Prielt or Private Chridian, take good heed, that, at thy coming to my holy Table thy Devotion confiit net in outward Gefture , and Pomp and Shew only. I am not to be impofed upon with fuch empty Formaliti;! , but require an upright, humble, and devout Mind; a Mind low and proftrate as thy Body, a ftedfait Faith and pure Intention , and unfeigned Zeal for God's honour. Therefore, before thou prefunie to approach, examine well how thou art qualified. Search every corner of thy Confcience, and do thv utmoft to purge and cait out all Remains of the old Leaven, Let no Sin unrepented of reproach thee; no Luft unmorcified divide thy AfFedions, and hinder thy free and entire Refignation to my Will.
Con-