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 obstacle to  this  Sacrament;  that  is,  with  the  guilt  of  any mortal sin  whatever;  which  you  can  answer  for  to  yourself,  if  you  have  made  as  exact,  as  fervent,  and  as  perfect a confession,  as  you  would  wish  to  have  made,  at  the  hour of your  death. You should  certainly  be  thus  careful  and fervent, because  there  is  not  less  purity  required  to  receive Jesus  Christ,  than  to  appear  before  God  in  judgment.

Above all  things,  remember,  that  the  essential  point  in this  proving  of  yourself,  is,  to  quit  the  occasions  of  sin,  and to repair  the  scandal  it  hath  caused;  without  which,  the accusation of  sin,  and  the  detestation  of  it,  are  absolutely insufficient.

But, this  purity  of  conscience,  which  is  exempt  from mortal sin,  and  from  every  criminal  attachment,  though  it may  prevent  the  communion  from  being  sacrilegious,  is  not enough to  render  it  as  fruitful,  and  as  advantageous  as  it should  be. The more  you  prepare  yourself  for  this  sacrament, the  greater- abundance  of  grace  will  you  acquire. Be on your  guard,  then,  against  a  fault  so  very  common  at present,  which  is,  not  to  think  seriously  of  approaching the holy  table,  till  the  very  day  preceding  the  communion; this is  to  receive  without  preparation,  and  consequently with scarce  any  advantage. Here, then,  are  some  pious practices, which  may  be  profitable.

First, some  days  before  your  communion,  perform  all your actions  and  prayers,  in  order  to  obtain  the  graces  necessary for  this  important  duty:  offer  them  up  in  the morning with  this  intention;  do  some  good  works,  such as an  alms,  an  act  of  mortification,  or  a  fast,  with  this same design.

Secondly. Visit Our  Lord  in  the  blessed  Sacrament, morning and  evening,  on  these  days,  to  beg  that  he  would himself; by  his  grace,  dispose  your  heart  to  receive  him worthily.

Thirdly. Read some  book  that  treats  of  the  Blessed Eucharist — such as  the  fourth  book  of  the  Following  of Christ.

Fourthly. On the  eve  of  your  communion  be  more  recollected  than  usual:  thinking  often  upon  the  happiness you are  to  have  in  receiving  your  God. Let this  be  your last thought  at  composing  yourself  to  rest;  and  let  it  be also  the  first  you  shall  have  at  waking.

Fifthly. Represent to  your  imagination,  that  your  Angel