Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/391

 1. Self-probation. II. Excitement of devotion. III. Prayer for  grace.

The necessity  of  self-probation is  shewn: i.  By  the sacrifices of  the  Old  Testament, which  were  but  signs, shadows and  figures  of  this sacrament, and yet  were  to be  performed  only  by  pure  and holy persons. It is  wonderful with what  a number  of  rites and ceremonies  those  who  offered them  were  to  be  purified.

2. By  those  most  solemn words of  the  Apostle, in  which he declares  that  those  who  receive unworthily  are  guilty  of the  Body  and  Blood  of  the Lord. Oh, how  necessary  is it  to  listen  seriously  to  his warning, or  rather  threat; Let a man  prove  himself,  and so let  him  eat  of  this  bread, &amp;c.

3. By  reason  itself,  since holy things  should  be  dealt with only  in  a holy  manner; and what  is  more  holy  than this sacrament,  in  which  is present  the  very  Holy  of  holies?

I. Examine, then,  thy  conscience first  of  all,  and  if thou  find  it  guilty  of  any considerable sin,  thou  wilt clear it  in  the  sacrament  of penance, that  thou  mayest not come  unworthily,  and eat judgment  to  thyself. Thou wilt  also  endeavour to remove  thy  lighter  faults, and thy  souls  inordinate affections, in  order  to  derive from  this  sacrament the fuller  fruit. Then conceive an  inward  sorrow  for thy sins,  with  firm  purpose of amendment.

O my most  loving  God, my Creator  and  my  Saviour! from the  bottom  of  my  heart I am sorry  that  I have  ever offended thee,  my  Lord  and my .God,— thee whom  I ought to love  above  all  things,  because thou  art  good  above  all things, and  hast  given  me  the greatest blessings; and  I,  alas! wretched and  ungrateful  sinner, have  rendered  thee  only evil for  good.

But, O Lord,  be  favourable to my  sins; for  I now  firmly purpose and  determine  not  to offend  thee  any  more,  and  to avoid  all  occasions  of  sin; and therefore I now  desire  to  receive this  sacrament,  that  I may  be  confirmed  in  thy  love, and fortified  against  all  the occasions of  sinning,  that  thou mayest remain  in  me,  and  I in  thee.

II. Consider whether  thou comest with  an  upright  and pure intention,  or  only  from custom, or other  unregulated motive,  to  these  holy mysteries. It is  very  useful, moreover, to  examine  thy  intention; because  it  is  the  in-