SCOTCH LITURGY 1637.

BOOK OF K. CHARLES II. 1662. and so to search and examine your own consciences (and that not lightly, and after the manner of dissemblers with God; but so) that ye may come holy and clean to such a heavenly feast, in the marriage garment required by God in holy Scripture, and be received as worthy partakers of that holy Table.

The way and means thereto is, First to examine your lives and conversations by the rule of God's commandments: and wherein soever ye shall perceive yourselves to have offended, either by will, word, or deed, there to bewail your own sinfulness, and to confess yourselves to Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life.

And if ye shall perceive your offences to be such, as are not only against God, but also against your neighbours; then ye shall reconcile yourselves unto them, being ready to make restitution and satisfaction, according to the uttermost of your powers, for all injuries and wrongs done by you to any other; and being likewise ready

I. BOOK K. EDW. VI. 1549.

give you. [And if any man have done wrong to any other, let him make satisfaction and due restitution of all lands and goods wrongfully taken away or withholden, before he come to God's board; or at the least be in full mind and purpose so to do, as soon as he is able; or else let him not come to this holy table, thinking to deceive God, who seeth all men's hearts. For neither the absolution of the Priest can any thing avail them, nor the receiving of this holy sacrament doth any thing but increase their damnation.] And if there be any of you whose conscience is troubled and grieved in any thing, lacking comfort or counsel, let him come to me, or to some other discreet and learned priest, taught in the law of God, and confess and open his sin and grief secretly, that he may receive such ghostly counsel, advice, and comfort, that his conscience may be relieved, and that of us (as of the ministers of God and of the church) he may receive comfort and absolution, to the satisfaction of his mind, and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness; requiring such as shall be satisfied with a general confession, not to be offended with them that do use, to their further satisfy

II. BOOK 1552.

fended you, as you would have forgiveness of your offences at God's hand: for otherwise the receiving of the holy Communion doth nothing else but increase your damnation.

[In the Order of the Communion' 1548, the passage in Brackets on the left, relative to Restitution, is not found. The only variation in this place of the Book of 1548 from that of 1549.]

And 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 which by the means aforesaid cannot quiet his own conscience, but requireth further comfort or counsel; then let him come to me, or some other discreet and learned minister [presbyter or minister, Sc. Lit.] of God's word, and open his grief, that he may receive such ghostly counsel, advice, and comfort, as his conscience may be relieved, and that by the ministry of God's word, he may receive comfort, and the benefit of absolution, to the quieting of his conscience, and avoid

BOOK OF K. CHARLES II. 1662.

to forgive others that have offended you, as ye would have forgiveness of your offences at God's hand: for otherwise the receiving of the holy Communion doth nothing else but increase your damnation. [Therefore if any of you be a blasphemer of God, an hinderer or slanderer of his Word, an adulterer, or be in malice or envy, or in any other grievous crime; repent you of your sins, or else come not to that holy Table; lest after the taking of that holy Sacrament, the Devil enter into you, as he entered into Judas, and fill you full of all iniquities, and bring you to destruction both of body and soul.] And 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 discreet and learned Minister of God's Word, and open his grief; that by the ministry of God's holy Word, he may receive the benefit of absolution, together with ghostly counsel and advice, to the quieting of his conscience, and

SCOTCH LITURGY 1637.

[The passage to the left in Brackets occurs in all the other Books in the Exhortation, 'Dearly beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come,' &c. See the Appendix XVI. 2.]

I. BOOK K. EDW. VI. 1549.

ing, the auricular and secret confession to the priest; nor those also which think needful or convenient, for the quietness of their own consciences, particularly to open their sins to the priest, to be offended with them that are satisfied with their humble confession to God, and the general confession to the church: but in all things to follow and keep the rule of charity; and every man to be satisfied with his own conscience, not judging other men's minds or consciences; whereas he hath no warrant of God's word to the

same.

[In comparing the above with the parallel columns, it will be observed that the latter part was omitted in the Book of 1552, and following Books.]

[In the First Book of K. Edw. this Exhortation immediately follows the Nicene Creed, with this Rubric:

After the Creed ended shall follow the Sermon or Homily, &c.; wherein if the people be not exhorted to the worthy receiving of the holy sacrament of the body and blood of our Saviour Christ, then shall the Curate give this exhortation to those that be minded to receive the same.

But in the Order of the Communion,' viii. March MDXLVIII. is prefixed the following Rubric:

The time of the Communion shall be immediately after that the Priest himself hath received the Sacrament, without the varying of any other right or ceremony in the mass, (until other order shall be provided,) lut as heretofore usually the Priest hath done with the Sacrament of

BOOK OF K. CHARLES II. 1662.

avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness.

SCOTCH LITURGY 1637.

At the time of the celebration of the Communion, the communicants being conveniently placed for the receiving of the holy Sacrament, the Priest shall say this exhortation.

Then shall the Presbyter say this Exhortation.

[In the New Communion office of the Church of Scotland, this Exhortation precedes the Offertory.]