"THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION." 2 Cor. v. 8, 9. Now mark this. When you come to examine yourself carefully, the sin or sins, about which you question yourself, may trouble you. Hear, then, what the Church says: "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 cannot quiet his own conscience, 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 avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness." Note here two things,—(1) You are to seek "counsel" of God's ministers about yourself and your sins. "The Priest's lips," it is written, Malachi ii. 7, "shall keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth." It is not good for us to be always our own advisers. If you are sick in body you go to your Doctor; and if you are sick in soul you should go to your Pastor. (2) You are to seek the "benefit of Absolution." God "has given power and commandment to His ministers to declare and pronounce to His people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins." If you are truly penitent, the pardon pronounced on earth will be ratified in Heaven. "Be not ashamed to confess thy sins."-Ecclus. iv. 26. The Preparation. A PRAYER TO BE USED BEFORE SEEKING THE BENEFIT OF ABSOLUTION." O Lord God Almighty, Holy Father, trusting in Thy mercy and never failing goodness, I come before Thee humbly, with prayer and supplication, and in sorrow for my sins. I pray Thee to grant me a true repentance. Have compassion upon me, and blot out my transgressions. Spare me, O Lord, spare me. Heal Thou Thy servant, for I have sinned against Thee. May the pardon that is pronounced by Thy Priest be ratified by Thee. Hear Thou in Heaven Thy dwelling place; and, when Thou hearest, forgive. Say unto me, "Arise." Raise Thou me up, O good Lord, from the death of sin to the new life of righteousness. And so guard and guide me by Thy Holy Spirit, that those things may please Thee which I do at this present; and that at the last I may come to Thy eternal joy. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. I A FORM OF CONFESSION TO A PRIEST. N the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. I confess to God the Father Almighty, to His Only-Begotten Son Jesus Christ, and to God the Holy Ghost, before the whole Company of Heaven, and to you His Priest [or, to you my spiritual father], that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, by my fault, by my own fault, by my most grievous fault. Here name in what particulars you have sinned, and then add :— For these and all my other sins which I cannot now remember, I am heartily sorry, firmly purpose amendment, most humbly ask pardon of God; and of you His Priest [or, of you my spiritual father], penance, counsel, and absolution. After you have made a Confession of your sins, the Priest, if you humbly and heartily desire God's pardon, will pronounce Absolution with these words of the Church : THE FORM OF ABSOLUTION. JUR Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath left power with His Church to absolve all sinners that truly repent, and believe in Him, of His great mercy forgive thee thine offences. And by His authority committed unto me, I absolve thee from all thy sins, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Order for the Visitation of the Sick, Prayer Book. Or, perhaps with the following Form : LMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, Who of His great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Order for the Ministration of the Holy Communion. Remember that it is Christ Who really absolves you. Moses smote the Rock, but God made the water to flow therefrom. The Priest acts as the "Steward of the Mysteries of God." thoughts and heart on Christ. Fix your "Jesus said to Peter, "I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.""-S. Matt. xvi. 19. "Likewise said He to all the Apostles, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whosesoever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them.""-S. John xxii. 23. C |