prayers, and by their liberality to the poor, their visiting the sick, and other like works of mercy, which works of mercy, with Cornelius his alms, did go up to heaven. It is wonderful to consider, and it may do a good man's heart good, to call to mind the uniform peace and peaceable union those first Christians retained among themselves, all assembled in one communion of Saints, to worship Him on earth with whom they hoped shortly to rejoice in heaven. They forgat not that charge left by Christ at His departure from the world: "By this shall men know that you are My disciples, that you love one another." Nor that loving entreaty of Abraham had with Lot: "Let there be no strife between thee and me, between thy herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are brethren." "Be of one mind," saith the Apostle, "live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you." And to the Ephesians he saith, "Let all bitterness, and anger, and wrath, be put away from you, with all malice; be courteous one to another, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake forgave you." "There is but one Body, one Spirit, one Faith, one Baptism, one God which is above all, through all, and in us all.” y Genesis xiii. 8. * 2 Cor. xiii. 11. b Ibid. 5, 6. • Acts v. 2. a Last of all, in this Mystery, as the faithful find tranquillity of conscience wrought within, so also do they find the spreading of charity towards men abroad; which charity "thinketh no evil, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." When as Christ our Saviour was now to celebrate His last Supper, He Himself washeth His disciples' feet, wipeth them with a towel, giveth a precedent of humility and love, admitteth Judas, that bare an evil mind towards Him, to His own dish, giveth him a sop, speaketh mildly unto him, which all were tokens of love. Should we not take example by our Lord and Master? When may we more fitly use that hymn of the Angels, respecting the common cause of joy we have, "Glory be to God on high, in earth peace, towards men goodwill" and not good-will in show, but even in singleness of heart. Wherefore to conclude with that of the Apostle St. Paul: "If there be any consolation in Christ, any comfort of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, be we of one accord. Let the same mind be in us that was in Christ, who humbled Himself, wherefore God hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." c Philippians ii. 10. CHAPTER XXVIII. OF THE MANNER IN PARTICULAR HOW THE FAITH FUL COMMUNICANT IS TO EXAMINE HIMSELF. 'HAT a Christian is to examine himself before THAT he presume to eat of this Bread and drink of this Cup, was before shewn to be the counsel of the Apostle St. Paul, or rather of Him from whom St. Paul spake. Now of the manner in particular of this examining. The first thing to be considered is, that a Christian think it not grievous to search the secrets and corners of his soul, which David, though a king, and called away with many affairs, yet ceased not to do, as appeareth in Psalm vi. Then let him go over the particulars of his whole life, as in what age, in what place, at what times, and in what company he hath lived? let him call to mind how he hath observed God's commandments, the works of mercy which he hath omitted, the seven capital sins, or any one of them, which he hath committed. In this manner, first, how he hath offended in pride, whether he hath desired vainglory for the goods of nature, as beauty, strength, youth; for the goods of this world, as land, cattle, rich clothing, silver, gold; for the goods of grace, knowledge, eloquence, wisdom, or other virtues. If he have despised or mocked others who have wanted any of these; if he hath feigned himself by hypocrisy more holy or virtuous than he hath been indeed; if he hath shewed himself by boasting to have magnified himself, that he hath had gifts singular before others; if he hath been proud of his kindred, or friends, or favour, or office, or dignity; if he hath disdained his kindred because of their poverty; if he hath been disobedient to superiors; if he hath trusted in his own wit; if he hath loved singularity in speech, singularity in fasting, singularity in prayer, neglecting that which is ordained by the Church; if he hath been curious in searching into high and intricate mysteries; if he hath been proud in justifying himself, and preferring his own deeds before the deeds of others. Secondly, in wrath: let him call to mind whether he hath been moved or stirred up to anger against any man ; if he have wished him any hurt in body, goods, or good name; if he have long time kept malice in his mind, often thinking how he might revenge; if he have vexed or troubled any man by suit, rather upon spleen than equity; if he have cursed or asked vengeance upon any, though it were his enemy; if he hath been impatient in time of trouble, sickness, or any other adversity. Thirdly, in envy: if he hath been glad of other men's hurt, and sorry for other men's profits, as their good fame, or prosperity whatsoever; if he have in himself defamed any, either privily or openly, or given help or countenance thereunto; if he have made debate or discord between party and party, or hath let to make peace and unity to the utmost of his power. Fourthly, in covetousness: let him bethink himself whether he hath taken other men's goods, by theft, or any other sinister or corrupt means, or had a will or purpose so to do; whether he hath withholden other men's goods wrongfully from them; whether he hath by fair promises fraudulently deceived any; whether he hath used any false wares, light weights, scant measures, or the like: whether he hath detained goods to his own use, which were intended to the use of others; whether he hath for advantage sake used falsehood in word or deed; whether he hath withdrawn his hand from charity, and refreshing poor people when he might have relieved them: last of all, whether he hath been desirous of heaping up worldly goods, rather than of laying up treasure in heaven. Fifthly, in sloth: if he have been negligent or careless in God's service, especially upon the Sunday and Holy-day, slothful to come to the church, |