declare my iniquity, and be sorry for my sin. And this will necessarily teach us that we must confess ourselves to God, not in general terms, that we are sinners with the rest of mankind; but by a special declaration to God of all our most heinous sins, with all their several aggravations, laying open our sores to our heavenly physician, and firmly resolving to lead a new life.

5. Do not think then that it is enough to -confess our sins to God, and to be unfeignedly concerned and sorrowful for having offended him; this is far short of a true repentance. No, my soul, that would be adding sin to sin, and grieving the Holy Spirit by our mockery of God. But you must remember. that as our sins are against God, and against our neighbour, so repent-ance implies not only our sorrow for sin, but an endeavour to undo, as far as we can, whatever we have done amiss. And,

6. Therefore the church directs, you Ishall perceive your offences to be such as -are not only against God, but also against your neighbours, then you shall reconcile yourself unto them, being ready to make restitution and satisfaction, according to the utmost of your power, for all injuries and wrongs done by you to any other; and being likewise ready to forgive others that have offended you, as you would have forgiveness of your own offences at God's hands.

But what sayest thou, my soul? If I am able to make no restitution or satisfaction at all, for the injury I have done my neighbour, must I not come to the Sacrament; provided I acknowledge and confess my sin to God, and promise in my mind to make amends whenever I am able?

7. Yes, certainly; for as God requires no impossibilities, so he expects of us no more than we are able to do; and this being all the repentance we can show under an inability of making satisfaction for the present, we may be well assured, that where such a resolution of being just and honest is attended with a hearty contrition, that will be sufficient till we are able to put it in execution.

8. So that the sum of what I have said is this, that confession and restitution are the two external tokens of repentance; and I am persuaded, that the rule and measure of confession (to the parties injured) is the benefit and the good that would come by it: and the rule and measure of restitution is a man's ability of making it. So that where mischief and no good would come by confession, there I may repent without confession, except to God. And where I am able to make no restitution, there I may repent sincerely without it; and so may come to the Holy Sacrament, though I have done much wrong and injury. Yet, as the exhortation directs,* * See the exhortation to the Communion Service of the church.

in cases of difficulty we ought to consult our

spiritual guide.

The Hymn on Wednesday Morning,

On confession of sins to God.

IF I keep silence, and conceal

My heavy guilt within my heart,
What torments doth my conscience feel!
What agonies of inward smart!

I spread my sins before the Lord,
And all my secret faults confess;
Thy gospel speaks a pard'ning word,
Thy Holy Spirit seals the grace.

For this shall every humble soul
Make swift addresses to thy seat;
When floods of huge temptations roll,
There shall they find a bless'd retreat.

How safe beneath thy wings I lie,

When days grow dark and storms appear! And when I walk, thy watchful eye Shall guide me safe from ev'ry snare.

ANOTHER.

How blest the man, for ever blest,
Whose guilt is pardon'd by his God;
Whose sins with sorrow are confess'd,
And cover'd with his Saviour's blood!

Blest is the man to whom the Lord
Imputes not his iniquities;
He pleads no merit of reward,
And not on worth but grace relies.

From guilt his lips and heart are free,
His humble joy, his holy fear,
With deep repentance well agree,
And join to prove his faith sincere.

How glorious is that righteousness
That hides and cancels all his sins;
While a bright evidence of grace

Thro' his whole life appears and shines.

The Prayer on Wednesday Morning.

For resignation and assistance.

GOD, the creator and preserver of all mankind, by thee I have been holden up ever since I was born; and by thy goodness it is, that I have been preserved the night

past from all perils and dangers. Grant me a perpetual sense of thy goodness, that so the remembrance of thy past favours may beget in me such a humble reliance on thy fatherly care and good providence, that I may perfectly resign myself to thy disposal in all things, as most just and righteous.

O let me never abuse thy patience, nor despise thy goodness; but let thy fear be always before my eyes, that I may not sin against thee, but that, giving up myself entirely to thy service, I may endeavour in all things to obey thy blessed will, and to keep a conscience void of offence both toward thee, and toward all men.

For which end, O Lord, vouchsafe me the assistance of thy Holy Spirit, for of myself I am not able to please thee, my nature being corrupt, and miserably prone to what is evil. I am every way beset with temptations, and my own experience sadly teaches me, how easily I am drawn away by the deceitful tempter. But, O thou, who art the Saviour of all that put their trust in thee, deliver me, I beseech thee, from that cruel enemy of my soul, who is daily lying in wait to destroy me; be thou my strong hold, whereunto I may always resort, and evermore mightily defend me; for thou hast been my succour ever since I was born; O leave me not to myself, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.