In the late Romish Church the chiefest part of this probatiō was attri∣buted vnto auriculer confessiō. For the papistes did cōmaūd all thē which would receaue the Sacramēt, diligently and straightly to examine their life, and that they should exonerate thē selues of all their sinnes into the Priestes eares.
But S. Paul requireth an other maner of preparing and probatiō. This probation consisteth in two things, that is, in faith and repentaūce. Faith receiueth doctrine, and repentaunce requireth conuersion of life. First therfore let man proue him selues, that is, let hym be armed with faith, when he commeth to this holy mysterie,* 1.1 as Paul sayth in an other place: Vosmet ipsos tentate, si estis in fide, ipsi vosmet probate.
Secondly let not our minds burne with filthy lustes of auarice, hatred, whoredome & such like, but let our life be pure and adourned with good workes & so let vs come to this heauēly banquet: Notwithstanding they are not to be heard, which will bind and referre this probatī to such pu∣ritie of life to be had in our good workes, as cā scarcely be foūde. But obe∣dience begon in vs of a godly life and a set purpose to go forward in godli¦nes pertaine to this probation and profe. Therfore if thou aspire with an earnest and serious mind to the righteousnes of god, & if thou be hūbled with the knowledge of thine owne misery, & doost rest wholly in ye faith of Christ, thē persuade & resolue thy self to be a worthy gest of this misti¦call table, I meane, a worthy gest, whō God doth not exclude, although ther be imperfection in thee & som thing to be desired in thee. For faith, but euē begō doth make at lēgth of vnworthy mē worthy persōs. For other