The instruction of youth in Christian piety taken out of the sacred Scriptures, and Holy Fathers; divided into five parts. With a very profitable instruction for meditation, or mental prayer. By Charles Gobinet, Doctor of Divinity, of the House and Society of Sorbon, principal of the College of Plessis-Sorbon. The last edition in French, now render'd into English.

CHAP. X.

An Advice for Communicating well.

PRepare your self the best that is possi∣ble. Beg of God in your Morning Prayers, and the Night before, the Grace to prepare your self to Receive him wor∣thily. All the Morning keep your Mind much recollected, by reflecting upon the great Action you are about to perform, and say often within your self that which David said when he made the Preparati∣ons for the Building of a Temple for God. Grande opus est, non enim homini praeparatur habitatio, sed Deo. It is a great Work wherein one prepares a Dwelling not for Man, but for God. It is Jesus Christ, Theotime, true God, and true Man, for whom you prepare an Habitation in your Soul, you must then prepare one worthy of him.

Be diligent to go to the Church to of∣fer your Prayers to God, and Confess your self; wherein you shall ask of your Con∣fessor, whether he think it convenient you

should Communicate, and if he judge it fit, you shall prepare your self in this manner.

Take about half an Hour before Com∣munion, wherein recollecting your thoughts within your self, you shall per∣form that which follows. 1. Humble your self profoundly before our Lord Jesus Christ, acknowledging your self un∣worthy to receive him; Unworthy by rea∣son of his Greatness and Sanctity; Un∣worthy by reason of your own Sins. Er∣gone credibile est, ut habitet Deus cum homi∣nibus? Is it therefore possible (said Solomon, having built the Temple) that God should dwell amongst Men? 2. Beg of him Par∣don for your Sins, which make you un∣worthy to Receive him. 3. Implore his Grace to Receive him worthily, that is, with a pure Conscience, with a lively Faith, with a profound Humility, with an ardent love of his Goodness, and with an inviolable Resolution to Serve him all your Life. If you know any Prayers for Com∣munion, say them, but with Attention and Feeling.

The time of Communion being come, leave all your vocal Prayers, approach mo∣destly to the Altar, with your Eyes cast down, not looking on one side or the other, nor pressing to come first, but let∣ting the Crowd pass, if there be any. Be∣ing upon your Knees, Adore our Lord from the bottom of your Heart; and after ha∣ving said the Confiteor, and Domine non sum dignus, with a true Sentiment of your own

unworthiness, with a firm Faith, and most profound Humility, Receive the God of Heaven, and the Saviour of your Soul.

Being retir'd from the Altar, say not presently your Vocal Prayers upon your Book, but entertain your self some time inwardly with your Saviour which you enjoy within you. 1. Adore him pro∣foundly. 2. Admire his Goodness, to come and Visit you himself, saying to him that which St. Elizabeth said to the B. Virgin, Whence proceeds this honor, that my God comes to visit me? Acknowledge that you are undeserving that Favour. 3. Demand Pardon for your Sins, and Sorrow for ha∣ving offended God, who gives Himself to you with so much Love and Bounty. Pro∣test to him, that you will always love him, and never separate your self from him again. 4. Represent unto him the Ne∣cessities of your Soul, begging of him the Graces you have most need of, to resist Temptations, to avoid wicked Company, and Occasions of offending God, and ru∣ining your self, and to cure your deprav'd Habits. 5. Give him thanks for the Fa∣vor he hath done you, in admitting you to receive him; and in acknowledgment of his Benefit, offer him your Soul, your Powers, your Life, all that you have, and all you can do to Love and Serve him for ever. All this must be perform'd in a short time, but with much servor.

Return modestly from the Church, and make all the rest of the Day relish of this

pious Action. Be extreme modest in all you do; Be present at the Sermon and Evensong, if you can, and employ some Hours in reading good Books. Converse not much with others, except with pious Persons. Entertain your self with Reli∣gious Discourses, and let this be your chiefest Recreation all that Day.

Notes

• First thing to be done to Com∣municate well.
• 1 Par. 29.
• Second.
• Third Prepara∣tion for Com∣munion.
• Et unde hoc mihi, ut veni∣at mater Do∣mini ad me? Luc. 1.
• Diligam te, Domine, for∣titudo mea, Dominus fir∣mamentum meum, & re∣fugium me∣um, & libera∣tor meus. Psal. 17.