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Blessed be the LORD GOD of Israel: world without end. Amen.

Glory be to the FATHER, &c.
As it was in the beginning, &c.

SHROVE TUESDAY.

"Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD."-Lam. iii. 40.

In this week of Quinquagesima, especially on this day, all the faithful in ancient times made confession of their sins, and they who had fallen under the strict discipline of the Church were put to open penance. Shrove-tide is the preparation for Lent, and, as its very name implies, it is the time of confession.

But this ancient discipline no longer exists. What then is the sinful soul to do? the soul that feels its wounds and longs for its bands to be loosed, and its spirit to be renewed, is there for such no balm in Gilead? no Physician there? Blessed be GOD -"the Blood of JESUS CHRIST cleanseth from all sin." And he that cannot quiet his own conscience by self-examination, by bewailing and confessing his sins to GOD, with full purpose of amendment of life, and

by applying to JESUS through the general means of His Church, is invited to come to Him through His Priests, that, by opening his grief to them also in confession, he may receive by their ministry the benefits of absolution. O blessed ordinance of restoration for all contrite hearts, by the power of those words, "Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them." And O salutary correction when it is necessary to apply that discipline, "whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained."

Now then, my soul, as thou enterest upon this season of repentance, "prepare to meet thy GOD." And remember how thou art warned by the Spirit of JESUS, and by the practice of His Church, to pass these forty days in sorrow and humiliation, in reading GOD's holy Word, and in public prayer,and to nourish thy spiritual life by devotion, by alms-deeds, by fasting, by watching, by confession, by attendance at the Holy Sacrifice and Sacrament of the Altar, by meditation, by forgiveness of others, by making restitution and satisfaction, and by doing all things in charity, that thou mayest adorn the doctrine of GOD thy SAVIOUR; and be so transformed by the renewing of thy mind, that thou mayest "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of GOD."

O most true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that "CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." O think upon Thy servant, Blessed LORD, as concerning Thy Word, wherein Thou hast caused me to put my trust: take back the prodigal, the fugitive from Thy Presence; embrace him at length, returning to his most loving FATHER, with the Arms of Love. O forgive Thy penitent all his sins, and blot out all his transgressions, and give him peace through Thy merits and mediation. Amen.

A Prayer for Christ's Church in England.

That this Church and nation may truly turn to Thee;

That we may remember from whence we are fallen, and repent and do the first works;

That we may hear what the SPIRIT saith unto the Churches;

That we may be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die;

That we may keep Thy Word, and not deny Thy Name;

That we may be clothed with white raiment, and that the shame of our nakedness do not appear;

Help us, O LORD.

That it may please Thee to rebuke` and chasten us;

That Thou mayest give us grace to confess our sins, and to lay open our wounds;

That Thy absolving Word may have power amongst us;

That we may have the dispositions of godly sorrow and compunction; That we may bring forth fruits meet for repentance;

That all our works may be done in charity;

That Thou mayest anoint our eyes with eye-salve, that we may see; From pride and avarice;

From the too great love of earthly comforts;

From lukewarmness and indifference;

From spiritual blindness;

From the peril of knowing, and not
doing the things of the Gospel;
From the secret desire for pomp
vanity;

From indulging our appetite;
From all intemperance;

O GOD, make speed to save us.
O LORD, make haste to help us.

and

Grant this, O LORD.

Good LORD, deliver us.

O LORD, be gracious unto Thy servant, And in the midst of judgment remember mercy.

O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of years,

And restore the ancient paths.

I commend to Thee, O LORD, all poor sinners, that Thou mayest convert and heal them; I commend to Thee all who are in error, that Thou mayest bring them to Thy Truth; I commend to Thee all troubled souls, who are hindered from seeking Thee in Thy appointed means of grace, that Thou mayest give them the things they need, and accept in them the will for the deed; I commend to Thee the prayers of all who long for unity in Thy Church, and beseech Thee to accomplish them in Thy good time.

O Holy FATHER, look upon the Face of Thy CHRIST, and grant us all the grace to know Thee, to love Thee, and to praise Thee, together with Thy beloved SON and the HOLY SPIRIT, now and for ever. Amen. Our FATHER, &c.

The LORD bless us, and keep us; the LORD lift up the light of His countenance upon us, and give us peace now and for evermore. Amen.

PSALM LVIII. Si vere utique.

Are your minds set upon righteousness, O ye congregation and do ye judge the thing that is right, O ye sons of men?

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