re be any of you, who by this means
cannot quiet his own conscience herein, but requireth further
comfort or counsel, let him come to me, or to some other discreet
and learned Minister of God's Word, and open his grief; that by
the ministry of God's holy Word he may receive the benefit of
absolution, together with ghostly counsel and advice, to the
quieting of his conscience, and avoiding of all scruple and
doubtfulness.

_The following may be said, instead of the former, in case the
Presbyter shall see the people negligent to come to the Holy
Communion_.

Dearly beloved brethren, on------I intend, by God's grace, to
celebrate the Lord's Supper: unto which, in God's behalf, I bid
you all that are here present; and beseech you, for the Lord Jesus
Christ's sake, that ye will not refuse to come thereto, being so
lovingly called and bidden by God himself. Ye know how grievous
and unkind a thing it is, when a man hath prepared a rich feast,
decked his table with all kind of provision, so that there lacketh
nothing but the guests to sit down; and yet they who are called
(without any cause) most unthankfully refuse to come. Which of
you in such a case would not be moved? Who would not think a great
injury and wrong done unto him? Wherefore, most dearly beloved in
Christ, take ye good heed, lest ye, withdrawing yourselves from
this holy supper, provoke God's indignation against you. It is an
easy matter for a man to say, I will not communicate, because I am
otherwise hindered with worldly business. But such excuses are not
so easily accepted and allowed before God. If any man say, I am a
grievous sinner, and therefore am afraid to come: wherefore then
do ye not repent and amend? When God calleth you, are ye not
ashamed to say ye will not come? When ye should return to God,
will ye excuse yourselves, and say ye are not ready? Consider
earnestly with yourselves how little such feigned excuses will
avail before God. They that refused the feast in the Gospel,
because they had bought a farm, or would try their yokes of oxen,
or because they were married, were not so excused, but counted
unworthy of the heavenly feast. I, for my part, shall be ready;
and according to mine Office, I bid you in the Name of God, I
call you in Christ's behalf, I exhort you, as ye love your own
salvation, that ye will be partakers of this holy Communion. And
as the Son of God did vouchsafe to yield up his soul by death upon
the Cross for your salvati