The Small Catechism.
[Appendix I.] Morning Prayer.
it to them, saying, Take, drink ye all of it. This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins.
This
do. ye,
remembrance What
as
oft as ye drink
it, in
of Me.
is the benefit of such eating and drinking? Answer.
That is shown us in these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins;
namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation. How
can bodily eating and drinking do such great things? — Answer.
It
is not
the
eating
and
drinking,
in-
deed, that does them, but the words which stand here, namely: G4ven, and shed for you,
for the remission of sins. Which: words are, beside the bodily eating and drinking, as the chief thing in the Sacrament; and he that believes these words has what they say and express, namely, the forgiveness of sins. Who,
Í
then, receives
such Sacrament
worthily?
Answer.
Fasting and bodily preparation is, indeed, a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins. But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unfit; for the
words For you require altogether hearts.
believing
[Appendix I.] HOW
THE
HEAD
OF
THE
FAMILY
Should Teach His Household to Bless Themselves in the Morning and in the Evening.
Morning
Prayer.
In the morning, when you rise, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say: In the name
of God the Father,
Son, and
Holy Ghost. Amen. Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer: I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
" Then go to your work with joy, singing a hymn, as the Ten Commandments, or what
your devotion may suggest.
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