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Of Examination before Communion.
249

So prompt to ease and pleasures of the flesh, so dull to strictness of life:

So curious to hear what is new, and to see what is beautiful, so slow to embrace what is humble and low:

So covetous of abundance, so niggardly in giving, so close in keeping:

So inconsiderate in speech, so reluctant to keep silence:

So eager about food, so deaf to the word of God:

In such a hurry to rest, so slow to labour:

So wakeful in vain talk, so drowsy at sacred services:

So hasty to arrive at the end thereof, so inclined to be wandering and inattentive:

So negligent in the prayers, so lukewarm in celebrating the holy eucharist, so dry and heartless in receiving it:

So quickly distracted, so seldom entirely collected within thyself.

So suddenly moved to anger, so apt to take displeasure against another:

So ready to judge, so severe to reprove:

So joyful in prosperity, so weak in adversity:

So often making good resolutions, and yet bringing them at last to none effect.

3. These and other thy defects being confessed and bewailed with sorrow and great displeasure at thine own infirmity, make thou a firm resolution always to amend thy life, and to endeavour always after progress in holiness.

Then with full resignation and with thy whole will