obstacle to this Sacrament; that is, with the guilt of any mortal sin whatever; which you can answer for to yourself, if you have made as exact, as fervent, and as perfect a confession, as you would wish to have made, at the hour of your death. You should certainly be thus careful and fervent, because there is not less purity required to receive Jesus Christ, than to appear before God in judgment.
Above all things, remember, that the essential point in this proving of yourself, is, to quit the occasions of sin, and to repair the scandal it hath caused; without which, the accusation of sin, and the detestation of it, are absolutely insufficient.
But, this purity of conscience, which is exempt from mortal sin, and from every criminal attachment, though it may prevent the communion from being sacrilegious, is not enough to render it as fruitful, and as advantageous as it should be. The more you prepare yourself for this sacrament, the greater- abundance of grace will you acquire. Be on your guard, then, against a fault so very common at present, which is, not to think seriously of approaching the holy table, till the very day preceding the communion; this is to receive without preparation, and consequently with scarce any advantage. Here, then, are some pious practices, which may be profitable.
First, some days before your communion, perform all your actions and prayers, in order to obtain the graces necessary for this important duty: offer them up in the morning with this intention; do some good works, such as an alms, an act of mortification, or a fast, with this same design.
Secondly. Visit Our Lord in the blessed Sacrament, morning and evening, on these days, to beg that he would himself; by his grace, dispose your heart to receive him worthily.
Thirdly. Read some book that treats of the Blessed Eucharist — such as the fourth book of the Following of Christ.
Fourthly. On the eve of your communion be more recollected than usual: thinking often upon the happiness you are to have in receiving your God. Let this be your last thought at composing yourself to rest; and let it be also the first you shall have at waking.
Fifthly. Represent to your imagination, that your Angel
