A Commination, or Denouncing of God's Anger and Judgements against Sinners, With certain Prayers, to be used on the first Day of Lent, and at other times, as the Ordinary shall appoint

Now seeing that all they are accursed (as the prophet David bears witness) who do err and go astray from the commandments of God; let us (remembering the dreadful judgement hanging over our heads, and always ready to fall upon us) return unto our Lord God, with all contrition and meekness of heart;¹

bewailing and lamenting our sinful life, acknowledging and confessing our offences, and seeking to bring forth worthy fruits of penance.²

For now is the axe put unto the root of the trees, so that every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God: he shall pour down rain upon the sinners, snares, fire and brimstone, storm and tempest; this shall be their portion to drink.³

For lo, the Lord has come out of his place to visit the wickedness of such as dwell upon the earth. But who may abide the day of his coming? Who shall be able to endure when he appears?⁴

His fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the barn; but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.⁵

The day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night: and when men shall say, Peace, and all things are safe, then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as sorrow comes upon a woman travailing with child, and they shall not escape.⁶

Then shall appear the wrath of God in the day of vengeance, which obstinate sinners, through the stubbornness of their heart, have heaped unto themselves; which despised the goodness, patience, and long-sufferance of God, when he calls them continually to repentance.⁷

Then shall they call upon me, (says the Lord,) but I will not hear; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me; and that, because they hated knowledge, and received not the fear of the Lord, but abhorred my counsel, and despised my correction. Then shall it be too late to knock when the door shall be shut; and too late to cry for mercy when it is the time of justice. O terrible voice of most just judgement, which shall be pronounced upon them, when it shall be said unto them, Go, you cursed, into the fire everlasting, which is prepared for the devil and his angels.⁸

Therefore, brethren, take we heed betime, while the day of salvation lasts; for the night comes, when none can work. But let us, while we have the light, believe in the light, and walk as children of the light; that we be not cast into utter darkness, where is weeping and gnashing of teeth.⁹

Let us not abuse the goodness of God, who calls us mercifully to amendment, and of his endless pity promises us forgiveness of that which is past, if with a perfect and true heart we return unto him.¹⁰

For though our sins be as red as scarlet, they shall be made white as snow; and though they be like purple, yet they shall be made white as wool. Turn you (says the Lord) from all your wickedness, and your sin shall not be your destruction: Cast away from you all your ungodliness that you have done: Make you new hearts, and a new spirit: Wherefore will you die, O you house of Israel, seeing that I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, says the Lord God? Turn you then, and you shall live.¹¹

Although we have sinned, yet have we an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins. For he was wounded for our offences, and smitten for our wickedness.¹²

Let us therefore return unto him, who is the merciful receiver of all true penitent sinners;¹³

assuring ourselves that he is ready to receive us, and most willing to pardon us, if we come unto him with faithful repentance; if we submit ourselves unto him, and from henceforth walk in his ways; if we will take his easy yoke, and light burden upon us, to follow him in lowliness, patience, and charity, and be ordered by the governance of his Holy Spirit; seeking always his glory, and serving him duly in our vocation with thanksgiving:¹⁴ This if we do, Christ will deliver us from the curse of the law, and from the extreme malediction which shall light upon them that shall be set on the left hand; and he will set us on his right hand, and give us the gracious benediction of his Father, commanding us to take possession of his glorious kingdom: Unto which he vouchsafe to bring us all, for his infinite mercy. Amen.¹⁵