The 1549 Prayer Book Holy Communion Service (spelling adapted to
render it more intelligible)

by Kendall Harmon

I cite here the exhortation:

Dear friends, and you especially on whose souls I have cure and
charge, on — – next I do intend, by God’s grace, to offer all such
as shall be godly disposed the most comfortable sacrament of the Body
and Blood of Christ, to be taken of them in remembrance of his most
fruitful and glorious passion: by the which passion we have obtained
remission of our sins, and be made partakers of the kingdom of heaven;
whereof we be assured and ascertained, if we come to the said
sacrament with hearty repentance for our offences, stedfast faith in
God’s mercy, and earnest mind to obey God’s will, and to offend no
more. Wherefore our duty is to come to these holy mysteries with most
hearty thanks to be given to Almighty God for his infinite mercy and
benefits given and bestowed upon his unworthy servants, for whom he
hath not only given his Body to death, and shed his Blood, but also
doth vouchsafe, in a sacrament and mystery, to give us his said Body
and Blood to feed upon spiritually. The which sacrament being so
divine and holy a thing, and so comfortable to them which receive it
worthily, and so dangerous to them that will presume to take the same
unworthily: my duty is to exhort you, in the mean season, to consider
the greatness of the thing, and to search and examine your own
consciences, and that not lightly, nor after the manner of dissimulers
with God, but as they which should come to a most godly and heavenly
banquet; not to come but in the marriage garment required of God in
the Scripture; that you may (so much as lieth in you) be found worthy
to come to such a table. The ways and means thereto is, first, that
you be truly repentant of your former evil life; and that you confess
with an unfeigned heart to Almighty God, your sins and unkindness
towards his Majesty committed, either by will, word, or deed,
infirmity or ignorance; and that with inward sorrow and tears you
bewail your offences, and require of Almighty God mercy and pardon,
promising to him (from the bottom of your hearts) the amendment of
your former life. And amongst all others, I am commanded of God
especially to move and exhort you to reconcile yourselves to your
neighbours, whom you have offended, or who hath offended you, putting
out of your hearts all hatred and malice against them, and to be in
love and charity with all the world, and to forgive others as you
would that God should forgive you. And if any man hath done wrong to
any other, let him make satisfaction and due restitution of all lands
and goods wrongfully taken away or witholden, before he come to God’s
board; or at the least be in full mind and purpose so to do, as soon
as he is able; or else let him not come to this holy table, thinking
to deceive God, who seeth all men’s hearts. For neither the absolution
of the priest can any thing avail them, nor the receiving of this holy
sacrament doth any thing but increase their damnation. And if there be
any of you whose conscience is troubled and grieved in any thing, let
him come to me, or to some other discreet and learned priest, taught
in the law of God, and confess and open his sin and grief secretly,
that he may receive such ghostly counsel, advice, and comfort, that
his conscience may be relieved, and that of us (as the ministers of
God and of the Church) he may receive comfort and absolution, to the
satisfaction of his mind, and avoiding of all scruple and
doubtfulness; requiring such as shall be satisfied with a general
confession not to be offended with them that do use, to their further
satisfying, the auricular and secret confession to the priest; nor
those also which think needful or convenient, for the quietness of
their own consciences, particularly to open their sins to the priest,
to be offended with them that are satisfied with their humble
confession to God, and the general confession to the Church: but in
all things to follow and keep the rule of charity; and every man to be
satisfied with his own conscience, not judging other men’s minds or
consciences; whereas he hath no warrant of God’s Word to the same.

http://www.kendallharmon.net/t19/index.php/t19/article/30323/

http://www.commonprayer.org/pb/pb1549.cfm