212. [214.] 74. I read in the presence of some Englishmen their customary prayers before the Holy Supper which declare how they should conduct themselves in order to have their sins forgiven them, a declaration which contains no mention of faith, and I said that it constitutes the essence of true religion.' Certain preachers who were for faith alone were listening, and they said that when they read that prayer in their churches, they altogether believed it to be the way of salvation; but when they thought in accordance with their doctrine about faith alone, they then thought otherwise. The English were praised for that prayer, and many believed that it accorded with their doctrine, but a number of them said that it was intended for the common people, and faith alone for the learned. They were asked whether they would risk the admonition that if they did not do as prescribed, Satan would enter as he did into Judas.** At that they went away and talked with each other about the matter. * "The way and means to be received as worthy partakers of that Holy Table is First, to examine your lives and Conversations by the rule of God's commandments, and wherein soever ye shall perceive yourselves to have offended either by will, word or deed, there to bewail your own sinfulness, and to confess yourselves to Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life; and if ye shall perceive your offences to be such, as are not only against God, but also against your neighbors, then ye shall reconcile yourselves unto them, being ready to make restitution and satisfaction according to the utmost of your power, for all injuries and wrongs done by you to any other, and being likewise ready to forgive others that have offended you, as ye would have forgiveness of your offences of God's hand, for otherwise the receiving of the Holy Communion doth nothing else but increase your damnation. Therefore if any of you be a blasphemer of God, or hinderer or slanderer of His word, or adulterer, or be in malice or envy, or in any other grievous crime, repent you of your sins, or else come not to the Holy Table; lest after the taking of that Holy Sacrament the Devil enter into you, as he entered into Judas, and fill you with all iniquities, and bring you to destruction both of body and soul." (From The Doctrine of Life, no. 5.) ** A reference to the following statement in the declaration: "Therefore if any of you be a blasphemer of God, or hinderer or slanderer of His word, or adulterer, or be in malice or envy, or in any other grievous crime, repent you of your sins, or else come not to the Holy Table; lest after the taking of that Holy Sacrament the Devil enter into you, as he entered into Judas, and fill you with all iniquities, and bring you to destruction both of body and soul." (From The Doctrine of Life for the New Jerusalem, no. 5.)