In the medieval mass there was no congregational confession and absolution forgiveness could only be mediated by a particular or a rickular confession to a priest. The reformers wanted a weekly reception of the sacrament and they took Saint Paul's words very seriously that we should test ourselves and repent before receiving. They introduced general confession of sin by the whole congregation followed by absolution but what if the lady were unsure whether the general confession and general absolution were sufficient to assure them that they were indeed forgiven in light of this Cranmer saw the need for the comfortable words or biblical words of assurance to underpin what had been declared in the absolution. This is why we consider the Book of Common Prayer the