which is held out to his people as an inducement for them to visit his courts with joy. The sincere Christian having thus given his attention to serious things; having repented, confessed, and received the declaration of pardon in God's name and words; having repeated the prayer given by the Saviour, and glorified the Blessed Trinity; having burst forth into Psalms of Thanksgiving, and Hymns of Blessing; and having heard the promises and dealings of God in the Old Testament, manifested and completed in the New-is next directed to a formal declaration of his BELIEF, in that "form of sound words," ascribed to the Apostles; but whether theirs or not, most certainly a compendium or digest of their faith and tenets. Which Belief is repeated aloud, by all standing: an indication that it is not only a badge of profession, but that we are to stand up manfully in the great contest of making "our calling and election sure," by the example of the Saviour himself, whose actions and

trials are briefly shadowed out in this Creed.

After which the Minister, as if to confirm and strengthen the congregation in their belief and resolution, prays that the "Lord may be with them," to which they make a suitable reply. Then come those short Litanies or supplications, which earnestly entreat God's mercy, the hope of which is excited by the repetition of the Lord's Prayer, succeeded by those short petitions or supplications, which, repeatedalternately by the Minister and People, seem to provoke the spirit of Christian emulation" in making prayers and supplications for all men.” Hence also the wise arrangement of the COLLECTS; the first of which is a particular one appointed for the day; the second for PEACE; the third for GRACE; and next, either those for particular persons, including all, according to the Apostles' direction, or that valuable monument of piety and devotion, THE LITANY, which breathes all the spirit of the most celestial worship, "with

G

a zeal, according to knowledge;" condensing, as it were, in one form all the wants of men, and the manifestation of God's glory, with petitions for his mercy, supplications for his grace, and deprecations of the evils, to which "man that is born of woman," is liable. In the first place, we recognise and acknowledge the ever-blessed Trinity-we entreat it, under the general term of Lord, to spare us, and "deliver us from all evils ghostly and bodily," according to the conditions of that covenant sealed, and made efficient by all the wondrous actions, sufferings, and glorification of the humble but heavenly Jesus. Then, acknowledging

́ourselves to be sinners, one and all, collectively and individually, we pray for the Catholic Church*, for Kings, Princes, Ministers, Magistrates, and all People in all stations, ranks, and conditions, and for all those blessings which God can bestow upon his people. "The Lamb of God"

Or the Visible Church throughout the whole world.

is set before our eyes of faith, and with words of fervour we supplicate him, to "take away our sins." The wounded spirit (and every spirit is more or less wounded either by sin or affliction) finds comfort in communing with God, in va rious prayers and supplications; the THANKSGIVING for which and all mercies, bodily and spiritual, is then repeated, followed by that Prayer composed by St. Chrysostom, which infuses encouragement and hope of acceptance from the promise made by the Saviour, that where "two or three are gathered together, he will be in the midst of them;"for which reason it is, that the name of Jesus is omitted in this prayer, because the whole of it depends upon that, his gracious promise. The whole of this part of the service is concluded by that form of doxology and prayer, which is found in some of the Epistles of St. Paul, and which combines Glory to God when we think of his goodness, and supplication to Him when we call to mind our own weakness.

I say nothing of the Psalms, Hymns, or Anthems which are sung in different parts of the service, though they are strictly in unison with ancient usage, and divide them from one another; but will proceed to the consideration of that part of the Communion Service, which is used in common with the part already noticed. "When ye pray," says the Saviour, "say, Our Father," &c. Accordingly there is no one distinct Service in the Church of England without it. This prayer commenced of the ancient many Liturgies, and stood first also in King Edward's Prayer Book. It was also used in all forms adopted in the celebration of the Eucharist. Mark then the propriety of commencing this part of the service with this prayer! It disposes the hearts of the people to receive the words of God with greater affection and confidence. It stands here, assuring all of their interest. in the heavenly family, and of their fellowship one with another; and, by supplying them with so endearing a title as