" in Christian converfation, and most profitable "to the eftate of this realm, upon the which the

mercy, favour and bleffing of Almighty GoD " is in no wife fo readily and plentifully poured, "as by Common Prayer, due ufing the Sacra"ments, and often preaching the Gospel, with *the devotion of the hearers."

Add to this that other, yet far more honourable teftimony received from that memorable Act of Parliament that at first established it, declaring the performance of it; viz. "The Li"turgy or Common Prayer, to be finifhed by "the extraordinary aid and affiftance of the "Holy Ghoft.”

So that to say the leaft of it that may be faid to the praise and honour of our excellent Liturgy; there is not a more primitive and compleat, a more found and orthodox collection of public Prayers prescribed and made ufe of in any part of the Chriftian Church this day in the whole world; to which alfo may be added the blood of the learned compilers of it, fome of which was fhed at the beginning of the Reformation, as a feal in confirmation of its truth and excellency; as likewise the blood of the royal martyr King Charles I. our martyred Sovereign, the greatest glory and bulwark of our Church, as our Church is the fupport and ornament of the Reformation.

Such was the teftimony of its first compilers, and fuch the conftancy of its defenders fince; that like as in the firft ages of Chriftianity, the blood of martyrs was faid to be the feed of the Church; fo it is to be hoped this Church of ours will always remain for ever glorious, that can boast of so many martyrs in its defence.

II. I am

II. I am to recommend to you the manner of performing this our public devotion, with fome useful circumftances conducive there

unto.

And for the due discharge of our obligations on this part,, it is requifite that all things be done according to the Apostle's rule, decently and in order; that we all walk by the fame rule, and all mind the fame thing, doing all things unto edifying; that we behave ourselves fo in the Houfe of GOD, with that decency and reverence, as best becometh the Majefty of GoD, and the folemnity of his holy worship by compofing ourselves in those reverent poftures, which the Church in her Rubrics hath prescribed and fuited to every part of our devotion; fuch as kneeling at the Confeffion, Abfolution and Prayers, ftanding up at the Gloria Patri, Hymns, Creeds and Pfalms; and bowing at the Name of Jefus, according as we are directed, Phil. ii. 10.

There are also other things, though not actually enjoined or prefcribed by Rubric, are yet eftablished by ancient and general cuftom of the Church; fuch as our private private ejaculations before we begin Prayers, imploring GOD's help and affiftance in our devotions, and his acceptance of them, when Prayers are ended; our giving glory to GoD at the naming of the Gospel; and our turning to the Eaft in making our public profeffion of our faith.

A general conformity in these external acts of public devotion declareth an inward fenfe of the Majefty of GoD, and an humble obedience to the commands of our fuperiors, a devout harmony between our fouls and our bodies, with which

we

we are obliged to glorify God, and an entire unanimity of the whole congregation; the union of which affembly in particular is in effect the union and agreement of the whole, i. e. of all the members of Chrift's Church militant here on earth, and even of that extenfive communion triumphant in heaven; when we join with the bleffed hierarchy above, angels and archangels, and with all the choir of heaven, in one continued chorus, faying; "Holy, holy, holy Lord GOD "of hofts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory, "Glory be to thee, O Lord moft moft high*.

Furthermore it is required, that we repeat the Confeffion, Lord's Prayer and Creed together with or immediately after the Minifter, and to make our Refponfes with an humble but diftinct and audible voice, and not to fit as idle fpectators, as if we had nothing to do, or were afhamed of our duty; it being no fhame for us to pray in the House of Prayer, but a fhame rather it is to be filent: For whosoever, fays our Saviour, ball be ashamed of me and of my words, of him fhall the Son of man be ashamed. when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels, Luke ix. 26.

The primitive Chriftians were indeed remarkable for their fingular piety, reverence and devotion, in discharging these duties to the utmost of their power; they were zealous and hearty in their public devotions, and made their Refponfes all together, unanimoufly and chearfully.

When we thus jointly advance the fame common interest, and as becomes a body animated by the fame spirit, we all attend the fame thing, to the glory of GoD, and the edification of his people; when we thus in imitation of the heavenly

*Communion Service.

venly hoft (who are all reprefented standing before the throne of GOD, and praising him with a loud voice,) fhall join in that pleasant part of our devotion, by finging unanimously and chearfully to the glory of GoD, with the voice of praife, thanksgiving and melody; then may we be faid to glorify GOD, even the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, with one mind, and with one mouth; then may we be faid to praise GOD in the beauty of holiness.

And as the benefit of Prayer is hereby heightned and advanced by the joint concurrence and unanimity of the people; fo alfo is the place of fuch public affemblies another circumftance of no small importance and help to devotion: For how can we come into the House of GOD, and not be moved with the glory of his Majefty? or how can we approach his facred Altar, and not be concerned in whofe prefence we appear? the which I hope, will be encouragement fufficient to invite you all to come to Church, and yet fufficient to deter from any irreverent behaviour here.

It is true, indeed, GOD's prefence is universal, and no where confined, neither is there any place in itself abfolutely unfit to make our humble addreffes before him; he is about our path, and about our bed, we are told, in our clofets, in our gardens, and in the fields; wherefoever GOD is called upon in fincerity and truth, there is he found of them that call upon him, in what corner of the world foever they are in; whether with Mofes in the wilderness, with Job on the dunghil, with Jonas in the whale's belly, or with Daniel in the den of lions, with St Paul on board the ship, or even with the Thief upon the crofs; thefe all having called upon the Lord, he heard them,

he

he heard them from all the different parts and places they were in; yet the Church for the public worship of GOD, and the common refort of the people, must be acknowledged the propereft and moft convenient place of worship; a place where the Majefty of GoD more peculiarly refides, and where he is faid to be more immediately prefent, and delighted in.

In the law we find, that Mofes, in delivering GOD's ordinances to the Jews, hath joined these two commandments together; Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my Sanctuary. I am the Lord, Levit. xix. 30. making the observation of GOD's holy day, and the reverence of his dwelling place to run both in one verfe; both being defigned to keep up God's true religion and worship, as they naturally tend to advance each other; the one refpecting the place, the other the time of its public administration. Not that we ascribe any inherent virtue or holiness to these places, but fuch as is relative only, and due for his fake for whom they were defigned; as Maimonides in Bishop Patrick explains the text abovementioned; the Sanctuary itself was not to be reverenced, but He who hath commanded that reverence, which is God.

In the gospel it is obferved, that the argument which our Saviour makes use of against the money-changers, and other common profaners of the Temple, he taketh from the use whereunto it was fet apart, and for ever dedicated to the service of GOD, faying; Is it not written, my Houfe fhall be called of all nations the Houfe of Prayer? which was formerly, and is ftill to be kept facred and inviolable; fo that he would not fuffer fo much as the outward court of it to be profaned or put to common ufes, nor permit