The Author begs to apologize for the omission of many names of Subscribers which were not sent to him in time for insertion. He hopes that this explanation will be considered as his acknowledgment of their kind intentions.

PREFACE.

THE kind attention and interest which are awakened in a congregation by the oral instructions of their minister, often lead him to attach an undue importance and value to the addresses which he may have delivered. There is something in the public worship of God which disarms prejudice, and relaxes the severity of criticism, and errors which might be censured under other circumstances, are abundantly atoned for in the estimation of most hearers, by seriousness of manner and simplicity of intention.

The author of the following Discourses, in presenting them under this form to those for whom they were originally intended, would only bespeak for them the same measure of indulgence with which they were at first received. The subject must be allowed to be an important one, and encouraged by the attention which it appears to have obtained, he would, if possible, give permanency to that which otherwise might be speedily forgotten. It is surely of great moment that we should consider the force of that language which we

habitually use in our

public addresses to God; and yet it is too obvious that many persons join in this solemn duty

without any reflection, or any serious devotional feelings. To press upon the conscience this lamentable fact; to concentrate, in one view, the -expressions of the liturgy with regard to some of the great truths of God's word; to examine the language of the church services; to lead men perpetually to apply this language to themselves; and to inquire whether they understand and feel it ;-this, rather than to attempt any thing original, is the great aim of the present undertaking. The object is unquestionably good, and any failure in the execution must therefore be attributed to the writer's own deficiency, not to any want of power and importance in the truths he would inculcate.

Conscious of his own inability to effect the purpose which he has in view, he would supplicate His aid" from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, do proceed:" without whom, "Paul may plant, and. Apollos water," but "there will be no increase." He would pray especially for those to whom this publication is particularly addressed, and for whom he feels the deepest interest. May the Almighty pour His Holy Spirit upon them! May an increased measure of grace be vouchsafed to them! And when the shepherd, and the flock committed to his charge, shall together stand before the judgment seat of Christ, may it appear that 66 his labours have not been in vain in the Lord!"

SERMONS.

SERMON I.

1 CORINTHIANS, xiv. 15.

"I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also."

CONSIDERABLE differences of opinion have prevailed among pious Christians respecting the mode in which the public worship of God should be conducted. Even the immediate influence of the apostles themselves was scarcely equal to the preservation of order and decorum in the churches which were planted with their own hands. Much confusion had evidently arisen at Corinth upon this subject; and St. Paul is attempting to remedy the evil by his minute directions in the chapter before us. Many of his obser

B

vations must be confined to the particular case in question, but some are of a more general character. He teaches the Corinthians (ver. 33.)" that God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all churches of the saints :" (ver. 26.) "Let all things be done unto edifying, (ver. 31.) that all may learn, and all may be comforted." But in the text, the apostle proves that any form of worship is valuable only as it proceeds from the heart. "What is it then?" he asks, What is my duty in public worship, as a leader and conductor of that worship? It is chiefly, to pray with my own heart, in my mind and spirit; and also with the understanding; my words shall not only be comprehensible to myself, and consistent with sound sense and judgment, but intelligible to all, even the most uneducated of my hearers.

If the public services of the Church of England be brought to this scriptural standard, their excellence and beauty