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and now, at the close of nearly two centuries, although it is generally comprehensible to the meanest capacity, it challenges the fastidiousness of criticism, and presents itself unrivalled in beauty of composition, and piety of spirit, to the attention of the Christian world.

The order of our morning and evening prayer is peculiarly valuable to every real Christian, as being TRULY SCRIPTURAL. It is so in the dignified simplicity of its forms and ceremonies. The prejudices of the Puritans against our canonical dresses could arise only from a reaction, and from the disposition of the human mind, in escaping from one error to plunge into the opposite extreme. This observation is amply illustrated by the fact, that many of our dissenting brethren are now adopting the very customs which their ancestors denounced. But the scriptural character of our liturgy is peculiarly displayed in the large portion of Holy Writ which

is interwoven in it. This is the very bulwark of our church. Whatever errors or disorders may creep into our pulpits, from the desk, a church of England congregation must hear every sabbath-day the pure and unadulterated word of God,-offering a perpetual check to unscriptural doctrines, and a contrast to any personal irreligion which may disgrace an individual minister. As it is purposed in this series of discourses to consider each of the great leading doctrines of scripture as illustrated in our public services, I shall now only observe, that any one who is conversant with the Bible will discover its most important truths in every petition of our church. Here are the deepest and most humbling confessions of our guilt and misery as sinners in the sight of God; here are the most encouraging meditations on the atoning blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ; and here are the most earnest petitions for the converting, enlightening, and sanctifying

influences of the Holy Spirit, to restore us to the image of God, and to create us anew unto good works.

The enlightened and awakened mind may pour out its sorrows in the highly spiritual language of the church, and find much that is suitable and affecting. In seasons of peculiar difficulty, temptation and trial, when "trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity," has befallen us, on occasions of bereavement and family afflictions, when we are disposed to exclaim with Jacob, "All these things are against me," then the formularies of our public worship address themselves to our hearts with unspeakable power and unction. They are so comprehensive and particular, that there is scarcely any conceivable situation in which we can be placed in this mortal life, to which there shall not be something applicable in these beautiful services. They are so benevolent, that every child of sorrow is included in their affectionate intercession; the fa

therless and the widow, the poor and the afflicted, the distant friend and the weary prisoner, the aged and infirm, the ignorant and sinful, the Jew, Turk, infidel, and heretic, are all made mention of in our prayers, and all recommended to the mercy and compassion of our God. In these supplications, confessions, and praises, the awakened sinner, the returning prodigal, the feeble penitent, and the confirmed believer, shall all find passages that speak the language of their hearts, and bring them with the deepest seriousness to the footstool of God's mercy-seat!

But we must point out one peculiarity in our excellent service, which enhances its value to every one who is capable of religious feeling; viz. its admirable suitableness as a CONGREGATIONAL form of worship. Ours is one of the few modern churches which retain the very ancient, interesting, and affecting custom of alternate responses between the minister and the people, than which

nothing can be more calculated to enkindle the spirit of devotion, and diffuse it through a whole congregation. What can be more beautiful and striking than the versicles at the commencement of the principal portion of our prayers, where the priest exclaims, as the whole church is about to fall on their knees before God-"The Lord be with you," and the people answer, "And with thy spirit." Formed by nature for social life, and cultivated as our dispositions are by daily habit, it is impossible we can be wholly unmoved by the conduct and example of those around us; as iron sharpeneth iron," so the spirit of devotion in ourselves is increased by the expression of it in others; and where there is an assembly of Christian worshippers who are really earnest in the solemn duties in which they are engaged, where the whole body joins in the language of adoration, prayer, or praise, as if with one heart and one voice, hard and unfeeling must he be

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