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the exalted, and the proper ground for a Member and Minister of the Established Church, we have left for the present untouched, lest we should encroach upon that, which we hope to occupy on a future occasion. But it remains for us yet further to remark, that the use of our Liturgy is acceptable to God.

The words of our text are sufficient to shew us, that God does not look at fine words and fluent expressions, but at the heart. The Israelites had "well said all that they had spoken:" but whilst God acknowledged that, he added, "O that there were such an heart in them!" If there be humility and contrition in our supplications, it will make no difference with God whe. ther they be extemporaneous or pre-composed. Can any one doubt whether, if we were to address our heavenly Father in the words which Christ himself has taught us, we should be accepted of him, provided we uttered the different petitions from our hearts ? As little doubt then is there that in the use

of the Liturgy also we shall be accepted, if only we draw nigh to God with our hearts as well as with our lips. The prayer of faith, whether with or without a form, shall never go forth in vain. And there are thousands at this day who can attest from their own experience, that they have often found God as present with them in the use of the public services of our Church, as ever they did in their secret chambers.

Thus we have endeavoured to vindicaté the use of our Liturgy generally. We now come to vindicate it in reference to some particular objections that have been urged against it.

The objections may be comprised under two heads; namely, That there are exceptionable expressions in the Liturgy; and, That the use of it necessarily generates formality.

To notice all the expressions which captious men have cavilled at, would be a waste

of time. But there are one or two which with tender minds have considerable weight, and have not only prevented many worthy men from entering into the church, but do at this hour press upon the consciences of many, who in all other things approve and admire the public formularies of our church. A great portion of this present assembly are educated with a view to the ministry in the establishment; and, if I may be able in any little measure to satisfy their minds, or to remove a stumbling-block out of their way, I shall think that I have made a good use of the opportunity which is thus afforded me. A more essential service I can scarcely render unto any of my younger brethren, or indeed to the Establishment itself, than by meeting fairly the difficulties which occur to their minds, and which are too often successfully urged by the enemies of our church, to the embarrassing of conscientious minds, and to the drawing away of many, who might have laboured comfortably and successfully in this part of our Lord's vineyard.

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There is one circumstance in the formation of our Liturgy which is not sufficiently adverted to. The persons who composed it were men of a truly Apostolic spirit; unhampered by party prejudices, they endeavoured to speak in all things precisely as the Scriptures speak: they did not indulge in speculations and metaphysical reason. ings; nor did they presume to be wise above what is written: they laboured to speak the truth, the whole truth, in love: and they cultivated in the highest degree that candour, that simplicity, and that charity, which so eminently characterised all the Apostolic writings. Permit me to call your attention to this particular point, because it will satisfactorily account for those expressions which seem most objectionable; and will shew precisely in what view we may most conscientiously repeat the language they have used.

In our Burial Service we thank God for delivering our brother out of the miseries of this sinful world, and express a sure and

certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, together with a hope also that our departed brother rests in Christ. Of course, it often happens, that we are called to use these expressions over persons, who, there is reason to fear, have died in their sins; and then the question is, How we can with propriety use them? I answer, that, even according to the letter of the words, the use of them may be justified; because we speak not of his, but of the, resurrection to eternal

* The Burial Service in the Liturgy of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the United States of America, is altered in the parts here quoted. Instead of offering "thanks that it hath pleased God to deliver our brother out of the miseries of this sinful world;" the collect in the Burial Service of the American Liturgy, stands thus-"We give thee hearty thanks for the good examples of all those thy servants, who, having finished their course in faith, do now rest from their labours." And the use of this collect is left at the discretion of the minister. Instead of the words "in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life;" the following are used in the Burial Service of the American church"looking for the general resurrection at the last day, and the life of the world to come." [Am. Ed.]

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