stantly; that they who have believed in God might be careful to maintain (or as the word imports) to excel in good works." By these we shall evince the sincerity of our love to Christ; and by these we shall be judged in the last day. I would there. fore recommend to every one to ask himself, What is there which I have left undone? What is there which I have done defectively? What is there which I have done amiss? What is there that I may do more earnestly for the honour of God, for the good of mankind, and for the benefit of my own soul? O'that such a pious zeal pervaded this whole assembly; and "that there were in all of us such an heart!" To those amongst us in whom any good measure of this grace is found, we would say in the language of St. Paul, "We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more."* * 1 Thess. iv. 1. SERMON II. DEUT. V. 28, 29. They have well said all that they have spo ken: 0 that there were such an heart in them! WHEREVER the word of God admits of a literal interpretation, its primary sense ought to be clearly stated, before any spiritual or mystical application be made of it: but when its literal meaning is ascertained, we must proceed to investigate its hidden import, which is frequently the more important. This has been done in relation to the passage before us; which primarily expres. ses an approbation of the request made by the Jews, that God would speak to them by the mediation of Moses, and not any longer by the terrific thunders of Mount Sinai; but covertly it conveyed an intimation, that we should all seek deliverance from the curse of the law through the mediation of that great Prophet, whom God raised up like unto Moses, even his Son Jesus Christ. The further use which we propose to make of this passage, is only in a way of accommodation; which however is abundantly sanctioned by the example of the Apostles; who not unfrequently adopt the language of the Old Testament to convey their own ideas, even when it has no necessary connexion with their subject. Of course, the Liturgy of our Church was never in the contemplation of the Sacred Historian: yet, as in that we constantly address ourselves to God, and as it is a composition of unrivalled excellence, and needs only the exercise of our devout affections to render it a most acceptable service before God, we may well apply to it the commendation in our text; They have well said all that they have spoken: O that there were such an heart in them !"" As in the course of the month two other occasions of prosecuting our subject will oc eur, we shall arrange our observations on the Liturgy, so as to vindicate its use-display its excellence-and commend to your attention one particular part, which we conceive to be eminently deserving notice in this place. In the present Discourse we shall confine ourselves to the vindication of the Liturgy ; first, Generally, as a service proper to be used; and then, Particularly, in reference to some objections which are urged against it. Perhaps there never was any human composition more cavilled at, or less deserving such treatment, than our Liturgy. Nothing has been deemed too harsh to say of it. In order therefore to a general vindication of it, we propose to shew, that the use of it is lawful in itself-expedient for us—and accep table to God.. It is lawfal in itself. The use of a form of prayer cannot be in itself wrong, for, if it had been, God would |