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ple; and that those, whom He hath appointed, it is the business of his people to regard, lest they should be guilty of "despising not man but God'."

Upon the whole, my beloved brethren, let us, as members of that pure and apostolical Church, happily established, by God's blessing, in this favoured kingdom, cordially concur in the services of religion, which our holy Mother hath provided for our edification. "The Lord hath turned again the captivity of our Sion," as He of old turned that of his chosen people, the Jews. "The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we" have abundant reason to "rejoice"." Let us continually go ourselves, and let us encourage and assist our brethren and companions to go, "into the house of the Lord." Let our "feet" habitually "stand within the gates of Jerusalem." Let us "wish it prosperity." Let us "seek to do it good." 0, O,

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pray for the peace of it!" And be we well assured, that all who sow according to God's will and commandments, although, in this state of suffering and of trial, it may be the lot of many "sow in tears, shall reap in joy:" and that "he who now goeth on his way weeping," as

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1 1 Thess. iv. 8.

2 Psal. cxxvi. 1. 4.

3

1 Thess. iv. 8.

Psal. cxxii. 1, 2. 6. 8, 9.

we all more or less must do for the afflictions that visit or surround us, yet if he "bear good seed," the seed of God's holy word, springing up into fruits of righteousness, "shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him1."

Now to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, three Persons in the unity of one Godhead, be blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, henceforth world without end. Amen.

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen 2.

Most merciful Father, we beseech Thee to send upon thy servants, the ministers of thy Church, thy heavenly blessing; that they may be clothed with righteousness, and that thy word, spoken by their mouths, may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also, that thy

1 Psal. cxxvi. 6, 7.

2 Second Sunday in Advent.

people may have grace to hear and receive what thy ministers shall deliver out of thy most holy word, or agreeable to the same, as the means of their salvation: that in all our words and deeds we may seek thy glory, and the increase of thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen'.

1 Ordering of Priests.

DISCOURSE XV.

THE CHURCH'S LITURGY, ITS IMPORTANCE, ADVANTAGES, AND APOSTOLICAL CHARACTER.

1 TIM. ii. 1, 2.

For

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men ; kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

We have this day been again exercising the privilege, which, as members of that part of the Holy Catholick and Apostolical Church established by God's good Providence in this kingdom, we have the happiness to enjoy, of addressing ourselves to the throne of the heavenly grace in a manner conformable to the exhortation conveyed in these words of St. Paul to Timothy: a privilege, which you exercise, my brethren, as often as you meet together within these hallowed walls for the purposes of publick devotion. I call it a privilege: for so scriptural are the principles, and so agreeable to primitive

example are the practices, which distinguish our celebration of divine worship, that I esteem the use of such a liturgy as we possess, amongst the principal blessings attendant upon a diligent and serious communion with the Church of this kingdom. And I have accordingly chosen the passage just recited, as affording a good occasion for engaging your minds in a consideration of the excellence of our Liturgy, and of the benefit of participating in its services.

The passage occurs in one of the Epistles, addressed by St. Paul to Timothy, whom the Apostle had converted to the Christian faith, whom he had ordained Bishop of the Ephesian Church, and whom in these Epistles he instructs in the several duties belonging to his episcopal function. In the course of these instructions he introduces, at a very early period, the exhortation in my text: "I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty:" an exhortation, the importance of which is evinced by the earnestness of the Apostle in inculcating it, "I exhort therefore, first, or principally, of all; and which in substance is generally understood to convey directions concerning the due performance of publick worship, in the churches and congrega

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