church, as have received their authority and commission from Jesus Christ. If there be a sufficient cause, then there may be a separation, but no schism. But if there be no sufficient ground for a separation, it is schism, that is, a culpable separation, which was always reckoned a sin of a very heinous nature; for St. Paul charges the Ephesians to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, because there was but one God, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one body of Christ; and tells the Corinthians, that we are all baptized by one Spirit into one body. The same doctrine is taught in the writings of the first fathers of the church, particularly of St. Ignatius and St. Cyprian; and this was reputed a great sin by them, even before the church and state were united, and when the meetings of the Schismatics were as much tolerated by the state as the assemblies of the Catholics.

Q. Do not the laws of toleration in a state alter the damnable nature of schism?

A. Such laws only exempt the persons of Schismatics from any penal prosecution; but the evil nature of schism still continues, and cannot be altered by any human laws and constitutions; because schism is a transgression of a divine positive law, which God hath made for the preservation of the body politic of the church, to which schism is as destructive as rebellion to the state. And, according to this principle, Donatism and Novatianism, as well as Arianism, were counted as damnable schisms under the reigns of those emperors who granted toleration to them, as under the reigns of those who made laws against them.

Q. What may we learn from the consideration of those duties which we owe to the ministers of Jesus Christ?

A. That the contempt of the clergy generally proceeds from a contempt of religion; or when it takes its rise from a more innocent cause, is very apt to lead to it; because a due regard to religion can never be maintained without a proportionable respect to the ministers thereof. That one proper method to increase our reward in the next world, is to do all good offices to those that are dedicated to the service of the altar; because he that encourages and enables a prophet for his duty, hath an interest in his work, and consequently in the reward which belongs to it. He that receives a prophet, out of respect to his function, shall receive a prophet's reward. That our zeal to defend the rights of the sacred order ought the more frequently to exert itself, by how much the more the faithful discharge of their function exposes them to the ill-will and malice of wicked and unreasonable men. That there is no better way to maintain the peace of the church, and edify the body of Christ, than by preserving a great deference for our spiritual governors, and by submitting to their lawful institutions.

THE PRAYERS.

FOR THE CANDIDATES FOR ORDINATION.

ALMIGHTY God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers orders in thy church; give thy grace, I humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, aud endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great name, and the benefit of thy holy church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR THE DISCHARGE OF OUR DUTY TOWARDS
GOD'S MINISTERS.

I THANKFULLY acknowledge, O God, thy great goodness, who hast set apart an order of men on purpose to guide and govern us, to direct and assist us in matters of the greatest importance, even our eternal salvation. Grant that I may always reverence and respect them, because they have a peculiar relation to thee; that I may sincerely love them, because of those great benefits I receive by their administrations; that I may readily and cheerfully provide for their maintenance, because the Lord hath ordained that they which preach the gospel, should live of the gospel; and that he that is taught in the word, ought to communicate to him that teacheth in all good things; that I may never rob them of their just rights by the least sacrilegious encroachment; that the fear of Ananias and Sapphira's punishment may continually possess my heart, as it did the church at first, and as many as heard it; that I may earnestly pray for them, because thy divine assistance is so necessary to crown their labours with success; for though Paul planteth, and Apollos watereth, it is thou, O Lord, that givest the increase. And above all, make me careful to obey them that have the rule over me," because they watch for my soul, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief; that so, with a faithful discharge of my duty to my spiritual superiors,

I

may continue a sound member of thy church here upon earth, and may pass eternity in the society of the church triumphant in heaven, singing praises and hallelujahs to the blessed and glorious Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

1 Cor. ix. 14. 'Gal. vi. 6. 1 Cor. iii. 6.

Heb. xiii. 17.

FOR BISHOPS.

O MERCIFUL Jesu, who hast promised perpetuity to thy church, and a permanency in defiance of all the powers of darkness and the gates of hell, and to this purpose hast constituted several orders, leaving a power to thy Apostles and their successors the bishops, to beget fathers of our souls, and to appoint priests and deacons for the edification of thy church, the benefit of all Christian people, and the advancement of thy service; have mercy upon thy ministers the bishops; give them for ever a great measure of thy holy spirit, and at this time particular assistance, and a power of discerning and trying the spirits of them who come to be ordained to the ministry of thy word and sacraments; that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but maturely, prudently, and piously may appoint such to thy service and the ministry of thy kingdom, who by learning, discretion, and a holy life, are apt instruments for the conversion of souls, to be examples to the people, guides of their manners, comforters of their sorrows, to sustain their weaknesses, and able to promote all the interest of true religion. Grant this, O great shepherd and bishop of our souls, blessed Jesus, who livest and reignest in the kingdom of thy eternal Father, one God, world without end. Amen.

CHAP. XI.

ALL FRIDAYS IN THE YEAR, EXCEPT CHRISTMAS DAY.

Q. What weekly Fast is enjoined in the church of England?

A. Every Friday throughout the whole year, except Christmas day happen to fall upon it, and then the Fast

gives way to the Festival, and it is celebrated as a day of rejoicing.

Q. Why was Friday fixed upon for this weekly Fast?

A. In compliance with the customs of the primitive church, which always observed this day as a Fast in commemoration of our Saviour's sufferings, who was crucified on this day of the week; and what day so proper to humble ourselves, as that on which the blessed Jesus humbled himself even to death, upon the cross for us miserable sinners? It was one of their stationary days, so called, as Tertullian observes, from an allusion to the military stations, and keeping their guards. They usually forbore eating till three o'clock in the afternoon, till which time their public assemblies lasted.

Q. How ought we to observe this day?

A. Not only to abridge ourselves as to the pleasures of eating and drinking, but to retire, as much as we can conveniently, from our worldly affairs, in order to humble ourselves in the sight of God, to resort to church at the accustomed hours of prayers; and particularly to employ some part of the day in the examination of ourselves, and in the serious review of our own lives. The frequent performance of which is one of the best means to improve ourselves in all manner of virtue.

Q. What do you mean by the examination of ourselves?

A. The calling ourselves to a strict account for all the actions of our lives; comparing them with the laws of God, the rule and measure of our duty; considering impartially how much evil we have been guilty of, and how little good we have done in comparison of what we might and ought to have done; in short, to search out our sins of omission as well as commission.

Q. What are the sins of commission?