quiring a less restrained system of communication between the pastor and his flock, on the vital subject of Religion; and enforcing the separation of any unworthy member from the body of the communicants. In the absence of this spiritual controul, I set before you the ten Commandments, as a help to the examination of the heart; in order that they who desire to attend, may so "judge themselves, that they be not judged of the Lord."

In the present discourse, that part of the service, will be considered, which embraces the Collects, and the introduction of a portion of Scripture, generally from the New Testament, with the Nicene Creed and which, the communicants having been invited and admitted to the table of their Lord, is closed with giving of thanks for this high privilege, and with prayer for a due appreciation of this inestimable gift.

The prayer commending our Sovereign to the guidance of God, being offered up,

at the end of the Commandments, we read after the Collect appointed for the day, a select portion of the New Testament from one of the Epistles, the congregation sitting and then, a portion from one of the Gospels, the congregation standing: in order to mark our reverence for the Master above his messengers. Not that there is any higher authority attached to the Gospels, than to the Epistles: for "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God 1."

These passages of the Old and New Testament, commonly termed the Epistle and Gospel for the day, have been used in the Church for 1400 years. And, from St. Chrysostom, we learn the goodly old custom of ascribing Glory to God, on the Gospel being announced; as angels did, when the glad tidings were first heard at the coming of Jesus in the flesh.

The Collect will be found, generally, re

12 Tim. iii. 16.

cognizing some leading points in the Gospel or Epistle; and always richly imbued with the spirit of devotion, although compressed in so few words. How varied is the mode of addressing God! He is invoked usually by some attribute arising from the subject of the petition; and thus, in turn, all the properties of the Heavenly nature are expanded before the devout mind. His might, and readiness to hear, and love to His creatures, are displayed. He is represented, as a refuge, protector, and the author and giver of all good things. He is described as the Being by whom our desire to pray is imparted; the Fountain of all wisdom, who hath caused Scripture to be written for our learning; the everlasting God, hating nothing that He hath made, and forgiving the sins of all that are penitent― a God, who through his only begotten Son sent as a sacrifice, has opened to us the gate of everlasting life; causing Him to die for our sin, and to rise again for our justification. We behold Him, by faith, showing

to them that be in error, the light of His truth; ordering the unruly wills and affections of His people; teaching the hearts of His faithful people; never failing to help and govern His children; preparing for them that love Him, such good things as pass man's understanding; declaring His Almighty power, most chiefly, in showing pity and mercy; giving more than either we desire or deserve; the God whom truly to know, is everlasting life. We are taught to reverence Jehovah, as the triune God, by grace vouchsafed from Himself; as ordaining and constituting the services of angels and men, in a wonderful order; as building His Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ being himself the chief corner stone; and knitting together His elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of His Son. How happily with these sublime and gracious exhibitions of the Divine nature, does the confession harmonize, of our weakness; having no power of ourselves to help our

selves; our not being able to stand upright; our putting trust in nothing that we can do; our leaning only on the help of His Divine grace; our prayer for new and contrite hearts; our desires for perfect remission and forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ.

How reverent in tone, how spiritual in their tendency, are these excellent prayers! Of the Collects, forty are taken from ancient Liturgies: others are altered from the older forms. A very few-the first three for Advent, those for Christmas-Day, AshWednesday, and for the grace of charity— were drawn up by our venerable reformers. Observe, how well this part of the Communion Service, (for such it is, though little regarded in this light,) has been arranged. Preparation for the coming of Christ, proclaimed in the Advent Sundays, is followed by devotions for celebrating His birth, circumcision, and manifestation to the Gentiles. Then, the course of divine teaching carries us, in the services for the following Sun