error, gained ground. Suffice it to state, however, that, at this time, the service, which had formerly begun with the Lord's Prayer, was made, not injudiciously, to commence with those passages from Scripture, "When the wicked man," &c. The exhortation, the confession of sin, and the absolution, were added; and some omissions were made in the occasional services.

The reign of Queen Mary checked the progress of the reformed religion, and deluged the country with the blood of bishops and priests, rich and poor, learned and ignorant. But, the scourge was removed in a few years. And then, our Common Prayer, having undergone some alterations-in the service for the Eucharist, in the omission in the Litany, of an expression, referring to the errors and tyranny of Rome, (but too severe for the language of prayer,) and in the selection of the Lessons, was established in the Churches. The sacred vestments of the ministers were retained; but, care was

taken, that while simplicity was adhered to, a due solemnity, and decent order, should be preserved.

When James the First came to the throne, it was feared, that his regard for the Scottish Church, (being under Presbyterian discipline) would have induced him to favour reforms, injurious to the character of a church, established on Episcopal authority. But, after a patient investigation of objections, before a council composed of Episcopal and Presbyterian Divines, the King himself presiding, they were for the most part overruled. In this year, the beautiful general thanksgiving was inserted in the Liturgy; and the explanation of the Sacraments in the catechism, and the service of thanksgiving for the preservation of the king and parliament on the fifth of November, were added.

In 1649, it will be remembered, that king Charles the Martyr was murdered, under a show of justice, by his rebel and ungodly subjects. The Church was overthrown by its enemies; and a most tyran

nical dominion, under the name of a popular government, was substituted in the stead of our free and happy constitution.

But what thanks can we return to God for restoring our Church and Monarchy! while our Common Prayer, which, the party in power during the usurpation, would not allow churchmen to use1, again became a blessing to the nation. Then the Lord indeed turned the captivity of Zion, and filled the hearts of the people with joy. "Yea he did great things, whereof they rejoiced." "They had sown in tears, but reaped in joy2."

A meeting was held A. D. 1661 between the chief non-conformist divines, and à body of our bishops and eminent fathers in the ministry, with the hope of establishing

1

Bishop Jer. Taylor, in a Preface to a Collection of Offices, intended as a substitution for the proscribed Liturgy, says, " These Prayers being intended only as a charitable ministry to them, who are not permitted to use those which were appointed formerly," c. Vol. xv. p. 241.

2 Psalm cxxvi. 5.

the church in unity. But peace was in vain sought after.

Some additions were made, at that time, to the Common Prayer. The sublime intercession, the first words of which are, "O God the Creator," &c., the prayer for a blessing on the consultations of Parliament, the prayer for faithful ministers, to be used in Ember weeks, the office of Baptism for grown persons, the prayers to be offered at sea, the service for King Charles's martyrdom, and thanksgiving for the restoration of the church and throne, were incorporated into our prayer book. Some changes were also made in the lessons; and several collects underwent an alteration. This was the last revisal. In this form, the Prayer Book has continued. It has waited as a handmaid on the Bible. It has been translated into various languages of the earth. It yet exalts the souls of the congregation to the throne of the Lord, while it cheers the couch of the sick, and the bed of the dying. It has been pronounced the least

imperfect of human compositions, by those, who are opposed to the use of it in public worship and it is not saying too much to declare our belief, that He, from whom cometh down all wisdom and grace, did vouchsafe his Holy Spirit to guide the minds of the compilers into the ways of truth and lowly piety. It is not too much to assert, that by the use of the creeds and articles embodied in, and harmonizing with, the devotional forms, it has tended to keep the Church primitive in its government, and pure in doctrine.

Let me again remind you of the reverence for ancient forms, shown by the compilers of the Common Prayer. Almost every collect is taken from ancient liturgies. The Litany likewise. The service for Baptism, and the Lord's Supper, and other offices, may be traced to the old and venerable devotions of the Eastern and Western churches. The comparatively few prayers, composed by the Reformers of our church, I have already set before you.