has been presented to God, that we may receive the word with pure affection? Can enmity rankle in the bosom of one, who has besought pardon for our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers? Does heaven seem a livelier object of hope to those, who have desired that "at the last, we may come to God's eternal joy?"

What repentance should be found in us, after calling upon God for new and contrite hearts! How should faith become brighter, and warmer, in those who have bowed before the Father as Almighty, everlasting, the Author of peace, whose nature and property is, ever to have mercy and to forgive! And how should faith kindle towards the Son, whom we have invoked by His agony, His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension! Towards the Spirit, should the heart no less be lifted up, to whom, proceeding from the Father and the Son, we have offered prayer for His unfailing compassion, as miserable sinners! How should our charity diffuse itself throughout the

54 MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER.

whole body of professing disciples in the Church!

Thus let us ever pour out our hearts before Him, for God is our hope. Wonderful art Thou, O God, in Thy holy places, even the God of Israel. Thou wilt give strength and power unto Thy people. Blessed be God1!

1 Psalm lxviii. 35.

SERMON III.

COMMUNION OFFICE.

66

1 JOHN i. 8, 9.

IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE NO SIN, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US. IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL, AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS."

It has already been stated, that the service for the Lord's Supper, was the first which was prepared in English, and used by our Church, at the Reformation. Compared with the Roman missal it differs much from that Formulary. It is, indeed, grounded upon the ancient devotional of Sarum; which, being derived from some of the

earliest Liturgies, came into use in the reign of William the Conqueror.

Every one should carefully read the Rubrics-those occasional directions printed in a smaller type: which, being once in red letters, gave the name of Rubric. In that before the Communion Service, you will notice the painful, but imperative, duty devolving on the Minister, of refusing to receive any person at this Sacrament, whose life contradicts his Christian profession. You will observe also, that the Communicants are required, on some previous day, to give notice to the Minister, of their intention to be present at this Sacrament. This may not be necessary, where the Communion is frequent, and the attendance regular. But thus far, it is desirable that the rule should be observed-that no one should ever offer himself at the Lord's table, for the first time, without the previous sanction of the Minister. If there exist not this confidential communion of mind, between the ministering servants of

God, and the members of Christ's Church, we may be readers and preachers; but are hardly to be accounted Pastors, under the great Shepherd of souls.

The name of Altar was applied to the Communion Table during the first three centuries by Christian writers; and it was so designated in the first service book of King Edward the Sixth. But the term itself is immaterial, since this Sacrament is considered by the Church as a Spiritual Sacrifice of Commemoration,-conveying to the soul of the believer, the highest benefits of Divine Grace.

The Communion Service consists of three parts:

1. That portion shall be noticed, which is used as separated from the rest; since the custom ceased of celebrating the Lord's Supper on every Sunday, and other Festivals of the Church. In the Cathedrals, however, (the mother churches of the diocese,) this part of the Communion office is still rarely severed from the rest of the service.