fits; but we are not authorized by Scripture, nor taught by our Liturgy, nor sanctioned by common sense, to rejoice in those benefits, any further, than as we are qualified for their participation, I use the words of our seventeenth article, by the working of the spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh, and our earthly members, and drawing up our affections to high and heavenly things.' For, to us it will be a miserable consolation, nay, we are assured, it will prove a heightening of our punishment, that "light is come into the world, if we love darkness rather than the light, because our deeds are evil." But are there any souls, afflicted by the consciousness of past transgressions, and truly desirous of amendment, of pardon, and of peace? Our Church not only invites you to the throne of grace, but indicates, in almost every portion of her service, the progressive stages, by which you are to advance in the Christian life. She tells you, to approach, with 'an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart,' conscious of your own misery and demerit, and persuaded, that you cannot do any thing that is good, without God.' She encourages you, to implore that your most loving Father would renew in you, whatever has been decayed, by the fraud or malice of the Devil, or by your

own carnal will and frailness;' to seek, by fervent prayer, for a new spirit:' the spirit, to 'think and do, always, such things as be rightful; the spirit, of wisdom, and understanding; of counsel, and ghostly strength, of knowledge, and true godliness; the spirit, in whose holy comfort you may evermore rejoice.' She instructs you in the real nature of your Christianity; in that, which alone can entitle you to the Christian name; which is, to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like unto him.' She, accordingly, so applies, and so brings home to our necessities, every instructive, and influencing event, of his most blessed course, as to afford a brief, but clear exhibition, of all true religion; of that religion, which we are called to realize in our hearts, and to exemplify in our lives.

This practical exhibition, and application, of the circumstances of the life of our blessed Lord, have, with singular propriety, been effected, in that series of devotional compositions, which, in accordance with the most primitive models, our Church has adapted to the great commemorative festivals, and solemn days of worship; in those collects, I mean, which are prefixed to the Epistles and Gospels, in our Book of Common Prayer.

We are there taught to pray, that, as Christ took our nature upon him, and was born of a pure virgin, so we, being regenerate, and made God's children, by adoption and grace, may be daily renewed, by the same spirit: that, as Christ was circumcised and obedient to the law, so we, receiving the true circumcision of the Spirit, may, in all things, obey his blessed will: that, as Christ was manifested, to destroy the works of the Devil, so we may purify ourselves even as he is pure: that, as Christ was presented in the temple, so we may be presented unto God, with pure and clean hearts: that, as Christ suffered death upon the cross, so we, may follow the example of his great humility, and patience : that, by continually mortifying our evil and corrupt affections, we may be buried with Christ, and pass, through the grave and gate of death, to our joyful resurrection: that, as our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into the heavens, so we may, also, in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell: and, finally, that, as he hath been exalted, with great triumph, into his heavenly kingdom, we may not be left comfortless; but that God, the King of Glory, may send his Holy Ghost, to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place, whither our Saviour Christ is gone before.'

But, it is needless to multiply references.

For

it may be truly said, that our Liturgy uniformly dwells upon that which is inward, and practical. It aims, not merely to reform outward habits, but to infuse new, and powerful principles into the soul; not chiefly to exercise our understandings, but, to affect and influence our hearts; not, so much, to afford comfort, by a view of what has been done for us, as to make us humble, earnest, and successful petitioners, for the effect of Christianity within us; animating, at once, and controlling our thoughts, dispositions, affections, and habitual practice.

The great mediatorial truths of the Gospel are exhibited, as the foundation of our hopes, and the commencement of all spiritual good. But, while our Saviour is contemplated, as living, and suffering, and dying, upon earth, that, through Him, we might obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion, He is, every where, acknowledged as the triumphant Lord of Glory; as head, over all things, to the Church; as God, over all, blessed for ever. He is, therefore, continually addressed, as a present, powerful Saviour; who is occupied in the great work of our redemption, as really, and as efficaciously, at this moment, as during his manifestation in the flesh. And, while we implore

every blessing through Him, as a prevalent, and infinitely meritorious intercessor with the Father, we are taught, no less piously, and confidently, to address Him, as the great administrator of this lower world; regarding Him, as our King, who is to rule over our life, to reign in our hearts, to guide us with his counsel, and, at the last, to receive us into glory. In a word, Christ is so dwelt upon, that, if we enter into the true spirit of our Liturgy, our faith cannot possibly be notional, and barren: but, according to our several capacities, in a greater or less degree, the very mind and heart of our Redeemer, must be copied into our character; and we shall be followers of Him, who often retired apart to pray, and who always went about doing good.

Were I, therefore, obliged, in a few words, to characterize the design of our Liturgy, I would state it thus, in the emphatic words of holy writ: "That Christ may be formed within us; that we may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death; that Christ may dwell in our hearts, by faith; that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the length, and breadth, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth