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THOUGHTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS.

THE MOST WRETCHED STATE OF MAN

N a conference held between some Greek and Indian philosophers, in the for solution::-"What is the most wretched state in which a man can find himself in this world?"-A Greek philosopher said it was to pass a feeble old age in the midst of extreme poverty.-An Indian asserted that it was to suffer sickness of the body accompanied by pain of the mind. As for me, said the visir Buzurgemhir, I think that the greatest of miseries a man can experience in this world, is ot see himself near the close of his life without having practised virtue. The opinion received the general approbation of this assembly of sages, and Chosroes ordered that it should be engraved on a marble table, and fixed up in the principal square of Ispahan, to offer to the people a subject of meditation, and remain an eternal lesson of wisdom.-Time, which devours all things, has destroyed this tablet and in Persia, as with us, it is forgotten that the greatest of miseries in this world is to approach the close of life without having practised virtue.

I pre Chorous, of Persia, the following

"NO man (saith Lord Bacon) can be so straitened and oppressed with business and an active course of life, but he may have many vacant times of business." The question is, how those shall be filled up with study and contemplation, or with sensuality and pleasure?A man may be out of his bed for sixteen of the twenty four hours: what might not be done in that time?

EVERY man has a certain manner and character in writing, and speaking, which he spoils by a too close and servile imitation of another; as Bishop Felton, an imitator of Bishop Andrews, observed, "I had almost marred my my own natural trot, by endeavouring to imitate his artificial amble."

OBITUARY.

DIED, at Oxford, on the 2nd of August, instant, JOHN WORSTER, Esq. in the 85th year of his age.- As a man he was extensively known: Philanthropy was a conspicuous trait in his character; the poor and needy found relief from his bountiful board. In early life he put on the Christian, and had been a communicant in the Church for almost sixty years; in a peculiar manner, in him, were united Christian faith and practice. Like a shock of corn fully ripe, he was gathered to his fathers, leaving a joyful hope of a glorious immortality, through Jesus Christ.-At the time of interment, a well adapted sermon was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Todd, of Huntington, from Philippians iii 20, 21, to a numerous audience, who, together with his children and near relatives, by their decent Christian deportinent, bespoke their deep sense that a venerable father had fallen in Israel,

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FOR A DEVOUT AND DECENT BEHAVIOUR IN THE

PUBLIC WORSHIP OF GOD.

CONCLUDED.

WHEN GOD's word is nt, receive it not as the word of men,

HEN GOD's word is reading in either of the chapters, whether of the The Scripbut, as it is in truth, the word of GOD, which effectually worketh tures read.

in them that believe. 1 Thess. ii. 13. And therefore hearken to it with the same attention, reverence, and faith, as you would have done, if you had stood by Mount Sinai, when GoD proclaimed the Law, or by our Saviour's side, when he published the Gospel. But remember also that you hear in order to practise; and be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James i. 22. Observe in those parts of Scripture that are read to you, what sins Almighty GoD there warns you against; what duties He there requires you to perform; what doctrines He there teaches you; and be sure that when you go home, you think of them, and live accordingly.

As soon as the first lesson is read, and again after the second, Hymns after we renew our devout praises to GOD in certain Hymns appointed the Lessons. for that purpose. And then with one heart and voice we all repeat the Apostle's Creed, or that which is commonly called the The Creed. Nicene Creed, to signify and declare our assent to, and firm be

lief of the whole Scriptures, but especially of the Gospel of Christ. Many ignorant people seem to take the Creed to be a Prayer, and repeat it as such, which is a very gross mistake. It is not a prayer, but only a solemn acknowledgement and profession of our faith, or what we do believe as Christians. And by repeating it, here, we do in the face of the congregation, profess ourselves to continue in the number of Christ's disciples; and that as we were at first baptized, so we still believe in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One GOD, blessed for ever. And this also we do standing, to signify our readiness to defend this faith to the utmost of our power, against all opposition whatsoever. Be sure, therefore, that you really believe every article as you pronounce it, that you be not found dissemblers and hypocrites in the sight of God: and when you stand up to repeat the Creed, let it be your serious purpose to continue in that good profession, and to stand by it, and hold it fast without wavering, (Heb. x. 23.) under all, persecutions, if you shall be called at any time to suffer for it.

thereto.

The next thing we do, is to make known our wants, and pre- The Prayers sent our petitions unto God. But seeing that neither minister nor or Collects. people can possibly do it aright without the grace and assistance. of GoD himself; the minister first prays for his special presence Preparation with the people, saying, The Lord be with you and they put up the same petition for the minister, answering him, And with thy Spirit. Upon which they all immediately adore GOD, and, by turns lift up their hearts to him, striving, as it were, to outvie each other in prevailing with the Almighty to pour down his

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Short Ejaculations, or Petitions.

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130

Directions for a devout behaviour, &c.*

blessings upon us. Then, in an humble and solemn manner we join together in petitioning the divine Majesty for his grace and favour, his Joint Prayer defence and protection, his mercy and blessings, for ourselves, for or Collects. all in civil authority, for the Church, and for all mankind. This we ordinarily do in the Collects appointed for that purpose; but upon Wednesday, Friday, and the Lord's Day morning, we do it in the Litany; The Litany. and in such a Litany as comprehends all and every thing that we need to desire of Almighty GoD, either for ourselves or others. While these Prayers are reading, we ought devoutly to continue upon our Reverence & knees; not sitting, or in any o other slothful posture as too many Devotion in profanely and irreverently do. See, therefore, that as you come to Church to pray to GoD, you do it in that awful, lowly, and these prayers. solemn manner, which becomes creatures, when you speak to your great and Almighty Creator. And although you ought not to repeat the prayers aloud, to the disturbance of other people, yet you must repeat them in your hearts; your minds accompanying the minister from one prayer to another, and from one part of each prayer to the other, all along with affections suitable to the matter sounding in your ears; humbly adoring and praising Gob, according to the names, proprieties, and works which were attributed to Him at the beginning of each prayer, earnestly desiring the good things which were asked of Him in the body of it for yourselves or others; and stedfastly believing in the merits and intercession of Jesus Christ for your obtaining of them, when He is named, as He is at the end of every prayer, except that of St. Chrysostom, because that is directed immediately to Christ himself. At the conclusion of every Collect also, you are to testify your sincere joining in it; and your earnest desire of a sliare in the blessings prayed *Amen. for, by a solemn Amen, which signifies, So be it; or, Thus I heartily pray God that it may be. But in the Litany, the like Answers in assent is signified by the answers which the people are directed to make in their proper places; as, Good Lord, deliver us; the Litany. that is, froth all those sins, or other evils, which the minister has just before mentioned. We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord; that is, to grant those blessings which the minister has just now recommended to our desires. By these we do expressly, and more at large, make the several petitions recited before by the minister, our own petitions and requests to Gur.' And having thus in the Collects or Litany prayed for all necessary blessings for ourselves and others, it is but fit we should praise Him also for those mercies we have already received; and give thanks, not only in behalf of ourselves, but according to the Apostle's direction, for all mankind; which we do, toward the end of the ✨ service, in the general thanksgiving. flere, if we have any special or particuJar mercy to bless God for, on our own account, let us gratefully remember it, and secretly in our own hearts return our praises for it, when we come to that passage, Thy goodness, and loving-kindness, to us, and to all men. But let us stir up ourselves to the utmost fervency that is possible, when we praise Him for his inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. For as these are the greatest blessings He could bestow upon us, the thankful acknowledgment of them is one of the chief ends of our coming together thus in Christian assemblies. And let us not only heartily pray, but sincerely resolve and endeavour to show our sense of these, as of all God's other mercies, by our holy and obedient lives.

The general
Thanksgiv

ing.

After this general thanksgiving, we have the prayer of St. Chrysostom; and then the minister alone concludes with The Grace of our Concluding Prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, &c. In which prayer is comprehended all we have desired, or can desire, to make us completely happy, both now and for ever. And with this our common daily service ends. But upon Sundays and Holidays, we proceed to the Communion Service; The Commu to that part of it at least which our Church enjoins to be used on such days, though there be no actual communion. Now in the nion service. prayers here, the same temper and devotion are to govern us, as in those before put up; the same reverence and attention, when the Epistles and Gospels are read, as when the other Scriptures (the first and second Les

Of the Monday and Tuesday in Easter Week.

134

Ten Com mandments!

sons) are. But what is most particular in this service is, that
the Ten Commandments are solemnly read by the minister; and
to express the greater authority, as pronouncing them in the
name of GOD, he does it standing. The congregation in the mean time is to
continue kneeling; not that the Commandments are a prayer, (as some weak
people fancy them to be; nor are they to be repeated after the minister, as
many ignorant do) but because it is with a peculiar reverence that we ought to
hear this awful declaration and Summary of God's Will, and of our duty, in
the very words of God himself, and because that at the end of each Command-
ment, our Church has piously directed us to beg the mercy of GOD, in par
doning what we have been guilty of against the rule of that Commandment,
and his grace to keep it better for the future, in these words, Lord have mercy
upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this Law; which being a prayer, ought
to be humbly offered upon our knees. Be very serious therefore when the
Commandments are read; and think, as the minister goes along in every one
of them, whether you have not offended GoD, by Thought,, Word or Deed,
in something contrary to that Commandment, (for in many things we all offend,
as the Apostle tells us, James iii. 2.) And accordingly, when audibly you
join with the rest of the congregation in that short prayer which follows each,
beg pardon of GOD with a deep and true repentance; and whether your
conscience accuse you or not, be serious and in earnest, when you beg of GOD
to incline your heart to keep that article of his law, and to write the whole
upon it more effectually.

Whenever there is a Sermon delivered, you should hear it with meekness and reverence, earnestly begging GoD, that you may both perceive and know what things to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the

same,

This part of the service concludes with a blessing, (to be pronounced by the Minister alone, and not to be repeated after him) which is in The blessing these words: the peace of God, which passeth all understandings at the end of keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, the Commun and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

ion Service,

After the blessing, it may be fit to continue still for some time upon your knees, humbly beseeching Almighty God to pardon what he has seen amiss in you since you came into his presence; and graciously to hear the prayers, and to accept of the praises which you have now offered up to Him, through the merits of Jesus Christ our only Mediator and Advocate

OF THE MONDAY AND TUESDAY IN EASTER WEEK.

THE

HE solemnization of Easter was, among the primitive Christians, prolonged for fifty days, up to Whitsuntide; during this whole time, all fasts were suspended; the ceremony of Baptism was universally performed, and, in token of a time of joy, prayers were repeated in the posture of standing, as on Sundays. As devotion abated, this long-extended feast was shortened. In our Church there is an appointment of Epistles, and Gospels, only for Monday and Tuesday; but there is a provision for the observance of the whole week, by a preface, in the Communion Office, which is suitable to the season, and is to be repeated for eight days successively.

The first lesson, for Monday morning, treats of God's sending the Israelites manna, or bread from Heaven. This was a type of our blessed Saviour, who was the bread of life, that came down from Heaven, of which whoever eateth, hath eternal life. The first lesson, for Monday evening, contains the history of vanquishing the Amalakites, by the holding up of Moses's hands; by which posture he put himself in the form of a cross, and typified the victory that Christians obtain over their spiritual enemies, by means of the cross of Christ. The striking also of the rock, from whence issued water, affords another type; for, in the same manner, our Saviour, when smitten upon the cross, gave forth that living water, of which whosoever drinketh shall never thirst;

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which spiritual application, both of the manna and of the rock, is made by St. Paul, 1 Cor. x. 3, 4. The second lessons contain full testimony of our Saviour's resurrection; the first gives an historical account of it; the second rẻlates the story of the lame man being restored to his feet, through faith in the name of Christ; which must be taken as an undeniable proof, that he was then alive.

The first lesson, for Tuesday morning, contains the Ten Commandments, which were communicated to the people by the ministry of Moses; wherein is prefigured our Saviour, who was to be a Prophet like unto him; and who was to bring down a new Law from Heaven, and more perfectly reveal the divine Will to man.

The first lesson, for the evening, represents Moses interceding for the children of Israel, for whom he desired even to die, and be blotted out of the book of life; thereby typifying Christ, who died, and was made a curse for us. The second lesson, for the morning, is a further evidence of our Saviour's resurrection; and, that for the evening, contains an argument, which proves, by his resurrection, the necessity of ours.

The Collects, Epistles, and Gospels, for these days, are the same as in the old Offices; only the Collect for Tuesday was, in king Edward's first prayer book, appointed for the second communion on Easter Day.

OF THE SUNDAYS AFTER EASTER.

N the first Sunday after Easter, being the octave of Easter Day, there

this Sunday being celebrated, in like manner, as that feast, but in a lower degree, obtained the name of Low Sunday.

The Epistle of the day, is addressed to those newly baptized; Easter, and Whitsuntide, having been formerly (as has been before said) the seasons for baptizing. Both that, and the Gospel, were used, very anciently, on this day.

The other Sundays after Easter, were, as has been observed, all spent in joyful recollection of our Saviour's resurrection, and the promise of the Comforter; these make the principal subjects of all the Gospels, from Easter to Whitsuntide. The Epistles for the same period, attemper this joy, by repeated exhortations to the practice of duties, which alone are answerable to the profession of Christians. The Epistles, and Gospels, and all the Collects, (except the Collects for the 2d, and an alteration in the 4th), are all very antient. The Gospel for the 5th Sunday, is peculiarly applicable, as it foretells our Saviour's ascension, and as it relates to the Rogations, which are performed on the three following days.

CHOICE DIVINITY!

Selected from the Westminster Catechism.

Question. What are the Decrees of God?

Answer. The Decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the council of his own will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass.

Q. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created? A. Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.

Q. What doth every sin deserve?

A. Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse both in this life, and that which is to come.

Q. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous ?

A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

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