supported chiefly by their exertions, shame the low boast of party triumph. If we under
Does he talk of abuses? No true churchman defends them. He would not have a spot stain the purity of the Church he loves. But evils are not always abuses. If a living be too poor to support a minister, it must be held in plurality. If the parish cannot afford a glebe-house, there must be non-residence. They who do all they can, are not to be condemned because they cannot do all they would. Let the practice of Dissent itself be considered. It forms a Home Mission, to carry religious instruction into "poor and benighted districts." Here is the main principle of an establishment,-that if the people are too poor to obtain instruction, it shall be provided for them; and if they are too ignorant to seek it, it shall be forced upon their attention. The Committee send a Minister into a district. Here is lay patronage. They charge him with three village stations, at each of which he preaches once every Sunday. Here is plurality, non-residence, and single duty.
stand our principles aright, and hold them as we ought, no party spirit will taint our conduct. Only unworthy objects require angry violence. As the substance of the Gospel is perfect truth, and the spirit of the Gospel perfect charity, and these two are inseparable; so it is our business to prove that our cause is holy, by the meekness, as well as firmness, with which we maintain it. Against our enemies, indeed, let us war with determined, deadly hatred. Our enemies are ignorance, misery, and sin; and, in striving to exterminate these, we shall best subdue the prejudices of political opponents.
There never was a time when the Church was so strong as at the present moment. The trials of the last seven years have taught her friends to understand her claims, and to know their duty. Silently, but surely, she has been everywhere extending former means of usefulness, and introducing new agencies for good. Through the long and bitter winter, while the Government looked upon her coldly, and the storms beat heavily against her, she has been swelling her buds, and giving new force to all her energies. The winter is almost gone. With returning spring she will stand admired in her beauty. The fragrance of her
It is a glorious thing to churchmen to see the burst of enthusiasm which has filled the land; at once the means of deliverance from present danger, and the pledge of tenfold exertions henceforward in Christian duties. | blossom will perfume the land, and the richThus let us consider it as Christians, scorning ness of her clusters gladden the nations.
CHURCH ESTABLISHED ON THE BIBLE;
A KEY TO THE YEARLY SERVICE OF THE CHURCH.
THE order which prevails in the yearly service of the Church is not exceeded in a system of Natural History. First, the whole year is divided into two parts; of which the former, extending from Advent to Trinity Sunday, is devoted more prominently to doctrines; the latter, containing the Sundays after Trinity, is chiefly occupied with christian practice. The former division breaks naturally into eight sections, whose subjects follow in such just order, as to form a regular course of sound doctrine. Again, the subjects of the successive Sundays and holidays in each of these sections have the same orderly arrangement. Finally, the several chapters and portions of Scripture, appointed for each Sunday and holiday, unite to teach, illustrate, and apply the subject for the day.
In this Division are contained the following sub- jects-I. The coming of Christ, and the preparation required of us :-II. his incarnation, and nativity :- III. his glory and offices :-IV. our condition, duty, and hope, as fallen and guilty creatures :-V. our Re- demption by the sacrifice of Christ :-VI. our salvation by his victory:-VII. the Church of Christ :-VIII. the influence of the Holy Ghost, to establish, teach, and comfort it. These are severally explained in the seasons of Advent, Christmas, the Epiphany, Lent, Passion Week, Easter, the Sundays after Easter, and Whitsuntide.
The promised child is both God and man. ing Lesson.- He is Immanuel, born of a virgin. Evening Lesson.-He is the eternal Son of God. Epistle. His deity, manhood, humiliation, and rejec- tion. Gospel.-His birth. Second Morning Lesson.→→ Through him we become sons of God. Second Even- ing Lesson and Gospel.
Proper Psalms. He is our teacher, xix. Our King, xlv. The blessings of his reign, lxxxv. The son of David, Ixxxix. Our King and High Priest, cx. His birth at Bethlehem Ephrata; and the establish- ment of his Church, cxxxii.
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. .... p. 27. | THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY.p.48.
Jesus, the Saviour of his people. Gospel.-Salva- tion from their enemies figured in the deliverance of Jerusalem. Morning Lesson.-Salvation from their sins figured in Hezekiah's recovery. Evening Lesson. -He redeems them from the bondage of the Law, that they might receive the adoption of sons. Epistle. THE CIRCUMCISION. p. 27.
Circumcision appointed. Morning Lesson. A seal of the righteousness which is by faith. Epistle. The outward sign profiteth nothing, without the in- ward grace. Second Morning Lesson.-The condi- tions which God required. Evening Lesson.-The circumcision of Christ. Gospel.-The blessings which christians obtain by their covenant with him. Second Evening Lesson.
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. p. 29. The epistle and gospel are the same as for circum- cision. The lessons encourage to unbounded confi- dence in God; who promises help, support, victory, and blessings.
SECTION III. EPIPHANY.
From the humiliation of our Lord, we proceed to his glory, example, and authority. The manifestation of his glory is described on the feast of the Epiphany. The first Sunday after, offers his example of devoted obedience. The second, of brotherly kindness. The third, the blessings he freely gives. The fourth, his | sovereignty. The fifth, his government of the Church. The sixth, his coming to judgment. The services for each day afford suitable instruction in our own duties.
THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY. . . . . . . p. 30. Christ manifested; by the star which appeared to the wise men. Gospel.~By the descent of the Holy Ghost at his baptism. Second Morning Lesson.-By his first miracle. Second Evening Lesson.-By the revelation of the mystery of the calling of the Gen- tiles. Epistle. By the establishment, and future glory of the holy Church Universal. Morning and Evening Lessons.
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY. p. 40. The Redemption of God's people. Morning and Evening Lessons.-Our duty therefore, and reasonable service, to devote ourselves to God, serving Him | cheerfully, each in his allotted place. Epistle. The example of Christ, in honouring his heavenly Father, and being subject to his earthly parents. Gospel. SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY. ......p. 41. The miserable condition from which God redeemed his people. Morning Lesson.-The price of their re- demption was the humiliation, sufferings, and death of Christ. Evening Lesson.-We are therefore re- quired to exercise brotherly kindness in a spirit of humility. Epistle.-Marriage, the bond of society | with its affections, honoured by our Lord; and the benevolence he exercised at Cana of Galilee. Gospel.
Strictly speaking, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday; but the subjects of the three preceding Sundays are preparatory to, and connected with it; and therefore it is proper to include the whole under one section.
Septuagesima Sunday shews the creation of man in innocence, and teaches his duty to his Creator. Sexa- gesima presents him fallen and guilty; yet an object of God's merciful solicitude. Quinquagesima directs to God's gracious covenant. Ash Wednesday calls to exer- The first cises of deep humiliation and penitence. Sunday in Lent shews the trials which exercise God's people, and the judgment of impenitent sinners. The second, condemns sin. The third, enforces holiness. The fourth, illustrates the free grace of God, who for- gives, and blesses penitent sinners. The fifth, intro- duces the Almighty Saviour, delivering his people from their enemies, by his power; and reconciling them to God by his atonement and intercession.
SECTION V. PASSION WEEK. From the consideration of our state as sinners, we
proceed, in order, to the means of our deliverance. In Passion Week our attention is directed to some of the most important doctrines of Christianity. On Sunday, we observe our Lord's example of condescension and humility. On Monday, the conflict he sustained for us, and the victory he achieved with his single arm. On Tuesday, his firm and patient endurance of indigni- ties. On Wednesday is presented to us the doctrine of Redemption. On Thursday, we learn the right use of the Holy Communion. On Friday, we see Christ made an offering for sin. On Saturday, we are taught the nature, and use of Baptism.
MONDAY NEXT BEFORE EASTER The victorious Saviour: Israel, justly punished, pleads with God by his former mercies, and their present misery. Epistle.-Our Lord's agony, &c., as related by St. Mark. Gospel.
TUESDAY NEXT BEFORE EASTER
p. 85. Christ's firm and patient endurance. Epistle.- His crucifixion, as related by St. Mark. Gospel. WEDNESDAY NEXT BEFORE EASTER, p. 86.
Israel destroyed by their own guilt, but redeemed by God's goodness. Morning Lesson.-The blessings they enjoy, when thus restored to his favour. Even- ing Lesson. The prophecy of Caiaphas that Jesus should die for the people. Second Morning Lesson.— The efficacy of his one sacrifice to put away sin. Epistle.--The betrayal, agony, denial, and condem- nation of Christ, as related by St. Luke. Gospel. THURSDAY NEXT BEFORE EASTER The time of Christ's appearing, and the object of his suffering, foretold by Daniel. Morning Lesson.
SECTION VI. EASTER.
Christ by his one offering, made a full atonement for our sins, and reconciled us to God. By his victory over Death and Hell, he saved us from our spiritual enemies, to whose tyranny we had been subjected by the Fall of Adam. This deliverance we celebrate at Easter.
On Easter day, we see the deliverance of his people from the powers of darkness completed by the victory he wrought. On Monday in Easter week, the provision he hath made to nourish and defend them through all their journey to heaven. On Tuesday, the judgment appointed for such as despise salvation.
Christ, the very Paschal Lamb, by the sprinkling of whose blood we are saved from death. Morning Lesson. Our salvation figured, in the deliverance of Israel, and the destruction of their enemies, at the Red Sea. Evening Lesson.-The Resurrection. Gospel.-The doctrine of the Resurrection preached on the day of Pentecost. Second Evening Lesson.-We are made partakers of the death and resurrection of Christ in our baptism. Second Morning Lesson.- We are therefore required, as risen with Christ, to set our affections on things above. Epistle.
Proper Psalms. The exaltation of Messiah, ii. The troubles through which he passed to it, lvii. God's faithfulness to his covenant, cxi. Praise for his goodness, cxiii. His power magnified in the deliverance of his people, cxiv. Joyful thanks- giving for the salvation he hath so triumphantly wrought for us, cxviii.
MONDAY IN EASTER WEEK ..........p. 93.
The gift of Manna. Morning Lesson; and of water from the Rock at Horeb: the victory over Amalek. Evening Lesson.-Christ, being risen, is made known to the disciples at Emmaus in the breaking of bread. Gospel. He commissions the Apostles to teach and baptise all nations, promis- ing the help of his presence even to the end of the world. Second Morning Lesson. The doctrine of the Resurrection is preached to the Jews. Second Evening Lesson ;-and to the Gentiles. Epistle. TUESDAY IN EASTER WEEK
.......... p. 94. The Law is given from Sinai. Morning Lesson. The sin of the golden calf; Moses intercedes for Is- rael; but executes judgment on the sinners. Evening Lesson. The fact of the Resurrection, as related by St. Luke. Second Morning Lesson.-The truth that our Lord rose again with his body proved by his eating before his disciples. Gospel.-The Resurrec- tion of Christ establishes the certainty that we shall rise again with our bodies. Second Evening Lesson. -St. Paul, preaching the doctrine of the Resurrec- tion, warns that all who despise salvation shall perish. Epistle.
SECTION VII. THE SUNDAYS AFTER
Christ having thus purchased to himself a Church by his own blood, we now consider the nature, cha- racter, and objects of this Church: the nature of which is described on the first Sunday after Easter; its safety, as a sheepfold under Christ, the good Shepherd, on the second; the duty of all its members, on the third; the principle upon which they perform their duty, namely, a renewed heart, on the fourth; the danger of neglecting their duty, on the fifth; the au- thority of the Christian Ministry, as the representatives of Christ, on Ascension Day; and the evil of Schism, on the Sunday after.
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