either case may probably be regarded as equally valid. Wherever, as here, however, we have the distinct directions of a RUBRIC, BISHOPS will of course feel bound to set to their clergy the example of strict compliance with those directions.

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8. BRIEF ACCOUNT of the Order of CONFIRMATION. The Order of CONFIRMATION opens, after the explanatory PREFACE, with an ADDRESS to the Candidates, reminding them of their Baptismal Engagements, and with a solemn inquiry from the BISHOP as to whether they are fully prepared to renew those engagements. They answer shortly, but never, it is to be hoped, without most serious consideration, "I do" (renew them). Then follow some appropriate VERSICLES and RESPONSES, and a PRAYER for the diffusion upon the Candidates of the manifold Graces of the HOLY SPIRIT; a Prayer, which is certainly one of the most important parts of the OFFICE, and has been used in our PARENT CHURCH upwards of twelve hundred years. This solemn invocation is followed by the IMPOSITION OF HANDS, accompanied with the EPISCOPAL BENEDICTION; and the SERVICE

is concluded by the LORD'S PRAYER, together with two beautiful and most expressive Collects, and the BENEDICTION.

The words of Archbishop Secker (born 1693, died Archbishop of Canterbury 1768), cited by Bishop Brownell, should be solemnly impressed on the mind of every Candidate for Confirmation. "The Blessing (he writes) will certainly abide with them, unless by wilful sin, or gross negligence, they drive it away, and in that case they must not hope that their BAPTISM, or their CONFIRMATION, or the PRAYERS of the BISHOP, or the CHURCH, or the whole world, will do them service. On the contrary, every thing, which they might have been the better for, if they had made a good use of it, they will be the worse for, if they make a bad one. They do well to renew the covenant of their BAPTISM in CONFIRMATION; but, if they break it, they forfeit the benefit of it. They do well to repeat their vows in the SACRAMENT of the LORD'S SUPPER; it is what all Christians are commanded by their dying SAVIOUR, for the strengthening and refreshing of their souls; but if they are admitted to this privi

lege also, and live wickedly, they do but 'eat and drink their own condemnation." " So that all depends on a thoroughly honest care of their hearts and behaviour in all respects. Not that, with our best care, we can avoid smaller faults; and, if we entreat pardon for them in our daily prayers, they will not be imputed to us. But gross and habitual sins we may avoid, through God's help; and, if we fall into them, we fall from our title to SALVATION at the same time. Yet even then our case is not desperate, and let us not make it so, by thinking it is; for, through the Grace of the GOSPEL, we may still repent and amend, and then be forgiven. But I beg you to observe, that, as continued health is vastly preferable to the happiest recovery from sickness, so is innocence the truest repentance. If we suffer ourselves to transgress our duty, God knows whether we shall have time to repent; GOD knows whether we shall have a heart to do it. At least we shall have lost, and more than lost, the whole time that we have been going back; whereas we have all need to press forward as fast as Therefore let the innocent of wil

we can.

ful sin preserve his treasure with the greatest circumspection, and the faulty return from their errors without delay. Let the young enter upon the way of righteousness. with hearty resolution; and those of riper age persevere in it to the end. In a word, let us all, of every age, seriously consider and faithfully practise the obligations of religion. For the vows of GOD are still upon us" (Ps. lvi. 12), how long so'er it be since they were first made, either by us, or for us; and it is in vain to forget, what HE will assuredly remember, or hope to be safe in neglecting what He expects us to do. But let us use proper diligence and HE will infallibly give us proper assistance and "confirm us all "unto the end," "that we may be blameless in the day of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."

LESSON THE THIRTEENTH.

The Solemnization of Matrimony.

THE

HE RELIGIOUS character of the Marriage Ceremony. That the MARRIAGE CONTRACT is essentially of a religious character appears from the consideration that the estate was instituted by God Himself; that at the first marriage GOD Himself was the Great HIGH PRIEST; that OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST looked upon it as a union consecrated by GOD, and which He alone could sunder; and that it has always been solemnized by His Ministers from the earliest period of the CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

2. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH has always regarded Marriage as a Religious Solemnity. -Mention is made by many of the FATHERS of the MARRIAGE BENEDICTION, and of the Rites which accompanied it. Thus TER