terrific thunders of Mount Sinai ; but covertly it con- veyed an intimation, that we should all seek deliver- ance from the curse of the Law through the mediation of that great Prophet, whom God raised up like unto Moses, even his Son Jesus Christ.
The further use which we propose to make of this passage, is only in a way of accommodation ; which however is abundantly sanctioned by the example of the Apostles ; who not unfrequently adopt the language of the Old Testament to convey their own ideas, even when it has no necessary connexion with their subject. Of course, the Liturgy of our Church was never in the contemplation of the sacred historian : yet, as in that we constantly address ourselves to God, and as it is a composition of unrivalled excellence, and needs only the exercise of our devout affections to render it a most acceptable service before God, we may well apply to it the commendation in our text ; " They have well said all that they have spoken : O that there were such an heart in them ! "
As in the course of the month two other occasions of prosecuting our subject will occur, we shall arrange our observations on the Liturgy, so as to vindicate its use — display its excellence — and commend to your attention one particular part, which we conceive to be eminently deserving notice in this place.
In the present Discourse we shall confine ourselves to the vindication of the Liturgy ; first, Generally, as a service proper to be used ; and then, Parti- cularly, in reference to some objections which are urged against it.
Perhaps there never was any human composition more cavilled at, or less deserving such treatment, than our Liturgy. Nothing has been deemed too harsh to say of it. In order therefore to a general vindica- tion of it, we propose to shew, that the use of it is lawful in itself — expedient for us — and acceptable to God.
It is lawful in itself.
The use of a form of prayer cannot be in itself wrong; for, if it had been, God would not have pre- scribed the use of forms to the Jewish nation. But