measure irradiated with scriptural knowledge, and with saving truth. The few who were enlightened, might indeed have scattered some partial rays around them ; but their light would have been only as a meteor, that passes away and leaves no permanent effect. Moreover, if their zeal and knowledge and piety had been suffered to die with them, we should have in vain sought for compositions of equal excel- lence from any set of governors, from that day to the present hour : but by conveying to posterity the impress of their own piety in stated forms of prayer, they have in them transmitted a measure of their own spirit, which, like Elijah's mantle, has descended on multitudes who have succeeded them in their high office. It is not possible to form a correct esti- mate of the benefit which we at this day derive from having such a standard of piety in our hands : but we do not speak too strongly if we say, that the most enlightened amongst us, of whatever denomi- nation they may be, owe much to the existence of our Liturgy ; which has been, as it were, the pillar and ground of the truth in this kingdom, and has served as fuel to perpetuate the flame, which the Lord himself, at the time of the Reformation, kindled upon our altars.
But we must go further, and say, that the use of the Liturgy is equally expedient still. Of course, we must not be understood as speaking of private prayer in the closet ; where, though a young and inexperi- enced person may get help from written forms, it is desirable that every one should learn to express his own wants in his own language ; because no written prayer can enter so minutely into his wants and feel- ings as he himself may do : but, in public, we main- tain, that the use of such a form as ours is still as expedient as ever. To lead the devotions of a con- gregation in extempore prayer is a work for which but few are qualified. An extensive knowledge of the Scriptures must be combined with fervent piety, in order to fit a person for such an undertaking : and I greatly mistake, if there be found an humble person