of vindication : the true, the exalted, and the proper ground for a member and minister of the Established Church, we have left for the present untouched, lest we should encroach upon that which we hope to occupy on a future occasion. But it remains for us yet further to remark, that the use of our Liturgy is acceptable to God.
The words of our text are sufficient to shew us, that God does not look at fine words and fluent ex- pressions, but at the heart. The Israelites had " well said all that they had spoken :" but whilst God acknowledged that, he added, " O that there were such an heart in them ! " If there be humility and contrition in our supplications, it will make no dif- ference with God, whether they be extemporaneous or pre-composed. Can any one doubt whether, if we were to address our heavenly Father in the words which Christ himself has taught us, we should be accepted of him, provided we uttered the different petitions from our hearts ? As little doubt then is there that in the use of the Liturgy also we shall be accepted, if only we draw nigh to God with our hearts as well as with our lips. The prayer of faith, whether with or without a form, shall never go forth in vain. And there are thousands at this day who can attest from their own experience, that they have often found God as present with them in the use of the public services of our Church, as ever they have in their secret chambers.
Thus we have endeavoured to vindicate the use of our Liturgy generally. We now come to vindicate it in reference to some particular objections that have been urged against it.
The objections may be comprised under two heads ; namely, That there are exceptionable expressions in the Liturgy ; and, That the use of it necessarily generates formality.
To notice all the expressions which captious men have cavilled at, would be a waste of time. But there are one or two, which, with tender minds, have con- siderable weight, and have not only prevented many