stimulating them to real piety, or establishing them on the foundation which God has laid. They con- tained, it is true, much that was good ; but they were at the same time so filled with ceremonies of man's invention, and with doctrines repugnant to the Gospel, that they tended only to deceive and ruin all who adhered to them. In direct opposition to those services, we affirm, that the whole scope and ten- dency of our Liturgy is to raise our minds to a holy and heavenly state, and to build us up upon the Lord Jesus Christ as the only foundation of a sinner's hope.
Let us look at the stated services of our Church ; let us call to mind all that we have heard or uttered, from the Introductory Sentences which were to pre- pare our minds, to the Dismission Prayer which closes the whole : there is nothing for show, but all for edification and spiritual improvement. Is hu- mility the foundation of true piety ? what deep humi- liation is expressed in the General Confession, and throughout the Litany ; as also in supplicating for- giveness, after every one of the Commandments, for our innumerable violations of them all ! Is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the way appointed for our reconciliation with God ? we ask for every blessing solely in his name and for his sake ; and with the holy vehemence of importunity, we urge with him the consideration of all that he has done and suffered for us, as our plea for mercy ; and, at the Lord's supper, we mark so fully our affiance in his atoning blood, that it is impossible for any one to use those prayers aright, without seeing and feeling that " there is no other name under heaven but his, whereby we can be saved."
The same we may observe respecting the Occa- sional Services of our Church. From our very birth even to the grave, our Church omits nothing that can tend to the edification of its members. At our first introduction into the Church, with what solemnity are we dedicated to God in our Baptismal Service! What pledges does our Church require of our