endeavours can avail, our spiritual wants ; being de- cent in her forms, but not superstitious ; and strong in her expressions, but not erroneous. In short, it is not possible to read the Liturgy with candour, and not to see that the welfare of our souls is the one object of the whole ; and that the compilers of it had nothing in view, but that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in God, we should glorify his holy name.
II. The excellencies of our Liturgy will yet fur- ther appear, while we notice, next, its fulness and suitableness.
Astonishing is the wisdom with which the Liturgy is adapted to the edification of every member of the Church. There is no case that is overlooked, no sin that is not deplored, no want that is not specified, no blessing that is not asked : yet, whilst every parti- cular is entered into so far that every individual per- son may find his own case adverted to, and his own wishes expressed, the whole is so carefully worded, that no person is led to express more than he ought to feel, or to deliver sentiments in which he may not join with his whole heart. Indeed there is a minute- ness in the petitions that is rarely found even in men's private devotions ; and those very particu- larities are founded in the deepest knowledge of the human heart, and the completest view of men's spi- ritual necessities : for instance, We pray to God to deliver us, not only in all time of our tribulation, but in all time of our wealth also ; because we are quite as much in danger of being drawn from God by pros- perity, as by adversity; and need his aid as much in the one as in the other.
In the intercessory part of our devotions also, our sympathy is called forth in behalf of all orders and degrees of men, under every name and every cha- racter that can be conceived. We pray to him, to strengthen such as do stand, to comfort and help the weak-hearted, and to raise up them that fall, and finally, to beat down Satan under our feet. We entreat him also to succour, help, and comfort all that are in