it is to be feared, exceedingly defective, both in energy and in scriptural instruction.]
As for the Liturgy, no commendation can be too great for it —
[Being of human composition, it must, of necessity, par- take of human infirmity. But, taken all together, it comes nearer to inspiration than any book that ever was composed. Only let a person be humbled as a sinner before God, and he will not find in the whole universe any prayers so suited to his taste. They express exactly what a broken-hearted peni- tent before God would desire to express : yet is there in them nothing of extravagance or of cant: all is sober, chaste, judi- cious; so minute, as to comprehend every thing which the largest assembly of suppliants could wish to utter ; and at the same time so general, as not to involve any one to a greater extent than his own experience sanctions and approves. Throughout the whole, the suppliant is made to stand on the only true foundation, and to urge every request in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, his atoning Saviour, his all-prevail- ing Advocate. Throughout the whole, also, is the Holy Spirit's influence acknowledged as the only source of light and life, and implored as the gift of God to sinners for Christ's sake. In point of devotion, whether prayer or praise be offered, nothing can exceed the Liturgy, either in urgency of petition or in fervour of thanksgiving. In truth, if a whole assembly were addressing God in the spirit of the Liturgy, as well as in the ivords, there would be nothing to compare with such a spectacle upon the face of the earth : it would approxi- mate more to heaven than any thing of the kind that was ever yet seen in this world.
Taking, then, the formularies of our Church in a collective view, I must say, that we have unbounded reason for thankful- ness to Almighty God for the provision which has been made for the instruction of our minds, and the assistance that has been given us for our advancement in the divine life.]
Now, then, let me state to you,
III. The claim which the Prayer-book and Homily Society has upon us in this particular view —
[Here a summary view was given of the services rendered by that Society to the world. And they were shewn to be such as to deserve the countenance and support of every pious man. Its having translated our Liturgy into so many lan- guages, renders it an institution of far greater importance than would, at first sight, be supposed : for, if Bible Societies and Mission Societes are useful in gathering Churches, this is useful