we are, by its constant recurrence, recalled from inattention, and preserved from that listlessness which will, in spite of ourselves, so often steal over us. And, as I have observed in a former lecture, every protection against ourselves is of value.

The importance and comeliness of the following directions are such as at once commend themselves to a well-regulated mind: "None, either man, woman, or child, of what calling soever, shall be otherwise at such times busied in the church, than in quiet attendance to hear, mark, and understand that which is read, preached, or ministered; saying, in their due places audibly with the minister, the Confession, the Lord's Prayer, and the Creed; and making such other answers to the public prayers, as are appointed in the Book of Common Prayer." The antiphonal and joint worship laid down in the Prayer Book is a most beautiful provision, alike for the harmony of the service, and the benefit of those who solemnize it. Our Prayer Book recognizes no lay deputy by whom the portion of the service appointed for the people should be performed; and it is not possible to imagine a more delightful sound

than the simultaneous unison of the voices of a whole congregation, bent on doing acceptable homage to their great Master. People cannot sufficiently consider the inestimable value and efficacy of joint prayer, or, accepting the first summons to accompany the minister with " pure hearts and humble voices to the throne of the heavenly grace," they would exercise throughout the service their enlightened privilege of response and of saying Amen, at the priest's giving of thanks.* It is to be remembered that the Confession is to be said after the minister; the Lord's Prayer with him; but in this, as in other matters, all that is required in the solemnization of the daily Morning and Evening Service is so clearly laid down in the Prayer Book, that there need be no want of uniformity, if only we will attend to its rubrics. There is, indeed, one exception to this, in the case of the rubric preceding the salutation between priest and people which follows the Creed. The words "the minister first pronouncing" being by some understood to direct that the people are to kneel at once, and that he is not to

* 1 Corinthians xiv. 16.

kneel until after he has said, "Let us pray;" others hold that neither people nor priest are to kneel until that time. Much may be said on both sides; but either would be better than that general confusion in which these words are often lost. Although rather inclining to take the first of these views, yet, in a matter of doubt, it is best to follow received usage, and, as such seems to have been the practice in this congregation, I would request you to remain in a standing posture until you have made the response "And with thy Spirit," and wait for the summons "Let us pray" as the signal to kneel. It is unseemly to lose even a word of Divine Service through confusion.

It yet remains for me to speak of the wisdom of the Church's provision for the commencement of Divine Service as bearing upon our present subject; but this I must do in a separate lecture. Let me, however, in conclusion, urge upon you a strict attention to the Rubrics and the Canon, from which I have been quoting, and request you to remember that your part in Divine Service is as essential as ours, and that we are not directed to proceed, if you omit to observe the portions set out for you. Order is

heaven's first law; and decency, becoming as it is at all times, is especially to be exacted from us in Divine Service, when, all weak and sinning as we are, we come to the throne of grace. that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.*

* Hebrews iv. 16.

LECTURE VII.

BEHAVIOUR IN CHURCH.

PART. II.

PSALM XXVI. 8.

LORD, I have loved the habitation of THINE house, and the place where THINE Honour dwelleth.

HAVING in my last lecture spoken of the sanctity of the house of the LORD, and urged upon you the duty and the advantages of showing your love for the place where His honour dwelleth, by a faithful compliance with the directions of the Rubrics and Canons of the Church, I now proceed to show, as bearing upon the same subject, the wisdom of the Church's provision for the commencement of Divine Service.

In the first book of King Edward VI, the