Page images
PDF
EPUB

fessor's own words) St. Luke improved and corrected the accounts which were then in circulation of the history of Christ. For this undertaking he is entitled to our warmest thanks: as in consequence of the accurate inquiries which he made, he was enabled to distinguish truth from falsehood, and to communicate a Gospel on which we can depend*"

* P. 270.

(To be continued.)

ON MR. SHARP'S RULE, &c.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCHMAN'S MAGAZINE.

IN

SIR,

N my copy of Mr. Granville Sharp's observation on the Greek article, published in 1797, the author expressly excepts Nouns proper, or in the plural number. Permit me to ask, has this exception been omitted in any subsequent edition? or has it escaped the observation of Mr. Pearson and the London Curate, one of whom objects, and the other endeavours to reconcile, two plural nouns to Mr. Sharp's rule?

Your

correspondent S. C. in your magazine for April, p. 269, expresses a doubt, whether, Rom. v. 12, be rightly translated For that or Because. He may be informed that Walther and Beza render these words In whom: Chrysostom appears also to favour this interpretation: his paraphrase is εκεινε πεσοντος, και οι μη φάγοντες απο το ξυλο γεγονασιν εξ εκεινε θνητοι.

[blocks in formation]

ON THE STATE OF THE CHURCH.

[ocr errors]

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCHMAN'S

I

SIR,

MAGAZINE.

HAVE observed with great pleasure your unremitted zeal in exposing the various assaults and artifices, made use of by the direct enemies of the church, and the treachery and hypocrisy of many who profess themselves to be of her communion, while, in fact, they are endeavouring to undermine her foundations. To many of your correspondents also, great obligations are due for their ardour in the same cause; particularly the London Curate and Mr. Pearson; but I am apprehensive that something yet remains to be done. The Methodists and other sectaries have their periodical journals, in which they hold a kind of intercommunication with each other, and from which individuals at a distance may know the actual state of the societies in various parts, and consequently are enabled to ascertain the condition of the sect to which they belong.

What I wish for is, a similar statement of the condition of the Church of England in different places. I mean a view of the religious state of particular dioceses, districts, and parishes. It would be very easy for the parochial clergy, or even intelligent laymen, to communicate, through the channel of your judicious and seasonable miscellany, accounts of those places where they are resident. It would be proper to express the population of the town or parish; the number, as near as can be, of those who attend church, and, of communicants; what schools there are, and the condition of them; the general character of the people; varieties and numbers of Dissenters, with such incidental matters, however miscellaneous, as may serve to give a pretty accurate idea of the state of religion and morals in general, as well as of the condition of the Church of England in particular. I am aware, Sir, that some indolent or fastidious persons will cavil at this proposal, and treat it as silly, useless, or impertipent; but the aspect of things is such as to make it necessary for every well-wisher to the Constitution in

Church

C

Church and State, to look narrowly into the real condition of the country; and this knowlege cannot be obtained from a general observation. We must descend to particulars, and from the whole we may be able perhaps to draw a just conclusion: at all events we shall hereby possess much useful information, and have it in our power to apply many valuable hints and plans for the correction of evils in particular places, from what we find has been carried into effect in others.

I trust, Sir, that what I have suggested will be taken into consideration by some of your ingenious and worthy friends, who in setting the example with regard to the places where they reside, or with which they are connected, will stimulate many others throughout the united kingdom to communicate what information they can in the same manner.

I am, &c.

CYPRIAN.

ARCHBISHOP LAUD'S DEVOTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCHMAN'S

MAGAZINE.

SIR,

VARIETY of avocations, and a temporary mis

A of of your

lent work, which contained my last extracts from the Daily Office of that orthodox prelate, ARCHBISHOP LAUD, having prevented my continuing them of late; I beg leave to submit to you the following, in the hope that they may obtain your usual favour, and be indulged with an insertion in your next number.

The last extracts having proceeded in the order of the volume, as far as the Archbishop's intercessions for his enemies, commence now at that next division of his invaluable manuals, which he calls PENITENTIALS, where (at p. 66.) after quoting Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 143. Ps. 90, 13.—119, 116, 120. Jer. 14, 7. 8, 9. Ps. 25' 10. he proceeds thus: O Lord Almighty, I acknow

ledge

ledge and confess I am not worthy to lift up mine eyes to Heaven, much less to present myself before thee with any confidence that thou shouldst hear my prayers and. grant my requests, if I consider my own deserving: for my conscience accuses me, and my sins witness against me; and thou art a just and upright judge, and will not justify any sinner in his transgressions. O Lord, suffer me not to be swallowed up of death and desperation, but in the multitude of thy mercies pardon me, O Lord, for thy goodness sake. For though I am a worm and no man, yet thou art my creator, and I am the work of thy hands; yea, thou art my Father, and I thy son; thou my Shepherd, and I one of thy straggling flock; thou my Redeemer, and I one of thy people, whom thou hast dearly bought; thou my God, and I thy creature. O correct me not in thine anger, O Lord, neither punish me according to my deservings, but remember my weakness, as well as well as my sin, and have mercy upon me, have mercy upon me, most merciful Father. For thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, his sake, forgive me all that is past, and grant that I may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honour and glory of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen*.

ENGLISH LITURGY.

Almighty God, and my most merciful Father, who of thy tender mercy hast promised forgiveness of sins to all them, who with hearty repentance and true faith, turn unto thee, have mercy upon me, pardon and deliver me from all my sins, confirm and strengthen me in all goodness, and bring me to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ament.

ST. AUG. SERMON 7, DE TEMPORE.

O most holy Lord, most merciful God, let it suffice me to have been a sinner hitherto, to have despised thee, to have indulged the unclean motions of the flesh; now at this time, by thy inspiration, I make a Vow to return from mine iniquities; assist me, O Lord, and grant I may fulfil it, in and through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CONFESSIONS.

O Lord, in many things I have offended and done wickedly, and (have) grieved thy Holy Spirit; I have

* Communion Office.
Ibid.

provoked (to wrath) the bowells of thy mercy, by thought, word, and deed; by night and by day, in public and in private, deliberately and by surprise. O if thou shouldst set ny sins in the sight of thy countenance; O if thou shouldst call me to account for my sins, those sins which are unpardonable in themselves, (those) which I have committed against (my own) knowledge, (O) what shall I do? whither shall I flee? But, O Lord, rebuke me not in thy fury, nor chasten me in thine anger. Have mercy upon me, not only because I am weak, but (also) because I am the work of thy hands. I beseech thee enter not into judgment with thy servant; for if thou, Lord, shalt (be extreme to) mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it? whosoever may, yet, (most) certainly I shall not. For I am a sea of sin, and am not worthy (so much as) to look up to Heaven, by reason of the multitude of my sins, which cannot be numbered, evil speakings, injuries, &c, and (besides) a thousand other abominable passions (there are) from which I have not refrained myself. For with what wickedness am I not defiled? to what sins am I not enslaved? I (altoge ther) am become an unprofitable servant to thee my God, and to all mankind. Now that I am fallen into such sins as those, who shall raise me up again? O Lord, thou art my God, in thee is my trust; be thou my Saviour according to the bowels of thy compassion, and be merciful to the according to the greatness of thy mercy, and reward me not according to my works, but turn thyself to me, and (turn) me to thee. Forgive me all my sins, that I have committed against thee, and save me for thy mercies sake, and where sin has abounded, (there) let thy grace abound much more: so shall I praise and glorify thee all the days of my life: FOR THOU ART THE GOD OF THOSE THAT REPENT, and the Saviour of sinners. Glory be to thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen: From pp. 66 to 76.

[ocr errors]

We see by this Penitentiary Office, so necessary for all conditions of men, the state of humiliation and dependence so well expressed, as must enforce the necessity and advantage of thus addressing our heavenly Father, who is at once Almighty God," and "the Father of all Mercies." In the above form, a very excellent example is given of adapting the service of our Church to our private devotions, being then sure of our acceptance with him who has promised to hear the Church, and graciously to regard the supplications of his people. In the subsequent

« PreviousContinue »