PREFACE.

THE approbation bestowed upon the Grammar of Sacred History, induces me to hope that the little volume now offered as a Sequel to it will not be less acceptable, particularly to those young persons who are beginning to take pleasure in the acquisition of religious knowledge.

The present work claims no merit on the score of novelty; it offers nothing new, but much that is important; it is compiled with a view of concentrating some useful and interesting information, which, in larger works, is found intermixed with a great deal that is unnecessary to ordinary readers.

Verbal criticisms, learned disquisitions, and elaborate discussions, are not calculated to interest the young. I have endeavoured to awaken their curiosity, to rouse their attention, and to stimulate them to study the sa

cred writings with pleasure, not read them as a task.

The simple illustration of the Church Service, by displaying the beautiful arrangement of its several parts, and shewing how admirably it is contrived for public use, may perhaps excite in many an interest that has hitherto been unfelt.

The Paraphrase on the Epistles and Gospels is chiefly taken from the Rev. Wm. Gilpin's "Exposition of the New Testament." If the Epistle or Gospel for the day is a continuation of a discourse, or of a subject previously begun, I have added a short preface, to make the sense complete.

The Paraphrase on the Catechism may serve as an Introduction to those more copious works, which will probably be read as the young student advances in life: whilst to those whose time and occupations do not admit of extensive reading, it may prove a substitute.

The notes, with few exceptions, are selected from the best authorities; they are chiefly explanatory of usages unknown to us, but which still exist in eastern countries, where

the natives maintain their ancient manners and customs with scrupulous exactness: these are so frequently alluded to in the Scriptures, that an acquaintance with them is calculated to give additional interest to various passages, and to remove obscurities, which appear such only from our ignorance.

I humbly hope, therefore, that my feeble endeavours to assist the pursuit of Biblical knowledge, will be judged with candour by the already well informed; and that the young, for whom it is primarily intended, will receive from it all the improvement it is my

wish to convey.

anxious

Wanstead, Dec. 1823.

MARY ANN RUNDALL.

INTRODUCTION

TO THE

LITURGY;

TAKEN FROM BISHOP ATTERBURY'S SERMONS.

THE object of our religious addresses is God. That God, who is a spirit, and who therefore will be worshipped in spirit, with all the faculties and power of our mind, and with the utmost intention and vigour of thought.

Prayer is an ascent of the mind towards God; a holy engine, by which we lift up our spirits to the great Father of spirits, maintain a sweet intercourse with him, and breathe out, from the bottom of our hearts, our common desires and acknowledgments. By His good providence, we are members of a church, where the public offices of religion are so modelled and contrived, as to be adapted, in every part of them, to raise the attention, and kindle a holy flame in the hearts of all sincere worshippers. If we neglect to improve them, we are more inex cusable than the members of any other church or communion in the Christian world. For the Liturgy is so well adapted to fix our thoughts, and is drawn up in such plain language, that Christians of the meanest capacities can join in it. There is nothing fantastical in the expressions; no vain use of such

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