chief heads, however, are thrown together in what is called the Apostles' Creed. The authority on which our belief is claimed is so great, and the proofs, on which the objects of it are founded, are so strong, that, to those who examine into the matter, there is no room for hesitation.

It was engaged for us, lastly, by our god-fathers and god-mothers, that we should keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of our life.

To these Scriptures also, we must have recourse to know what this will and these commandments are; and, when we know them, we shall find them so reasonable in themselves-so calculated to make us happy here-and so certain to conduct us to Heaven, when we die-that we shall be convinced that we are deeply interested to obey them. On the whole, then, the things promised for us are greatly for our own good, and tend, if we keep them, to make us happy both here and hereafter. Hence, if we are rational beings, we become bound to perform them; and as, hitherto, we have engaged to do so only by others, we become bound, likewise, when we come to years of discretion, to engage for ourselves. And surely it is advisable that this be done in a public manner, in the face of the world -that we may give a signal proof, to our friends and neighbours, that we are desirous to regulate our lives by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now an opportunity is given you of doing this

you

at the confirmations, which are held from time to time for that purpose; there you may openly profess, before one of the heads of the church, and before all those amongst whom you live, that you approve of the engagements entered into in your name, by your god-fathers and god-mothers; -that 'confirm' and take them upon yourselves; and that you will endeavour, as much as you possibly can, to maintain them. If, when you are at a proper age, you neglect this, you forfeit all the privileges which are procured by baptism-since you plainly show that, if you had had a choice, you would not have been baptized; -otherwise you would gladly embrace the opportunity of confirming' it. Christ taught the absolute necessity of baptism, and ordered his Apostles to go into the world, baptizing every one whom they converted to Christianity. No doubt then can exist, whether we ought to be baptized or not;-and if so, no doubt can exist, whether we ought to be confirmed :—our baptism was, on our parts, involuntary-it was performed by others; by confirmation alone, can we make it our own.

The first part of confirmation, then, is taking on ourselves the promise made in our name, by our sureties, at our baptism; the second part is the having the bishop lay his hands on our heads, and pray over us that we may receive God's assistance in our endeavours to keep them: in other words, that we may increase continually in the

gifts of God's Holy Spirit. You remember that the Scripture informs you that the Apostles used to lay their hands on the heads of those who had been baptized, and by that means communicated to them what are called the gifts of the Holy Ghost; the most conspicuous of these gifts were miraculous; the persons, over whom the Apostles thus prayed, were enabled to do various things above the power of human beings: we are not to suppose that this was the case with all; but the remainder of them received, what was still more valuable, such a portion of heavenly grace, that their ignorance was removed, their hearts purified, and they were put in a way, if they were not wanting to themselves, of attaining the kingdom of God. The successors of the Apostles, that is, the heads of the different churches, have, I believe, in all ages, continued this practice of praying over the baptized, that these last mentioned gifts of the Holy Spirit may descend upon them. The miraculous gifts are now no more, because Christianity can propagate itself without themwhich was the purpose for which they were intended; but the common gifts, though inferior in outward show, are, as I observed before, superior in real value. These gifts, we have reason to hope, will be conferred upon us at our confirmation, provided that we take upon ourselves the promises made at our baptism, with that firm resolution of keeping them, which we ought to do. In order, then, to prepare yourselves properly for

confirmation, you ought to endeavour to make yourselves masters of the meaning of those promises which you then take upon yourselves, and of those privileges which you then attain; and you ought, likewise, to offer up your constant and ardent prayers to the Almighty-that he would so improve your understanding, that you may perceive, in its full weight, the infinite importance of acting up to your professions; and that he would so purify your hearts, that, in spite of all temptations to the contrary, your behaviour may be regulated accordingly ;-which may God of his infinite mercy grant!-to whom, with the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be all honour, obedience, and thanksgiving, now and for ever.

SERMON XXVIII.

ON THE LITURGY.

FIRST PART.

1 CORINTHIANS XIV. 15.

I will pray with the understanding also.

WHEN We assemble together to offer up our prayers and thanksgivings to the Almighty, we should be careful that it be not with our lips only, but with our hearts also, that we approach him; and, to this end, it is requisite that we comprehend thoroughly the words which we make use of; we may pray with our mouth, without perceiving the meaning of what we are saying; but if we would pray with our heart, we must pray with the understanding also. The composers of the Form of Prayer, which we use in our churches, have, under this conviction, and with this view, adapted our Liturgy to all capacities, and in general it is plain and intelligible; but as there are particular parts of it, which may seem to some rather obscure, and as there are others, which perhaps are not suffi