the most approved tranflation, in the vulgar tongue, that all may hear and underftand.

Sect. III. How large a portion fhall be read at once, is left to the difcretion of every minifter: however, in each service, he ought to read, at least one chapter; and more, when the chapters are fhort, or the connection requires it. He may, when he thinks it expedient, expound any part of what is read; always having regard to the time, that neither reading, finging, praying, preaching, or any other ordinance, be disproportionate the one to the other; nor the whole rendered too fhort, or too tedious.

CHA P. IV.

Of the Singing of Pfalms.

Sect. I.

Tis the duty of Chriftians to praise

1

hymns, publicly in the church, as alfo privately in the family.

Sect. II. In finging the praifes of God, we are to fing with the fpirit, and with the underftanding alfo; making melody in our hearts unto the Lord. It is also proper, that we cultivate fome knowledge of the rules of mufic; that we may praise God in a becoming manner with our voices, as well as with our hearts.

Sect. III. The whole congregation should be furnished with books, and ought to join in this part of worship. It is proper to fing without parcelling out the pfalm, line by line. The practice of reading the pfalm, line by line, was introduced in times of ignorance, when many in the congregation could not read: therefore, it is recommended, that it be laid afide, as far as convenient.

Sect. IV. The proportion of the time of public worship to be fpent in finging, is left to the prudence of every minister: but it is recom mended, that more time be allowed for this excellent part of divine fervice, than has been usual. in most of our churches.

CHAP. V.

Of public Prayer.»

Sect. 1. public worthip of the fanctuary by I

T feems very proper to begin the

a fhort prayer; humbly adoring the infinite majefty of the living God: expreffing a fenfe of our distance from him as creatures, and unworthiness as finners: and humbly imploring his gracious prefence, the affiftance of his holy fpirit in the duties of his worship, and his accep tance of us through the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift.

Sect. II. Then, after finging a pfalm, or hymn, itis proper that, before fermon, there should be a full, and comprehenfive prayer. First, Adoring the glory and perfections of God, as they are made known to us in the works of creation; in the conduct of providence; and in the clear, and full revelation he hath made of himself in his written word. Second, Giving thanks to him for all his mercies of every kind, general and par ticular, fpiritual and temporal, common and fpecial; above all for Chrift Jefus his unspeakable gift; and the hope of eternal life through him. Third, Making humble confeffion of fin, both original and actual; acknowledging, and endeavouring to imprefs the mind of every wor shipper with a deep sense of the evil of all fin, as fuch; as being a departure from the living God; and alfo taking a particular and affecting view of the various fruits which proceed from this root of bitterness :-as, fins against God, our neighbour, and ourselves; fins in thought, in word, and in deed; fins fecret and prefumptu

fins accidental and habitual. Alfo, the aggravations of fin; arifing from knowledge, or the means of it; from diftinguishing mercies; from valuable privileges; from breach of vows, &c. Fourth, Making earneft fupplication for the pardon of fin, and peace with God, through the blood of the atonement, with all its important and happy fruits; for the spirit of fanctification,

and abundant fupplies of the grace that is neceffary to the discharge of our duty; for support and comfort, under all the trials to which we are liable, as we are finful and mortal; and for all temporal mercies, that may be neceffary in our paffage through this valley of tears. Always remembering to view them as flowing in the channel of covenant love, and intended to be fubfervient to the prefervation and progrefs of the fpiritual life. Fifth, Pleading from every principle warranted in fcripture; from our own neceffity; the all-fufficiency of God; the merit and interceffion of cur Saviour, and the glory of God in the comfort and happinefs of his people. Sixth, Interceffion for others, including the whole world of mankind; the kingdom of Chrift; or his church univerfal; the church or churches with which we are more particularly connected; the intereft of human fociety in general, and in that community, to which we immediately belong; all that are invested with civil authority; the minifters of the everlafting gofpel; and the rifing generation with whatever else, more particular, may feem neceffary, or fuitable, to the intereft of that congregation where divine wor fhip is celebrated.

Sect. III. Prayer after fermon ought general. ly to have a relation to the subject that has been treated of in the difcourfe; and all other public

prayers, to the circumftances that gave occafion for them.

Sect. IV. It is eafy to perceive, that in all the preceding directions there is a very great compafs and variety; and it is committed to the judgment and fidelity of the officiating paftor to infift chiefly on fuch parts, or to take in more or less of the feveral parts, as he fhall be led to by the afpect of providence; the particular ftate of the congregation in which he officiates; or the dif pofition and exercife of his own heart at the time.

But we think it neceffary to obferve, that although we do not approve, as is well known, of confining minifters to fet, or fixed forms of prayer for public worship; yet it is the indifpenfible duty of every minister, previously to his entering on his office, to prepare and qualify himself for this part of his duty, as well as for preaching. He ought, by a thorough acquaintance with the holy fcriptures; by reading the best writers on the fubject; by meditation; and by a life of communion with God in fecret; to endeavour to acquire both the fpirit and the gift of prayer.-Not only fo, but when he is to enter on particular acts of worship, he fhould endeavour to compofe his fpirit, and to digeft his thoughts for prayer, that it may be performed with dignity and propriety, as well as to the profit of thofe who join in it; and that he may not difgrace that important fervice by mean, irregular, or extravagant effutions.