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CHAPTER III.

MEDITATIONS, SCRIPTURES, PRAYERS.

FIRST MEDITATION-AN ARGUMENT.

It is evident to my reason, arguing on all the known grounds of human societies, that every member must partake of the spirit and character of the society to which he belongs; must also conform to its usages, ceremonies, and rules otherwise his membership virtually

ceases.

It is evident to my understanding, that what is true in a general principle, cannot be untrue in any specific instance; and therefore that what is true in a society established by men, must be also true, in any society (if there be such) established by God.

It is evident to my knowledge, that there has

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been a society established by God called THE CHURCH, founded by his blessed Son our Lord Jesus Christ, and that in that society, HE the the Founder and Establisher of it, has ordained certain holy rites, "not only as badges or tokens of a Christian man's profession, but rather certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace and God's good will toward the members, by the which he doth work invisibly in them, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm, our Faith in Him." (Article xxv.)

It is evident to my memory, casting itself back upon the past scenes of my life, that I have been, and am still, up to this hour, full of wickedness; and that when I examine the state of my soul towards God and man, I find it a miserable scene of infirmity ;-lusts and passions abounding, detestable enormities of every kind prevailing, and my whole self unworthy of the position in which I stand as a son of God;-and moreover, that I am not able of myself either to wash out this foulness of my

life by any effort of my own, or to seek remission of the punishment which is its due, or to obtain strength for any future amendment.

It is evident to my faith, that in consequence of these imperfections on my part, and in order to remedy them, one has descended from Heaven-THE SON OF GOD, in human flesh subsisting, in human flesh teaching, suffering, and dying, that by his obedience and death He might do for me, what I could not do for myself;-that He has for this purpose appointed and ordained a Church, placing himself at its head, making himself the source and fountain from which every kind of blessing might flow into the hearts of the different members of his body; saying to me among others—"You shall be released from sin,-you shall receive forgiveness, you shall receive grace-provided you continue a member of my body, and receive nourishment from me, as hereby ordained."

And lastly, it is evident to my heart, that I behold in this living and dying Deliverer, the most loving and affectionate friend which

could possibly have been found for the lost man that I was-that I am bound, therefore, even putting aside my own interest, yet for his sake, to do something in return—that I should be a useless stock or stone, were I to refuse a tribute of love towards Him, who has thus been my great deliverer and Saviourthat I therefore look upon the memorial which he has himself devised, as but the expected, the very lowest offering that a man so circumstanced as I am, could make-that when I see the various members of the body following this memorial, if I alone am absent, I am doing two ungrateful things,-I am neglecting my Deliverer, and I am sowing dissension among my fellow-sinners. I am doing injury in two ways; first, in his own person, and secondly, in theirs, for the head must suffer with the members, and the members must suffer with the head.

It is evident then to my reason, to my understanding, to my knowledge, to my memory, to my faith, and to my heart, that I am bound;

As a subject of a glorious King, To communicate in the Holy Eucharist, both with Him, and with them; that so it may be a 66 sign to me, of the love which Christians ought to have among themselves one to another; and also a sacrament of my redemption by Christ's death." (Art. xxviii.)

Now are reason, understanding, knowledge, faith, memory, and all my better feelings, to give way to the suggestions of the devil, or to my prejudices, or to my fears? Shall I hear the glad announcement of my Redeemer's love, "Come unto me all ye that labour, and I will give you rest," and yet stand aloof, without shame, and say, "I will not come." The supper will be ready-the priest will minister