spiritual manner, which (because it is heavenly and spiritual) it is presumptuous to attempt to comprehend or define. And if in treating of so delicate a subject I have made (on either side) a statement at all unsafe, I desire to retract such statement, and to submit to the authority of the Formularies of the English Church, to all which I give my unqualified assent and consent. One object of these Lectures has been to point out to my hearers and readers the great beauty and appropriateness of the Office on which I have undertaken to comment, and the large amount of thought, erudition, and piety which underlies it. Almost all the world praise the Prayer Book (even Dissenters are found to do so very copiously), and with about as much intelligence as they show in praising Shakspere and Milton. If the majority would be honest about Shakspere and Milton, they would confess that some of the ephemeral poetry of the day is far more attractive, and possesses what seems to them more sparkling poetical beauty; and if the majority would be honest about the Prayer Book, they would admit that they much prefer to its terse and chastened fervour some rambling and diffuse piece of devotion, thrown off on the spur of the moment, without method of arrangement, and of no merit as a composition. I have aimed in these pages at insinuating the thought that the Prayer Book will repay study, and deep study, and that none can really appreciate it (what ever professions they may make to that effect), without at all events a patient and careful consideration of its structure and contents. If what I have written shall have the effect of giving to any reader a deeper insight into the significance of Devotional Forms, with which his ear has been long familiarized, and of enabling him, while joining in them, to catch more of the spirit which they breathe, my labour will be abundantly repaid. E. M. G. CONTENTS. PAGE "When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating, every one taketh before other his own supper; and one is hungry, and another drunken. What, have of God?" 17 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins," 33 |