Dr. Grabe was so great an admirer of the same eucharistical form, that while he durst not receive the Communion in public, on account of its present deviation from all the primitive Liturgies in some part of that celebration, he did it to his great joy and satisfaction with Mr. Stephens, in that particular congregation. And as to the opinions of the learned, whether of this, or of other churches about it, take the same Mr. Stephen's account, in these words : "Having," says he, "published a Liturgy entitled, * The Liturgy of the Ancients represented, as near as * Of Prayers well may be, in English Forms; not much dif- for the Dead, Dedication. ferent (only a little more complete) from that restitution of the true English Liturgy attempted by the Scotch, with the assistance of the principal of the English Bishops, anno 1637; I presented it to some of the principal learned men, first of the English, who much approved it, and wished it restored by law; then of the Lutherans, who also approved it, and declared their satisfaction to communicate in that form; and, at last, of the Roman Catholics, who had no exception to the matter or form of it." All that seems necessary to be added here by me, is this; that I cannot but earnestly wish that all those learned persons who will not be able to disapprove of this design in theory, would be so honest, and so Christian, as with me to endeavour to reduce it to practice also: that somewhat like this might be introduced into all Dissenting Meetings, as much better and less offensive to public authority, then any of the usual extempore prayers; and into private families, even the chapels of noblemen themselves, where it may certainly be used without the least pretence of disobedience to such public authority, and where even the law allows several more than the ordinary family to be present also. Nay, I should think it ought to be so far from any offence to the good men of this Church, if it were publicly used by any of the Clergy in their parishes also, that they should rather unite zealously for such its introduction; it being nothing but their own established Liturgy made more exactly Christian, and unexceptionable. I conclude with the remarkable words of the prophet Jeremiah, vi. 16. which are very apposite to my present purpose; and I heartily wish they might make some impression on the Christian world: Thus saith the Lord; stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein: and ye shall find rest to your souls. Aug. 28, 1713. WILL. WHISTON. CONTENT S.* * There is no Table of Contents in the original edition: the present THE ORDER FOR MORNING PRAYER, DAILY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. The Service may begin with some of these Sentences. WHEN the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Ezek. xviii. 27. I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Psal. li. 3. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Psal. li. 9. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psal. li. 17. Rent your hearts and not your garments, and |