(5.) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Ps. li. 17. (6.) Rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joel ii. 13. (7.) To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled. against him; neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which he set before us. Dan. ix. 9, 10. (8.) O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. Jer. x. 24. Ps. vi. 1. (9.) Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. St. Matt. iii. 2. (10.) I will arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him; Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. St. Luke xv. 18, 19. (11.) Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. Ps. cxliii. 2. grant me, blot out my iniquities, and expunge them out of thy book, where they stand recorded against me. (5.) God is better pleased with a penitent soul which is truly sorry for, and is willing to forsake its former sins, than with the most pompous sacrifices which could be offered according to the legal institutions. For a broken heart (i. e. a heart cast down by extreme grief, Isa. lxi. 1. and which does always accompany true repentance) is a sacrifice which will be always accepted by God, and which he will not despise, as he does the formal sacrifices of wicked men. (6.) Ye must be heartily and unfeignedly sorry for your sins, rather than to acquiesce in the theatrical expression of sorrow by outward signs and gestures, such as the renting the garments were, of which custom we have many instances in Scripture, (Gen. xxxvii. 34. Jos. vii. 6.) for the Graciousness, the Mercy, the Long-suffering and Benignity of God, are the greatest encouragement to sinners, upon their return to God, to expect his pardon: And moreover, he does, as it were, repent him of the evil or punishment he inflicts on men, when upon their repentance he is resolved to withdraw it. (7.) God is a God of that merciful and forgiving nature, that he is inclined to pardon us, though we have never so highly offended him; and though we have, as it were, been up in arms and in open rebellion against him, by a notorious violation of his (12.) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John i. 8, 9. Then the Minister shall say, DEARLY beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us, in sundry places, to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness, and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God, our heavenly Father, but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought, at all times, humbly to acknowledge our sins before God, yet ought we chiefly so to do, when we assemble and meet together, to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore, I pray and beseech you, as many laws, which we ought to have obeyed, yet he still is ready to forgive us. (8.) O Lord, I beseech thee, do not chastise me with the anger of an enemy, but with the moderation of a merciful judge; for I should be totally consumed, if thou shouldest proceed with me according to rigour, and as my sins have deserved. (9.) Repent of your sins and make your peace with God before Christ's kingdom of glory begins; which the universal judgment is to precede; whither, if ye are summoned with your sins about you unrepented of, you are undone forever. (10.) I will (like the prodigal son,) pressed down with the guilt and misery which my sins have brought upon me, return to my heavenly Father, and acknowledge the grievousness of my offences, whereby I have deservedly forfeited that relation which he bore to me. (11.) O Lord, do not call me to an account for my actions, with a too rigid severity, or, as it is in the original Hebrew, do not go to law with me, or carry me before the judgment seat; for if thou viewest all things through the rigour of thy justice, the most innocent man's life cannot stand the trial; nay, every man living must be beholden to thy mercy to be acquitted. (12.) This life being a state of so many imperfections, that we are all liable to great failures; to say we are in a state of perfection, and that we live without sin, is a most notorious falsity, and is a thing unbecoming the truth and simplicity of our as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying A general Confession, to be said by the whole Congregation after the Minister, all kneeling. ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done: And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou these, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind, in Christ Jesus our 'Lord. And grant, O'most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; To the glory of thy holy name. Amen. The Declaration of Absolution, or Remission of Sins; to be made by the PRIEST alone, standing; the People still kneeling. ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live, hath given power and commandment to his ministers to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins. He pardoneth and absolveth all those who truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel. Wherefore, let us beseech him to grant religion: But if we acknowledge our sins before God, aud truly repent us of them, God out of his faithfulness and justice, will, upon our performing these conditions, make good his promise to us, on that behalf, in pardoning them: And will keep us true repentance, and his Holy Spirit; The People shall answer here, and at ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who, of his great mercy, hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who, with hearty repentance and true faith, turn unto him; have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ¶ Then the Minister shall kneel, and say the Lord's Prayer; the People still kneeling, and repeating it with him, both here, and wheresoever else it is used in Divine Service. OUR Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowwill be done on earth, as it is in heaven; ed be thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Then likewise he shall say, O Lord open thou our lips; Ans. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. faith of being heard, that God will treat us with the same kindness, as if he "hid his face from" seeing "our sins," or "blotted" them "out" from his memory that he requires from us, neither the fanciful "sacrifices" of superstition, nor the ex us clean for the future from any gross sin, by grant-pensive ones of the "Mosaick" dispensation; but ing us the assistance of his Holy Spirit, which will confirm and establish us in every good work. Rom. xvi. 20. 1 Thess. iii. 13. 1 Pet. xv. 10. DR. NICHOLLS. that of " a spirit contrite," with filial sorrow, and "broken" to universal obedience: not outward ex. pression of vehement passion, as "rending the garments," but a "heart" rent and penetrated with a just sense of what we have done amiss: that on such a change within we shall find him, not only "slow to anger" for what is past, and "ready to repent him of the evil" which he was bringing upon us, but bountiful and gracious for the time to come; though we have" deliberately "rebelled against him" heretofore, and still too often inconsiderately neglected to "obey his voice, and walk in his laws;" Here, all standing up, the Minister shall say, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; Ans. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Min. Praise ye the Lord. Ans. The Lord's name be praised. Then shall follow a Portion of the Psalms, as they are appointed, or one of the Selections, as they are set forth by this Church, with the Doxology, as in the Morning Service. Then shall be read the first Lesson, according to the Table or Calendar; after which shall be said or sung the following Psalm, except when it is read in the ordinary course of the Psalms, on the nineteenth day of the month. Cantate Domino. Ps. xcviii. (13.) O SING unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things. With his own right hand, and with his holy arm, hath he gotten himself the victory. The Lord declared his salvation; his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel; and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God. Show yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye lands; sing, rejoice, and give thanks. Praise the Lord upon the harp; sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving. With trumpets also and shawms, O show yourselves joyful before the Lord the King. Let the sea make a noise and all that therein is, the round world and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth. With righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. ble to a Christian assembly. Viewing it, as referring to the times of the Messiah, we behold the psalmist extolling the miraculous salvation which God has wrought for his church; and celebrating in the most animated strains, the righteousness, mercy, and truth of our redeemer. He calls upon all the earth, and even the inanimate parts of the creation, to break forth into joy, and to sing praises unto their creator. The subject of this general joy is the coming of our Saviour "to judge the world with righteousness, and the people with equity." SHEPHERD. that we have cause to be willing and even desirous, that he should "correct us when he sees it expedient;" but to beg he would do it "with" that mild and merciful "judgment," which he exercises towards his children, "not with anger," as his enemies, which would "bring us" to final destruction: that repentance is absolutely and immediately necessary for us; for "the kingdom of heaven is at hand;" the hour, when we shall, each of us, be admitted into it, or excluded out of it forever, draws very near, and how near we know not: that therefore we must resolve to "arise and go to our heavenly Father" without delay, and acknowledge In the 98th psalm, we exhort one another to our unworthiness "to be called his sons:" that "sing unto the Lord a new song;" words, denoting whatever we may be in our own eyes, or the opin- in the book of Revelation, v. 9; xiv. 3; Gospel ion of our fellow creatures, were we to undergo a praises and we foretell that "all lands" shall join in human trial only; yet if God "enter into judg-it, "with trumpets and shawms," another instrument ment with us, in his sight shall no man living be justified" that therefore to extenuate our faults, and "say" or imagine, "that we have no sin," or but little, would be a fatal "self-deceit," and a proof against us, that we know not, or own not, the "truth" of our case; but if we honestly recall to ourselves, and confess to God the errors of our past life, not only his mercy, but his "faithfulness and justice" to his promises will induce him both to "forgive us" the guilt of "our sins," and "to cleanse us from" the defilement, and deliver us from the dominion, of "all unrighteousness." Archbishop Secker. (13.) This Psalm, though probably composed in consequence of some victory obtained by David, is a form of praise and thanksgiving perfectly suita of wind musick, which in our Bible is called a cornet; whence we may conclude, if it needed proof, that musical instruments are lawful in Christian worship. This future time of universal thanksgiv ing is described to be, when God shall "remember," that is, shall give evidence that he hath never forgot, "his mercy and truth towards the house of Israel," according to the flesh; and not only they, but "all the ends of the world shall see his salvation." No wonder, that even the irrational and inanimate parts of nature are called upon, by a lofty figure of speech, to celebrate that glorious day: "the sea" to "make a noise, and all that therein is; the floods" to "clap their hands, and the hills to be joyful together before the Lord:" partly for the present happiness of that period, in which possibly ¶ Or this. (14.) Bonum est confiteri. Ps. xcii. IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most Highest; To tell of thy loving-kindness early in the morning, and of thy truth in the night season; Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the lute; upon a loud instrument, and upon the harp. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy works; and I will rejoice in giving praise for the operations of thy hands. the lowest of God's works may share; but chiefly for the approach of the next and concluding scene of Providence, when he shall "come" finally, "with righteousness to judge the world, and the people with equity." Abp. Secker. When the first lesson treats of some great and temporal deliverance granted to the peculiar people of God, we have the ninety-eighth psalm for variety; which, though made on occasion of some of David's victories, may yet be very properly applied to ourselves, who, being God's adopted children, are a "spiritual Israel," and therefore have all imaginable reason to bless God for the same, and to call upon the whole creation to join with us in thanksgiving. Wheatley. (14.) The "Magnificat, or the Song of the Blessed Virgin," which is taken from the first chapter of St. Luke's Gospel, and stands first in order after the Lesson, in the English Book, has been omitted by our American reviewers of the Liturgy; and to supply the deficiency, this song of thanksgiving has been taken from the beginning of the 92d Psalm. The whole Psalm is entitled, "A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath-day." The four first verses, which have been here selected, teach the duty, the time, and the manner, of giving thanks for the works and dispensations of God.-The following Paraphrase of these four verses, by Bishop Patrick, and the subsequent remarks by Bishop Horne, will serve to illustrate their import, and apply them to our benefit. T. C. B. 1. Now is the proper time to give thanks unto the Lord, for all the benefits we have received from him; and it is no less delightful than it is profitable, to sing hymns, in the praise of the divine perfections, which infinitely transcend all that can be said or thought of them. Then a Lesson of the New Testament, as it is appointed: And after that, shall be sung or said this Psalm, except on the twelfth day of the month. Deus misereatur. Ps. lxvii. (15.) GOD be merciful unto us and bless us, and show us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; yea, let all the people praise thee. O let the nations rejoice and be glad; for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. promises to those who depend on thy almighty goodness: 3. Which ought to be celebrated with a full concert, not only of our cheerful voices, but of all the instruments of musick. 4. For all are too little, O Lord, to express the joy I have in the acts of thy Providence; by whom as the world was made, so it is still governed: It ravishes my spirit, and makes me shout for joy, to think how excellently thou orderest and disposest all things. BP. PATRICK. Thanksgiving is the duty, and ought to be the delight of a Christian. It is his duty, as being the best return he can make to his great benefactor: it ought to be his delight, for it is that of angels, and will be that of every grateful heart, whether in heaven or on earth. The "loving-kindness" of God in promising salvation, and his faithfulness and "truth" in accomplishing it, are inexhaustible subjects of praise, both for the "morning," and the "night season." Every instrument should be strung, and every voice tuned, to celebrate them, until day and night come to an end. But more especially should this be done on the "sabbathday;" which, when so employed, affords a lively resemblance of that eternal sabbath, to be hereafter kept by the redeemed, in the kingdom of God. A prospect of Creation, in the vernal season, marred as the world is by the fall, inspires the mind with joy, which no words can express. But how doth the regenerate soul exult and triumph at beholding that "work" of God's "hand," whereby he hath created all things anew in Christ Jesus! If we can be pleased with such a world as this, where sin and death have fixed their habitation; shall we not much rather admire those other heavens, and that other earth, wherein dwell righteousness and life? What are we to think of the palace, since even the prison is not without its charms! 2. This is the sweetest employment in the morning, and no entertainment is equal to it at night; to commemorate and declare unto all, how bountiful thou art, and how faithful in performing thy | through the "light of God's countenance," his gra BP. HORNE. (15.) This Psalm is a prophetic prayer, that Let the people praise thee, O God; yea, let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase; and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the world shall fear him. cious illumination, "the way" of his providence and man's duty to him may be known upon earth, his saving health," the means by which he heals and saves men's souls, "to all nations:" who are invited to "rejoice and be glad," because "he shall judge the folk righteously," shall govern and reward the people of the world, (for so the word "folk" signifies, and was not a low expression formerly,) by the equitable and merciful rules of Christianity. For "then," on our doing this, "the earth shall bring forth her increase" more plentifully; "and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing," temporal and spiritual: for "godliness hath promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Abp. Secker. This Psalm is sometimes called "Deus misereatur," because inthe Latin version it begins with these words. And it is very properly used after the second Lesson, which is always taken out of the New Testament; because therein we may conveniently express our desires of the farther propagation of the Gospel. This Psalm is also a prayer to God, and therefore it must not be barely repeated, but addressed to our Maker in the most solemn manner. Dr. Bennet. This Psalm, and the Cantate Domino, were first introduced in the second Liturgy of King Edward. Wheatley. In this evangelical Psalm, the Israelitish Church is introduced, as partly praying for, and partly foretelling the advent of Christ, and the conversion of the nations, with the joy and gladness that should be consequent thereupon. The Christian Church now uses, and will continue to use the Psalm, with propriety, until the fulness of the Gentiles shall be come in, the conversion of the Jews effected, and Christ shall appear the second time, finally to accomplish the salvation of his chosen. 1. The Israelitish Church, by the mouth of the prophet, expresseth her ardent desire after Messiah's advent, and appearance in the flesh; she prayeth that God would be "merciful unto her," as he had promised; that, by so doing, he would "bless" her with the blessings of pardon and peace, of grace and glory; and in one word, that he would cause his face to shine upon her," by the rising of the sun of righteousness, making her to behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ; reviving her with the glad tidings of the Gospel; Or this. Benedic, Anima mea. Ps. ciii. (16.) PRAISE the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits; and enlightening her with the light of salvation. 2. Nor was she studious, as her degenerate children have been, to confine the favour of heaven within her own pale. If she had a good wish for herself, she had one likewise for others; and therefore prayed, that the "way" to life eternal might be "known," not in Jewry alone, but over all the earth ;" and that the virtues of that salutary medicine, which was able to restore "health" and vigour to the diseased and languishing spirits of men, might be published "among all nations." 3. As if she had said-Hitherto, indeed, blessed Lord, thou hast thought fit to make me the guardian and keeper of that great deposit, thy true religion, from which the nations revolted, and fell: but the time is coming, when, by the Gospel of thy dear Son, they shall again be called to the knowledge of thee. Thy glory, impatient, as it were, of any longer restraint, and demanding a larger sphere, shall diffuse itself like the light of heaven, to the ends of the world. Hasten, then, O Hasten the dawning of that happy day, when congregations of converted Gentiles shall every where lift up their voices, and, perhaps in the words of this very Psalm, sing to thy praise and glory! 4. And a very sufficient cause, surely, is here assigned, why the "nations" should “be glad, and sing for joy," upon the erection of Messiah's kingdom in the midst of them; namely, because he would" judge the people righteously;" breaking the yoke of the oppressor, and the iron rod of the prince of this world; becoming himself an advocate in the cause of his Church; introducing her into the glorious liberty of the children of God, whose service is perfect freedom; and, with a sceptre, around which justice and mercy are wreathed together, "governing the nations upon earth." 5. Chorus repeated as above, v. 3. 6. Then, when that long expected time shall arrive, "the earth shall yield her increase;" the nations of the world shall be converted to the faith, and become fruitful in every good word and work, through the benediction of heaven upon them. 7. The evangelical "blessings," predicted in this Psalm, have been long since poured out upon "the ends of the earth," by the bountiful hand of God in Christ. Let us beseech him to add yet this to all his other mercies, that in return for such un |