it is the scratching of these ears that hath brought such a scab upon the Church, as hath festered, and eaten into her bowels, and endangered the very life and being thereof.

6. We all profess to worship one God in Trinity, and this Trinity in Unity; but this we do not, nay, this we cannot do, without unity and unanimity and uniformity in our Divine Worship: but this unity is destroyed, by dividing from that sound and orthodox worship which the Church of Christ exhibits to her Lord whilst each man advances his own private conceptions in prayer, above, if not in opposition, to the public commanded Forms.

:

7. God, whose very Being is Unity, is the Author and great Lover of Unity, especially in the worship of His Divine Majesty and the devil is the author and great promoter of all division: it is his very being, as he is a devil; for he became so, by dividing from the Church of God, viz., from the Church which is now triumphant in Heaven and therefore his instruments they are, who either in doctrine or worship divide from the true Church of Christ here militant upon earth.

PSALM CXXXIII. PARAPHRASED.

1. "BEHOLD how good and joyful a thing it is," both profitable and pleasant, "for brethren," sons of one God the Father, and of one Church the Mother, to dwell together in unity" in the House of God. to join as members of the same mystical Body, in the profession of the same doctrine, and practice of the same worship.

2. "It is like the precious ointment," which being composed of many rich perfumes, sent forth a most sweet odour: fitly representing that sweetness of joy and complacence which flows from the union of many hearts and voices in the service of God: "upon the head, which went down to the beard, even Aaron's beard: Aaron was a type of Christ: and the "ointment upon his head," typified the spiritual unction of Christ, our Head', which unction of the spirit from Him descended upon His Apostles, mystically signified by the High-Priest's beard, as being nearest to the head and from thence "went down to the skirts of his clothing," even to all the other parts and members of His mystical body: "For of His fulness we have all received, grace for grace"."

3. "As the dew of Hermon, which fell on the hill of Sion:" as both these hills become fruitful by the dew of Heaven descending on them; so the sons of Sion, or people of God, become fruitful

t Psalm xlv. 7; Heb. i. 9.

u John i. 16.

in the gifts and graces of God's Holy Spirit, through their unity and unanimity in the devout service of God; for whilst they glorify God, and with one mouth, after one way and one manner, they mightily prevail with the One only God to dwell amongst them, according to His promise'. And so it follows: "for there the Lord promised His blessing,' " in all assemblies thus united in the service of His Majesty, which is undoubtedly the way to "life for evermore," which is the height and perfection of all the blessings of God in the choir of Heaven, to sing with concordant hearts and voices,

Glory be to the Father, &c.

As it was in the beginning, &c.

The Prayer.

O GOD, Who art the Author of peace, and Lover of concord, Who makest men to be of one mind in a house, and art best pleased with the unanimous agreement of Thy people in Thy House of Prayer; that it may please Thee to rebuke that foul spirit of discord and division intermixed amongst us, which dictates the building of Babel, by the confusion of languages in our addresses to the Throne of Grace : and vouchsafe to send the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of love and unity, to unite our hearts and tongues in the public service of Thy sacred Majesty; make us all as brethren to dwell together in unity, to join in our prayers in one way and after one manner,

v 2 Cor. vi. 16.

w Matt. xviii. 19, 20.

to glorify Thee with one heart and with one mouth, that the Celestial dew of Thy blessing may descend upon us so plentifully, to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, that we may reap in time of harvest life for evermore, through Jesus Christ, &c.