ought we most chiefly fo to do' when we affemble and meet together' to render thanks' for the great benefits we have re- ceived at his hands" to fet forth' his moft worthy pràife" to hear his most hòly word" and to ask thofe things' which are requisite and neceffary' as well for the body' as the foul" Wherefore I pray and beseèch you' as many as are here prefent" to accompany mè' with a pure heart' and hu'mble voice' to the throne of the heavenly grace' faying after me.'

Now to examine the Confeffion in the fame way.

Almighty and most merciful Father.' Here the greatest ftrefs is ufually laid on the word, Father; whereas it ought to be on the attribute, merciful. We are making a confeffion of our fins, and imploring pardon for them of God; and it is upon the greatness of his mercy, that we presume to approach

approach him in this manner, or to hope for pardon; which is implied in the words properly read Almighty' and most me`rciful Father-' Another fault here committed, is the dropping the voice at the end, as if it were a full-ftop; whereas, it is evidently an incomplete member of a fentence, as would appear if it were immediately followed by the fubfequent one, which belongs to it, without the reader's being interrupted by the congregation. But that interruption ought to make no change in the proper manner of delivering it, which fhould be in a fuftained note, and which the reader would use, were he to continue it without fuch interruption. Almighty' and most merciful Father' we have erred and strayed from thy ways' like loft sheep"" These two laft words are often run into one another, and pronounced as if they were but one; instead of like

loft sheep,' it is read, 'like lofsfheep.' We have followed too much the devices and defires of our own hearts.' Here, by laying the stress on the word, much, there is no more implied, but that we have given way to our inclinations more than we should do; and that may admit of being interpreted but in a fmall degree. But when it is repeated thus- We have followed too much' the devices and defires of our own hearts' it implies, in a great degree, there are no boundaries fixed to our wanderings; and not only fo, but the tone of voice accompanying that emphasis, includes at the fame time felf-condemnation, and contrition. We have followed too much the devices and defires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undo`ne those things which we ought to have do`ne; and we have done thofe things which we ought

not

not to have do`ne.' In which way of reading, the repetition of the word, done, four times in fo fhort a space, and in the fame tone, is at once difagreeable to the ear, and obfcures the meaning. But in the right way of reading it - We have left u`ndone' those things which we ought to have do`ne" and we have do`ne those things' which we ought not to have done ""' The two emphases placed on the two negatives, make the word, done, with which they are connected, pass unnoticed by the ear; and the different notes of voice, used to the fame word, twice repeated with emphasis, give at once an agreeable variety to the ear, and enforce the meaning to the understanding. Which is no more than this; We have left u`ndone' what we ought to have do`ne; and we have done' what we ought not to have done. And there is no health in us. In this way the stress is improperly laid up

on, in, and the important word, health, is paffed over unmarked. It fhould be read - and there is no health in us. But thou O Lord have mercy upon us miferable offenders. In this way of running the words of the invocation into one another, all reve rence to the Deity is loft. But thou O Lord,' Whereas, by interjecting a finall paufe before the immediate addrefs to him by name, and at the fame time lowering the voice, in token of refpect, the manner would be fuch, as alone can become a creature, addreffing his Creator. But thou O Lord' have mercy upon us' miferable offenders"> In these words, here, as well as in all other places where they are repeated, it is usual to lay the emphasis on the infignificant word, upon, instead of the important one, mercy; by faying,- have mercy upon us-inftead of have mercy upon us miferable offenders." -Spare

thou