whom there daily and
interchangeably pass, in the hearing of God Himself, and in the
presence of His holy Angels, so many heavenly acclamations,
exultations, provocations, petitions, songs of {23} comfort, psalms of
praise and thanksgiving: in all which [Sidenote: Amen] particulars, as
when _the pastor maketh their suits and they with one voice testify a
general assent thereunto; or when he joyfully beginneth, and they with
like alacrity follow_, dividing [Sidenote: Interjection] between them
the sentences wherewith they strive which shall most show his own and
stir up others' zeal, to the glory of that God whose name they magnify;
[Sidenote: Litany] or _when he proposeth unto God their necessities,
and they their own requests for relief in every of them; or when he
lifteth up his voice like a trumpet_ to proclaim unto them the laws
[Sidenote: Preceded] of God, _they adjoining_, though not as Israel did
by way of generality, a cheerful promise, 'All that the Lord hath
commanded we will do,' yet that which God doth no less approve, that
which savoureth more of meekness, that which testifieth rather a
feeling knowledge of our common imbecility, _unto the several branches
thereof several lowly and humble requests_ for grace at the merciful
hands of God to perform the thing which is commanded; or when they wish
reciprocally each other's ghostly happiness, or when he by exhortation
raiseth them up, and they by protestation of their readiness declare he
speaketh not in vain unto them; these interlocutory forms of speech,
what are they else, but most effectual, partly testifications, and
partly inflammations, of all piety?"

[1] There are two or three apparent exceptions which on examination
prove the rule. At the beginning of the Communion Service the
intention is so plain and the _Lord have mercy_ is repeated so often
with the Commandments, that it is left out before the Lord's Prayer.
At Baptism and Confirmation there is no setting, probably because the
Thanksgiving close of those services has the character of both Praise
and Prayer: and this certainly is the effect of the double setting in
the Churching Service.

{24}

CHAPTER IV.

MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER.

It must not be supposed that these Services were composed suddenly in
their present shape. They are indeed formed on the pattern given by
the Lord's Prayer; and they make use of the methods which we have
described--Intention, Setting, Key-note, Wo