In this mode, their devotion is not made to depend on the Minister's frame of mind, which, like that of others, must be different at different times.

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By the admiffion of pre-composed printed forms, the people have an opportunity of perusing them in private, and by this means of being better prepared for ufsing them in public.

To this it may be added, that though Liturgies are not exprefsly enjoined in Scripture, yet this mode of worship was countenanced by the practice of Chrift and his apostles, who statedly joined in the services of the synagogue. The form of prayer also which our blefied Lord prescribed to his difciples, was chiefly extracted from the public liturgies then in use among the Jews.

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WHERE such a provision is made, public worship may, with more ease and propriety, be conducted by a congregation, in case of a Minister's illness, or necessary abfence.

THOUGH for these, and other reasons, they have thought proper to introduce some printed devotional forms, it is not intended that Free Prayer should be entirely excluded: The latter is still to be continued as part of the Service, whereby they hope to enjoy the advantages of both.

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SOME have objected to the introduction of printthat it is a deviation from the principles of their predeceffors. To this it may be answered, have not Christians of the present day as much a right to judge and act for themselves as their ancestors? The objection, however, is founded in mistake. The original non-conformists in these kingdoms not only allowed the lawfulness of praying by form, but even the expediency of it, in some cases.

THE main body of the Dissenters in England, at the restoration of Charles II. would have complied with the use of the Liturgy of the established Church (as to the main and general purport of it) if some points, which appeared to them unscriptural, might have been dispensed with.

It has also been objected, that Liturgies confine the congregations in which they are used, to a certain set of religious sentiments, and confequently have a tendency to impede the progress of free enquiry.

But this inconvenience may be prevented, by forming the Devotional Services on the general principles of Chriftianity; and especially, if there be an occafional review of them, as seems very proper, and a new edition printed, whenever any confiderable number of a Society exprefs a wish for it.

In order to avoid the too frequent return of the fame forms, this Volume contains TEN DIFFE

RENT

RENT SERVICES, eight of which have been principally compiled from Devotional Offices already in use among some Societies of Proteftant Diffenters; to which are added two Services, chiefly selected from the Book of Common Prayer.

As to the postures suitable to public worship, the compilers, in the directions they have given, wish to be understood as intending thereby merely to express their fentiments of propriety, and every worshipper is to judge for himself, and conform to them or not, as may best accord with his own views of propriety and decency.

In the compiling these Devotional Offices, care has been taken to adhere to the plain directions contained in the following passages of Scripture, and many others of like import:

"Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matt. iv. 10.

"In that day ye shall ask me nothing (fays Christ.) Verily, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you." John xvi. 23.

"To us there is but one God the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." 1 Cor. viii. 6.

"Through him (Christ) we have an access, by one Spirit, unto the Father." Ephef. ii. 18.

THE

THE compilers, apprehending that points of doubtful disputation ought not to be introduced into public services of devotion, have aimed at avoiding any expressions which might be offensive to Christians of different sentiments. Whatever may be their peculiar views of some disputable doctrines, may not all unite in worshiping the Father through his Son Jesus Christ?

THEY confider the good and pious of every denomination, as brethren of the same family, and heirs with themselves to the same glorious inheriThey earnestly wish and pray, that a candid and liberal spirit, a zeal founded in knowledge, and regulated by love and charity, may increase among Christians. May it be the defire of all religious professors, whatever are their modes of public worship, to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and righteousness of life!