Ebook The Directory for Public Worship and the Book of Common Prayer

1. He might arrange a yearly course of Scripture lessons for the instruction of the people in the entire word of God, by reading in every service from both Testaments (according to the suggestion of the original Directory,) not necessarily whole chapters, (which divisions are not inspired, and are often too lengthy for a Single reading,) but brief portions, selected in the order of the sacred books themselves, or upon some other scrip tural and rational principle. As Christ is the end and sum of both dispensations, there could be no more effective mode of unfolding the whole divine revelation than that of converging, Sabbath after Sabbath, the blended light of history and prophecy, of gospel and epistle, upon the leading events of his life, and the main features of his doctrine. And these lessons might be separated or followed by a prayer or hymn in keeping with' them, or suited to give devotional expression to them. Such an arrangement, besides imparting variety and unity to the service, would also afford that much-needed relief and help, a stated supply of themes for the sermon.