Articles
Meditations (28 articles) Meditations, usually written by Dr. Toon, on various subjects and biblical passages that will lead us to prayer. Fear & Love of God - Trinity II Do you have a perpetual fear and love of God’s holy Name? Temptations of Jesus, according to St Luke Let us read carefully and prayerfully Luke 4: 1-15 for the narrative of the Temptations of Jesus by Satan. The Temptation of Jesus, according to St. Mark as told by Mark (1:12-13) From Septuagesima to Quadragesima – journey in penitence SEPTUAGESIMA : The Third Sunday before Lent (Sunday, February 4, 2007) Baptism—Regeneration. How related? A meditation starter! Praying for The Anglican Communion of Churches An introduction and a Prayer The unique vocation of the local church – then (A.D. 60) and now: A message from the Epistle to the Ephesians to Anglicans Preventing Grace The Episcopal Church has practically rejected and even denied prevenient Grace - now is the time for all of its people to accept it in faith and practice! A Meditation arising from reading The Windsor Report and the BCP Twins from God, TRUTH & UNITY, permanently joined A short essay to assist meditation and inform attitude What I am going to cite below can only be fully appreciated if one (a) first recalls the content of Jesus’ last Discourse and Prayer in the upper room (John 14-17) Fear & Love, Inseparable Twins Five Reflections upon Fearing and Loving the LORD “Make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name.” The Divine Art of Meditation “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” 1 Timothy 4:15 Here we are to consider not Eastern Meditation where one seeks to enter into the depths of one’s being and be lost in universal being, but Biblical Meditation. As we think about the doctrine and methods of meditating upon Holy Scripture, I want to try to highlight the special nature of meditation as a godly discipline by making careful distinctions between different types of reading and relating to a written text. Fire in the soul during Meditating, Musing & Praying. A favorite text used over the centuries by godly people to describe the experience of prayerful meditation before the Lord with his Word was: “My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing the fire kindled: and at the last I spake with my tongue, ‘LORD let me know mine end…’” [Psalm 39:3, from The Book of Common Prayer, 1662, cf. the KJV] This translation has a distinct relation to the Vulgate [Latin] version of the Psalm used in medieval and early modern Europe in thousands of monasteries, convents and churches. Returning to the LORD wholeheartedly through listening to Joel, his prophet. Often what we ought to do as a matter of urgency, we resist thinking about as we fill our minds and hearts with other – often important – things. And this applies to us individually and corporately. With North Americans, for whom activism is a natural life-style, the truly urgent is often avoided by engagement in a whole series of meetings and conferences and the like. People in other cultures have different means of avoidance! Psalm 133 - Unity Nowhere in the Psalter is the unity which God looks for, and will provide, declared more clearly and forcefully than in the very short Psalm 133, which is a Psalm of David Praying for Revival today in the words of the Psalter The Book of Psalms, often called The Psalter, has been the source of prayer and meditation for millions of Jews and Christians, not least Anglican Christians for centuries. For Episcopalians and Anglicans The Psalms are printed in The Book of Common Prayer and are there directed to be used daily in Morning and Evening Prayer. This is because they are, for those within the new covenant, an important part of what they say and think as they come daily before God the Father through Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit. Worshipping The Trinity Worshipping God, the Lord, Who is The Holy Trinity THE TRINITY AS THE SHIELD OF OUR LIVES On Loving God Perhaps the insights of St Bernard of Clairvaux can help us. In his little book On the Love of God [De Diligendo Dei], he offers us a somewhat stylized scheme (to help us remember) of four stages in the growth in loving God; but the truth in it is profound and well worth pondering. Trust in Princes Don’t trust in Princes [Prince-Bishops/Primates] A meditation from the Revd Dr Peter Toon Missional Liturgy Missional – is orthodox Liturgy intended to be “missional”? Reflections from The Revd Dr Peter Toon Praying in Jesus' Name Praying in Jesus’ Name – is this the way to pray for participants in the General Convention? If Christian prayer is going to be heard by the Father in heaven, it must – for there is no other way – be offered in the Name of Jesus, the exalted Messiah of Israel, who is also the Lord of all. For he is the One Mediator between God and Man and he is the glorified High Priest, who ever lives to make intercession for the people of God. Fire In The Soul Fire in the soul during Meditating, Musing & Praying. A favorite text used over the centuries by godly people to describe the experience of prayerful meditation before the Lord with his Word was: “My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing the fire kindled: and at the last I spake with my tongue, ‘LORD let me know mine end…’” [Psalm 39:3, from The Book of Common Prayer, 1662, cf. the KJV] This translation has a distinct relation to the Vulgate [Latin] version of the Psalm used in medieval and early modern Europe in thousands of monasteries, convents and churches. Bondage of the Will A neglected, even rejected, cause of ecclesiastical apostasy - what was once called “hardness of heart” & “bondage of the will.” Preachers have used the call of Isaiah to be the Lord’s prophet, recorded in Isaiah 6, very often as a basis for sermons; and the Liturgy of the Church has used the Threefold Holy of the seraphim as a means of worshipping the Holy Trinity. Yet the general use of this important chapter is only of verses 1 to 9a, for the message that the LORD gave to Isaiah in 9b – 13 does not make for comfortable reading or easy use in sermons and homilies. Church Growth Growth – does only numerical growth count? A meditation to assist in right praying for and within evangelization Evangelization is a certain duty, vocation and privilege of the local church and of each baptized member therein but it is not the first duty. Let us reflect upon this claim. The Ancient Paths and the Good Way Jer 6:16 - Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” Jesus Jesus – the Jesus of Passion Week, Good Friday, Easter Day, Ascension Day & Pentecost Praying the NT Praying according to the New Testament – some of its primary features. Jerusalem - Mother The Jerusalem above, our mother, is a wonderful and powerful theme for us to ponder as we see the unity of the Church in the age to come and seek its unity in this present time. The Lord's Prayer A meditation and devotional on the Lord's Prayer
Prayers (17 articles) Prayers that can be used in prayer groups and for intercession during divine service Praying for the Sick; according to the BCP Praying for RAIN in Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina Beseeching the LORD GOD who grants…. Common Cause Partnership On praying for its maturing in Faith, Hope and Charity Prayers of Dr. Samuel Johnson Prayers from one of the most quoted English writers in history. GRACES TO BE SAID BEFORE AND AFTER MEALS from the Primer issued in 1553 by Edward VI for the laity of the Church of England, and in the original language Personal Prayers for Families and Households, and their members, from the official PRIMER of Edward VI of 1553 Prayers for those in all orders of, and vocations within, society, from the King to the labourer- taken from The Primer (1553) of Edward VI. [The vision here is that of the “godly commonwealth” or an ordered, hierarchical, Christian society, and it corresponds to that proclaimed in the First Book of Homilies of 1547, sermons read in churches each Sunday in the reign of Edward VI.] Prayers for Personal Use from the PRIMER of Edward VI (1553) [Note that the Primer existed alongside the Book of Common Prayer, the English Bible and the official Homilies, which were read in church at public worship. In this brief selection of prayers, one can see the Reformed Catholic Faith in the very strong doctrine of sin, the very high doctrine of the Saviour, the fear/reverence of the Lord, justification by faith, and the clear teaching that faith works by love.] A Prayer for the Primates (Archbishops, Presiding Bishops and Moderators) of the Anglican Communion Almighty Father, giver of all good things, who by your Holy Spirit have appointed various Orders of Ministers in your Church, mercifully and tenderly look upon each and all of the Primates of the Anglican Communion of Churches. A Prayer for the Covenant Design Group, appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury under the chairmanship of the Archbishop of the West Indies. The Love of God Praying within and for the love of God our Father. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord thy God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength; and your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” St Paul described Love in warm and appealing terms in 1 Corinthians 13. Revive the Church Bidding Prayer for Christians who desire the Church, of which they are members, to be penitent so that it may be cleansed and revived by God the Father. It is based upon a medley of biblical verses, and presupposes that God’s wrath is as real as his mercy. Continuers Bidding prayers for those called Continuers who are outside the Anglican Communion. Prayers for Rowan A series of prayers for Archbishop Rowan Williams Contemporary A series of bidding prayers in Contemporary American English Traditional A series of bidding prayers in traditional prayer book language
Collects (8 articles) Traditional & Contemporary Collects for various occasions The Collect for The First Sunday after Easter A prayer that St Paul would approve! Easter 1 (The First Sunday after Easter): Praying the Collect with understanding Katherine & The Collect for Clergy & People (BCP 1662) In the Prayers near the end of Morning Prayer in The Book of Common Prayer (1662) is an ancient prayer, which is found in the Latin Sacramentary of Gelasius (492) and which was used in the western Church throughout the centuries following. When I used it this morning, I got to thinking about and praying for The Episcopal Church. Stir up our wills, O LORD Today please, not in the far distant future! (The Collect for the last Sunday of the Christian Year) Pray this Collect from the BCP each Day in Advent Season The prayer printed below was composed in 1549 as the Collect for the first Sunday of the Christian Year, Advent I, and to be used also throughout Advent until Christmas Eve, after the other Collects appointed for Advent II, III & IV. It captures wonderfully the two Advents or Comings of the Son of God to earth—the first in deep humility to assume our human nature in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the second in majestic glory to judge the living and the dead at the end of the age. Freedom as a Christian—ancient and modern Freedom is a word often used in the West and especially in the U.S.A. and by its President! But while there is one word “freedom” there are many meanings and context helps to decide meaning. Trinity XX: An Ancient Collect and also a Contemporary Prayer A most appropriate petition for American Anglicans in 2006 Uphold This Heritage of Faith A way to pray for the Episcopal Church Open Our Eyes Open our eyes to the needs of all people for the Gospel of Christ, and to the opportunities that lay before our church to extend his kingdom.
Sermons & Essays (55 articles) Thought provoking discussion starters written by Dr. Toon Amen & Amen The critical importance of “Amen” in the worship of The Anglican Way From Familiarity to Fear looking at the “modern” worship-service The Book of Common Prayer as only Prayer Book or as Formulary also a discussion starter for those who use the classic Book of Common Prayer with its own language of prayer. Bishops as the Sign Of [Dis]Unity? Reflections on the establishment of the American Episcopate in 1792 & the Secessions with new Episcopates of 1977 and 2004-2007—leading to a Lament! BURIAL in God’s Acre or Cast into the Wind from the Hill Top. Seceding from The Episcopal Church some tentative, practical advice That September Deadline for The Episcopal Church And how “the judicious Mr. Hooker” from yesterday may help us today. Hooker's Tractate in contemporary English An opportunity to meet on your terms the Judicious Mr. Hooker! On the difference between BASICS and BASICS-WITH-ADORNMENT The Order for Holy Communion of 1662 as the Basic TEXT The Transfiguration of Christ Celebrated on August 6 Baptism, Sanctification and Justification Washed, Sanctified and Justified: Baptism, Sanctification and Justification (a lecture given at All Saints’ Wynnewood, PA on June 23,2007) Archbishop of Canterbury’s Invitation to Lambeth 2008 Praying to the Lord our God without “Spin” Pentecost—Festival of the Arrival of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete From where do we get this word “Pentecost”? Ascensiontide A precious season of 10 days before Pentecost Heaven was reconstituted by the Arrival there of the Lord Jesus Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi a practical basis for The Anglican Way? A discussion starter Predestination in Anglican & Reformed (Calvinist) Formularies a short essay addressed to various enquirers concerning the place of Predestination in The Anglican Way, by Peter Toon Predestination is Anglican and is essential to Reformed Catholicism A reflection from Peter Toon Baptism, Sacrament of Christ, the Lord. What is involved for Reformed Catholics, that is Anglicans. Baptismal Regeneration & Justification by Faith alone. For too long Anglicans (& others) have believed that it is impossible to have within one coherent system of Christian thought and pastoral practice the doctrine that Regeneration occurs at Baptism and the related doctrine that sinners are justified before God the Father by faith alone. Preparing for LENT - Ash Wednesday – Why no Collect on Fasting? People ask me: Why does The Book of Common Prayer (1662) delay the required Prayer (Collect) on Fasting during Lent to the First Sunday in Lent when it should, by rights, be prayed on the First Day of Lent? Baptism & Regeneration— Medieval, R.C., Reformed Catholic and Evangelical Approaches On the surface, the teaching of the late medieval English Church with respect to Baptism and Regeneration, and very different from the teaching of Evangelicalism during and after the Evangelical Revival (involving Wesley & Whitefield) in the eighteenth century. Let God be God—even in Infant Baptism and Christian Initiation In the present crisis and confusion of the Anglican Way in North America, the Sacrament of Baptism has been and is variously negated, dumbed-down, politicized and neglected. Often it is merely seen as a ceremonial dedication to God or as a religious and social custom, or both. By progressive liberals it is even seen as consecration to a radical program of peace and justice in the world (see “The Baptismal Covenant” of The Episcopal Church). The Anglican doctrine of Baptism? The Reformed Catholic Doctrine of the Church of England and of The Anglican Way concerning Baptism is stated in (a) The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion; (b) The Baptismal Services within The Book of Common Prayer of 1662, and (c) The Catechism, found also within the Prayer Book. It is also assumed in other places, e.g., the Collect for Christmas. Epiphany - Journeying By Faith To A Known Goal Should we abandon INFANT BAPTISM? For the biblically-minded and biblically based, traditional Reformed Catholic Christian of the Anglican Way (living in the West and particularly in the U.S.A.) the commendation of the wonderful Sacrament of Baptism—particularly as administered to infants—presents several major problems or difficulties in today’s religious context. The Anglican Way in 2007. Is OPTIMISM appropriate? 1979 & 1928 Prayer Books Compared in 20 Statements by Dr. Peter Toon The Roman and Anglican Way contrasted Liturgy expressing doctrine, but, which doctrine? Baptism—Wonderful Sacrament but not without with huge problems in American Anglicanism What ought to be a basis of common faith amongst Anglicans in North America is in fact a means of confusion. Regrettably, Baptism as practiced by Episcopalians tends to divide rather than unite. It does so for a variety of reasons which include the clash of traditional doctrine with innovatory doctrine, and the context of the American “Born-again” scene where half the population says it has made a decision for Jesus and so is “Born-again.” A timely Prayer for the North American [Anglican] Church[es] Here is Collect that has been prayed—in Latin from the fifth century and in English from the sixteenth—at Holy Communion and in the Daily Offices on that Sunday (and week following) towards the end of the Christian Year known as Trinity XXII. TWO EVILS of Yesterday here Today - Jeremiah still speaks the word of the LORD. Let Episcopalians take note: No verse in The Old Testament is more applicable to the Episcopal Church (and its offshoots) in North America in 2006 than this: Anglican Formularies Let Us Cease to Avoid, Undermine or Deny Them & Let Us Affirm Them Instead! Ceremonialism: The Anglican Use - by Peter D. Robinson Ceremonial can be a topic of parish small-talk that creates more heat than light. Holy Communion in the BCP editions of 1662 & 1928 Comparison and Contrast in the Light of Bp Duncan’s call for the acceptance of 1662 as the primary Prayer Book Trinity XXI - "With A Quiet Mind" The GOD or DEITY of North American Anglicanism A discussion starter. Lex Credendi, Lex Orandi Lex Credendi, Lex Orandi—not Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi Let us cease saying the mantra, “Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi.” Heresy: What is it? A mind-stretching reflection that may need correction! New Westminster Diocese, British Columbia, Canada & The Panel of Reference Anglicans need the grace of patience and the ability to use the time of waiting fruitfully Is It Time To Take a REAL STAND? Is it time for “the Orthodox” in North America in gratitude to take a REAL STAND for Anglican Truth in response to the good will and actions of the Primates of the Global South? Formularis - and how to avoid or undermine them Anglican Formularies—let us cease to avoid, undermine or deny them & let us affirm them instead! -- a discussion starter for charitable persons What keeps Continuing Anglicans from celebrating Truth in Unity and Unity based upon Truth? Thoughts from a friend to friends in order to initiate prayerful activity Rowan Williams Letter to Primates - Sept. 16, 2006 Dr. Rowan Williams letter to the Anglican Primates Anglicans in North America – divided and perplexed! Have they lost the ability to see and comprehend the Christian Faith? Setting the Frame of Reference in Anglican Debate Praying one for another and seeking mutual understanding None of us looks at persons, events and things outside ourselves as a totally objective viewer. We look with one or another frame of reference and we see and interpret through this frame of reference. This is why two people can look at the very same thing/event and apparently see different things/realities therein – and daily politics is filled with such examples. It is not really a matter of honesty or dishonesty in question, but rather looking through different mindsets/spectacles and interpreting according to their structure. A fresh look at The St Louis Affirmation of 1977 & a vocation for the Continuers in working for unity without relinquishing truth Many of those who left The Episcopal Church in 1977 to form what it was hoped would be The [one and true] Continuing Anglican Church in North America met in St Louis in 1977 and eventually signed “The Affirmation of St Louis.” Those who drafted this (and they included the English priest Dr Truman) clearly intended that it be not a generally acceptable Anglican Statement which traditional evangelicals and traditional anglo-catholics with others could ALL sign. They intended that it be clearly only an anglo-catholic statement and at the same time prepare the way for possible union of this emerging Continuing Church with either Rome or Orthodoxy. Patriotism and the American Prayer Book A call for loyalty to the classic BCP tradition of the American Republic Absolute loyalty of the baptized Christian is to be given to the Lord Jesus Christ and to Zion, city of our God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, which is the mother of the baptized (Galatians 4:26ff.). Subordinate to this, and always guided by the primary commitment to Christ the Lord, there is a limited loyalty to the country of one’s citizenship. This latter cannot be more than limited because Christians are aliens and pilgrims on earth, on their way through this evil age to the kingdom of God (1 Peter 2:9-12). In this frame of reference there is place for patriotism but hardly for nationalism. Praying creates Belief? LEX ORANDI: LEX CREDENDI A popular expression, much loved of those engaged in the study of liturgy in the modern Anglicanism of the West, is this B lex orandi: lex credendi. It is usually quoted in this Latin form, which sounds more impressive than the English translation, Athe law of praying: the law of believing. MERE CHRISTIANITY or BASIC CHRISTIANITY in sermon form by English Archbishops and Bishops. What it is for a person to trust in God the Father in the Name of Jesus Christ; to read the Word of God fruitfully; to obey God’s commandments to love him and the neighbor; and to pray to the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit in public worship and private prayer. Concupiscence: is this ancient disease now cured? Concupiscence, like chastity, is a word rarely used these days either in general conversation or in theological talk. However, when the Church in the West was much more focused, than it is now, on Jesus Christ as the Lord of all and the Saviour of men from their sin, the word was used often with reference to part of the total moral and spiritual disease and condition from which God in Christ saves his adopted children. The original Latin word refers to extreme or disordered desire. A TREATISE OF THE FEAR OF GOD SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. Anglican Unity Is Unity, not in Uniformity but in Comprehensiveness of churchmanship & style, possible in 2006 for Anglicans, both in America and world-wide? A discussion starter from one who does not know the full answer! What Unites Anglicans? Until the 1960s what primarily united Anglicans was the use of the Book of Common Prayer. While there was a comprehensiveness in terms of how used, there was unity in the use of the BCP not only in English but also in 150 other languages. There was a common shape, common content, and common basic doctrine, even whilst there were differences in style and ceremonial. Anglican Identity Anglican Identity, according to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams & A call to Common Prayer The Archbishop of Canterbury is seeking to face the present, major crisis within the Anglican family of Churches with wisdom and courage. He does not have the authority and power of a Patriarch or Pope. His authority is basically moral and relies on long-formed “bonds of affection.” All of us ought in charity to be praying for him, asking that he will be enabled from heaven to provide holy wisdom and courageous leadership.
Liturgy (12 articles) Liturgical texts and services. Many articles are in Adobe PDF Format Sing the TE DEUM (I write this primarily for my fellow Anglicans who put much emphasis upon the offering of “Praise Songs” to God in their worship, which is usually Eucharistic.) VENITE EXULTEMUS: Come let us sing to the LORD (Psalm 95) Introducing Common Prayer to Americans in 1805 An Introduction to the Common Prayer - Edited from the American BCP, 1805 Hail, Gladdening Light Anglican Translations of the Ancient Hymn, Phos Hilaron INFANT BAPTISM TODAY – CONFUSION IF NOT CHAOS In the U.S.A., the greatest obstacle to receiving not only to the meaning of infant baptism as clearly provided in the classic Formularies of the Anglican Way, but also to the practice itself, is the very widespread association of “being born again” and “conversion to Jesus Christ” in popular American religion. The Ordinal from the BCP 1928, in Contemporary English THE FORM AND MANNER OF THE MAKING OF DEACONS, THE ORDAINING OF PRIESTS AND THE CONSECRATING OF BISHOPS IN THE CHURCH OF GOD, according to the Order of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, as established by the Bishops, the Clergy, and Laity of this Church, in General Convention, September, A.D. 1792. (in contemporary English) http://www.anglicansatprayer.org/portal/files/Ordinal1928contemp.pdf Morning Prayer from the BCP 1928, in Contemporary English CHRISTIANS who wish to pray daily in an ordered way are not always sure how to do so and so they look for advice. There is perhaps no better model to follow than that provided by the ancient services of Morning and Evening Prayer, which though communal in intention can be easily adapted to family and personal use. http://www.anglicansatprayer.org/portal/files/MP1928_cont.pdf Holy Communion from the BCP 1928, in Contemporary English WHAT is called “The Eucharist” [= “The Thanksgiving”], “The Mass,” “The Lord’s Supper” or “The Holy Communion” is the primary act of public worship offered to God the Father by the congregation of Christ’s disciples. And it always has been so. It was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ at the meal in the upper room with his disciples immediately before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. He intended it to be a perpetual memorial of the new covenant of grace which he established between God and the human race by his passion and death, wherein he offered a sacrifice for the sins of the world. http://www.anglicansatprayer.org/portal/files/HC1928_cont.pdf Collects, from the BCP 1928, in Contemporary English In the Western Church, with its rich Latin liturgy, there has been a special place since the fifth century for the short prayer called “the Collect.” When the medieval Latin service books were revised and shortened to create The Book of Common Prayer (1549) for the Church of England, the Collect was retained, being rendered into English by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. http://www.anglicansatprayer.org/portal/files/Collects1928_cont.pdf Baptism, Confirmation, Catechism from the BCP 1928, in Contemporary English Baptism, Confirmation, Catechism from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer (in Contemporary English) http://www.anglicansatprayer.org/portal/files/Baptism.pdf Holy Communion from the BCP 1662, in Contemporary English The Order for Holy Communion in Contemporary English based on the BCP 1662: http://www.anglicansatprayer.org/portal/files/Holy_Communion.pdf The Litany This is a contemporary language form of the classic Litany from the 1662/1928 Book of Common Prayer
Commentary (5 articles) Commentary and eBooks. Many items are in Adobe PDF format. Do you beseech, beg and fear the LORD our God? How to approach THE DEITY! Devoutly Kneeling DEVOUTLY KNEELING – more of it, not less, required today! To find congregations kneeling to pray in the modern Episcopal Church is a difficult task! Please read on. In Morning and Evening Prayer in The Book of Common Prayer (1662) the congregation is described as “devoutly kneeling”. In the two Daily Services the expression occurs after the Creed and before the Lesser Litany which prepares for the saying of the Lord’s Prayer. Addressing God in Worship Does it matter HOW we speak to God in public prayer? If we are to address God, the LORD, the Holy Trinity, in praise, thanksgiving, confession, petition and intercession within public worship in the same way that we talk one to another over lunch, or in the classroom, or on the street, then there are in essence only a few rules to follow. Worship Without Dumbing Down - Knowing God Through Liturgy While the theme of this book is not unique, it is rare in the twentyfirst century and in the West. To know God “one on One,” to have a “personal relationship” with God, to cultivate individual spirituality, and to discover the inner self as an aspect of the universal Self, are popular themes for liberal and conservative alike, and for both Protestant and Catholic. Further, there is much use of the word “community” and the expression “Christian community” to describe the Christian assembly, gathered for worship and service. An Homily Of Repentance And Of True Reconciliation Unto God There is nothing that the Holy Ghost doth so much labour in all the Scriptures to beat into men’s heads, as repentance, amendment of life, and speedy returning unto the Lord God of hosts. And no marvel why: for we do daily and hourly, by our wickedness and stubborn disobedience, horribly fall away from God, thereby purchasing unto ourselves, if he should deal with us according to his justice, eternal damnation. So that no doctrine is so necessary in the Church of God, as the doctrine of repentance and amendment of life.