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APPROACH

TO THE

HOLY ALTAR;

BY

BISHOP ΚΕΝ.

From his

"Manual of Prayer," and "Practice of

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London and OXFORD: JAMES PARKER & Co.
BRIGHTON: G. WAKELING.

138. g. 376.

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ADDRESS

TO

YOUNG COMMUNICANTS.

OLY BISHOP KEN was a truly devout Teacher of DIVINE LOVE. Though his books are not many, they are of the highest reach of piety, breathing seraphic thoughts on the Love of God to man in sending His Well-beloved SON to be a Sacrifice of Atonement for the fins of the world. Such was the purity of Bishop Ken's mind, that he was called by those who knew him "feraphicus," and "Spiritualis." He was author of the "Morning, Evening, and Midnight Hymns" which are fung in all English churches; and of other beautiful Hymns. Many of the Devotions in this APPROACH TO THE HOLY ALTAR will be found in his "Exposition on the Church Catechifm, or Practice of Divine Love." That small work is most worthy to be studied separately for its devout meditations, and clear simple explanation of the doctrines of the Church of England.

Bishop Ken's heart seemed to be "lightened with celestial fire." He was ever breathing out prayer and praise, and rejoicing in acts of beneficence to all around him. A short account of his life and character would show forth the power of heavenly Grace on those who seek, and love the Lord Jesus Christ, and follow after righteousness. But this is not the proper moment to speak the praise of man. Let us rather contemplate our adorable Saviour, Whose Death we now defire to commemorate: as we make our humble "Approach to the

Holy Altar," all other thoughts should be hushed.

In an age, however, like the present, when your Faith is assailed on all fides by new doctrines, not grounded on the warranty of Scripture, it may strengthen your principles to be assured that every word of this book is from the pen of an orthodox Bishop, and Confeffor to the Truth.

Amidst many great changes in this kingdom, at the sacrifice of all his worldly interests, even to the lofs of his Bishoprick,-in imprisonment, in persecution, and not without danger of being driven into exile, Ken remained immoveably stedfast to the Church of England, dear to him above all things on Earth. In defence of her primitive doctrines he withstood two Kings. Whatsoever he taught, whatsoever he wrote,he "humbly fubmitted to her judgment, conformably to whose Articles he defired all good Christians to interpret it." He exhorted the people

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