Many a pious and humble Catholic of the Roman Communion, I have no doubt, would regard these prayers as little more than an application to Peter and the rest of the Apostles for absolution, and would interpret its several clauses as an acknowledgment only of that power, which Christ himself delegated to them of binding and loosing sins on earth. But the gulf fixed between these prayers, and the lawful use of the power given to Christ's ordained ministers on earth, is great indeed. To satisfy the mind of this, it is not necessary to enter upon even the confines of the wide field of controversy, as to what was really conveyed by Christ to his Apostles. I would ask only two questions. Could any of us address these same words to one of Christ's ministers on earth? And could we address our blessed Saviour himself in stronger or more appropriate language, as the Lord of our destinies--the God who heareth prayer--the Physician of our souls? Suppose for example we were celebrating the anniversary of Christ's Nativity, of his Resurrection, or his Ascension, what word in this hymn, expressive of {265} power, and honour, and justice, and mercy, would not be appropriate? What word would not apply to Him, in most perfect accordance with Scripture language? And can we without offence, without doing wrong to his great Name, address the same to our fellow-servants, even though we may believe them to be with Him in glory? Let the heaven exult with praises-- Let the earth resound with joy; The sacred solemnities sing The glory of the Lord. O Thou just Judge of the age, And true light of the world, We pray Thee with the supplications of our hearts Hear the prayers of Thy suppliants, Thou who shuttest the heavens by a word, And loosest its bars. Loose us by command, we beseech Thee, From all our sins. Thou to whose word is subject The health and weakness of all, Cure us who are diseased in morals, Restoring us to virtue. So that when Thou shalt come, The Judge at the end of the world, Thou mayest make us partakers Of eternal joy. Glory to Thee, O Lord, Who wast born of a virgin, With the Father and the Holy Spirit, For ever and ever. Amen. Only for a moment let us see how peculiarly all these expressions are fitting in a hymn of prayer and praise {266} to our God and Saviour, recalling to our minds the words of inspiration; and then again let us put the question to our conscience, Is this language fit for us to use to a fellow-creature? Let the heaven exult with praises, Let the heavens rejoice, and Let the earth resound with joy: let the earth be glad ... (exultet is the very word used in the Vulgate translation of the Psalm)--before the Lord, for He cometh to judge the earth.--Ps. xcvi (xcv). 11.