O Lord, we beseech thee to pardon our iniquity, for it is very great. But still greater is thy kindness towards us, in Jesus who loved us, and gave himself for us, that we might have life through the shedding of his precious blood. O grant us new hearts, that in future we may willingly and joyfully serve thee, through the influences of thy Holy Spirit, and by his divine presence, may our hearts be illuminated and enlightened, and bearing the seal of heaven, may we be thine only, thine wholly, and thine for ever. Lord, increase our faith in, and our affection for him our souls ought to love. May the form of mind be found in us, that was also in Jesus. May we offer thee the ready tribute of faithful subjects, by our obedience to thy laws, and by our ready devotion to thy service. Lord, guard thy church, that beautiful house where our fathers worshipped. Do thou make bare thine arm in her defence, and still be the glory in the midst of her. Lord, bless our native land. Bless our Queen.

Bless all rulers

and governors, our princes, and people. Lord, pity the sick and afflicted; let their cry reach the throne of mercy. May our friends share thy favour, our enemies thy pardon, ourselves thy grace, and forgiveness, and all that we ask is for the blessed Redeemer's sake, who while on earth taught us thus to pray,-

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done

on earth, as it is in heaven: give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE SCRIPTURE.

The portion of Scripture is in the Epistle to the Hebrews, the 13th chapter, from the 12th to the 21st

verse.

"Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By lim therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the

blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever." Amen.

SERMON XLIX.

CHRIST OUR REFUGE.

In Saint John's Gospel, 6th chapter, and 68th verse, it is thus written:

"Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life."

The question of our Saviour to his disciples, "Will ye also go away?" was spoken at a time, when many, offended with his doctrines, had forsaken him and fled. They had not faith to receive the truth which he taught, and placing their own ideas of religion in opposition to the doctrines and precepts of Jesus, with them the ignorance and vanity of their mind preponderated against the truth of the revelation of God in Christ. Those apostates had seen the miracles Christ performed, and doubtless supposed they believed in him, but when he declared, he was "the bread sent down from heaven," they were offended, and walked no more with him.

How different the conduct of the faithful fol

lowers of the Son of God! Neither angels, principalities nor powers, can separate them from his love; and when he tenderly looks upon them, and addresses them thus, "Will ye also go away?" their heart glowing with affection immediately replies, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." That thus to come to Christ is the only rational choice for accountable and immortal creatures will be evident, if we consider that Jesus is the believer's hope in life, his comfort in death, and his glory in eternity.

The consideration of what he is by nature, will at once convince the disciple of Jesus, that to possess that hope which maketh not ashamed, he must look out from himself to his Saviour, and from the fountain of living waters, appropriate that purity, which will enable him to see God, as a reconciled God and Father. To the mercy of God in Christ, he clings with unwavering hope. He knows it to be sufficient. Conceived in sin, he remembers how often his failures in the path of duty have shown his natural inclination to iniquity, for he is conscious that the natural man is at enmity with God. In his heart he confesses there is no good thing. Thus reflecting on his own unworthiness, he hastens to his Lord, with good hope through grace, and humbling himself before the cross, he hears the voice of tender mercy announcing, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to

conceive, the things that God hath prepared for those that love him."

Christ is the believer's comfort and support, at the hour of death.

It has frequently occurred, that those who were all their lifetime subject to bondage, through fear of death, - those who never before could be satisfied of their love to Jesus, or of his tender compassion to the humble and contrite heart, because of their utter unworthiness, have on their death-bed fully experienced the unspeakable riches of Christ. At that solemn hour of eternal interest, they have known a joy in believing, a joy which the most tranquil hours of their former life never realised. Before their soul departed from its feeble mansion, it enjoyed a sweet foretaste of heavenly bliss, and ere they bade adieu to sorrowing friends around them, they have given a clear and confiding testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus. To whom will the more favoured disciple also come at such an hour, but to the Redeemer? Every event of his life has been by him recognised, as connected with the mercy of God in his dear Son. His trials were turned into blessings, his joy into holy confidence, and his faith is now about to become sight, through this blessed knowledge. The ample promises of Scripture fill his mind with trust and confidence, with tranquillity and hope. He willingly testifies to the divine support of him, whose protection is