which we are to sustain the assaults of the powers of darkness, and to gain our triumph "over the devil, the world, and the flesh," is quickly passing. Every hour its brief space is being curtailed. It is indeed, as the Apostle exhorts, " high time to awake out of sleep." We know not when we may be called upon to account for the " things done in the body." Let us then not slumber on our post; but watch and pray; that protected by the "armour of light," we may secure our souls" till the day of deliverance.'

On the one hand roused by the great, and immortal interests, which we have at stake on the issue of our conflict with the powers of darkness; let us not presumptuously trust in our own strength, but diligently and carefully take to us the "whole armour of God." On the other hand sensible of his might, in whom we trust, let us rejoice in his coming, who giveth us the victory. Let us now prepare ourselves, to join with the whole of Christ's Church militant here on earth," in praise and thanksgiving. Let us hail joyfully the glad tidings of " peace and good will towards men;" in fervent hope, to unite, hereafter, with the Angelic host; the great" communion of Saints," of all ages, and of all countries, in giving "glory to God in the highest."

But, to fit us for bearing part with the Blessed Spirits of Heaven, in this work of endless praise, we must learn to praise the

Lord now to praise Him, as he desires, and deserves to be praised, "not only with our lips, but in our lives." Let us now approach him, as our lowly Redeemer, in such wise, that hereafter we may not despair, when we shall be required to appear before him in his awful character of our Judge. Let us, when we celebrate his first coming in the flesh, endeavour so to present ourselves before him in his Church, and at his holy Supper, that we may be able to contemplate his second coming with faith and hope; may be comforted, not terrified, by the recollection that He is to be our Judge; may rejoice, that our sentence is to proceed from HIM, whose mercy and unwearied love of man, have been already manifested, by his coming" to visit us in great humility." In a word, let the approaching commemoration of the one Advent, remind us of the provision which is to be made against the other...

Of this provision the Church has suggested the necessity; and to effect this she has laid before you the most urgent motives.

- By the most impressive considerations, which can influence the heart of man; by

every tie of duty and of gratitude; by the hope of everlasting bliss; by the fear of eternal torment, we are called upon to listen to the voice of the Church, to obey the injunctions of the Apostle. "Let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness ; not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife, and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

Do this, because Christ came to visit us in great humility. And do it also for this great end, that, "in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty to judge both the quick and dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, now, and for ever."

To whom, &c.

SERMON II.

ON THE COLLECT FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

ROMANS XV. 4.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

OUR purpose is, to consider the Sundays in Advent as marking out so many successive stages in our preparation, to celebrate the coming of our Saviour. And, taking the services appropriated to them in this point of view, we observe, that the compilers of our Liturgy have not only selected portions of Scripture harmonizing with the duties, and the feelings of the Christian world on so solemn and interesting an occasion; but have also furnished collects; giving us summary, and connected notices of the proper subjects of our meditations, and the suitable nature of our employments in each of these successive

stages; suggesting also short but expressive petitions; and directing us to ask for those graces, and that assistance, which only are calculated to render our meditations truly edifying, our labours permanently beneficial.

The collect for the first Sunday in Advent teaches us, to commence our preparation with a petition for God's grace, for the general and comprehensive purpose of enabling us "to cast off the works of darkness, and to assume all the Christian virtues and qualifications, designated by St. Paul as the armour of light." To this the collect for the second Sunday in Advent will be found an appropriate sequel; another, and a well-connected link, in the chain of preparation.

He who has begun by praying for grace, and by earnestly resolving to cast off the works of darkness, and to put on the armour of light, has begun well: but he has only begun. General resolutions to amend and advance towards Christian perfection, will not alone produce any essential improvement. They will, in all probability, end in our doing nothing, unless we enter into the details of them, and fix at once upon the means of carrying them into effect. The man, therefore, who seriously and sincerely intends to co-operate with the grace of God, for which