keep the object of it continually in our thoughts; for which our own efforts will not be sufficient, we having to combat with all our former habits, and with the daily temptations of the world, alluring us to fallacious present enjoyments, in preference to those pleasures arising from internal satisfaction, which may be less brilliant, but are sure and perfect. We must therefore pray without ceasing for the assistance of God's Holy Spirit, knowing that it is faithfully promised to all that seek it in truth; and on our part keep a strict watch over ourselves, that, being thus assisted, and keeping our lamp trimmed, we may gradually be prepared for our departure hence, and be fitted to join the society to which we have been aspiring that of just men made perfect; for a holy life is the firm ground upon which we cast the anchor of hope in the mercies of God through Jesus Christ, by which we trust that our repentance here will be rewarded hereafter by pardon and justification, and admission into eternal glory.

The Prayer.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father! the author of pardon, of life, and of salvation, who hast compassion upon all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made : Who wouldest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his evil ways, and be saved: Look down mercifully upon me, who am not

worthy to look up to Heaven; let me not perish in my sins, nor be consumed in thy heavy displeasure; for when I consider my offences, I am sensible that they are great and numerous; that the temptations of the world draw me away from the duties which I would practise, and the Christian state of mind I wish to maintain. Many things I have done which I ought not to have done, and have omitted many which it would have been right to do. Desirous of leading a life of holiness, I am yet careless in the means of attaining it, and am unobservant of many failings towards thee and my fellow creatures, into which all people are hourly apt to fall, and which should therefore be more strictly guarded against. When thou smitest me, then I confess my sins; but when thy visitation is past, I forget that I have wept. In the disposal of my time, in the regulation of my temper, in maintaining that humble and charitable frame of mind which Christianity enjoins, I am conscious of continual negligences and imperfections: I turn to Thee, acknowledging my sins, with full purpose of correcting whatever is contrary to thy will; but, beset as I am by evil habits and new temptations, my own strength is not sufficient; I am not able of myself to overcome them :-To whom then can

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go but to Him who loved mankind, and died for them; who is the Saviour of the penitent, the life of the dead, and the advocate for sinners? I beseech Thee, therefore, who didst redeem me from the utmost penalty of sin, to

strengthen me with thy Holy Spirit, to work in me true repentance, and to turn me from darkness to light. Give me grace to discover and amend all sins of ignorance which I have committed for want of due care and circumspection, and grant me thy aid to overcome the greater sins which are contrary to my Christian profession. Give me time and space to repent; and grant, that as, by thy holy inspiration, I do sincerely desire to correct whatever is amiss, so, by thy merciful guidance, I may faithfully perform the same. Increase in me the spirit of piety, charity, and humility; assist me, that I may spend the days allotted to me upon earth religiously and usefully, subduing every evil inclination, and practising every duty of the station in which Thou hast placed me; that when Thou shalt see fit to take me from this state of trial and temptation, I may look forward with humble confidence that Thou wilt pardon the sins committed here, and receive me into the place Thou hast prepared for me by the blood of the everlasting covenant, where all tears shall be wiped from our faces, and sin and death shall be no more. Grant this, most gracious God, by the merits and intercession of Jesus Christ our Saviour! Amen.

Thursday.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, reserved in Heaven for you, wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ; whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of souls.-1st PETER, i., 3.

On Faith.

EFORE we can worthily partake of the blessed Sacrament, it is especially necessary to consider whether our Faith be perfect and sincere, for it is only through faith that we can look for any benefits from these holy mysteries; and faith in its full extent, is that guiding star which would lead us safely through the trials and temptations of this life, and would not only fit us for a worthy reception of the

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body and blood of Christ, but gain us admission amongst the purified spirits in heaven, encouraging us in the hour of death to hope that we may join the angels and archangels in praising and magnifying the Lord. For faith comprehends every duty, in thought and practice, which our holy religion enforces; and the absolute necessity of having it is urged by our Saviour in the most impressive manner. He re

warded those who declared their belief in him, by healing their infirmities; he wrought miracles for the establishment of faith; he exhorted his followers to maintain it in themselves, adding promises to his exhortations, and sent them forth to publish it in the world. At one period, no persons were admitted to partake of the Sacrament but those who were peculiarly styled the faithful; that is, not those who professed a mere belief in Christ, but those whose faith was ardent, who had overcome the world, and were become real servants of Christ, disciples of his doctrines, subjects of his kingdom, and strict observers of his institutions. Such a faith as this is indeed necessary to every communicant, because without it, the profession of a Christian is nothing more than a name. is, however, not sufficiently considered in general; many persons do not think it necessary to examine the grounds of their belief, that they may be able to give a reason for the hope that is in them, but are satisfied that they acknowledge the leading truths of Christianity, having been taught them from their infancy, by their

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