sheds on the western clouds, the most vivid colours with his departing rays. The same faith supported David in his death, that supported the Christian, who was yesterday called from earth to heaven. While the royal psalmist saw Christ's day afar off, in the types and sacrifices under the old dispensation, how sincerely and affectionately ought we to love that Redeemer, who his own self "bare our sins in his own body on the tree." If the psalmist retained a grateful sense of God's loving kindness to him, in his humble life of a shepherd, when his young heart was given to God, how highly ought we, sinners by nature, and aliens from God by wicked works, to value his kindness and grace, in bestowing his blessed Son, his "unspeakable gift." Observe the moment this gift was bestowed. Even when all had gone astray, in the ways of sin and misery. Recollect its value. It paid the ransom of the whole world. Mark its freeness. "Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Notice how effective: "Son, daughter, thy faith hath saved thee, go and sin no more." Thus when the world was in darkness, the star in the East was revealed, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of his people Israel." Christ proclaimed peace unto all who would come unto him. While he planted the standard of the cross, in a rebellious world, he proved his power over sin and the grave, by his glorious ascension and exaltation. Let us bless him as the Captain of our salvation. Let us faithfully trust in him, "who gave himself for us." Even in the dark hour of dissolution may we lean upon his almighty arm, who hath despoiled death, and taken to himself the victory. How rich! how inestimably rich, his promises to believing disciples, in the blessedness revealed of an eternal world! The Lamb that is in the midst of the throne, shall feed his people, and shall lead them unto fountains of living water, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Amen. Now, may the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen. 75 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. Let us pray. ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Heavenly Father, enable us at this time to worship thee, in spirit and in truth, as we offer thee our grateful thanks, for the multitude of thy tender mercies, exercised toward us. In the helplessness of infancy, thy goodness preserved us, and we have continually experienced thy bounty, in rich abundance, during our maturer years. O Lord, the earth is full of thy goodness. We enjoy every blessing from thy gracious hand. Yet how ungrateful are we to thee, the Author of all good. How unworthy of the least of all thy mercies. O God, we lament the many sins we have committed. We lament that corruption which tempts us to forget thee. We lament our pride and folly, and all the disorders of our mind, as well as our unholy desires, and evil practices. O Lord, were we to say we have no sin, we should deceive ourselves. But thanks! eternal thanks! to thee, our Father in heaven. Thou dost bend a listening ear to sincere penitents, who approach thee, in the name of Jesus, with confession of their sins, and who are sincerely desirous, to turn from the evil of their ways. We bless thee, that thy promises are rich and abundant, to such weeping and returning sinners. We bless thee, for the Saviour's gracious invitation to the weary and heavy laden, and that whosoever cometh to thee, through Jesus, shall find rest. Lord, increase our faith. O grant us that new heart, which gives all its affections, and desires to thee, through him who loved us, and washed us in his blood. O Lord, may the name of the Redeemer be greatly magnified. May the banner of the cross be exalted, and may the blessings of Messiah's kingdom be extended, in spirit, and in power, over the whole family of mankind. Lord, bless our native land, its sovereign, and its people. Lord, bless thy holy church. Lord, have mercy upon the sorrowful and distressed. Let thy pitying eye graciously behold and alleviate human suffering. O Lord, bless our friends; forgive our enemies; and ever grant us thy protection and pardon, through the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 Saint John's Gospel, the 14th chapter, from the 1st to the 17th verse. : "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus |