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SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

Let us pray.

BLESSED LORD, who hast caused all holy Scripture to be written for our learning; grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

O Lord, the whole earth is enriched by thy bounty, and every thing that lives depends upon thy sustaining hand. We desire at this time to praise thy great name, for the blessings we enjoy ; for life, and health, and all things. May thy goodness lead us to repentance for past sins, and to earnest entreaties, that thy grace may keep us for the future. May the exhibition of so much goodness on thy part, excite in us gratitude and love, which do thou, O God, enable us to manifest, in our earnest endeavours, through thy Holy Spirit, to maintain a walk and conversation becoming the Gospel. Most especially we now thank thee, for the revelation of thy love to man in the life, doctrines, and death, of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Although men were despisers of thy laws, and lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, thou hast graciously encouraged them to return from darkness unto light. Turn thou us, O Lord. Draw us, and we shall run after thee. Lord, unto thee alone would we come. We accept thy gracious invitation. We adore thy free grace, and we bless thy holy name, for all thy goodness. May we be rejoiced over in heaven, as sons who were dead and are alive again, who were lost and are found. O Lord, increase our faith. O Lord, sanctify us. Like thy servant of old, may we give ourselves wholly to thee, and as at length he was permitted to dwell in the land of promise, and to share in its delights, so may we, through thy mercy in Jesus, after our pilgrimage here on earth is at an end, enjoy that heavenly Canaan, where thou ever reignest in glory ineffable. Hear us, O heavenly Father, for the sake of our blessed Saviour, 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 Second Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, 5th chapter, from the 9th to the 21st verse.

"Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust, also, are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause, for the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead; and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore, henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature : old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and

hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

SERMON II.

THE NECESSITY OF REGENERATION.

In Saint Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians, the 5th chapter, and 17th verse, it is thus

written :

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new crea

ture."

The more truly we recognise the infinite mercy of God in Christ, the more readily we shall recognise the depravity of the human mind, and its alienation by nature from God its Creator. In characters of fire, written by the Almighty hand, it is declared, that the unregenerated heart cannot discern the beauty of spiritual things;-nay, more, that it is "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." This truth is, alas! too often exemplified, when with our souls occupied with earthly pleasures, and the vanities of a present evil world, the interests of eternity are neglected and forgotten; and with every desire directed to temporal pursuits, we care not to consider our all-important interests in that state beyond the grave, which is unchangeable in its nature, as it is endless in its duration. Still, although we shut our eyes to these awful and important events, and cling with all our ardour to fleeting time and its more fleeting pleasures, after a few short years Death shall enter our habitation, and summon us to meet our God. What then shall all our schemes for temporal aggrandisement avail? Will they not be most distressing memorials of our folly? When that heart which ought to have been devoted to the love of God, is condemned for its devotion to the world-when that soul, gifted with powers to be exercised for the honour of Jehovah, has preferred the transitory applause of beings feeble and erring as itself - when that mind originally bearing the image of God, and formed for his glory, has been prostituted to follies and frivolities, more fleeting than the flowers of spring, but without their purity-when a spirit of pride has pervaded the soul, but the Spirit of grace hath never dwelt therein, - O this is indeed a sad, an awful state! it is to be " at enmity with God!" In every instance, such is the state of the natural man; for by nature he knows not God. Is there hope, then, for an erring creature, who, although a sinful, is yet an immortal being? What means are provided to rescue him from the power of

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