not plain, that charity is as necessary to us, as much belongs to the true Christian character, as it belongs to the husbandman to know when to sow the seed in the earth, and when to reap the corn?

Cherish therefore, my brethren, as you value your souls' welfare, faith, hope, and charity; have a firm belief in the promises of Jesus Christ, a belief which will make obedience to his commandments necessary. for your peace of mind; carry your thoughts by hope beyond the present scene of things, to that world which lies on the other side the grave. Think of those joys which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, and which it passes man's understanding to conceive. Think of them, and remember, that the God of truth has promised to make these joys your own, for Christ's sake, if you will do your duty, as Christians, in that state of life, to which you have been called by him. And what is your duty, but to practise those virtues which are set forth by St. Paul, and recommended to us all under the name of charity, which suffers long and is kind, which envieth not, which vaunteth not

herself, is not puffed up, behaveth not herself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; which beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things; and which has this farther recommendation, that it never faileth, but will flourish in earth and in heaven, in time and through eternity?

Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

WE are guilty of transgression, when we go beyond the line of duty; to transgress therefore is to commit iniquity or sin.

In the history of our Saviour's sufferings, which our Church has set before us in her yearly course, we have an opportunity of remarking, among other subjects, the denial of his Lord by Peter, and the treachery of Judas in betraying him.

But while we are called to follow the blessed Jesus in the different stages of his history, our attention is chiefly directed to him. When these scenes are closed by his ascension into heaven, we have leisure

to consider the conduct of the two apostles, Peter and Judas, and shall find the subject full of important instruction. giyse bain → St. Peter had always distinguished himself by a warm attachment to his Master, and an earnest zeal for his honour. This feeling shewed itself on every occasions His eager affection broke out, when Jesus, having retired from his disciples in the evening, and sent them away, returned to them early in the morning, as they were in a vessel on the sea, walking towards them on the waves: at first the disciples took him for a spirit, and cried out for fear. When Jesus had made himself known to them, Peter said, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water: ande Jesus said, Come. When Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus." Thus far he shewed his trust in the power of his Master; for he committed himself to the waves, in fullTM assurance that, while Jesus was present, they would bear him up. pended too much on the

But he had des

strength of his

30+-15 Matt. xiv. 2231.£l jvx 336M!

faith; for when he saw the wind violent, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me!" Jesus, pityings the weakness of one whom he knew to be sincere in his attachment,

immediately stretched forth his hand and caught him, and said unto him, Q thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

At another time, when Jesus" asked his disciples, Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, amb?" Peter answered and said, "Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God." His Lord commended his faith in these words, which well deserve to be remembered, "Blessed art thou, Simon son of Jona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

At another time Peter's forwardness exposed him to a reproof from his, mild but resolute Lord......

Jesus, we are told, began early "to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the

.b Matt. xvi. 13-17.

Matt. xvi. 21-28. ⠀