Seeking again thine own blest clime; And ever afterwards had been Afraid to venture here, had Christ not led Peace! the Lord's latest, choicest gift! Thy grateful thoughts from earth to heaven. For peace he bled, for peace he died: Beware thou then the fatal leaven, That working in thy breast, would make thee sure, Thine own created merits could thyself secure. Peace!-thou art that which all desire, We load ourselves so long with care, So mix us with the world's turmoil That thou dost 'scape our grasp when all too late Eternity prevents us at death's gate. How sweet to him is thoughts of thee, Who, faithful to his duty, still In patience waits his Maker's will; And though a tear may sometimes stray, Though weary with conflicting cares, and pressed, He murmurs not, nor asks to be at rest. Rouse then, my heart, recall thy joy, Which angels cease not to rehearse,- A God descending to redeem A guilty race, and leading captive death, Grants life, a second time, with his own breath. 201 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. Morning Lesson, Numbers xxiii. xxiv. Epistle, 1 St. Peter ii. 19. Evening Lesson, Numbers xxv. COLLECT. Gospel, St. John x. 11. ALMIGHTY GOD, who hast given Thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace, that we may always most thankfully receive that His inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of His most holy life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Collect for this day reminds us of the twofold end for which Christ was manifested in the worldour redemption from the power, that we may be saved from the punishment of sin, and then teaches us gratefully to imitate the blessed example set before us; for if our own exertions be wanting even the death of Christ itself will be ineffectual to our salvation. The Gospel, in close harmony with the Collect, propounding to us the conduct of Christ, animates us to patience under every provocation and injury, and concludes by comforting us as being under the pro tection of the Shepherd of our souls, from whom indeed we had strayed, but are now returned in penitence and obedience. The Gospel, continuing the idea, represents that Shepherd speaking in His own words, breathing love and consolation, and inspiring humble confidence and joy, not only to those who are already sheltered in the pale of His fold, or near it, but to those who are yet far off and estranged. The Lessons are still confined to the subject of Balaam and Balak's attempts against Israel,-the Church of God,-and of their hostility, futile because over-ruled by the providence of their Almighty Defender, whose protection they had not yet forfeited by disobedience. In the Evening Lesson we are more especially taught where our real danger lies, in our own frailty rather than in the strength of our adversaries, and consequently to distrust ourselves. Our worst foes are ever our own evil inclinations, and over these therefore the strictest guard must be unremittingly placed. Temptations may and undoubtedly will assail us, but they can prevail only as we listen to the suggestions of the enemy of our souls, or, neglecting the means of protection offered us, yield to the weakness of our hearts. Balaam in vain essayed to curse them whom God had blessed; but his pernicious advice prevailed to the destruction of those who, throwing aside their allegiance, gave themselves up to the indulgence of their sinful appe tites. ST. JOHN x. 11. Jesus said, I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 'Tis sweet to sit upon some sloping brow We cannot gaze on aught our God has made All speak of Him, yet some, more holy thought, |