pensation in itself considered, could not give. In Christ Jesus alone, the true Mediator between God and man, of whom Moses was but the type, these promises can be made good, and the gift of the Eternal Spirit, the purchase of His death,-imparted to us. Our Lord in the Gospel pronounces them blessed who were permitted to see the dawn of the fulfilment of these promises, and taking the opportunity of the lawyer's question as to what was necessary to the attainment of eternal life, propounds the two great principles of love to God and love to our neighbours as the sum of our duty, the latter branch of which he illustrates in the beautiful parable of the good Samaritan. The Proper Lesson for the Morning, which contains an account of Hezekiah's pious conduct on the occasion of the blasphemous menace of Rabshakeh, serves to strengthen our faith in the superintending providence of God Almighty, and to support us under the threatenings of public calamity, whilst it offers for our consolation the way to obtain the divine protection. The holy name of God blasphemed, himself insulted, and his nation threatened with destruction by a formidable and implacable enemy, we behold the pious Hezekiah publicly laying open all his trouble to the Almighty in his Temple, and seeking first the divine protection and blessing before he had recourse to earthly means of defence. His prayer was offered in sincerity, and with the deepest humility, and it was heard. The virgin daughter of Zion was permitted to laugh the proud blasphemer to scorn, and the monarch and his people were saved. So shall we also be preserved in our greatest extremity if we like him make God our refuge, and seek His assistance with suitable dispositions of faith and humility. In the Evening Lesson the good Josiah presents us with a pattern of thorough reformation of life, and a faithful return to the service of God, well worthy of our attentive consideration and imitation. ST. LUKE X. 29. And who is my neighbour? Look not upon a brother's woe Nor like the Levite and the Priest What if for guilt he suffer now, Art thou so free from stain that thou Hast thou ne'er left thy Salem's walls, Hast thou ne'er sought some idol joy, Have demon passions ne'er assailed * The word Jericho signifies City of the Moon. Copy thy holy Saviour's love, The true Samaritan is he And pour into his breast the balm Mark with what gentle care he tends Conduct him to thy sheltering Church, "Do likewise," was the wide command The meek Redeemer mildly gave; Then quell that heart of pride, and bless The pow'r to save. FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. Morning Lesson, Jeremiah v. Epistle, Galatians v. 16. Gospel, St. Luke xvii. 11. COLLECT. ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope and charity; and that we may obtain that which Thou dost promise, make us to love that which Thou dost command, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. On the three great virtues-faith, hope and charity, may be said to hang all the Law and the Prophets, and even the Gospel itself: united, they will ensure eternal life; separated, they lose all efficacy and are dead to us. Faith, it has been strikingly remarked, rests her standard on the whole word of God; Hope takes for her support the promises; while Charity animates us to run the way of the commandments, by which the first is proved sincere, and the latter made rational. Well then do we pray in the Collect for this Sunday, for the increase of these virtues, which bending our will to that of God, fits us for the enjoyment of eternal happiness. The Epistle, in reference to that spiritual warfare |