another heap at a short distance. The peasants do not burn it; they give it to their cattle; but it is so perfectly dry, that, were it set on fire, it would be impossible to quench it. In how striking a manner do their simple customs illustrate the words of David: "The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.' (Ps. i. 4.) Another of John the Baptist, concerning Jesus: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with fire unquenchable.' W. H.

NOTICES ON THE SERVICES OF THE CHURCH.

SERVICES FOR APRIL.

Third Sunday after Easter.-" Almighty God, who shewest to them that be in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Religion, that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen." ""

There is one acknowledgment in this Collect

That God shews the light of his truth for the recovery of backsliders.

Christians sometimes fall into error, as the Galatians, (Gal. v. 4.) Error of doctrine, (1 Tim. i. 19, 20. and 2 Tim. ii. 25, 26.) and of practice, (Matt. xiii. 22. and 2 Tim. vi. 9, 10.) which sometimes continues and increases, (Jer. viii. v.) as is shewn in the case of the man who returned to his house, swept and garnished. (Matt. xii. 43, 45.) The Ephesian Church had fallen. (Eph. ii. 4.) The Sardian. (Rev. iii. 2, 3.) Yet is it not utterly hopeless. (Ps. xxxvii. 24.) For God promises to heal backsliders, (Hos. xiv. 4. comp. Ezek. xviii. 31, 32.) and to him belong mercies, (Dan. ix. 9, 10.) and not to forsake those who turn to him even at the latter end, (Deut. iv. 30, 31.) and seek him in true repentance. (Joel ii. 13, 14.) He caused the light of his truth to shine on David, and brought him to re

pentance, (2 Sam. xii. 7, 13.) and St. Peter (Matt. xxvi. 74, 75.)

There are two articles of prayer in this Collect—

I. That God would grant unto all who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's religion, that they may eschew what is contrary thereto.

Eschew." Avoid, fly from, shun.

Our profession is "to follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be made like unto him; that as he died and rose again for us, so should we, who are baptized, die from sin, and rise again unto righteousness; continually mortifying all our carnal and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness of living. (See Baptismal Service, comp. Titus ii. 11-13.)

There are many things contrary to this which are to be eschewed as evil, (3 John 11. comp. Ps. xxxiv. 14.) -as bad companions; (Prov. i. 10.) lusts of the flesh; (1 Pet. ii. 11.) lying, and all manner of wrath; (Eph. iv. 25, 31.) vain clothing; (1 Peter iii. 3.) the world; (1 John ii. 15.) sins of the tongue. (James iii. 8.) These must be eschewed, though they are very dear. (Matt. ix. 43.) God promises his strength to us. (2 Cor. xii. 9.) A living faith overcomes them.

(1 John v. 4, 5.)

Our prayer therefore should be Ps. lvi. 13.

II. That they may follow what is agreeable thereto. For the proofs illustrating this we refer to Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, second article of prayer.

Fourth Sunday after Easter.-" O Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant' unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

There is one acknowledgment in this Collect→

That God can alone order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men.

Of ourselves, even after we are renewed by grace, we are sinful. (1 John i. 8. comp. Article xv.)

Every good gift comes from God, (James i. 17.) and

he is able alone to direct our thoughts aright, (2 Cor. iii. 5.) and our wills. (Phil. ii. 13.)

There are two articles of

prayer herein

I. That we may love what God commands.

Love is the fulfilling of the law, (Rom. xiii. 10.) and we are to love God with all our hearts and minds. (Matt. xxii. 39.) Wicked men do not love God. (John v. 42.) It is shed abroad in the heart by God's Spirit. (Rom. v. 5.) It consists in keeping God's commandments, (1 John v. 3.) and is perfected herein. (1 John ii. 5.) David loved his commandments. (Ps. cxix. 97, 113.) St. Peter. (John xxi. 17.) Our prayer therefore should be Ps. cxix. 10. II. That we may desire God's promises.

He promises eternal life to those who believe in Jesus Christ, (John vi. 40.) and the Holy Spirit to lead them unto it, (John xiv. 16, 17.) and every thing necessary to this life. (1 Tim. iv. 8.) The wicked desire not the knowledge of God, (Job xxi. 14.) because their hearts are only evil. (Gen. vi. 5.) Those who love God desire it. (Heb. xi. 16. and Ps. lxxiii. 25.) The particular purpose for which these petitions are offered is, that our hearts may be fixed on heavenly joys. This should be the result of union with Christ, (Col. iii. 1, 2.) and it should make us think lightly of the changes and chances of this life. (2 Cor. iv. 17, 18.) This hope kept Jacob in the midst of the changes of his life. (Gen. xlvii. 9. and xlviii. 16.) This hope kept Moses, (Heb. xi. 25, 26.) and David. (Ps. lxxiii. 14, 26.) If we cast our burden on the Lord, this hope will sustain us. (Ps. lv. 22.)

Our

prayer therefore should be Ps. lxxi. 19, 20.

Fifth Sunday after Easter.-"O Lord, from whom all good things do come; Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."

There is one acknowledgment in this Collect-
That all good things do come from God.

See the First Sunday after Trinity.

There are two articles of

prayer herein

I. That, by God's holy inspiration, we may think what is good.

of

Inspiration." The communication of a divine power from God.

grace

The inspiration of the Holy Spirit first gave man natural understanding, (Job xxxiii. 4.) and gives him, likewise, spiritual understanding. (Job xxxii. S. and 1 Cor. ii. 14.) From this good "treasure" we are able to think what is good, (Matt. xii. 35.) and he is promised to teach us continually. (John xiv. 26.) We must, then, seek for God's Spirit to give us good thoughts, (Matt. xiii. 11.) and hide his precept in our hearts. (Ps. cxix. 11.)

Our prayer therefore should be Ps. xix. 14.

II. That by his guiding we may perform the same. Some say, and do not. (Matt. xxiii. 3.) Such are hypocrites, and the foundation on which they stand shall be swept away; (Matt. vii. 26, 27.) but true faith in the heart produces good works in the life, (James ii. 18.) just as a good tree produces good fruit. (Matt. vii. 17.) Of ourselves we can do nothing; (John xv. 5.) but the power is of God, (2 Cor. iv. 7.) and he worketh all in all. (1 Cor. xii. 6.) If we do his will, we shall know the truth of the doctrine of Christ crucified. (John vii. 17.) David looked to be guided by God; (Ps. lxxiii. 24.) St. Paul; (Phil. iv. 13.) and the Church is guided by God. (Ephes. ii. 21, 22.)

Our prayer therefore should be Ps. cxxxviii. 8.

Ascension-Day.-"Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen."

There is one acknowledgment in this Collect

That we do believe our Lord Jesus to have ascended into heaven.

Christ continued with his disciples forty days after his resurrection, (Acts i. 3.) and ascended from Bethany in their presence (Acts i. 9-11.) while blessing them. (Luke xxiv. 50, 51.) He was received up into glory,

(1 Tim. iii. 16.) and sat at the right hand of God. (1 Peter iii. 22.)

There is one article of prayer in this Collect

That we may, in heart and mind, thither ascend, and with him continually dwell.

Christ's ascension is a pledge of his people's future ascension, (Rev. iii. 21.) that they may be where he is. (John xiv. 2, 3.) There is also a spiritual ascending of heart and mind there, while we are in the flesh, which it exhorts us to. (Col. iii. 1, 2.) It consists in living and walking in the Spirit; (Gal. v. 25.) in looking to those things which are not seen; (2 Cor. iv. 18.) in beholding the glory of God. (2 Cor. iii. 18.) This spiritual mindedness is by faith. (Heb. xi. 1.) It is they who are delivered from the power of Satan that are in his kingdom. (Col. i. 3.) Such a state of mind is life and peace, (Rom. viii. 6.) and is precious to the Christian. (Ps. cxxxix. 17, 18.) St. Paul thus ascended in heart and mind, (Phil. iii. 20.) and David. (Ps. lxxiii. 23, 25.)

Our prayer therefore should be Ps. xxxvi. 7, 10.

SERVICE FOR FIRST SUNDAY IN MAY.

Sunday after Ascension-Day.-"O God the King of Glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen."

There is one acknowledgment in this Collect

That God the King of Glory has exalted Christ unto his heavenly kingdom.

Jesus Christ was exalted unto his Father's kingdom. (Rev. iii. 21.) For the kingdom belongeth unto the Father. (Matt. vi. 13. comp. 1 Cor. xv. 24, 28.) Jesus, being God, is likewise, in his exaltation, styled the King of glory. (Ps. xxiv. 7.) (Read on Ascension-Day, as applicable to Christ.) God is glorified by the natural wonders of creation, (Ps. xix. 1.) but chiefly in the redemption of man by his Son Jesus Christ, (John xiii. 31, 32.) in the sanctification of believers, (John xv. 8.