assembled. I allude to the dying scene of the meek, learned, and spiritual minded Hooker. He seemed at his last hour, deep in contemplation, and not inclinable to discourse-but when he was asked the subject of his thoughts, he replied, that he was meditating the number, and the nature of angels, and their blessed order and obedience; without which, peace could not be in heaven; and O! that it might be so upon earth! "I have lived (said the expirring saint) to see that this world is made. up of perturbations: and I have been long preparing to leave it-and gathering comfort for the dreadful hour of making my account with God, which I now apprehend to be near. And though I have loved Him in my youth, feared Him in mine age, and laboured to have a conscience void of offence toward God and man; yet, if Thou, O Lord, be extreme to mark what I have done amiss, who can abide it! And therefore, where I have failed, Lord, show mercy unto me; for I

plead not my righteousness-but the forgiveness of my unrighteousness-for His merits, who died to purchase pardon for penitent sinners. And since I owe Thee a death, Lord, let it not be terrible, and then take Thine own time. I submit to it. Let not my will, O Lord, but Thine be done." After a short rest, he added, "God hath heard my petitions. I am at peace with all men, and He is at peace with me; and from that blessed assurance, I feel that inward joy, which this world can neither give, nor take from me. My conscience beareth me this witness-and this witness maketh the thoughts of death, joyful. I could wish to live, to do the Church more service, but I cannot hope it. My days are past, as a shadow that returns not." More he would have spoken, but his spirits failed him; and after a short conflict between nature and death, a quiet sigh put a period to his last breath—and so he fell asleep 1.

1 Izaac Walton's Life of Hooker.

Can we read the peaceful end of this, and other holy Christians, and not say from our hearts, "May I die the death of the righteous, and may my last end be like his1?" May we be enabled so to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in life, that with St. Stephen, we may expectantly entreat the "Lord Jesus to receive our spirit 2!"

I would indeed, that the customs of society admitted of more members of the family attending the last remains of the departed, to the grave. Many a heart might be religiously touched-and realize, under God's grace, the coming hour of death. There would be less liability to that intemperance, which is said, at such an hour, still, occasionally, to be observed; and it would banish some of the mockery of woe, by the full presence of the real mourners.

My brethren, "the time is short." "The Lord is at hand:" and before long-the Judge, with whom a thousand years are

'Numb. xxiii. 10.

2 Acts vii. 59.

but as one day, will be on His throneand the world standing to receive sentence to eternal blessedness, or sorrow, that shall never end. Let our faith be fixed on Jesus, as the only Saviour; and look unto Him for imparting such divine strength, as shall enable us to overcome, and sit down with Him on His throne. While we live, let us live unto the Lord-that when we die, we may die unto the Lord; living and dying, may we be the Lord'sand so, shall an entrance be ministered unto us, into that blessed abode-where, being admitted for Christ's sake, "we shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on us, nor any heat. But the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall lead us unto fountains of living water, and God shall wipe away all tears for ever."

1 Rev. vii. 16, 17

SERMON XII.

ORDINATION SERVICES.

2 Cor. ii. 16.

66 WHO IS SUFFICIENT FOR THESE THINGS?"

In the preface to the ordinal of the Church, it is broadly stated, as a received opinion, that "from the Apostles' time, there have been these orders of ministers in Christ's Church - Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. And these offices have evermore been had in such reverend estimation, that no man might presume to execute any of them, except he were first called, tried, examined, and known to have such qualities as are requisite for the same; and also by public