SERMON.

"WHATSOEVER THINGS WERE WRITTEN AFORETIME WERE WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING, THAT WE THROUGH PATIENCE AND COMFORT OF THE SCRIPTURES

MIGHT HAVE HOPE." Rom. xv. 4.

These words, taken from the epistle for this morning, are turned into a prayer in the collectthat well-known collect so suitable as an introduction to the study of the Scriptures, that it is constantly used before sermons, and bound up in the beginning of our Bibles.

It may perhaps not be clear, at first sight, why this subject of the Holy Scriptures is brought before us at this season of Advent, as it appears to change the course of our thoughts from meditating on our Blessed Lord's second coming. The last words of the text will, I think, give the explanation, “ that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."

The expectation of our Lord's coming, naturally leads us to enquire how we may meet Him with