I die." Yes, he has a hope. This is his hope that he will one day come right.

The next person you come across is not a right down bad man; but he is a little thoughtless-rather fond of the world. He will say, "I have wronged no man. I have defrauded no man. I am no one's enemy, except perhaps my own. Surely God will not be so strict as the Preacher represents Him. If I do not find mercy, there will be thousands in a worse condition than myself." This is his hope.

You see a third, who is upright, honest, regular-in every respect well conducted. Not a word was ever whispered against him. He is a kind person, a straightforward man of business, a good master, or a faithful servant. He is a Church-goer toopunctual in his place in God's House. His knees are bent in prayer morning and evening. His Bible is read, if not every day, most days at least, when nothing interferes to prevent it. Has not this man a hope?

Yes, certainly; and what is it? Why, he hopes that as a matter of course all mnst be right with him; and that the gate of heaven will be opened to one so worthy.

Each one of these, you see, flatters himself that he has a kind of hope. And yet what is it worth? In point of fact it is worth nothing. It only deceives. It only gives a false peace. It acts as a soothing lotion to the conscience. It is like untempered mortar, which looks well enough when daubed upon the wall; but when the storm comes the wall will fall to pieces. In each of these cases which I have mentioned the hope of the Bible is wanting. Neither of them has a really Christian hope.

Remember there is such a thing, as a false hope-a hope that will utterly fail us. We read in the Book of Job, that "the hypocrite's hope shall perish:" his "trust shall be a spider's web." And suppose a man were to trust to a mere spider's web-suppose the drowning man were to cling to it, would he not be sure to perish? Then

just as surely will those be lost who lean upon such broken reeds as I have described.

But, thank God, there is a hope, better, stronger, and more true than these-a hope which the Apostle speaks of as "sure and stedfast," like the firmly grounded anchor to which the ship is moored, and then is able to defy the storm.

The Christian's hope is certain. Those are blessed words in our Burial Serviceblessed words, when read over the grave of a true Believer, of one who has really died. in the Lord." We therefore commit his body, to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Yes, the Christian's hope is certain for it rests, not on what he himself has done, or upon the promise of a fellow-worm, but upon what Christ has done for him, and on the unchangeable word and promise of his God.

Many of you know that in the very centre of the City of London stands the great Cathedral of St. Paul's. The last time I passed by it, a few weeks ago, I saw numbers of people in the street with their eyes directed towards something high up on the steeple. I stopped, and looked also; and there far aloft, almost out of sight, could be seen a man working in a kind of cradle. It seemed as though he was in the utmost peril; but in fact he was secure. It made one giddy to watch him; but he was quite safe. There was a strong rope to which he was slung, which passed upwards, and entered through a trap door above himand this rope was fastened to a stout beam within. The wind might whistle around him, but he had nothing to fear. He could look upon the dizzy crowd below, but he felt no alarm-he was safe.

What a picture of the Christian! In the hour of his greatest weakness, he looks up to heaven and feels that all is secure.

There is his Father, seated on His eternal throne! There is his Saviour-no longer a suffering dying Saviour-but a living Saviour, an Almighty Saviour, who has paid the debt, and now rejoices to bless His saved ones. There is his anchor, firmly grounded. There is his hope firmly fixed, as the Apostle says" within the veil." And if he clings to this, nothing can ever harm him. Satan may tempt and harass him; but none can pluck him out of his Father's hands. Trials may come; sickness may come; death may come: but "underneath are the everlasting arms," bearing him up. Who can move him from his strong firm. hold? "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is He that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is ever at the right hand of God, who maketh intercession for us."

Ah, but there are thousands in Christian England-numbers in this Christian Parish