III." And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." In the petition we have already considered, our thoughts and anxieties were chiefly directed towards the failures that have befallen us during what is past of our lives. But, in this last supplication, we look forward to the events that may befall us in the days that are to come,we feel, from the weaknesses that have already beset us, that we have little security in our own strength for more perfect obedience than we have hitherto manifested; and we have also learned from our experience of life, that incessant occasions are occurring to us in this world, which may lead us from the way it is our interest to pursue. It is with a view, therefore, to those evils, and the manifold seductions which life presents to us, that we are here taught by our Lord to say, " And lead us not into temptation." We are not, however, to suppose, from these words, that we are entitled to ask an entire exemption from the ordinary seductions of the world; for it is the very condition of our nature upon this earth, that it must evince its power by a vigorous resistance to besetting evil; and the virtue which was never tried by temptation, is not

entitled to lay claim to the honours of steadfastness. Although, therefore, we have no reason to expect that no allurements to sin shall ever beset us, we are, however, permitted to pray, that nothing which may have a tendency to obstruct our final felicity may befall us,-that we may not meet, during our pilgrimage of life, with any of those great temptations which our imperfect nature is not able to overcome,—or that, if situations of peculiar trial are ordained for us, we may be furnished with strength commensurate to our situation, and may not ultimately fall before the evil that has overtaken us. No prayer, you will remark, can be more important to be daily offered by a being, whose welfare so evidently depends upon the character of the situation into which he is thrown,— who may lose, amidst the infelicities of an unfavourable probation, the happiness and honours of an everlasting existence; or who may rise, by steadfastness in the path of duty, to a height of happiness and of glory which our present imaginations are not capable of conceiving.

"For thine," says our Lord, in concluding his Prayer," thine is the kingdom, and the power,

and the glory, for ever." Thine is the kingdom; that is, universal nature is under thy control; all that live and think are subjects of thy sway; thou art conducting all things upon principles of goodness; and the design of thy government is, the progress of thy creatures in the things that are excellent. Thine also is the power; for thou doest according to thy will in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; none can stay thy hand from working; and none can say unto thee, What doest thou?" To thy power, therefore, all thine intelligent children, in their desires after perfection, may look with confidence; thou canst make all things work together for their good; and it is only necessary that they should feel the desire of being like thee, that thy power may be exerted in carrying their desire into effect. "Thine also is the glory, for ever." All thy works shall praise thee; that kingdom which thou conductest shall be finally established; all intelligent beings shall acknowledge thy dominion; and as thou thyself art good and perfect, goodness and perfection shall also characterize whatever thou hast made; and one great hymn of adoration shall be sung through

out the universe, because thy gracious plans have all issued in happiness. It was in this manner, that our Saviour manifested the grandeur of his views, both of the nature of man and of the government of God; and that, as in the beginning of this Prayer, he had led us to contemplate the Almighty as the Father of all his creatures, and the merciful Sovereign to whose dominion all things are subject, he has taught us to withdraw from the scene of supplication, under the impression of the same ennobling views.

It becomes us, however, ever to keep in mind, that it matters little how elevated, or how comprehensive, or how pure our petitions be, if this elevation, and comprehensiveness, and purity of thought, are limited to the time in which we are occupied with the act of addressing ourselves to God. Our Saviour most assuredly furnished us with this model of prayer, not merely that we might occasionally raise our thoughts to the elevation of its petitions, but that, being our daily prayer, it might extend its influence to all our thoughts, and become the constant guide of all our views. Let us then accustom ourselves to think habitually of God, as

our Father who is in heaven; let us look upon the universe as a glorious temple, which he has consecrated to his worship; let us cheerfully submit ourselves to his government; and let it be our daily endeavour that his will may be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Let us also look continually to the blessing of God, for a prosperous issue to our endeavours to obtain a portion of temporal goods; let us be sincerely penitent for all our sins, and ready to forgive those who have offended us. Finally, let us endeavour to avoid all sin during the time that is to come. And may God so guide us, amidst the events of this life, that, having fulfilled well our part upon the earth, we may hereafter be associated with those angels of God, who delight always to do his will; and may live for ever in his presence, to whom belong the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.