CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Financial
Highlights" for the John Hancock Government Income Fund, John Hancock High Yield
Bond Fund and John Hancock Intermediate Government Fund (the three funds
comprising the John Hancock Bond Trust) in the John Hancock Income Funds
Prospectus and "Independent Auditors" in the John Hancock Government Income Fund
Class A, Class B and Class C Shares Statement of Additional Information, the
John Hancock High Yield Bond Fund Class A, Class B and Class C Shares Statement
of Additional Information and the John Hancock Intermediate Government Fund
Class A, Class B and Class C Shares Statement of Additional Information and to
the incorporation by reference in Post-Effective Amendment Number 47 to
Registration Statement (Form N-1A, No. 2-66906) of our reports dated July 7,
2000 on the financial statements and financial highlights of John Hancock
Government Income Fund, John Hancock High Yield Bond Fund and John Hancock
Intermediate Maturity Government Fund.
/s/ERNST & YOUNG LLP
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ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
September 21, 2000
