apparent personal danger. He considered not himself, when he left his Father's bosom, took upon him the form of a servant, and consented to be despised and rejected of men. No; "Many waters could not quench his love, neither could the floods drown it."

But into this part of the narrative, as we are about to assemble at the Lord's table, I will not now enter. I only notice it, that you may be more sensible that it was for their special benefit he deferred his visit. So that we may say, the pauses of our Lord-or those periods when he appears to sit still, and do nothing for the relief of his people-are as much the result of his love as his ready aid. He tarries, because that tarrying will enable him to come with a greater blessing; or He puts forth his Almighty power, at the very moment that this power will be peculiarly efficacious.

Let us then, my beloved friends, that we may more particularly benefit by this part of the narrative, in the first place, delight ourselves in the love of Jesus. We are soon to have a striking manifestation of that

love, when we partake of the emblems of “his broken body, and shed blood." But, strong as these rays are, will they not brighten into a still more ardent flame, when, in partaking of the bread and drinking of the wine, we realize the individual complacency which the Saviour has in all his people ?—that the words spoken of Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus, may be spoken of every one, who, "with a penitent heart and a lively faith, stedfastly purposing to lead a new life, and being in charity with all men," shall be present at the Supper of the Lord.

Oh, my beloved friends, as these sacred emblems are put into your hands, how delightful will be the thought, that He who had a love for each individual of the family at Bethany, permits you to use the language of another inspired Apostle, "Who loved ME, and gave himself for ME. For, if He loves you, what will he not perform for you? He has already died for your sins, and risen for your justification, and ever liveth to

* Gal. ii. 20.

make intercession for you. Will he not then grant you every needful blessing? Assuredly he will. You may say with David, "The Lord is my Shepherd, therefore I shall not want;" or with Jeremiah, "The Lord is my portion, therefore will I hope in him ;” or with his restored people, "O Lord, thou wast angry with me, but thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song, he also is become my

salvation."

Entreat the aid of the Holy Spirit thus to enable you to realize the love of Christ. "We have not, because we ask not."

We

remain in a cold, dull, and lifeless state, be

cause we do not put forth the grace the

Lord has bestowed upon us-do not set ourselves in earnest to enjoy the privileges the Lord so freely grants. He says, "I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey: I have drank my wine with my milk:"

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that is, I have prepared all these ordinances of my house, all the means that my love, and wisdom, and goodness, have judged suitable for giving "joy and peace in believing :" Now eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved :" that is, come and receive into your hearts those blessed truths brought before you in the preached gospel, and in the holy communion. Realize the love I have for my people, and feast your souls with that which "is better than wine."

Further, let this subject lead you to a more simple confidence in the dispensations of our Lord. Let the strength, the wisdom, and unfailing endurance of his love to his people, assure you, that however dark your present dispensation may be, the darkness is only temporary; at " eventide there shall be light"-a light that shall never become dim, but continue with increasing brightness for an eternal day. If, therefore, he seems "to abide two days" without giving you relief, remember that he was himself in the silence of the grave for that period; and that, for such a period, he suffered his friends at

Bethany to remain, without moving a step towards them. But this stillness was like that under-ground preparation which takes place in the winter season, before the blossoming of the trees in spring, and their abundant fruitfulness in summer and autumn. "Tarry then the Lord's leisure." Trust him when you cannot see him; and, being partakers of his love, leave all events to him-assured of this, that what he does "thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter."*

Finally, let those who take little or no interest in these more spiritual subjects, or in remembering the dying command of our blessed Saviour-let them consider how unfit they must be for joining that society, where God, who is LOVE, dwells, surrounded by those happy spirits who burn with love, and that blessed company who are conformed to his image. What an entire difference in their tastes, their pleasures, their society! They have rejected his benevolent love in the refusal of his message of mercy; and it is im

* John iii. 7.