Mary that when your name is mentioned, it may be with some sweet designation! It was that Mary who watched the couch of her aged mother. It was that Mary who was so considerate to the poor. It was that Mary who had "the law of kindness upon her lips :" who spoke evil of no one, but was always ready "for every good word and work." But, as I before mentioned, none of these excellences of this pious family would have been known; neither would the glory of the Lord Jesus, in raising Lazarus from the dead, have been manifested; unless they had been called to this previous trial.

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I particularly notice this for the comfort and encouragement of those who may at this time be enduring affliction. "Think it not strange," my beloved friends, " concerning the fiery trial that is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." It has been the path by which the Lord has led his people from the beginning. It is said of the Father of the faithful: "Now it came to pass, after these things, that God did tempt Abraham," or that, after a season of

comparative ease and outward prosperity, God brought upon Abraham one of the most severe trials which it was possible for him to endure. But was it in anger, or because He did not love Abraham? By no means. The very words spoken by our Lord to the messengers sent by the sisters of Lazarus, might, at the time he was called to surrender his son Isaac, have been spoken to him. "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." For Abraham, in the mount, "saw the day of Christ and was glad ;" whilst his own character as a strong believer was made known. Let no one, therefore, be cast down by present trials; let him rather entreat the Lord so to sanctify them, that he may be able to say with the Psalmist: "It has been good for me that I have been afflicted." It will be difficult to find a stronger proof of the Lord's love towards you, than His bringing you into the furnace of affliction. It is not over base metal that the refiner sits with a watchful eye. It is to see His own likeness in the golden ore, when purified of

the dross. Neither are they common pebbles which the jeweller takes into his laboratory to polish. It is the ruby, or the emerald, or rather the precious diamond; that when it has received its sparkling brilliancy, it may adorn the crown of some earthly monarch.

It is for a still higher purpose that "He who sits as a refiner," and who has given its lustre to every precious stone, is now dealing with you; that you may be conformed to His image, and be as a jewel in one of those many crowns which He will wear when He appears as "KING OF KINGS AND LORD

These, my friends, are some of the preliminary remarks which I would offer, before I enter into the detail of this interesting narrative. I would wish you to consider the special design of the inspired writer in recording it, "that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through His name.' then be much in prayer, and in meditation upon His Word, that this design may be

accomplished. That you may see the glories of the Lord Jesus with a clearer eye, and believe on Him with a more loving heart. That, like this eagle-eyed Apostle, you may, on the wings of faith and love, rise heavenward, dwell in that glorious place where every eye beholds Him, every heart loves Him, and every tongue sounds forth the praises of His name.

Attend also to the variety in the circumstances in the Lord's people. That He having in His church a still greater variety than there is of the flowers in the garden, you may seek so to occupy your station, be it high or low, public or private; or whether your condition may be like that of Lazarus and Martha and Mary, or whether you are otherwise circumstanced; you may still be as a sweet flower in the garden of the Lord.

Remember also that it is through trials that these graces are manifested. If, therefore, the Lord calls you to suffering, it is not from a defect of love; but that " you may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

Finally, my friends, you who are yet strangers to these more spiritual truths, do you bear in mind, that it was when all the members of this family were in health that Jesus first visited them. Then it was, also, that Martha received Him into her house. O do you follow this example!

He offers this day to come to you, "to give you a new heart," and "to renew a right spirit within you." Take Him at His word. It is, my dear friends, the cordially receiving Jesus when we are in health or outward prosperity, which will enable us to know his matchless worth when we more especially need him. Let me therefore now remind you of the words of St. John: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life; that declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ."