delightful privilege which a true believer has in all his trials-the privilege of sending to Jesus, or of making known his distress to Him, who, whilst he has all power in heaven and earth, has a peculiar sympathy with his people.

There is something particularly consolatory to the heart, in the thought of the love of Jesus-that it is a peculiar love—a love comprehending the benignity of Him who is love itself; comprehending also His sympathy, who is the head of the body, the Church, and has the most tender sympathy for the least of his mystical members; feel as a husband, a brother, a friend, yea, as a friend that is born to adversity. The more you reflect upon this love, the more you will see of the blessedness the true Christian enjoys, in having such a friend, to whom he can send at all times. For is not man born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards? Are we not all liable to meet with trials which reach the very inmost soul? Where can the wise of this world go for relief? Pride to conceal the wound, but it is only to make

may

indeed try

it pierce the deeper. Their acqaintance with science, or the cold maxims of philosophy, will be of no avail; for it is not any of these mere human remedies that can sooth the wounded spirit. "Miserable comforters are they all!" But in our Lord we have one who invites the weary and the heavy laden to come to him with the blessed promise, "I will give you rest." Oh, my beloved friends, it is sweet to stay upon an Almighty arm, to repose upon a bosom filled with love! I may add also, that the more you reflect upon this love of our Lord, the more you will see the importance of the design of this evangelist in writing his gospel, "that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name." For it is his sonship, his being one with the Father in nature and in essence, "God over all, blessed for ever and ever," which makes his love and his sympathy so valuable; since it is the love and sympathy of him who can in a moment give effectual relief; and who, when he defers that relief, can send some comforting

message for the present support and consolation of his people. How many of these messages are strewed through these sacred pages, to strengthen and comfort his people in their path through the wilderness. Under the Old Testament, as "the angel of the Covenant," He sometimes delivered his own messagess; at other times he sent them by his servants. How comforting the message he delivered to Moses from the burning bush; "I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry, by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows, and I am come down to deliver them." So how consolatory the word he sent by Jeremiah to the captives in Babylon-"I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end:" and this, also, which He himself, when in our nature, sent to these afflicted sisters. Oh then, my beloved friends, profit by your privileges; address yourselves to this gracious, this almighty, sympathising Friend. Address

him, if in tribulation yourself, or for those who are in trial. Remember his words, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby." It shall be thus with your dispensation. You may indeed have your faith tried, but your hope shall not be disappointed. "He that shall come will come, and will not tarry ;" and when he does come, it will be to change night into day, sickness into health, care and anxiety into peace and comfort, sighs and tears into songs of everlasting joy-a joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Next, let this subject teach us to fall in with God's design of making all things accomplish his glory. The wicked unwillingly do it; for in the manifestation of his justice in the punishment of the finally rebellious and impenitent, God will be glorified. His justice and his holiness will be so manifested, that all who partake of his image will with deeper adoration say: "Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God

Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy." But theirs will be the homage unwillingly produced by those who feel his just indignation. It will be glory that will redound to their shame. Let the glory He receives through you be the willing offering of your hearts; that which indeed does most glorify him the ready surrender of your body, soul, and spirit to his service-the simple confidence of your heart, proved by following "the Lamb whithersoever he goeth." My beloved friends, when the Lord Jesus shall come in his glory, and all his holy angels with him, and shall separate the assembled nations, "as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats," then it will be seen that the only thing which really made life desirable, was its being occupied to the glory of God, by glorifying his well-beloved Son. Let then this be the object, not only of your morning and evening thoughts, but of your continued exertions. Let not a day wil