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9.

THE BELIEVER ENCOURAGED IN THE PROSPECT

OF DEATH.

RICHARD

WATSON.

MY DEAR BROTHER,-In the midst of sufferings, growing, I fear, greater daily, two circumstances call for your peculiar gratitude, that you have not now, for the first time, to seek refuge from the storm; and that the very preparation for that ministry from which we regret to see you so early discharged, more immediately led your thoughts to those truths, in their evidence, harmony, and fulness, which now are the only rock on which you can repose. Oh the suitableness of the blessed gospel to man in every state! to suffering, dying man, most of all! The grand reason of pardon and acceptance, is the precious blood which our Lord shed for us, and which now sprinkles a throne, which for that very reason is and must be only a throne of grace to all who believingly draw near to God through him. This is our plea, a plea which leads us wholly out of our own sinful, polluted, guilty selves, to that on which the eye of justice can look and be satisfied; to that which sets mercy free from all restraint, to pour herself forth in richest influence in the office of saving-saving to the uttermost all that appeal to mercy alone. My dear friend, here you rest I know; and when you are tempted to doubt, to that grand resting-place cleave with all your soul. The more steadily you do it, the more you honour your Saviour's atonement, and the more you magnify the wisdom and love of the Father: you commit your case then to the naked merit of the true sacrifice,

suffering nothing to claim the smallest share as auxiliary to that which is infinite and everlasting; and you are bold to claim blessings corresponding to its height and depth and length and breadth, blessings varied as your wants, and eternal as your nature. That plea has availed for you already; you know its availing power; you had it on your lips when you first tasted the graciousness of pardoning love; and by it you have found access to God in all those sweeter moments of intimate access to Him, with which you have since been favoured. Its power is this moment, and every moment, the same; and by it you shall obtain strength to suffer, and courage to die. Deep and joyful are the words of Christ, "I am the way;" the way to the Father, to conscious fellowship, sanctifying, transforming intercourse, assurances of paternal love, to heaven itself. Into that way faith brings us, and all believing acts (which may be as many as our thoughts of Christ) prove how directly it brings us to the Father, and the Father to us. But sickness, and especially sickness unto death, has its peculiar trials. The thoughts may wander, the spirits flag, the fears of nature rise up, and for a time shake the soul, and the enemy pursue us to the last step from water to land. Here then, is the great office of filial confidence. If, when an enemy, you were reconciled by his death, much more being reconciled, you shall be saved by his life, by his intercession for you in heaven, and that gracious help which he sends you from above. "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." Why? because he cannot slay me in anger—even that stroke is love. "I am persuaded," says St. Paul, "that he will keep that which

I have committed to him against that day." Why? "for I know whom I have believed." And you know him-his love, wisdom, power, his gracious visits, his kind forbearance, his tender sympathy, that knows your frame and remembers that you are but dust; that he will not fail to say of you, in the languor of your sinking nature, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Because every thing in Christ inspires confidence-—unlimited confidence; and this entire reliance is essential to our peace. We are commanded to look to Christ, to run our course looking unto Jesus. When Stephen was dying, he saw Jesus at the right hand of God. Then on the same glorious sight may your eye, my dear brother, rest-the eye of your stedfast faith-till faith is absorbed in the glorious vision of your Lord himself.

The measure of affliction and the duration of suffering, are in the hands of Him who cannot err, and he will give strength for the day. It is lawful, with submission, to make these matters of prayer; and greatly does God honour prayer, because it is an expression of trust in Him. But the great thing is, a perfectly resigned will, grounded upon the full conviction that good is the will of the Lord. Then we shall say, Thankful I take the cup from thee;

Prepared and mingled by thy skill. Then shall we feel that we have only to live for the present moment. "Now," may you be enabled to say, "Now, in this pang, in this interval of ease, in this hour of languor, in this visitation of joy -in all, may I glorify my Lord, and by all may his will and work in me be done." I commend you

earnestly, at this distance, in prayer, to the care and blessing of your heavenly Father.

The earth which you are leaving is a mere vanity, as you know, without God; all that it is more, it is made by him; and in heaven God will be all in all: you will know more love there, be employed in a higher service, and will have this privilege, you will escape to land there before your friends, triumph before them, and see the Lord before them. "Thrice blessed, bliss-inspiring hope!"-May it fully triumph over fear in you! You will not tread the wine-press alone: parents, and brothers, and friends, all of whom have an interest in God, will aid you, are aiding you, by their prayers. Above all, the Lord Jehovah is your everlasting strength. God be merciful unto you, and bless you, and lift upon you the eternal light of his countenance !

OFTEN the clouds of deepest woe

So sweet a message bear,

Dark though they seem, 'twere hard to find

A frown of anger there.

It needs our hearts be wean'd from earth,

It needs that we be driven,

By loss of every earthly stay,
To seek our joys in heaven.

For we must follow in the path
Our Lord and Saviour run;
We must not find a resting place
Where he we love had none.

THE Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

Have mercy upon me, for I am in trouble. Thou hast promised to give strength unto thy servants, fulfil in my experience thine own promise, As thy day, thy strength shall be. May I feel thine everlasting arms supporting me, may I hear thy voice saying unto me: As many as I love, I rebuke. Into thy hand I commend my spirit thou hast redeemed me, O God of truth. None of them that trust in thee shall be desolate.

Quicken me again, and compass me about with thy loving-kindness. Unto the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be ceaseless praises. Amen.

10.

CONDUCT IN A SICK ROOM.

JEREMY TAYLOR.

TREAT thy nurses and servants sweetly, and as it becomes an obliged and necessitous person. Remember that thou art very troublesome to them, that they trouble not thee willingly; that they strive to do thee

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