might see how Lazarus, at the voice of Jesus, burst asunder the bonds of death-that they might take part in the glorious triumph of their Lord, and in the joy of Martha and Mary; in one word, that they might have stronger faith in him, who came down from the Father, was made manifest in the flesh, and worshipped by the Angels of God.

O ye Disciples! who have been the objects of such love and tender solicitude, let your voice be heard in all times and all places-come, and instruct us, animate our minds, penetrate our hearts, increase our faith, shew us how to live and die in the love of Christ. Jesus added, "nevertheless, let us go unto him," when he was consoling his Disciples by these holy thoughts he feared to appear insensible to the afflictions of his friends at Bethany, and as his arms of mercy were ever unfolded to his own people, he quickens the tardiness of his Disciples, which to his zeal appeared much too slow, saying, "let us go unto him :" but, why? Lazarus is dead and buried; why should they go to him? what does that signify? Can "death or life separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus?" Could the cold stone laid over the grave of Lazarus be any obstacle to the ardent love of Jesus, though it shut him out from the living world? No, "in all things," said St. Paul," we † are more than conquerers through him that loved us."

However, the Disciple, Thomas, naturally of a melancholy disposition, and a doubting mind, could

not enter into the consolation our Lord offered him. The Poet has justly given the following words to his guardian Angel, when describing his character:"His mind is continually wrapt in meditation"thoughts frequently produce thoughts, without end, "and extend before him like a boundless sea. He "was once almost lost in the dark system of sadducean "dreams, but was saved by the mighty miracles of "the Messiah. Then leaving the mazy labyrinths "of entangling error he came to Jesus, yet still hard "of conviction he would fill me with solicitude, did "I not know that with his active mind he has sincerity "of heart, and ardent love of virtue."

The thoughts of death so saddened his mind as to give him a disgust for life, he thus reasons within himself: Lazarus is dead-my Master returns to Judea, where cruel persecutions and death are awaiting him; what good would my life be then to me? for what should I tarry on earth? what would become of me without Lazarus without my Master? this world would be a desert full of separations and contentions; turning to his fellow Disciples he said, "let us also go that we may die with him.”

How wonderful, that in the first part of this lecture, I spoke against the fear of death, and now, at its conclusion, I must fight against a disgust to life, so true is it that all extremes meet in that perverse creature, man. Alas! there is something but too na

Klopstocks Messiah, Book the 3d.

tural to man in the words which Thomas's despair had wrung from him, but it was the expression of a feeling disapproved by God, and which we must strive to conquer. Poor mortal! because God has put you to severe trials and has given you a bitter cup to taste, is your life a burden to you ? do you wish to die? Because one dearly loved by you, and of whom, perhaps, you made an idol, has been removed, and this world appears to you a barren desert, do you wish to die? Because the hope that from day to day had supported your faith and softened your misery appears fading away, has despondency filled your mind, and do you wish to die? Because it seems as if God no longer listened to your supplications, you think you have nothing before you but utter despair, and you wish to die? Do not deceive yourself, that feeling has nothing in common with that holy impatience which St. Paul felt when he said he had a desire to depart and to be with Christ." No, what you feel under your trials is a guilty rebellion against God's supreme will, your murmurs and dismay are proofs of a cowardly distrust in that heavenly Saviour, who promised that he will never allow you to be tempted above what you are able to bear." If you love the Lord-if your heart is submissive, no rebellious feeling could enter into it-you would know by experience "+that all things work together for good to them that love God." If you do not love him, and feel that he is your Saviour, Redeemer, and

*Phil. i. 23. + 1 Cor. xx. 13.

Rom. viii. 28.

Mediator, what can you expect in that life to which you are wishing to hasten? What do you look to in eternity? Why would you rush before your time into the awful scenes of the last day? Why will you place yourself at the bar of final judgment? Are you prepared to appear before a just judge? Are you ready to give an account of all the actions, words, and even thoughts of a sinful life? Go to Christ, as your Saviour, and be content to live, until he calls you to him as your judge. Even suppose you have no reason to fear eternity, but have a testimony within you, sent by the Holy Spirit, that Jesus has saved you, has expiated your sins, that his blood has washed away your stains, why would you desire impatiently to shorten the time of your probation? Why would you, before the appointed time, lay down the burden imposed on you? Have you nothing to do in this life? Have you no poor to relieve, no unfortunate to console, no ignorant to instruct? No! you say, I am so situate that I can be of no use to any one-this afflicts me more than all my other sorrows. I can do nothing, but mourn my inutility and sin. Do you not remember, my dear brother, that you are now schooled by the Spirit of God? He desires to enlarge and purify the faculties of your soul, and fit it more and more for the enjoyment of that infinite love, which will be hereafter the element of your existence? Yes, by edifying your companions by your patience under suffering, you will further the views of the Almighty for you, which are to fulfil in you the prayer of St.

I

Paul for his brethren of Thessalonica-"* And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." "Faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it.”

This day of our Lord, appointed by the wisdom and love of God, will come soon enough to us all, and then whatever degree of sanctification we may have attained, we shall feel greatly ashamed at our cowardice, our want of fortitude under trials, the weakness of our zeal for so good a master, the coldness of our love for so merciful a Saviour.

O God! increase our faith, our hope, our lovegive us grace to employ more profitably our short time of trial-let us so live that we may praise thee here on earth, and also in heaven to all eternity!

LECTURE VII.

THE FOUR DAYS OF TRIAL.

Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem about fifteen furlongs off. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him; but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, thy brother shall rise again.—St. John xi. 17, 24.

In our last lecture, we left Jesus proceeding to Bethany with his Disciples, and giving them, by the way, grave and important instructions relative to his future plans. The day of trial will soon pass away.

* 1 Thess. v. 23, 24.