to urge him to do so. * O fools! why are ye so slow of heart to believe all that the word of God hath revealed." Do we not all know as well as Martha, that all that our powerful Mediator asks of God, God will give it him? Cannot we rely on this merciful invitation, " + If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink." Oh! it is faith which is wanting to us, "Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief."

Thus did the presence of our Lord transport Martha from a state of misery and despair to a state of confidence and peace. Jesus replies to her in a way that must increase her faith, and accompanies his words with a promise so precious as to surpass all that Martha could hope or desire: so true it is that "§ he is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think." Martha does not wait for her Lord's reply-her afflicted heart seems only to expect from Jesus the submission and fortitude necessary for her to bear up against such a loss; or rather, she does not ask any thing-she leaves it all in the hands of Jesus, and he promises her the happiness she did not dare look for in this world: "Thy brother shall rise again." It is not by much speaking that our Lord comforts the afflicted-no, it is by a promise that will raise them above their misfortunes-for a promise from him "|| that cannot lie," is equivalent to a gift. "Thy brother shall rise again." How?

St. Luke xxiv. 25.
Ephesians iii. 20.

+ St. John vii. 37.
+ Titus i. 2.

J

St. Mark ix. 24.

when? by whom? are questions that Martha's faith would urge her to ask. Ah! what are moments or days to Jesus? he at whose voice the dead will one day burst asunder the bonds of the grave! can he not, if he will, raise Lazarus from the dead?" Thy brother shall rise again," let that satisfy thy faith, rely on my power-thou shalt no longer mourn for him, who is so necessary to thy happiness. It was not for the short space of this life only that their hearts were thus united: no, the bond of union between the friends of Jesus could not be severed even by death-the bond is eternal, and having constituted their happiness here, will contribute even more powerfully to their happiness hereafter. But Jesus does not wait for the time when the measure of her joy shall be full, to strengthen Martha's faith; we shall soon see the Prince of life, advancing to the tomb of Lazarus, and using his Almighty power in order to fulfil quickly his promise to Martha. As her faith was not sufficiently established to understand that promise, he does not say to her, as he did on another occasion, "According to your faith be it unto you," but he does for her "+ abundantly above all that she can ask or think."

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O! that these promises of God, "I which are in him yea and amen," might be an eternal refuge from the storms and shipwrecks of life, to which we are constantly exposed by the waverings of our own incredulity and weakness. My dear fellow-travellers,

St. Mathew ix. 29. ↑ Eph. lii. 20. 2 Cor. i. 20.

through the boisterous voyages of life, these promises alone can shew us the Rock of ages, from whence we may contemplate in security the raging billows of the tempestuous ocean. These promises to us are like the appearance to the benighted mariner of the star which will guide him into port—they alone can shew us "* the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.' Having fast hold of these promises let us present them to God as our title deeds, and ask him " + in full assurance of faith," for light, strength and eternal life. Then we may find true comfort, even at the tomb of those we best love-these mournful scenes will lose their bitterness, and when they fade away scenes of eternal delights will appear. We already possess these through "the hope that maketh not ashamed," for its foundations are the promises of God. Are there any among you in deep suffering, either mental or bodily? If there are, take courage, approach the throne of mercy with confidence, and say, "Lord, he whom thou lovest is sick :" remember this promise," he maketh sore and bindeth up, he woundeth and his hands make whole." Are there any exposed to the pains of poverty and indigence, unable to satisfy the wants of those they love? Let them hasten to Jesus with the promises he has so mercifully given them." || If God so clothe the grass which is to-day in the field, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith." 66 + I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." Are there any among you trembling under

2 Peter iii. 13. + Hebrews x. 22. Rom. v. 5. § Job v. 18..

an acute sense of sin, and desponding views of salvation, let them fly to their Redeemer, on the strength of these blessed words, "Who his own self bare our sins on his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness." “ † Thou

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camest to seek and save that which was lost." "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." " || Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow.” "¶Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters.' "(a) Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitietly them that fear him." "(b) When my father and mother forsake me then the Lord shall take me up." Should we be summoned to the painful but tender duty of comforting our fellow-creatures, let us beware of speaking to them in the language of man. Let us approach them in a truly christian spirit; let them see that we feel for them, and are willing to listen to their complaints-when we have induced them to open their hearts to us, let us apply the word of God as a balm to their wounds; they will receive this blessed word into their hearts, and will rise far above all earthly tribulations or sufferings. In them will be renewed the spirit of the Psalmist, who begins his prayer by this cry of distress, "(c) Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord," and concludes triumphantly, "Let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption, and he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities."

1 Peter ii. 24. Luke xix. 10. Matt. xi. 28. § John vi. 37. Isaiah i. 18. ¶ Isaiah lv. 1. (a) Psalm ciii. 13.

(b) Psalm xxvii. 10.

(c) Psalm cxxx. 1, 7 and 8.

Happy is the man who has Jesus for his hope! happy is the man who in the midst of the troubles with which this life abounds, can, by the eye of faith fixed on his Saviour, repeat that song of praise, “*The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life of whom should I be afraid." "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear, though man should rise against me in this will I be confident."

My beloved brethern, should you when in trouble not find this faith in your hearts, remember that it is a free gift of God, "+ Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you."

LECTURE VIII.

JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth, and believe h in me, shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, yea, Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.-John xi. 24, 28.

Let us return to the very affecting and instructive conversation between Jesus and Martha; we have seen how gradually her faith revived, till at last in "the fullness of hope" she said "Whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee:" however in this instance her reliance on the power and goodness

Psalm xxvii. 1 and 3. § St. Mathew. vii 7.