"AFFLICTIONS ARE SENT TO BRING US TO OUR BIBLES AND TO OUR KNEES." MATTHEW HENRY. LONDON: THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY; SOLD AT THE DEPOSITORY, 56, PATERNOSTER ROW, AND BY THE BOOKSELLERS. PREFACE. THE afflicted are frequently unable to read much, or bear much to be read to them. The Bible, at such a time, is most "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," 2 Tim. iii. 16. Passages selected from the sacred pages, with hints on them to show their bearings, and set the thoughts in motion, cannot, therefore, be inappropriate; and the reflections of those devout men, who have seriously and laboriously weighed them, are likely to prove peculiarly acceptable. The additional remarks of experimental Christians, several of which are from the lips of the dying, are calculated to afford great encouragement and direction, as they will show, in the most convincing manner, that what the text and the comment enforce, many have, by the aid of God's grace and Spirit, both experienced and practised. Nor can the poetical reflections be unseasonable: many of them have already solaced the hours of affliction; and are peculiarly adapted for " in the night." May the Lord make this little work a blessing to the wounded in spirit, to guide them to Him, who, when he was upon earth, healed all manner of sicknesses and all manner of diseases among the people, Matt. iv. 23. "Blessed is the man whom thou chas songs tenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law," Psalm xciv. 12. SCRIPTURE PORTIONS FOR THE AFFLICTED. GEN. xlii. 36.-And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. AND yet God was carrying on great designs by the means Jacob so much disliked, not only for the advancement of his family, but was laying the foundation of a glorious scene of providence, the memorial of which will last as long as the Bible. We often pass a wrong sentence concerning this or that providence; and, in our haste, say things that are very unjust; and afterwards see reason to make a recantation.-BENJAMIN BENNET. Oh what rare mercies lie often hid under some dark and afflicting providence, even |