LXXXVIII. LAZARUS. § I. AS the ftream runs more widely, the nearer it approaches to the ocean into which it flows, fo doth the Saviour of mankind work more powerfully, as he draws nearer to his glory. The reftoration of Lazarus from death was one of his last, and of his greatest miracles— when he was himself about to die, he recalled his faithful fervant from the tomb. Bleffed LORD, none but an ifinite power could fo far go beyond na ture, as to revive one who had been four days dead-none but He who created man, could thus make him anew. The earth, from which thou didst raise his body-the invifible world, from which thou didst fummon back his fpirit, are equally under the controul of thine omnipotence. - SICKNESS is the common prelude to death. No human being is exempt from this condition of our nature—neither youth, nor wisdom, nor holiness, can avert the awful vifitation. Lazarus, whom JESUS loved, is on the bed of languishing. THE anxiety of a fond fifter is eager to have recourse to the affiftance of her Saviour, in behalf of one fo dear to them both. If his arm was ever ready to be ftretched out to the relief of ftrangers, if his gracious voice brought comfort to the house of mourning, when no especial cause moved him to fhew mercy-how furely might the powers of that voice, that arm, be relied on in be half half of Lazarus! Doubtlefs, Martha and Mary imagined, that they had secured the recovery of their brother, when they fent unto JESUS, faying, "LORD, behold, he whom thou lovest " is fick !" NOT a pang that was felt, not a groan that was uttered by Lazarus was unknown to our bleffed Saviour-yet this Lord of life fuffers the friend fo dear to him to ficken, and even to die, without approaching, or feeming to interpofe in his behalf. Nor was that then either inability, or difinclination to help"this fickness," however outward appearances indicate the contrary, " is not unto death, but for the glory of God, "that the SON OF GOD might be glori"fied thereby." O Saviour, thou didft. ufually call thyfelf by the humble appellation of "the Son of man," veiling thy Godhead under the garb of our mortal infirmity-but fometimes thou I 4 would t wouldft fhew the radiance of thy light, beaming through the clouds which furrounded thee. Thou wert near to thy paffion. It was feafonable for Thee at this time to affert thy just title. Neither was this an act which thine human nature could challenge as its own, but one far tranfcending all finite powers. To die, was appointed to the Son of man-to raise from death and corruption, was the prerogative of the Son of God. BUT wherefore, O LORD, wouldst thou be fo long abfent from thine afflicted fervants? Wherefore, but to exalt the glory of thy miracle, to ftrengthen the faith of thy difciples ! Hadft thou prevented the death of Lazarus, his recovery might have been deduced from natural caufes-hadft thou arrived fpeedily after his decease, it might have been imagined that no pofitive feparation had taken place between his foul and body-now, this period of time which elapfed, makes his diffolution more certain, and thy demonstration of almighty power more decifive. OUR Saviour, when he judged it feasonable, at length addreffed his difciples" Let us go into Judea again." He had retired from the tyranny of his perfecutors, and from their murderous attempts to take away his life, because his hour was not fully come. Now, his love for Lazarus, and the care of his divine glory bring him thither once more, prepared for the utmost extremity of fuffering. He calls his fervants to share with him in thofe grievous trials. They cannot be his true difciples, if they will not take up the crofs of their Lord. We must be careless of all danger, when he fummons us to the conflict. Whitherfoever he bids us follow him, though fnares, and forrows, and death are in the path, we must commend Our |