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any service or sacrifice for our brethren, however arduous.

We may do much for their minds; by dissipating their doubts, removing their fears, and bringing them comfort in their spiritual distresses. Thus Jonathan went to David in the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, so doth a man his friend by hearty counsel. A Christian is self-suspicious, and is afraid of every conclusion in his own favour drawn by himself: he sees not the consolation to which he is entitled, though so near him-But another, like the Angel to Hagar, may open his eyes, and shew him the well. Sometimes he is cast down, supposing many things are peculiar to himself; especially those painful feelings which arise from the assaults of Satan, and his conflict with indwelling sin, more and more of which he is continually discovering. But you can relieve him, by opening your own experience, and letting him know that it is so with you. There is another important case: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."

What can be dearer to a man than reputation? A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches but it may be injured various ways. And surely we ought to be alive to a brother's character; and willingly throw ourselves between him and the strife of tongues. When any thing is said to his disparagement, we should shew that charity, which rejoiceth not in iniquity; but hopeth all things. We should frown away the slander of insinuation. We should not allow a relater to go on, without enquiring whether he will allow us to name it to the person aggrieved, or the person from whom he affirms to have derived it. What a world of calumny and mischief would this prevent! He that helps not

in the circulation of the report, yet, if he pleasingly, or even patiently, sits to hear it, shares half the blame: and, as Dr. South says, the tale-bearer and the talehearer should be both hanged up, back to back, only the one by the tongue, and the other by the ear.

The body may need help. And our Saviour bore our infirmities, and sicknesses, by compassion, and sympathy. His commiseration could bear them away from the sufferers. We cannot perform miracles. But we may be useful by medical aid, and by personal attendance, and succour. And where the malady cannot be removed, the enduring may be alleviated. Is it nothing to the patient, that you visit him in his affliction? that he sees you at the side of the bed of languishing? that, by your tears and prayers, you are answering to the addressPity me, pity me, O ye my friends! for the hand of

God hath touched me?

The estate of our brethren may call for assistance; and is to be relieved according to our ability. It will be as base in us as unprofitable to them, to say, Depart in peace; be ye warmed and filled, while we give them not those things which are needful to the body. "Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" Job could say, The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. It was the saying of our Lord, It is more blessed to give than to receive. It was the glory of Christianity, in its first powerful effect, that none who embraced it "lacked." As glory in heaven, and as grace on earth, so the blessings of Providence were free, and open to all. The property of Christians went along with their affections; "and distribution was made to every one as he had need." And so tender were they of each other, that "the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one

soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." "O, this is no rule for us." Well; take it, and interpret it in your own way. Yet, will not-what even you infer from it as a duty, include much more than is now found in the temper and practice of Christians? "But we are not able."-This is commonly the language of those who are able, but not willing. Some incapacitate themselves. A decent distinction above the vulgar will not satisfy them: they must be splendid in dress, and luxurious in table, and magnificent in furniture. Others are disabled by hoarding. If accumulation be not condemned by Christianity, the extent of it is. A man may decently provide for his family, without wishing to leave them in the snares of affluence, and with a heap, which, if they do not dissipate by vice and excess, they are likely only to be concerned to enlarge. And may not persons increase their powers of beneficence, by diligence, and economy, and selfdenial? And is not self-denial the first lesson in the school of Christ? And you know the grace of Him, who, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you, through his poverty, might be rich.-"WE OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR

LIVES FOR THE BRETHREN."

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APRIL 20.-" And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly."

Luke xxii. 44.

AND what must this agony have been, when it is added, that "his sweat was as it were of blood falling down to the ground!" soul, could have caused this?

great drops What, my

"Oh! what wonders love has done!
"But how little understood:
"God well knew, and God alone,

"What produced that sweat of blood.
"Who can thy deep wonders see,
"Wonderful Gethsemane?"

-But let us now observe his deportment. For we are not only to view him as our Mediator in his passion, but as also suffering for us, to leave us an example that we should follow his steps-"In his agony, he prayed more earnestly." Not that he was cold and formal before, in his devotions; but as the hour and power of darkness advanced, and he began to be sore amazed and very heavy; and his soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; there was more excitement in his feelings, and vehemency in his manner of expression-Now were the days of his flesh, in which, with strong cryings and tears, he made supplications to Him, who was able to save him from death. So it is to be with us. Prayer is never out of season. We see this in his life. On what occasion did not he pray? But there is a time when it is specially seasonable. Therefore says God, “Call upon me in the day of trouble." "Is any afflicted? Let him pray." Prayer is the design, the refuge, the solace, the improvement of affliction: and the greater the distress and anguish we are in, the more necessary will it be, both for our sanctification, and supportLet us, therefore, be the more importunate. În the greatness of our distress,

Let us not, like Adam and Eve, flee, and endeavour to hide ourselves from God-but pray.

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Let us not, like Cain, begin to build, and try, by worldly projects, to dissipate our grief-but pray.

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Let us not, like Jonah, fret under the loss of our gourds, and tell God himself, that we do well to be angry, even unto death-but pray.

-Let us not, like Ephraim and Judah, repair

to creatures: "When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wounds, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb; yet could not he heal them, or cure them of their wound". but pray.

Let us not, like Saul, who went to the Witch of Endor, repair to the Devil himself, by error, drunkenness, and sin-but pray.

-Let us not, like Ahithophel and Judas, have recourse to suicide, and plunge into hell, for reliefbut pray-saying, with the Church, "Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us: he hath smitten, and he will bind us up" or, with Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him."

"I seem forsaken and alone,

"I hear the lions roar;

"And every door is shut, but one,
"And that is Mercy's door.

"There, till the dear Deliv'rer comes,
"I'll wait with humble pray'r:
"And when he calls his exile home,
"The Lord shall find me there."

APRIL 21.-"Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified." Matt. xxviii. 5.

THIS was the address of an angel to Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, that had come to see the sepulchre before break of day. They were last at the cross, and first at the tomb. Favours are given sovereignly by the Lord, but honour is conferred according to a rule; and the rule is this-"Them that honour me, I will honour." These women were informed of his resurrection before the Apostles:

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