which you are now called to drink.'-is not your heart opened to him? do you not say within yourself, 'Here then is one who can sympathize?' and does not that thought immediately bring a kind and measure of consolation to your soul?

As then the afflictions of others teach them to sympathize with you, so yours should teach you to sympathize with others. And you should learn that Afflictions are choice and blessed means, when truly sanctified, of maintaining the sense, and strengthening the bond, of our vital and mystical union with one another in Christ. In other words, the Communion of Saints is hereby maintained. And we may observe that this Doctrine is never so truly and experimentally understood by the Church as in times of affliction and persecution. When the storm is howling around, and when we know that the world is uttering curses and revilings against us, how sweet is the Communion which Christians then enjoy, when they meet together to read God's word, and sing, and praise, and pray! How strong and lively is then the feeling of their

spiritual and everlasting Union in Christ! See Acts iv. 23-31.

Ministers of the Gospel are especially called to consider and improve their Afflictions, as means of qualifying them to sympathize with their afflicted fellow-Christians. And I have frequently observed that when I was called upon to administer spiritual consolation, there had been something in my own experience just before, -some trial and temptation, perhaps very painful, and apparently mysterious and unaccountable at the time,-which afterwards I could clearly see had been sent, in infinite wisdom and mercy, to prepare me for the discharge of my office in the particular case, which unexpectedly was brought before me, and which I was thereby enabled to meet. And when they are thus afflicted for the consolation and salvation of others, Ministers may rightly be said, with the Apostle, "to fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in their flesh for His body's sake, which is the Church." For Christ not only suffered, in order that He might make atonement for the sins of His people

(1 Pet. iii. 18; Heb. x. 5—14); but also that He might sympathize with them (Heb. ii. 17, 18; iv. 15). In regard to the former purpose He hath finished transgression and made an end of sins nothing can be added to or taken from His perfect work: in the work of Redemption He is alone. But in regard to Sympathy, all those whom Christ hath called to the Pastoral Office, and made partakers with Himself in the blessed work of binding up the brokenhearted and comforting them that mourn, must also be partakers of those sufferings which He endured, as the tender and sympathizing Shepherd and Bishop of our souls.]

Have they taught me diligence in intercession?

"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." Heb. xiii. 3.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers

to God for me; that I may be delivered from them which do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed." Rom. xv. 30-32.

[And let us in our intercessions think of them, who know not what it is to pray for themselves. Oh! if we could but conceive the choking, tearless, agony of one, who sees his dearest earthly delight and comforts withering away from his grasp, and has no God and no Saviour, to whom he could look for consolation and support, it would make us to be far more instant and earnest in prayer for them than we are. I have felt it. I know what it is. And sometimes when the thought comes across me in prayer, it brings tears of compassion into my eyes, and makes me indeed to intercede, after another method than usual, for those who are still as once I was myself.]

Art thou still tempted to murmur and repine at thy afflictions? Then ask thyself again :

Have I not Special Promises?

"" They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm cxxvi. 5, 6.

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." Isaiah xliii. 2, 3.

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matt. v. 4.

[Of those promises and gracious declarations, which are addressed more especially to the afflicted, I have quoted but very few. But, if we examine, it is marvellous how large a portion of the Scriptures is more immediately directed