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what is needful for soul and body; and we may safely trust the Lord Jehovah for ever. He will be our shield and buckler in present danger; and hereafter, our exceeding great reward.

SERMON XIII.

On the Resurrection of Lazarus.

JOHN xi. 35, 36.

Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, " Behold how he loved him.”

THESE word's were spoken of our Saviour, while he was standing at the grave of Lazarus, just before he raised him from the dead. The miracles of our blessed Lord commonly answered a twofold purpose; to display his own greatness and glory, in the character of the expected Messiah; and, at the same time, to supply the necessities, and alleviate the miseries of mankind. From several instances, we find, that he experienced all the tender affections of human nature, without yielding to any of its weaknesses; and although he declared, that every one who did the will of his heavenly Father, was his sister and his brother; yet he regarded particular persons with a peculiar degree of complacency and love. Among these was Lazarus of Bethany, whom he calls his friend, and on whose account he performed one of his most astonishing miracles, in restoring him to life, after he had been four days dead. This wonderful exertion of divine

power, with some of the circumstances which preceded it, I shall make the subject of the following discourse. Here our Saviour appears as a glorious personage who claims our love and adoration: he that was susceptible of all the emotions of the most animated friendship, is surely entitled to our esteem. He that could reanimate the lifeless body, ought to be had in universal reverence. Let us strive to imitate his benignity, while we revere his power.

This miraculous transaction is related only by the Evangelist John, the disciple most remarkable for a friendly and sympathetic heart. He could not omit a representation, in which his Master appeared in a light so amiable, and so congenial to his own disposition and turn of mind. The principal circumstances of his relation, you may recollect, are these-That in the town of Bethany dwelt Lazarus, with his sisters Mary and Martha, who had hospitably entertained their Lord, and treated him with that respect which was due to one whom they acknowledged to be Christ the Son of God; and in return, they were particularly beloved by him. That in the illness of Lazarus, they immediately sent to implore relief, "saying, Lord, behold he whom "thou lovest, is sick." That Jesus complied not immediately with their request, "but abode two days "still in the same place, where he was." That, in the mean time, the sick man died; and when Jesus came, at last, Martha met him with a gentle remonstrance, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not "died;" at the same time, reposing the most humble confidence in his goodness and power: "I know, that " even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God "will give it thee." That after expressing his sorrow

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with all thst sensibility of heart, which the melancholy occasion required, he came to the grave, and with a loud voice, commanded the dead man to come forth; who immediately obeyed the summons, and came forth, to the conviction of the incredulous, and to the great astonishment of the whole multitude of spec

tators.

From this relation, the following observations seem naturally to arise. Wherever the religion of Jesus Christ prevails in its full force, there tenderness of heart, and gentleness of manners will be its constant attendants there peace and love will abide for ever. The spirit of piety is a social spirit-its direct tendency is to soften the hardness and mitigate the ferocity of the human heart. Although, in the Christian world, the doctrines of our holy religion have not that full effect, which every good man would desire-although the kingdom of Christ is not yet come in all its efficacy and power; it is, nevertheless, evident, that since the introduction of Christianity, the manners of mankind are become less ferocious, and more tractable and civil. Wars (at the best but too full of terror and cruelty) are conducted with less barbarity-the intercourse among nations is more gentle and easy-and a spirit of benevolence is more universally diffused. Among the independent communities of men, as they are spread over a great part of the earth, the prevalence of our holy religion has been productive of these happy consequences. But we are more sensible of its blessed effects, as they appear in smaller societies-in families composed of few individuals. The rays of the sun diffuse a general warmth and joy over the whole face of nature; but we are more struck with their irresist

tible power, when many of them are collected to a

point, and brought to operate on one object. We are informed that "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and "Lazarus." They had frequently attended to his divine instructions-they obeyed his precepts, and endeavoured to imitate his example. The consequence was, they were connected by uniformity of sentiment and affection-they were awake to each other's pains and pleasures-the light of joy was increased by reflection from one bosom to another; the stream of sorrow was weakened, by being separated into different channels. Happy would it be, were the same unanimity to prevail through every Christian family-the same spirit of mutual forbearance and condescension-the same solicitude to promote each other's pleasure, and to ward off the assaults of pain. Let the religion which you profess have its due influence on your hearts, and this will assuredly be the case. You will strive to accommodate yourselves to the inclinations of one another. You may perhaps differ, as to the mode of expressing your devotions. But disagreement in trifles will not break the bonds of harmony. You will have one Lord, and one hope of your calling. You will have the same Father of mercies, to whom you may express your gratitude-the same compassionate Saviour, to whom you may fly for succour in the hour of distress.

For, from the history of all the past ages of the world, and from the frequent instances which fall under our own observation of virtuous and pious men struggling with distress, we find the words of the apostle constantly verified," Whom the Lord loveth, he chas"teneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." VOL. II.

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