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unto Him void, but shall prosper in the thing whereto He sent it.' But how many Visitors there are, who from a want of a thorough knowledge of the contents of the Bible, experience the greatest difficulty in knowing where to find the words which are specially addressed, and therefore specially adapted, to the various states of mind they meet with in their visits. The consequence is, unsuitable words are chosen; that which applies to the Christian only, is read to the unconverted; and still more often, the message sent by God in his own words to the individual, is not faithfully delivered by the messenger, because the 'sword of the Spirit' is allowed to remain in the scabbard, and the words of man are substituted for the true sayings of God.'

The Author ventures to hope, that many who can sympathize with him in this painful experience, will find "ILLUSTRATIVE SCRIPTURE READINGS" for the Visitation of the Poor, a friend in need. He trusts also, that this combination of scripture truth, will be found useful as a pocket companion for private meditation, and as a book of reference to many, who are often engaged in the study of God's word, but have no time to consult the pages of more elaborate volumes.

In conclusion, the Author would add, that the whole work has been compiled in humble dependence upon the Holy Spirit for the wisdom required; and it is now sent forth to the world, accompanied with earnest prayer, and confident hope, that the blessing of God may attend its use to the salvation of sinners, and the sanctification of saints, and thus to the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom.

If these objects are realized, even in a humble measure, the Compiler will rejoice in knowing his labours have not been in vain, and to the Divine Author of the sacred words of which this book is composed, shall be all the glory. Amen.

LONDON, December, 1863.

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Chapter First.

THE CHRISTIAN AFFLICTED.

Divine Sympathy.

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1"ALTHOUGH affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; yet man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward. But like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. He maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole; the heareth the cry of the afflicted, 5 and the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing, and will make all his bed in his sickness; for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

1 Job v, 6, 7. 2 Ps. ciii, 13, 14. 3 Job v, 18. 4 Job xxxiv, 28. 5 Ps. xli, 3. 6 Jas. v, 16.

Prayer for restoration to health.

"Hear my prayer, Ò Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears. Make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an hand-breadth; and my age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Wearisome nights are appointed to me. When I lie down, I say,

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'When shall I arise, and the night be gone?' and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction : for thy word hath quickened me. Make me glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted me. O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction; "be merciful unto me and raise me up; "O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

1 Ps. xxxix, 12, 4, 5.

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2 Job vii, 3, 4.
4 Ps. xc, 15. 5 Jer. xvi, 19. 6 Ps. xli, 10.

3 Ps. cxix, 49, 50. 7 Ps. xxxix, 13.

ILLUSTRATION. Hezekiah raised up from sickness.

"Hezekiah, king of Judah, was sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah came to him, and said unto him; Thus saith the Lord: Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.' Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore, and said; 'Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. In the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years. I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world. Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt

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