fcene of curiosity and expectation are written upon the faces of those who stand by See, how full of expreffion is every feature at this critical moment when the dead is called upon to come forth Mel

Behold! what various degrees

thinks I behold on one countenance the firm confidence of faith, and on another the fufpenfion of doubt, while a third expreffes the careleinefs, and half-concealed fcorn of difbelief. One is attending with eager eyes to mark the first fymptoms of returning life, while another is fmiling at the vain confidence and credulity of his neighbour. The Son of God himself stands over the grave with looks expreffing the affurance of his efficacious power; but marked at the fame time, with the pleafing expectation of foon embracing his reviving friend-But the fifters, the faithful and affectionate fifVOL. I.

D

ters

ters-See with what anxious eagerness they bend over their brother's grave! See how trembling expectation waits for the first signal of life! In this case perfect love doth NOT caft out fear, nor doth faith itfelf attend the iffue without wavering. See how their eyes ftrain to catch the returning fenfe! Hah! it returns-the colour returns to the pale lips-They move-The blood wanders over the countenance-The eye-balls move The eye-lids open-He lives-Lazarus lives.

From the contemplation of fuch wonderful events as thefe we may derive much religious improvement. They animate our devotion, confirm our faith, and even exalt our ideas of that glorious Being whom we serve. At the fame time fcenes of pathetic tendernefs, where the gentle

gentle affections are exercised and called forth, foften and fubdue the mind: They recal us from the idle purfuits of feftivity, or the more laborious vanities of falfe ambition.

Who, that contemplates the lamented death of Lazarus, but would rather with that his remains might be embalmed by the tears of private friendship, than that the report of his death fhould spread from region to region, and be heard with indifference, till it was heard no more: -Who, that confiders the miraculous. circumstances of his refurrection, would think it worth his while to labour for the intereft of any power but that which shall re-animate the dead? Is it poffible to reflect on the ftory of Lazarus, and not wish to have partaken of that tender affection which wept over his grave ?—

To have been diftinguished by the favour of that gracious Redeemer who feels for tenderly for the fufferings of his creatures, who died for their fins, and rofe again for their deliverance from the grave? If it be natural to form these

wifhes, let us reflect that this Redeemer ftill liveth, and liveth to make interceffion for us, that, like Lazarus, we may be diftinguished by his favour, and, like him, through his power, rife again from

The different Conditions of the Wicked and the Righteous confidered in fome particular Views.de

PROV. iv. 18, 19,

The Path of the Just is as the fhining Light, that fhineth more and more unto the perfect Day. I

But the Way of the Wicked is as Darknefs; they know not at what they stumble.

EVER was there a more juft, or

NEV

a more ftriking picture than that which is exhibited in these two fhort verfes. It appears, indeed, from all the