require information from them. The same all-seeing eye, which had observed the death of Lazarus when at a distance, would shew him his burial place. But he would thus manifest to all who were present his lively concern. He would also, by this inquiry, draw the spectators to the grave, without directly inviting their attendance; for his question, "Where have ye laid him?" immediately produced this answer, Lord, come and see;" but, especially, but, especially, he would thus inspire the mourners with the hope that he would restore him to life.

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Whilst, however, I have, for your greater edification, dwelt upon some of the more prominent features of our Lord's compassion, it is the delightful truth which this whole scene exhibits, that I would desire to impress upon you-namely, that we have, in our blessed Saviour, one who, as man, can feel for us with all the tenderness of humanity in its perfect state; whilst, as God, he can give the most effectual relief.

This is the truth which this part of the narrative brings before us-a truth which,

next to the merit of his atoning blood and justifying righteousness, is, of all others, the most consolatory.

For of what does this sympathy of our Lord assure us ?—that we have, at this very moment, One seated at the right hand of his Majesty on high, "Who having suffered being tempted, is ABLE to succour them that are tempted." For who can have such an intimate knowledge of the feelings of a heart bowed down with sorrow, as He who was himself a "man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief?" or who can so well estimate the burden of the soul under convictions of sin, as He who "bore our sins in his own body on the tree?" Or who so well acquainted with the agony which a Christian suffers, when assaulted by the "fiery darts of the wicked one," or called to bear "the cruel mockings" of an ungodly world, as He who was tempted by Satan-and was "led like a lamb to the slaughter," amidst the taunts and revilings of the assembled multitude?

Who, again, can so sensibly realize the privations of his poor disciples, as He who

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"had no where to lay his head ;" and who, for so long a season, fasted in the wilderness? Or who feel with such tenderness for the mourner bereaved of his dearest earthly friend or relative, as He who, "when He saw Mary weeping, and the Jews weeping also which came with her, groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,"-was afflicted in his very inmost heart; His groans and his tears manifesting, far more than any language could, the depths of his sorrow.

Yes, my beloved friends, the Lord may, " in his love and in his pity," send to you some wise, and tender, and compassionate Christian friend to condole with you in a day of affliction; but there is none among all the sons and daughters of our race, who can sympathize like himself. He may seem to you to be removed to a distance; but his love is still the same. Before he ascended into glory he promised to send "another Comforter, even the Spirit of truth, to abide with us for ever." These were his gracious words to his disciples, "It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away the Comforter

will not come unto you; but if I go away I will send him unto you.' So that, although our Lord be absent, still having the same sympathy with his people as he had when upon earth, and having all power given unto him, he now, by his Spirit and his word, comforts his people as effectually as by his personal presence. He sighs no longer, indeed; He groans not, nor is troubled in spirit; neither does he weep as he did at Bethany; but his heart is as full of sympathy as ever. I need only give you this one proof of this: his meeting with Saul of Tarsus. Then, although he appeared with the glory, even brighter than the noon-day sun, He said, in language which bespoke his tender compassion for his people, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME?" For although "God had set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principalities, and powers, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come," his nature was not changed. He is still the head of his body, the church,

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and feels a wound inflicted, even upon the lowest member, as struck at himself.

Let me then, in conclusion, address those who may at this time be mourners in Zion. Let me call upon you to behold this sympathizing Saviour. See him as he actually appeared at Bethany-moved even to tears upon beholding the sorrows of his friends. For it is well worthy of remark, that, although St. John particularly specifies that our Lord beheld Mary's weeping, he does not limit his compassion to her alone. The verse runs thus: "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled." He felt for every mourner in the company; and he has the same tender feelings for you.

Yes, if you are like Martha, grieved for your loss, and yet like her can enter into the ordinary affairs of life; or if you are so oppressed by your trials, that, like Mary, you can only sit still in the house ;-now that he calls for you, like these amiable sisters arise quickly, and come unto him.