PART SECOND.

MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS FOR EVERY DAY IN THE

WEEK, FOR THE USE OF THE SICK.

SUNDAY.

If when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life!.

Unable to join the congregation of worshippers in the Courts of the Lord's House, let me at least avail myself of the privilege which remains to me, and commune with my own heart in private, and meditate on God's unspeakable mercies. And what more profitable subject can be taken than the one suggested by these words? “while we were enemies a sacrifice was offered in order to effect our reconciliation with God"-and that sacrifice was His own beloved Son. He did not wait until we returned to Him, and sought forgiveness, but sought us out even in the midst of our rebellion, when our hearts were utterly alienated from Him. Even then He loved us, and devised the means of recovering us from so degraded and desperate a condition. What amazing love and condescension ! “What is man that thou art mindful of him? And the Son of man that thou visitest him ?"

After such a display of His grace and mercy, can I doubt that my affliction is a wholesome and fatherly correction? Can I murmur or be impatient at His dispensations, or disbelieve the declaration that He “ does not willingly afflict the children of men," when I consider this proof of His care for their happiness? Surely, He hath done all things well. It is not in anger, but in mercy that He sends trouble to the inhabitants of the earth, that they may learn righteousness: it is to bring them to the refuge and covert from the storm, to Him whose voice stills the tempest and brings tranquillity and peace.

But how dear a price did the Lord of life pay in order to give peace to his people! What anguish of mind, what agony of body did the Man of sorrows endure, before eternal justice was satisfied! But it is finished. Our debt is discharged-our reconciliation is made ; for on Calvary “ mercy and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” He who died for our sins is alive again: He is risen-no longer the Man of sorrows-but the triumphant Conqueror of death and the grave, and is ascended to his glorious kingdom in Heaven. But will He now feel interested for those who have so ill requited His love, and so often done despite to the Spirit of His grace? Yes, blessed be God, He ever liveth to make intercession for us, to plead for our pardon, and to obtain whatever may be profitable for us. As He lives we may live also. As He ascended into Heaven to procure“ gifts for men,” we have only to ask faithfully in order that we may receive effectually. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things'?"

To this reconciled Father-reconciled in Christ Jesus—I will then commit myself, trusting in Him, that all things shall work together for my good. If it be His will to raise me up again to health and strength, I will praise Him for His mercy, and, by the help of His grace, serve Him faithfully all the days of my life: but should He see fit to take me

hence, my hope is still in Him, that I shall be saved by His life, and that being washed in His blood, and sanctified by His Spirit, I shall be admitted " to see Him as He is," and to serve Him in Heaven.

PRAYER.

O God, the fountain of goodness, and Father of mercies, I adore and bless Thy holy name, for having provided a way of reconciliation in the death of Thy Son. I had not otherwise dared to come before Thee, who art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, seeing that I am but sinful dust and ashes. But, thanks io thine unspeakable gift, I can approach Thee by that new and living way which Thy beloved Son hath consecrated for us through His own body; and can address Thee as my reconciled Father in Jesus Christ. Teach me, O God, to pray aright, lest I ask and receive not. Pardon the imperfection of my prayers, and grant me those things which Thou seest to be for my good, though in my blindness and ignorance I may desire others. If it be Thy pleasure still to continue this affliction, enable me to bear it meekly and patiently. Let Thy good Spirit dwell within me to comfort and support me under my trials. Let the light of Thy countenance revive me, and fill my heart with joy and peace. " Cause me to hear Thy loving kindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust; cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee." Hear also my prayer, O Lord, in behalf of my fellowcreatures. Bless and prosper the ministers of Thy word. May the Gospel of reconciliation proclaimed by them this day, be received with gladness, and be productive of much fruit to Thy honour and glory! May those who assemble together in Thy courts take heed how they hear; lest that word, which should have been for their peace, be hereafter an occasion of their condemnation ! Pity and convert those who neglect Thy House, and profane Thy Sabbaths. Oh, cause them to feel how great a privilege they are despising, and how grievous a sin they are committing, by not devoting the day of holy rest to Thy service. Let Thy Holy Spirit convince them of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment to come; and, when alarmed at the consequences of their guilt, may they flee for refuge to the hope set before them in the Gospel of Thy dear Son. Pity and comfort all who are sick and afflicted. May they come out of the furnace of trouble as silver that has been tried and purified; and may they, together with me, Thine unworthy servant, feel and acknowledge that it was good to be afflicted; and henceforth live according to Thy laws, and delight to run in the way of Thy commandments! Hear me, O merciful Father, and grant my petitions for the sake of Jesus Christ, my only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

MONDAY.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor : He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind: to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears'.

“ Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God.” I's He too high and exalted for thy contemplation? Dost thou fear to approach Him, and tremble because of thine unworthiness? Then view Him in the person of His Anointed. See Him full of grace and truth, all the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in Him bodily, and yet so meek and lowly that the poorest and most afflicted creature on earth may take courage to

Luke iv. 18, 19. 21.

approach and to implore His compassion. The more unworthy the suppliant feels himself to be, the more favourable will be his reception. For He “giveth grace unto the humble'.” Consider how well adapted this Saviour is to the wants of all. Art thou poor and afflicted? Come unto Christ, and hear the glad tidings which He was sent to preach :-" though he was rich yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich ?." He will deliver the poor in his affliction.” Is the remembrance of sin grievous, and art thou mourning and oppressed with the weight of thy transgressions? A deliverer is at hand. Jesus was sent “ to heal the broken-hearted." “ The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a brokenheart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Art thou enslaved by the world, which thou hast solemnly promised to renounce? By the lusts of the flesh, which thou hast engaged to mortify? By Satan, against whom, with all his works, thou hast been enlisted to fight? Look to Jesus, for He came " to preach deliverance to the captives.”—Turn, prisoner of hope, to this strong-holdó. Cling to the cross of Christ,“ by whom,” says the Apostle," the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

- Walk in the Spirit,"—that blessed gift which Christ ascended to Heaven to procure for men," and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.' “ Look unto Jesus ;” and the chain by which Satan holds his captive will be broken asunder.“ The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet $ ;” and his devices shall be frustrated. “ For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil'." In Him also may the spiritually blind, they " who have eyes and see not'

10,13 be enabled to look upon a Saviour ; for He came “to give recovery of sight to