heavenly life1 : nor shall they fail of attaining eternal happiness in heaven k.]
Application —
[Every man must expect trouble in this vale of tears : the dearest friends must look forward to a day of separation ; but let every trouble drive us to the compassionate Jesus, and every want be spread before him in prayer1. We are not now indeed to expect miraculous interpositions ; nor ought we to ask for temporal blessings in an unqualified manner. We should commit the concerns of this life to his all-wise disposal ; but for spiritual blessings we cannot be too importunate, nor can our faith in his word be too strong. What he said to Martha he still says to usm — . The advice of Jehosaphat is the best direction we can follow" — . Let us not then limit his tender mercies. If we resemble the Samaritan lord, we shall fare like him0. Let us not in renewed troubles be like the unbelieving Jewsp ; but let us bear in mind that encouraging declaration q — , and deter- mine henceforth to live like the Apostle1 — .]
' Eph. i. 19, 20. with ii. 5, 6. k John iii. 15. Isai. xlv. 17. 1 Phil. iv. 6. m John xi. 40. » 2 Chron. xx. 20.
0 2 Kings vii. 2, 17. P Ps. lxxviii. 20. <J Eph. iii. 20. r Gal. ii. 20.
Luke ix. 12, 13. And when the day bega7i to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals : for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat.
WITH all our active services for the Lord it is proper to blend devotion and retirement ; that so we may not neglect our own vineyard, whilst we are cultivating that of others. But there are calls which may properly supersede for a time our private duties ; as God has told us by the prophet, " I will have mercy, and not sacrifice."
Our blessed Lord, wearied with his continual labours, had retired to a desert place for meditation and prayer. But the people still following him in great numbers, he denied himself those necessary enjoyments, and not only renewed his exertions with