510 Hebrews, Xiii. 8. [2344.

idea to the mind ? Can any image whatever more forcibly impress us with admiring thoughts of Christ's tenderness and compassion ? Such was Jesus in the days of old : and is he not the same at this day ? Will he not still " carry the lambs in his bosom, and gently lead them that are with young ?" Can we produce in the annals of the world one single instance, wherein he "brake the bruised reed, or quenched the smoking flax ?" Has he not invariably "brought forth judgment unto victory," and "per- fected his own strength in his people's weakness ? " Who amongst us has ever " sought his face in vain?" With whom has he ever refused to sympathize ? Will not he who wept with the sisters of the deceased Lazarus ; will not he that had compassion on the multitude because they were as sheep not having a shepherd ; will not he that wept over the murderous and abandoned city, now weep over a disconsolate widow, a deserted people, and especially over those, who have " not known the day of their visitation, and whose eyes have never yet seen the things belonging to their peace ?" Is he become an " High- priest that cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities ;" or that, notwithstanding he has been " in all points tempted like as we are, has no dispo- sition to succour his tempted people ?" Unbelief and Satan may suggest such thoughts to our minds ; but who must not attest that they are false ? Who is not constrained to acknowledge, that " he is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy ?" Here then again let the drooping souls rejoice : ye, who are poor in this world, have lost a friend ; a kind, compassionate friend, who, " accord- ing to his ability, and often beyond his ability," exerted himself to relieve your wants. Ye, who are of a broken and contrite spirit, ah ! what a friend have ye lost ! how would the departed saint listen to all your complaints, and answer all your arguments, and encourage you to look to Jesus for relief! what a delight was it to him to " strengthen your weak hands, and confirm your feeble knees, and to say to