above all that ye can ask or think :" " open youi' mouths wide, and I will fill them." Come moreover in love. Be not like persons driven to me through mere necessity, and influenced by nothing but a dread of condemnation ; but contemplate my character, meditate on my kindness, strive to comprehend the heights and depths of my love ; and let a sense of my love con- strain you to walk with me, to depend upon me, to delight yourselves in me.'
Such may be supposed to be the import of the invitation. And every one who is weary and heavy-laden, whatever his burthen be, may consider it as addressed to himself in parti- cular, as much as ever it was to those, who waited on the per- sonal ministry of our Lord. Let us then hear him thus inviting us, as it were, with his dying breath, and from his throne of glory : and let us go to him with one accord ; yea, let us fly to him on the wings of love, even " as the doves to their windows."]
That nothing might be wanting to give efficacy to his invitation, our Lord added,
IIL The promise with which it is enforced —
The world are glad to see us in our prosperity, and when we can participate in their pleasures : but in a day of adversity, when want and trouble come upon us, they are but too apt to lessen their regards, and to grow weary of our complaints. How different is the conduct of the Lord Jesus ! He bids us " call upon him in the time of trouble," and, instead of turning a deaf ear to our complaints, promises to *' give us rest."
How suitable is this promise to those to whom it is made !
[What do the weary and heavy-laden desire ? If their troubles be of a temporal nature, they wish for something that shall soothe the anguish of their minds, and be a support unto their souls : and this our blessed Saviour administers by the aids of his grace, and the consolations of his Spirit. Are their sorrows altogether spiritual? He speaks peace unto their conscience, saying unto them, " Be of good cheer, I am thy salvation :" he discovers unto them the sufficiency of his blood to cleanse them from sin, and the efficacy of his grace to subdue and mortify their lusts. He gives them that, which nothing else in the universe can supply, a firm and stable hope of pardon and peace, of holiness and glory. Whatever other blessings he should offer to the soul, they would all be despised in comparison of this : it is bread to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, healing to the sick, and life to the dead.]