purifying from corruption, and healing disease. And that revelation of God as our Salvation which was made in germ to the Hebrews, is disclosed more fully to us un,ler Christ. He is "made wisdom from God unto us, even righteousness, sanctification, an,! redemption; that (according as it is written) he that glorieth, let him glory in the ~ord" (1 Cor, i. 30, 31). In the very volume where sin is dealt with must seriously, it 1s also trnated most hopefully; and the very revelation which cries with trumpet. power, "All have sinned," also cries, "Look unto me, and be ye savcd."-C. Vera. 1-22.-Thoughts in a.ffliction. The preacher saith, "In the day of adversity consider" (Eccles. vii. 14). ,ve should" call to remembrance"- I. 'l'HE HAND OF Goo IN AFFLICTIO~. Our affiictions may be various, and bnve various causes. But we should look higher than mere hnman instrumentality, or the action of natural laws. We should acknowledgcl the band of God (ver. 2). What a change this makes I It soothes our resentments. It calms our fears. God sees all. He knows how we suffer. He who has strickeo us can heal our wounds. He who has "pressed us sore" is able to pour joy into our hearts. II. 'l'HE O0NNE0TION OF BIN WITH AFFLICTION. If there ie surrering, there must have been sin. We may not be able to trace the conn,ction; and we may greatly err and wound other, cruelly if we say that certain sufferings are the result of certain sins. But, while we are not to judge others, we should judge ourselves. Our sufferings ought to bring our sins to remembrance. And the more strictly we scan our lives, and the more severely we search our hearts, the more will our sins increase, till their ~ressure and weight become intolerable, and we cry out," They are too heavy for me" (ver. 4). III. THE INADEQUACY OF ALL HUMAN AID IN AFFLICTION. Affliction is a great revealer. It not only shows us much as to ourselves, but also as to others. It proves who are true and who are false; who are worthy and who are unworthy; who may he trusted to stand by us, and who will wax cold and forsake us, "having loved this present wurld.n Job bitterly complained of his friends: "Miserable comforters are ye all." The psalmist was still more sorely tried: "My lovers and frien<ls stand aloof from my sore" (ver. 11). Even when true and willing, our friends can do but little for us in our greatest straits. Counsel is good. Sympathy is better. Generous aid is better still. But the best of all, the only help that goes to the root of the matter, is when some true friend, like Jonathan," strengthens our hands in God." IV. TnE DIVINE RESOURCES OF THE GODLY IN AFFLICTION. There is prayer. The disciples in trouble came to Jesu~ and told him all. So we may pour out all our heart to God (ver. 9). There is confession. It is a marvellous relief to bring our sins to God (vcr. 18). The burden that is too heavy for us will fall off when we cast oursch-cs as humble penitents at the foot of the cross. There is renewed consecrat-ion. What- ever comes, we must bold fast to our hope. Every danger and strait, every great fear that pales the face and makes the heart grow faint, should lead us to the renewal of our vows, and the reinvigoration of our purpose to "follow only what is good" (ver. 20). Above all, there is refuge in God. From the beginning, and all through, the p~almist is with God, confessing, pleading, appealing; and in the end he gathers up all the desire of bis heart in the earnest cry, "Forsake me not, 0 Lord I O my God, be not far from me I" "Make haste to help me, 0 Lord my Salvation I" (ver~. 21, 22). 'l'bue he found comfort; and so may we also. Jerome said, "If any sickness happen to the body, we are to seek for the medicine of the soul; " and the true and onl v Physician of the soul is Christ.-W. F. Vers. 1-22.-A fea1ful picture of the suj)'erings whic11 a great sin can cause. Supposed to be one of David's penitential psalms. I. CoMPLIOATED MENTAL AND DODILY SUl'l'ERING. (Vers. 1-8.) I. Dread of Gorl's f11rthel' anger. Guilt makes a man full of fear and apprehension (ver. 1). 2. His sin was realized as an intolerable burden. (Ver. 4.) A load that he was unable to carry; or a great wave passing over his head and threatening to overwhelm him. 3. His sin was an enfeebling and disquieting sorrO'ID. (Vere. 6, 8.) Continual, nninter- mittent, that made life one lasting agony. 4. Mental suffering brought on great bodily sujfel'ing and prostration. Body and mind react upon each other when any great trouble comes upon ue; and we are reduced to the deepest pit~h of misery, 'l'HE BOOK Ol!, PSALMS. [PS. XXXIX, 1-13.
II. HE IB PUNISHED BY MEN AB WELL AS BY GoD. (Vere. 9-14.) 1. His friends ai·e alienated, and refuse him any comfort. (Vers, 10, 11.) When we feel forsaken of God and man, then our cup of agony is full. This was our Lord's experience at the Crucifixion. 2. Bis enemies a7so seek to give him his death-blow, (Vcrs.12, rn, 20.) 'l.'bey endeavour to take advantage of his fall to ruin him and take his lifo. How bad men" rejoice in the iniquity" of' the righteous I 3. Conscious of sin, he is obliged to be silent. (Vcrs. 13, 14.) Consciousness of guilt makes him unable to refute the false charges or his enemies. Of what avail is it to speak when we are deeply self-con- demned? This is an aggravation of our punishment, when we cannot defend ourselves before our foes. Ill. HE RENOUNCES ALL SELF-HELP TO HOPE IN GoD. (Vers. 15-22.) 1. If God did not hear him, his enemies would rejoice over him. I<'or he himself was so weak that he had no strength to contend with them (vers. 16, 17). 2. He will earnestly repent and confess his sin. (Ver. 18.) This is our only way of restoration to the favour of God or man. Repentance is the earnest turning away from the sin with sincere loathing of mind. 3. An imploring cry for speedy rescue, (Vere. 21, 22.) When we feel as on the brink of death, we do not think of "God's time;" we are impatient for deliverance, and we cry for present help in our time of trouble, LESSON. Think into what straits ~nd suffering a man's sins have power to bring him, and what his opportunity of salvation is in Christ.-S.