we may ·not be observed by onr fellow-men, and though human sympathy is a consr,- lation, and indifference an additional bitterness, still in the heaviest trouble man can ,lo little. It is not his notice that we should be most anxious to attract. The clamour of the afflicted for pity is an indication of weakness. But we do need God's sympathy ; this is true healing balm. To him let the cry of trouble ascend. 2. It i., fw Go,/,'• notice. It is not for relief, but for remembrance by God. There is good reason to trnst that the remembrance will result in the relief. Nevertheless, the fir8t and chiefneces~ity is that God would te.ke notice of us in trouble. If he do so we can leave the rest to him. It would be well if our prayers implied more simple reliance on the goodness of God, without perfect definitions of what we desire him to do for us. II. THE ASSURANOE OF Gon's NOTICE. No sooner is the cry out of hi.~ lips than the sufferer comforts himself with the assurance that God does remember his affliction. 'l'hus speedily is the prayer answered, even in the very act of uttering it. Neverthe- less, it is not to be thought that God did not remember the affliction till he had been implored to do so. We should rather understand that it was always under the pitying eye of God, only the Divine compassionate recognition of it was not discovered until prayed for. '!'bus we often pray to God to do for us what he is already doing, and receive an answer to our prayers in the opening of our eyes to see the Divine action that has been hitherto unobserved. We pray that God wi'll be merciful to us. He answers our prayer, not by becoming merciful, but by showing us that he is and has been merciful all along. '!'his revelation comes to us in two ways. I. We are able to believe more in the character of God, in his l01Je and mercy. Then we can apply this faith to qur present circumstances, and infer with confidence that such a God must be remembering us even when we see no proof of his notice, as a child when lost at first despairs, but, after reflecting on the love of his father and mother, comforts himself with the assurance that they will surely never desert him. 2. We are able to see indications of God's notice. Sometimes we can see how God is working for our deliverance when we shift our standpoint and regard our life from the footstool of prayer. III. THE HOPE THAT SPRINGS FROM Gon's NOTICE. This is enough. God observes us. Still the trouble is great and bitter. But we know that he will not permit us to perish. As the shipwrecked crew wave garments and make frantic efforts to attract the attention of a passing vessel, and recover hope directly they see indications that they are.discovered, sq troubled souls should lose all despair as soon as they learn that they are seen by God. It may still be impossible to see how God will save. But we can trust that to him. Now, that we may enjoy this hope, it is necessary for us to call to mind the fact that God is remembering our affliction. Much depends on the aspect of affairs on which we dwell. If we turn to the wormwood and gall our lot will seem to be bitter .without mitigation. We must voluntarily direct our thoughts away to the unseen remembrance of God, that we may receive the comfort of hope.
Vers. 22, 23.-The unceasing mercies of God. It would seem, according to the best authorities, that we ought to read the first of these two ,erses thus: "The Lord's mercies, verily they cease not, surely his compassions fail not." Thus we are assured of the enduring character of God's mercies. How striking is this assurance, coming where it does after monstrous dirges of despair! In the Lamentations we meet with one of the richest confessions of faith in the goodness of God. The black clouds are not universal; even here there is a break, and the brightest sunlight streams through, all the more cheering for the darkness that precedes it. This is a remarkable testimony to the breadth and force of Divine grace. No scene is so terrible as absolutely to exclude all vision of it. Its penetrating rays find their way through chinks and crannies of the deepest dungeon. \Vere our eyes but open to see it, evtlry one of us would have to confess to indications of its presence. Surely it is a great consolation for . the desponding that even the exceptional sufferer of the Lamentations sees the unceasing mercies of God! I. Gon's MERCIES NEVER OEASE. 1. We have no claim upon their cO'lltinuance. Mercies are to the undeserving. It is much that such as we receive any. We could have no right to complain if they all ceased. The least of them is beyond our merit. 2. We have done much to pr01Joke the cessation of them. (1) By ungratefully accepting them; (2) by complainingly ignoring them ; (3) by sinfuUy abusing them. 3. They 40 THE LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH. [on, m, 1-GO.