The Mercies of the Lord rendered eminent.

totter; but are lighter than nothing when put in the balance with my sins. I well know they might be infinitely greater, and yet my God be a just God. But mercy and tender compassion guides his hand even when he smites, and his bowels yearn when he mingles a bitter cup for any of his people. I am fully persuaded that he will lay no more upon me himself, nor suffer others to lay any more upon me, than he will support me under, for the Lord is very pitiful and full of mercy. even to me, though I deserve nothing at his hand but to be left to lie down in sorrow; I am therefore altogether easy about the measure of my afflictions."

It was here he stopped; and one of his friends rejoined, My dear Sir, how great is the blessing to be thus filled with comfort in the time of your sickness!" To which the sick man replied: "Indeed, my friend, my comforts are far from being so high as you imagine: on the contrary, I assure you that sensible enjoyments run very low with me at

Declaration of a Christian

confidence, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever;' he is the rock of my soul, and however my comforts flow, I account them not my Christ. Since it pleased the Lord to visit me with this affliction, which I think is drawing near to a period, I have had many struggles with my own unbelieving heart, and my conflicts with Satan, with regard to my interest in the love of Jesus. But, glory to the Almighty's name, the enemy seems to be withdrawn, my anchor is within the veil, and my hope is fixed in Immanuel. I myself am a poor helpless worm, and my faith is very tottering; but the rock of my salvation, the object of my faith, can never be shaken. With him there is no variableness, nor so much as the least shadow of a change; I may therefore boldly trust in him, and calmly wait the issue of his providence.

"After all," continued he, "I must confess that I have often been indulged with sensible manifestations of Divine love, when to my own apprehensions I stood less in need of them

on his Death-bed.

than at present. But, oh, let me not attempt to correct the proceedings of unerring wisdom! The Lord's ways are the best, and I desire to submit to them; he hath graciously promised that he will never leave nor forsake me, and I account him faithful who hath promised. I bless him for his word.-This is the hold into which I flee for shelter in the dark and stormy day. I would not for all the world be without an interest in the above precious promise, for I live not now by sense, but by faith, and this affliction hath found a good deal of work for the little faith I possess. Believe me, my friends, I have often been obliged, in times of darkness and difficulty, to live upon the word of grace; and it has upon the whole been spirit and life to my soul. I never knew the promise to fail; but the word on which he hath caused me to hope hath always been confirmed. I have ever found the Almighty to be as good as his word, ever better than my fears suggested, and infinitely more gracious than my deserts."