into their affectionate bosoms. Both the sisters were overwhelmed: He loved us, and yet he tarried two days. So with the woman of Syrophenicia.

Such are Christ's dealings with his own still.

Although he loves, he sometimes on that very account tarries. Do not be surprised, and do not fret.

Reasons of delay:

1. Because he is God. He sees the end from the beginning. Known unto him are all his works from the foundation of the world. Although absent in the body, he was present in the sick man's room at Bethany. He saw every change on his pale features, and heard every gentle sigh. Every tear that stole down the cheek of Mary he observed, put into his bottle, and wrote in his book. He saw when Lazarus died. But the future was before him also. He knew what he would do that the grave would yield up its dead, and that he would soon turn their weeping into songs of rejoicing. Therefore he stayed where he was, just because he was God. So, when Christ delays to help his saints now, you think this is a great mystery-you cannot explain it; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. Be still, and know that Christ is God.

2. To increase their faith. First of all he gave them out a promise to hold by. He sent word by their messenger: "This sickness is not unto death." This was an easy and simple word for them to hold by; but, ah! it was sorely tried. When he got worse and worse, they clung to the promise with a trembling heart; when he died, their faith died too. They knew not what to think. And yet Christ's word was true, and thus their faith was increased ever after. They were taught to believe the word of Christ, even when all outward circumstances were against them. So Matt. viii. 18. One evening Christ gave commandment on the Sea of Galilee to depart to "the other side;" and as they sailed he fell asleep. Here was a simple word of promise to hold by in the storm. But when the storm came down, and the waves covered the ship, they cried, "Master, save us; we perish." And he said: “Where is your faith?" By that trial the faith of the disciples was greatly increased ever after. So it is with all trials of faith. mise, he always tries our faith. take firmer hold when they are so faith takes firmer hold when it struggles with adverse appearances.

When God gives a proJust as the roots of trees contending with the wind;

3. To make his help shine brighter. Had Christ come at the first and healed their brother, we never would have known the love that showed itself at the grave of Lazarus

we never would have known the power of the great Redeemer in raising up from the grave. These bright forthshinings of the glory of Christ would have been lost to the Church and to the world. Therefore it was good that he Thus the honour of his name

stayed away for two days. was spread far and wide. The Son of God was glorified. "This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise." This is God's great end in all his dealings with his people—that he may be seen. For this reason he destroyed the Egyptians: "That the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord."

If Christ seems to tarry past the time he promised, wait for him; for he will come, and will not tarry. He has good reason for it, whether you can see it or not. And never forget he loves even when he tarries. He loved the Syrophenician even when he answered her not a word.

III. Christ's determination: "After that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again."

over.

1. The time : "After that." After the two days were Christ waits a certain time without helping his own, but no longer. Christ waits a certain time with the wicked before destroying them. He waited till the cup of the Amorites was full, before he destroyed them. He waited on the fig tree a certain time. If it does not bear fruit, then, "after that thou shalt cut it down." Oh, wicked man! you have a certain measure to fill-when that is filled, you will sink immediately into hell. When the sand has run, you will be cast away. So Christ has his set time for coming to his own. "After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight."-Hos. vi. 2.

(1.) In conversion: "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." - Pet. v. 6. When God awakens a soul by the mighty power of his Spirit, he takes his own time and way of bringing the soul to peace. Often the sinner thinks it very hard that Christ should be so long of coming; often he begins to despair, and to think there is something peculiar in his case. Remember! wait on the Lord. It is good to wait for Christ.

(2.) In answering prayer. When we ask for something agreeable to God's will, and in the name of Christ, we know that we have the petitions which we desire of him. But the time he keeps in his own power. God is very sovereign in the time of his answers. When Martha

and Mary sent their petition to Christ, he gave them an immediate promise; but the answer was not when they expected. So Christ frequently gives us the desires of our heart, though not at the peculiar time we desired, but at a better time. Do not be weary in putting up prayerssay for the conversion of a friend. They may be answered when you are in the dust. Hold on to pray. He will answer in the best time. "Be not weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.". (3.) In his own second glorious coming. Christ said to the Church long ago: "Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry." And still the time is prolonged. The Bridegroom seems to tarry; but he will come at the due time. He waits for infinitely wise reasons; and the moment that he should come, the heavens shall open, and he will appear.

The

2. The objection. The objection was, that it was dangerous to him and to them, because the Jews had sought to stone him before. Another time Peter made objection to Christ, saying: "Be it far from thee, Lord. This shall not be unto thee. But he turned and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan; thou art an offence unto me, for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men." How selfish are even godly men! disciples did not care for the distress of Martha and Mary. They did not care for the pain of their friend Lazarus. They were afraid of being stoned, and that made them forget the case of the afflicted family. There is no root deeper in the bosom than selfishness. Watch and pray against it. Even the godly will sometimes oppose you in what is good and right. Here, when Christ proposed that they should go into Judea again, the disciples opposed it. They were astonished at such a proposal. They, as it were, reproved him for it. Think it not strange, dear brethren, if you are opposed by those who are children of God, especially if it be something in which you are called to suffer.

3. Christ's answer. The path of duty Christ here compares to walking in the day-light. "If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not." As long as a man has got a good

conscience, and the smile and presence of God, he is like one walking in the day-time; he plants his foot firmly and boldly forward. But if a man shrink from the call of God, through fear of man, and at the call of worldly prudence, he is like one walking in darkness: "He stumbleth, because there is no light."

Oh, that you who are believers would be persuaded to -follow Jesus fearlessly wherever he calls you! If you are a believer, you will often be tempted to shrink back. The path of a Christian is narrow, and often difficult. But what have you to fear? Have you the blood of Christ upon your conscience, and the presence of God with your soul? Are there not twelve hours in the day? Are we not all immortal till our work is done?

LECTURE VII.

BETHANY.-PART III.

"These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him."-JOHN xi. 11–16.

I. Christ's love to a dead Lazarus. 1. He calls him friend. An eminent Infidel used to say that neither patriotism nor friendship were taught in the Bible. He only proved that he neither knew nor understood the Bible. How different the sentiment of the Christian poet, who says,

"The noblest friendship ever shown

The Saviour's history makes known."

Ah! it is an amazing truth that Jehovah-Jesus came and made friends of such worms as we are.

True friend

ship consists of mutual confidence and mutual sacrifices.

Thus God dealt with Enoch: "Enoch walked with God three hundred years." Enoch told all to God, and God told all to him. Blessed friendship between Jehovah and a worm! So God treated Abraham. Three times in the Bible he is called "the friend of God." -2 Chron. xx. 7; Isa. xli. 8; James ii. 23. "He raised up the righteous man from the East, and called him to his foot." The God of glory appeared unto Abraham, and we find God saying, "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?"-Gen. xviii. 17. So God dealt with Moses: "The Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And God said to him, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Exod. xxxiii. 11, 14. "And when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he took the veil off."—Exod. xxxiv. 34. Thus did Christ deal with his disciples. Though he was the holy Lamb of God, yet he says: "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."-John xv. 15. He admitted them to the closest fellowship; so that one leaned on his breast at supper, and another washed his feet with ointment. He told them freely all that he had learned in the bosom of his Father-all that they were able to bear; of the Father's glory-the Father's love. Thus he dealt with Lazarus: "Our friend Lazarus." Often, no doubt, they had sat beneath the spreading fig tree at the cottage of Bethany, and Christ had opened up to them the glories of an eternal world.

This is what you are invited to, dear friends-to become the friends of Jesus. When men choose friends, they generally choose the rich, or the wise, or the witty-they ask those that will invite them back. Not so with Christ. He chooses the poor, the foolish, babes, and makes them friends -those of whom the world is ashamed. The world changes friends. In the world, if a rich friend wax poorif overtaken by a sudden failure, and plunged in deepest poverty-friends, like butterflies in the rain, fly quickly home-they look cold and strange, as if they did not see

you.

Not so Jesus, the friend that sticketh closer than a brother. A true friend does not hide anything from another which it would be good for him to know. Neither