41. The Patient relies upon the Benefits of the Triune God

EXHORTATION.

"The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."—2 Tim. iv. 18. Pious Christians can never be without comfort in their afflictions, if they only remember who they are, and with whom they have to deal. They are children of God, and must therefore be convinced that the triune God will not forsake them in their cares and sorrows. 1. Their creator, who was their guardian in youth, and their resource and refuge in after years, will not desert them. 2 Their Saviour, Jesus Christ, will not desert them; for, for their sake, he has endured sufferings, torments and the cross, and poured out his holy blood; should he leave them unbefriended in sickness? 3. Nor will their Sanctifier, the most precious Holy Ghost, desert them. On the contrary, he will comfort, refresh, and gladden their hearts, and bear witness to their spirit that they are the children of God, although their sickness and sufferings continue. With this threefold consolation in their hearts, they will bear their sufferBENEFITS OF THE TRIUNE GOD.

ings in patience, and firmly believe that his help is not far off. O holy, triune God! though I am infirm of body, yet I will not grow faint in the trust and reliance upon thee, for they who hope in the Lord shall remain unmoved as Mount Zion. At times, indeed, the load of my unremitting disease almost makes me despair, but straightway I am encouraged by thy Holy Ghost, and especially by calling to mind the numerous benefits thou hast already bestowed upon me. Could it be that thou wouldst forsake me, O my Creator, who didst fashion me out of nothing, and didst sustain my life up to this very hour! Has the hand of the Lord been shortened? O no, the hand that has hitherto led and preserved me, will preserve me even in my present sickness. It is of thy love, that thou hast heretofore preserved me in health so long. It is of thy love that thou hast averted misfortunes, pains and dangers. It is of thy love, that thou hast vouchsafed thy mercies unto me up to this day, yea, so great mercies and so great goodness. Therefore do I resign myself to thee wholly in my sickness. Shouldst thou forsake me, O my Redeemer? Thou who by thy holy blood hast redeemed me from sin, death, and the devil? THE PATIENT RELIES UPON THE

Thou hast been heartily kind unto my soul, that it might not perish, and so thou wilt also bestow thy help on my poor sickly body. O thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon me in my present trouble.

Shouldst thou forsake me, O my Sanctifier! thou who hast hallowed my body and my soul, and in holy baptism hast consecrated them to be thy temple, and hast hitherto dwelt within them!

Thou wilt surely remain my friend and comfort in my present weakness, and wilt bear witness unto my spirit that I am a child of God, though surrounded by troubles and sufferings. I will be of good cheer in my anguish, and will say unto my soul, "The heavenly Father has folded thee in the arms of his eternal love, the Son of God has chosen thee for his own, the Holy Ghost has given thee sweet assurance of his comfort and indwelling,—therefore, all is mine: the grace of

God is mine, the merit and the righteousness of

Jesus are mine, the strong consolation of the

Holy Ghost is mine,—yea, all the heavens are mine, with all their glory." O I will not heed my sick body, but will cast my cares upon the

Lord, and trust to that God at whose hands I have received so many mercies. O my Father!

I rely upon thee. O Jesus! I pray to thee. O

Holy Ghost! I commend myself to thee. Lord

God Father, what thou has created; Lord God

BENEFITS OF THE TRIUNE GOD.

Son, what thou hast redeemed; Lord God Holy Ghost, what thou hast sanctified, I resign into thy hands. Unto thy holy name be honor, praise and glory, now and forever. Amen. 1. If God is with me, though I suffer,

I am in comfort none the less;

And e'en in death itself I revel

In Jesus' blood and righteousness.

God is with me, I know it well,

And more rejoice than words can tell.

2. If God is with me in the tempest,

The bolts glance harmless from my head;

Although the cross is hard and bitter,

God keeps my soul from every dread;

God is with me, at his behest

Troubles depart, and I have rest.

3 If God is with me in affliction,

Although my pangs increase and grow,

They nevermore can overwhelm me,

Because his hand can lay them low;

God is with me, his constancy

From all distress will set me free.

4. If God is with me, all my sorrows

Will lose their stings, and be allayed;

My God will not withhold his mercies,

His helping hand cannot be stayed.

With God, my heart is of good cheer,

He comes, and he dispels all fear.

THE PATIENT RESOLVES TO BEAR

5. If God is with me, my departure

Shall be as gentle as my sleep;

The hour is fraught with brightest promise,

Of glory, as the angels keep;

God is with me, and when I die

I shall behold his face on high.