INDEX OF CONTENTS. A Form of Self-Examination for Mourners Note on the ufe of the Devotions An Office which may first be used immediately BELOVED IN CHRIST, GRACE be unto you, and Peace, and Confolation, from GOD our FATHER, the FATHER of mercies, and GoD of all comfort; and from our LORD JESUS CHRIST, in Whom whofoever believeth, fhall live though he were dead, and whofoever liveth and believeth in Him fhall not die eternally. I address myself to you as one with whom GOD is dealing as with a fon, inasmuch as He has laid His chaftening Hand upon you; inflicting on you the forrows of bereavement; feeding you with the bread of tears, and giving you the plenteousness of tears to drink. I know nothing of the circumstances of your forrow. I know not what the beloved object was which you have been called upon to refign,-Parent or Child, Husband or Wife, Brother or Sifter, Kinsman or Friend. I know not whether your lofs came upon you after warnings and time for preparation, or whether the defire of your eyes was taken from you with a stroke. I know not whether you have good and folid grounds of comfortable hope that as your deceased friend paffed the time of his fojourning here in the Faith and Fear of GOD, fo he was not fuffered at his last hour for any pains of death to fall from Him: nor whether, (which GoD avert !) fears and mifgivings with respect to his spiritual state, enhance the pangs of feparation, and poison the arrow which has wounded you. I know not whether you are furrounded with affectionate fympathy, or whether you are defolate (fo far as this world is concerned) in your misery. Young or old, male or female, I know not who you are, and never fhall know. And you are, (and I defire that you should remain) in like ignorance with respect to me; for if I fpeak well, according to the Church's teaching, and the truth of GOD, to GOD be the glory! I defire no higher reward than that of being permitted to be an inftrument in His Hands, Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them |