ADVERTISEMENT THE writings of BISHOP HALL have been published in ten volumes octavo, some of them in latin, and others on a variety of controversial subjects. The present Selection is taken from his devotional and practical pieces, which are justly admired for their pathos and simplicity, and for that deep and experimental piety which pervades them. The good bishop lived in a most eventful period, full of national calamity, and was himself exercised by every species of adversity; he was therefore eminently qualified to give suitable advice to the afflicted, and to speak a word in season to them that are weary. And no where, amongst uninspired writers, will the serious or the sorrowful meet with better counsel, than is given by this heavenly-minded man. The style and manner of the age, however, in which he flourished, abounded so much in words and phrases, since become obsolete, as to render some passages nearly unintelligible to modern readers, and of course to limit the circulation of those writings which are worthy of general perusal. The object of this new and corrected edition has been to remove those encumbrances, and by a careful revision to adapt the expression to common apprehension, while the spirit and sentiment of the author remain undiminished and entire. The achievement of this difficult undertaking, it is hoped, will afford general satisfaction, and procure for the eminent prelate a numerous class of readers, who cannot fail to be benefited by the effusions of his piety. EDITOR. CONTENTS. Page THE BALM OF GILEAD, OR THE COMFORTER 1 Chap. I. THE PREFACE-AGGRAVATION Sec. I. The freedom of the soul 5. Greater sufferings of holy men, and the for- 6. Our sufferings far below our deservings 7. Benefit of the exercise of our patience 8. Necessity of expecting sickness 9. God's tender regard to us in sickness 10. The comfortable end of our sufferings 11. A peaceable passage ont of the world. Chap. II. COMFORTS FOR THE SICK SOUL Sec. 1. Happiness of a deep sorrow for sin 2. A well-grounded declaration of pardon 3. Aggravation of the grievous condition of 41 3. Sure protection of the Almighty 4. Justice of God's proceedings 6. Unspeakable miseries of civil war Chap. VII. COMFORTS UNDER the loss oF FRIENDS Sec. 1. The value of a true friend 73 |