be felt. It calls for something beyond our mere assurance of his good-will towards us, and of our heartiest welcome to his services, to make us at ease before him. And this something is, I believe, our discovery that we have an interest in himself, as well as in his ability to oblige us. This marks the experience of the woman in Mark v. She knew the Lord's ability to relieve her sorrow, and her thorough welcome to avail herself of it. She, therefore, comes to take the virtue without the least reserve. But she is not prepared for more than this. She comes behind Him for the benefit, but she has not faith to come before Him. She knew her interest in His virtue, or power to relieve her, but nothing more. The Lord, however, teaches her more. He teaches her that she has an interest in Himself also, in His Person. He calls her "daughter." He owns kindred or relationship with her. This was the communication which was fitted, alone fitted, to remove her fear and trembling, and to bring her from a place behind Him into His presence. Her rich and mighty Patron becomes her Kinsman. This is just what she wanted. This may bring her to feel ease with Him, as before she had got virtue from Him. This is something more than the love of gratitude for the benefit, or the love of delight and admiration for the grace and excellence that were in Him; it is the love of kindred, or the assurance of an interest in His person, and that gives "Go in peace," therefore, said Jesus. ease. END OF FOURTH VOLUME. W. Brendon, Printer, George Street, Plymouth. CRUMBS FOR THE LORD'S LITTLE ONES. VOL. V. "FEED MY LAMBS." John xxi. 15. LONDON: W. KENT & Co., PATERNOSTER ROW; WM. YAPP, 4, OLD CAVENDISH STREET. |