LLIAM CARSON, 92, GRAFTON-STREET; W. WHYTE & CO. EDINBURGH. MDCCCXXXVII, gilt AUTHOR'S PREFACE. THE Lord seems to have blessed a former series of Meditations which I published. I have received requests from different quarters to print another. For a long time, I was prevented by the physical impossibility of writing much, but the Lord has lately removed that obstacle by sending me a brother who had taken down copious notes of some of my pastoral addresses, from which I have drawn up the Meditations contained in this volume, dictating them to another person who has had the kindness to lend me his friendly hand. Thus the cloud having been taken up (Num. ix. 21), I thought it my duty to obey the command of the Lord, and to proceed. V It is well, perhaps, for the reader to bear in mind that these Meditations have been preached, that he may not be surprised at some familiar expressions, or detailed applications, which naturally occurred in addressing a small congregation, of which I am the stated minister, and with which I am intimately connected. Many will, perhaps, think that I have spoken too largely of certain inward conflicts through which all believers are not called to pass; that I have been too often occupied in consoling and raising up the weak. They will think that I ought rather to have treated of the joys and privileges of the Christain, and of the happiness of close communion with Christ. To this I shall answer, first, That I have been guided by my subject; 2dly, That what does not suit some minds may suit others, that we are commanded to "comfort the feeble-minded" (1 Thess. v. 14), and that he who is strong and rejoicing, ought to be glad that a helping hand is streched out to his weak or sorrowful brother; and who knows whether he will not himself be happy, one day, to |