The  second  part  is  founded,  as  far  as  the  earlier  portion  of  it  is
concerned,  on  Hebrews  xii.  6 — 10.  These  words  are  set  before
the  sick  man  as  an  argument  for  patience  under  the  chastening
hand  of  God.  He  is  reminded,  too,  of  the  example  of  Christ.
The  Christian  before  aU  things  should  long  to  be  as  his  Master,
Who  going  through  sorrow  and  pain  on  earth,  entered  not  into
His  glory  until  after  His  agonizing  death  on  the  cross.  They
who  would  share  the  blessedness  of  Christ  must  be  willing  to
take  up  the  cross  when  it  is  set  before  them,  and  follow  Him  in
the  path  of  suffering.
It  is  also  observable  that  the  continued  obligation  of  the  vows
made  in  Baptism  is  set  before  the  sick  person ;  and  that  the.'ie
vows  are  spoken  of  as  the  substantial  matter  on  which  that  Judg-
ment will  be  founded  which  mortal  sickness  so  vividly  brings
into  view.     Thus  the  Christian  system  is  shown  to  us,  consistent


with  itself  in  all  its  parts,  as  is  the  Christian  revelation :  and
when  a  person  is  lying  on  a  sick  bed  in  expectation  of  death,  he
is  forcibly  reminded  by  the  ministrations  of  the  Church  to  him
that  the  life  of  this  world  is,  in  its  spiritual  reality,  a  preparation
for  a  life  to  come  with  which  it  is  intimately  associated.
THE  PROFESSION  OF  FAITH.
