---

It is not man's torment or ruin that God desires, but his reformation and amendment. To this end He speaks to men in dreams. When that will not do, by afflictions. To make those afflictions more intelligible and effectual, He sends a messenger, either an angel, by office, not by nature; or an interpreter — of the mind and will of God. Doctrine — That the seasonable instruction of sick and languishing persons is a work, as of great advantage, so of great skill and difficulty.

I. IT IS OF GREAT ADVANTAGE. Some are apt to think that sick bed applications are in a manner useless and ineffectual. Observe —

1. That the instruction of sick persons is God's institution.

2. God's mercy is proposed by Himself, and may be offered by ministers, even to languishing persons.

3. Sick bed repentance is not wholly impossible, though it be hard. Sickness is one means that God useth to work repentance.

II. IT IS OF GREAT DIFFICULTY.

1. It is a work which God hath put into the hands of His chief officers, His ministers, who ought to be the most accomplished persons.

2. It is not every minister who is fit for this work. How ministers or Christian friends may and ought to apply themselves to sick persons for their good, and the discharge of their own consciences.

(1) Endeavour must be used to understand the state of the sick person.

(2) The great business is to bring the sick man to a true sight of his state and condition.

(3) Ministers and others must take heed lest, while they avoid one extreme, they run upon another; which is a common error in practice.

(4) The same methods are not to be used to all sick persons. Regard must be had to difference of tempers; of education and conversation; and of guilt.

(5) It is a very bad guide to follow the counsels or desires of sick persons, or their carnal friends.

(6) The same course (for substance) is to be taken for the conversion of sick and healthful persons.

(7) The greatest care mast be to keep sick persons from those errors whereby such persons commonly miscarry. Such as insensibleness of their danger; willingness to be deluded; carelessness and listlessness; resting in generals; the concealment of some hidden way of wickedness.

(8) Taking heed of healing the souls of sick persons slightly. This we are very apt to, from the sick man's greedy desire of comfort; from the expectation and desire of carnal friends; from our own careless hearts, that love not to put ourselves to any trouble or reproach, which we shall meet with, if we be faithful to the ease.Uses —

1. To ministers. Learn the great difficulty of ministerial work. What angelical abilities doth it require! Acuteness, to discern the sick man's temper; knowledge, to understand the nature of all spiritual diseases; wisdom, to make suitable applications. A minister had need know all things, understand all persons, discern the subtleties of men's hearts, and not be ignorant of the wiles of the devil.

2. To people. Is it of such difficulty? Oh, labour you to do your work in health, while time and strength last, before the evil days come.

(Matthew Poole, A. M.)

---

---

KJV: If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

WEB: "If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him;