on it denoted the union between Christ and his Church, implying, that as the grapes derived all their beauty and flavour from the vine, so the saints, even in a state of glory, were indebted for their establishment in holiness and happiness, to their union with their common Head, in whom they are all complete.  While they were conversing, he heard a tap at the door, and was informed by the angel that it was a signal of his Lord’s approach, and was intended to prepare him for an interview.  Accordingly, in a short time our Saviour entered the room, and upon his casting himself at his feet, he graciously raised him up, and with a smile of inexpressible complacency, assured him of his favour, and kind acceptance of his faithful services, and as a token of his peculiar regard, and the intimate friendship with which he intended to honour him, he took the cup, and after drinking of it himself, gave it into the Doctor’s hand.  The Doctor would have declined it at first, as too great an honour; but our Lord replied, as to Peter in washing his feet, “If thou drinkest not with me, thou hast no part with me.”  This he observed filled him with such a transport of gratitude, love and admiration, that he was ready to sink under it.  His master seemed sensible of this, and told him he must leave him for the present, but would not be long before he repeated his visit.  As soon as our Lord was retired, and the Doctor’s mind more composed, he observed that the room was hung with pictures, and upon examining them, he found to his great surprise, that they contained all the history of his life; and most remarkable scenes he had passed through, being there represented in a very lively manner—­the many temptations and trials he had been exposed to, and the signal instances of the divine goodness in the different periods of his life.  It may not be easily imagined how this would strike and affect his mind.  It excited in him the strongest emotions of gratitude, especially when he reflected that he was now out of the reach of any future danger, and that all the purposes of divine love towards him were so amply accomplished.  The exstacy of joy and gratitude, into which these reflections threw him, was so great that he awoke; but for some time after he awoke the impression continued so lively that tears of joy flowed down his cheeks, and he said that he never, on any occasion, remembered to have had sentiments of devotion and love equal to it.

APPENDIX II.

(Referred to in Chapter VII, DOMESTIC RELATIONS.)

The following extract from Dr. Doddridge’s “Thoughts on Sacramental Occasions,” gives a beautiful and edifying picture of the exercises of his affectionate and pious heart under a painful bereavement.

THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH SACRAMENT, OCTOBER 3, 1736.

DEAR BETSEY DEAD.[1]