'rim SAINT'S REST. 57 parting, the glory taken from our Israel, poor souls left willingly dark and destitute, and blowing out the Tight that should guide them to salvation ! Our day of rest will free us from all this, " and the days of mourn- ing shall be ended ; then thy people, O Lord, shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of thy planting, the work of thy hands, that thou mayest be glorified.(c) Then we shall rest from all our own personal sufferings. This may seem a small thing to those who live in ease and prosperity ; but to the daily afflicted soul it makes the thoughts of heaven delightful. O the dying life we now live! as full of sufferings as of days and hours ! Our Redeemer leaves this measure of misery upon us, to make us know for what we are beholden, to mind us of what we should else forget, to be serviceable to his wise and gracious designs, and advantageous to our full and final recovery. Grief enters at every sense, seizes every part and power of flesh and spirit. What noble part is there, that suffereth its pain or ruin alone? But sin and flesh, dust and pain, will all be left behind.toge- ther. Othe blessed tranquillity of that region, where there is nothing but sweet continued peace ! O healthful place, where none are sick ! O fortunate land, where all are kings ! O holy assembly, where all are priests ! How free a state, where none are servants, but to their supreme Monarch ! The poor man shall no more be tired with his labours ! no more hunger or thirst, cold or nakedness : no pinching frosts or scorching heats. Our faces shall no more be pale or sad : no more breaches in friendship, no parting of friends asunder : no more trouble accompanying our relations, nor voice of lamentation heard in our dweIl- ings ! God will wipe away all tears from our eyes.(d) O my soul, bear with the infirmities of thine earthly tabernacle; it will be thus but a little while; the sound of thy Redeemer's feet is even at the door. We shall also rest from all the toils of duties. The con- scientious magistrate, parent and minister, cries out, " O the burthen that lieth upon me !" Every relation (c) Isa. íx. Q0, 21. H (d) Rev. vii. 16, 17.
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