( 492 ) DISCOURSE IX. NO PAIN AMONG THE BLESSE714 REV. XXi. 4. Neither shall there be any more pain. THERE have been some divines in ancient times, as well as in our present age, who suppose this prophecy relates to some glorious and happy event here on earth, wherein the saints and faithful followers of Christ shall be delivered from the bondage and miseries to which they have been exposed in all former ages, and shall enjoy the blessings- which these words promise. Among these writers some have placed this happy state before the re- surrection of the body ; others make it to belong to that first resurrection which is spoken of in Rev. xx. 6. But let this prophecy have a particular aspect upon what earthly period soever, yet all must grant it is certainly true concerning the heavenly state ; from whose felici- ties, taken in the literal sense, these figurative expres- sions are derived to foretel the happiness of any period of the church in this world ; and in this sense, as part of our happiness in heaven, I shall understand the words here, and propose them as the foundation of my present discourse. Among the many things that make this life uncomfort- able, and render mankind unhappy here below, this is one that has a large influence, namely, that in this mortal state we are all liable to pain, from which we shall be perfectly delivered in the life to come. The greek word which is here translated pain, signifies also toil and fa- tigue and excessive labour of the body, as well as anguish and vexation of the spirit : But since in the two other places of the New Testament where it is used, the word more properly signifies the pain of the body, I presume to understand it chiefly in this sense also in my text. I need not spend time in explaining what pain is, to persons who dwell in flesh and blood: There is not one of you in this assembly but is better acquainted with the nature of it by the sense of feeling, than it is possible for
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