DISC. ix.] NO PAIN AMONG THE $LESSER. 495 complaints to'him, that wecannot worship him, nor work for him as we would do, because of the anguish.and ma- ladies of nature: And what an indisposition and backwardness do we feel in ourselves to fulfil many of the duties towards our fellow-creatures while we ourselves are under present smart and anguish? Pain will so sensibly affect self as to draw off all our thoughts thither, and centre them there, that we cannotso much employ ourcares and our active powers for the benefit of oi;r neighbours: It abates our concern for our friends, and while it awakens the spirit within us into keen sensations, it takes away the activityof the man that feels itfrom almost all the services of human life. When human nature bears so much it can act but .little. But what a blessed state will that be, when we shall never feel this indisposition to:duties either human or di- vine, through any uneasiness of the body ? When we shall never more be subject to any of these painful impe- diments, but for ever cast off all those clogs and burdens which fetter the active powers of the soul ? Thenwe shall 'be joyfully employed in such unknown and glorious ser- vices to God our Father, and to the blessed Jesus, as re- quire much superior capacities to what we here possess, and shall find no weakness, noweariness, no pain through- out all the years ofour immortality;" Rev. vii. 15. None ofthe blessedabove are at rest or idle, either dayor night, but they serve him in his temple, and never cease... And chapter iv. 8. no faintness, no languors are known there. The inhabitants of that land shall not say, I am 'sick Everlasting vigour, chearfulness and ease shall render every blessed soul for ever zealous and active in obedi- ence, as the angels are inheaven. 3. " Pain unfits us for the enjoyments of life, as well as for the labours and duties of it." It takes away all the pleasing satisfactions which might attend our circum- stances, and renders the objects ofthem insipid and un- relishing. What pleasure can a rich man take in all the affluence of earthly blessings around him, while some painful distemper holds him upon the rack, and distresses hint with the torture ? How little delight can he find in meats or drinkswhich are prepaired for luxury,when sharp pain calls all his attention to the diseased part? What
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