NO PAIN AMONG THE BLESSED. DISC. It. fault, that, I, fear it is too much excused and indulged. Let me rather say with myself, " My God is now put- twg me to the trial what scut of christian I am,' and how much I have learned ofself-government, and through his grace I will subdue my uneasy passions, though I cannot relievemnypain." .O" it is a noble point of honour gained in a sick chamber, or on a bed of anguish, to lie pressed with extreme pain, and yet maintain a serenity and calm- ness of soul;, to be all meekness, and gentleness, and pa- tience, among our friends or attendants, under thesharp twinges of it; to utter no rude or angry language, and to take every thing kindly that they say: or do, and be- come like a weaned child ; Ps.. cxxxi. 2. But such a character is not found in every house. A holy spul, through the severity of pain, may some- times in such an hour be too much ruffled by violent and sudden fits of impatience. This proceeded to such a de- gree even in that good man Job, under his various cala- mities and the sore boils upon his flesh, that made him curse the day wherein he was born, and cry out in the anguish of his spirit, " my soul chuseth strangling and death rather than.life;" Job iii. l -10. and vii. 15. and there have been several instances of those who, havingnot the fear of God before their eyes, with hasty violence and murderous hands, have put an end to their own lives, through their wildand sinful impatience of constant pain. But these trials are for ever finished when this life ex- pires : Then all our pains are ended for ever if we are found among the children of God. There is not, nor can be any temptation in heaven, to fretfulness or dis- quietude of mind : All the peevish passions are dropped into the grave, together with the body offlesh ; and those evil humours which were the sources of smart and anguish here on earth have no' place in the new-raised body: 'Those irregular juices of animal nature which tormented the nerves, and excited pain in the flesh, . and which at the same time provoked choler and irritated, the spirit, are never found in the heavenlymansions.. There is no- thing but peace and pleasure,.joy and love, goodness and benevolence, ease and satisfaction diffused through all the regions on high There are no inward springs of un- easiness to ruffle the mind"none of those fretful ferments which were wont to kindle in the mortal body, .and ex- plode themselves with fire and thunder upon.every,sup-
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