5.111 NO PAIN AMONG THE BLESSED. [Disc. Jfi suading themselves there was no evil in it; as though the mere misnaming of things would destroy their nature : But the christian, by a sweet submission to the evil which his heavenly Father inflicts upon his flesh, reposes himself at the foot of God on the covenant of grace, and bears the wounds and the smart with much more serenity and honour. " It is my heavenly Father that scourges me, and I know he designs me no hurt, though he fills nay flesh with present pain : His own presence, and the sense of his love, soften the anguish of all that I feel He bids me not yield to fear, for when I pass through the fires he will be with me; and he that lóved me, and died for me, has sufferedgreat sorrows and more anguish on my account, than what he calls me to bear under the strokes of his wise and holy discipline ; He has left his word with me as an universal medicine to relieve me un- der all my anguish, till he shall bring me to those man- sions on high, where sorrows, and pains are fóund no more." 6. Anguish and pain ofnature here on earth teach us " the excellency and use of the mercy-seat in heaven, and the admirable privilege of prayer." Even the sons of mere nature are ready to think of God at such a sea- son ; and they i ho never prayed before, " pour out a prayer beforehim when his chastening is upon them ;" Ls. xxvi. 16. An hour of twinging and tormenting pain, . when creatures and medicines can give no relief, drives them to the throne of God to try whether he will relieve them or no. But much more delightful is it for a child of God that has 'been used to address the throne of grace, to run thither with pleasure and hope, and to spread all his anguish before the face of his heavenly Fa- ther. The blessed God has built this mercy-seat for his people to bring all their sorrows thither, and spread them. before his eyes in all their smarting circumstances, and he has been often pleased to speak a word of relief. Our Lord Jesus Christ, when he dwelt in flesh and blood, practised this part of religion with holy satisfac- tion and success. " Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly, and an angel was sent to strengthen and com- fort him ;" Luke xxii. 43, 44. This was the relief of holy David in ancient times; Ps. xxv. 18. " Look upon my affliction and my. pain, and pardon all my sins." 5.
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