Dts.c. IX./ NO PAIN AMONG T'HE XLESSET}. 525 tree of life, and with unknown entertainments suited. to a glorified state. He shall lead them to living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ;" Rev. vii. 16, 17. Thus I have set before you the practical lessons which pain is designed to teach us in our present. state and we find that a body subject to maladies and pains, is a well- appointed school, wherein our great Master gives us these divine instructions, and trains us up by degreesjor the heavenly world. It is rough discipline indeed for the flesh, but it is wholesome for the soul : And there is many a christian here on earth that have been made to confess, they had never learned the practice of some of these virtues, if theyhad not been taught by such sort of discipline. Pain, which was brought into human nature by sin, is happily suited by the providence of God to such a state of probation, wherein creatures born in the midst of sins and sorrows are by degrees recovered to the love of God and. holiness, and fitted for the world of peace and joy. But when we have done with this world, and departed: from the tribes of mortal men, and from all the scenes of allurement and temptation, there is no more need that such lessons should be taught us in heaven, nor any pain- ful scourge made use of by the Father of spirits, to carry _on, or to maintain the divine work of holiness and grace: within us. Let us survey this matter according to the foregoing particulars. Is it possible that while the blessed above are sur- rounded with endless satisfactions flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb, they should forget their bene- factor, and neglect his praises ? Is it possible they should dwell in immortal health and ease without interruption,, under the constant vital-influences of the king ofglory, and yet want gratitude to the spring of all their bles- sings ? Nor is there any need for the inhabitants of a world, where no pains nor sorrows are found, " to learn corn passion and sympathy to those who suffer," for there are no sufferers there: But love and joy, intense and inti- mate love, and a harmony of joy runs through all that blessed company, and unites them in an universal sym- pathy, if I may so express it, or.blissful sensation ofeach
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