516 r1ó PAIN AMÖNG riÉ sf.rssEI5. [Drsc.Irt other's happiness: And I might add also, could there be such a thing as sorrow and misery in those regions, this divine principle of love would work sweetly and power- fully toward such objects in all necessary compassion. Whatif pain was once made, a spur to our duties in this frail state of flesh and blood ? What if pain were de- signed as a guard against temptation, and a means to awaken our watch against new transgression and guilt ? B14 in a climate whereall is holiness, and all is peace, in the full enjoyment of the great God, and secured by that. everlasting covenant which was sealed by the blood of.the Lamb, there is no more danger of sinning. The soul is moulded into the more complete likeness of God, by living for ever under the light of his countenance, and the warmest beams of his love. What ifwe had need of the stings of pain and anguish in time past, to wean us by degrees from this body, and from all sensible things, and to make us willing to part with them all at the call of God ? Yet when we arrive at the heavenly world, we shall have no more need of being weaned from earth, we shall never look back upon that state of -pain and frailty with a wishful eye, being for ever satisfied in the affluence of present joys. O glorious and happy state ! where millions of creai tunes who have dwelt in bodies of sin and pain, and have been guilty of innumerable follies and offences against their Maker, yet they are all forgiven, their robes are washed, and made white in the bloodof Jesus, their ini- giuities are cancelled for ever, and there shall not be one stroke more from the hand of God to chasten them, nor one more sensation of pain to punish them. Divine and illustrious privilege indeed, and a glorious world, where complete sanctification of all the powers of natureshall for ever secure us from new sins, and where the springs and causes of pain shall for ever cease, both within us and without us ! Our glorified bodies shall haveno aver nue for pain to enter ; the gates of heaven shall admit no enemy to afflict or hurt us ; God is our everlasting friend; and our souls shall be satisfied with the " rivers of pleasure which flow for ever at the right hand of God;" Ps.xvi. '11, Amen.
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