DISC. X4:] AND JOY AT TIIE RESURRECTION. 559 Why is my life prolonged in sorrow ? Why are my days -lengthened out to see further wretchedness ? Methinks " the grave should be ready for íne, and the house appointed for all the living ;" Job xvii. 1. xxx. 23_ What can I do further for God or for man here on earth, since my nature pines away with painful sickness, my nerves are unstrung, my spirits dissipated, and my best powers of acting' are infeebled and almost lost ? Peace, peace, O thou complaining spirit; Dost thou know the counsels of the Almighty, and the secret designs of thy God, and thy Saviour`? He has many deep and unknown purposes in continuing his children amidst heavy -sor- rows, which they can never penetrate or learn in this world. Silence and submission becomes thee at all times. " Father, not my will but thy will be done;" Luke xxii. 42. And let it be hinted to thee, O my soul, that it is much more honourable to be weary of this life, because of the sin's and temptationsof it, than because of the toils and sorrows that attend it. If we must " groan in this tabernacle being burdened ;" 2 Cor. v..4. let the snares, and the dangers, and the defilements of it be the chief springs of thy groaning and the warmest motives to re- quest a release. God loves to see his people more afraid of sin than'of sorrow. If thy corruptions are so strong, and the temptations of life so unhappily surround thee, that thou art daily crying out, "" Who shall deliver thee, from the body of sin and death ;" Rom. vii: 24: then thou mayest mòre honourably send up a wish to heaven, O that I had the wings of a dove, that I might fly away 'and be at rest 1" Ps. lv. 6. 0 that God would hide me in the grave from my prevailing iniquities, and from the ruffling and disquieting influence Of my own follies and my daily: temptations 1 B t never be thou quite weary of doing or szifferingthe will of thy heavenly Father, though he should continue thee in this mortal life a length of years beyond thy desires, and should-withhold thee from his secret place of retreat and rest. A constant and joyful readiness at the call of God to depart' Bence, with a cheerful patience to continue -here during his . pleasure, is the most perfect and blessed. temper that a christian can arrive at: It gives God the highest glory, and keeps the soul in the sweetest peace.
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