Dis'C. Xlid AND JOY AT TAÉ RÈstJRttÉCT1bN. 561 and languishing sickness, some unknown distress, some overbearing flood of misery, which was like to, come upon them had they continued longer on the stage. of life. " Let this silence thy murmuring thoughts, Ó my soul ; let this dry up thy tears which are ready to over- flow on such an occasion.' Dare hot ronounce it a stroke of anger from the hand of God, who divided them from the tempting or distressing scenes of this world, and kindly removed them out of the way of danger. This was the wisest method of his love, to guard them from many a folly and many a sorrow, which he foresaw just at the door." Will the wounded and complaining heart go on to groan and murmur still, " But my son was carried off in the prime of life, or my daughter in her blooming years ; they stood flourish- ing in the vigour of their nature, and it was'my delight to behold their growing appearances of virtue and good ness, and that in the midst of ease and plenty, -:.id prospects of happiness, 'so far as this world can afford It?" But could you look through the next year to the end of it ? Could you penetrate into future events, and survey the scenes of seven years to come ? Could your heart assure itself of the real possession of this imaginary view of happiness and peace ? Perhaps the blessed God saw the clouds gathering afar off, and at a great distance of time, and in much kindness he housed your favourite from unknown trials, dangers and sor- rows. So a prudent gardener, who is acquainted with the sky, and skilful in the signs of the seasons, even in the month of May, foresees a heavy tempest rising in the edge of the horizon,. while a vulgar eye observes nothing but sunshine : and he who knows the worth and the ten- derness of some special plants in his garden, houses them in haste, lest they be exposed and demolished by the sweeping rain or hail, You say,' " These children were in the bloom of life, and inthe most desirable appearance of joy and satis- faction :" " But is not that also usually the most danger- ous season of life, and the hour of most powerful temp- tation ? Was not that the time when their passionsmight have been too hard for them, ,sand the deluding pleasures of life stood round them with a most perilous assault ? VOL. I I. ,« O
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