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DISC,.1{11
AND
JOY
AT
THE RESURRECTION.
355
sin and
shew his anger.;
but these sufferings are oltert
appointed
for
the trial
of
their
christian
virtues
and
(Traces,
for
the
exercise
of
their humility
and
-their
pati`
ence, for the
proof of their stedfastnessin
religion,
fir
the
'honour
of
the grace
of
God
in them,
and
for the
increase
of
their
own
future
weight
of
glory.
Blessed is
the
man
that
endureth
temptation,
for
when
he
is
tried
he_
shall
receive
the
crown
of
life
which
the
Lord
hath
pro
-
,mised
to them
that
love him
;"
Jam.
i.
12.
?be
devil
,
shall cast
some
of
you into prison,
that
you
maybe
tried;
and
ye shall
have
tribulation
ten days
Be
thoa
faithfal
21nto.
death .and
_I
will give
thee
a crown
of
life;
Rev:
Our
light
afflictions which
are
but
for a
mo-
ment,
are
working
for
us
a
far
more exceeding
and
eteri
pal
weight
of
glory
;"
2
Cor.
iv.
17.
However, upon the
whole, this world
is
a.very painful
And
troublesome
place to the
children
of
God They are
subject
here
to
many weaknesses and
sins,
temptations and
follies
;
they
are
in
danger
of
new
defilements
;
they
.g®.
through
many
threatening
perils and many real
sorrows,
which
either
are the
effects
of
the
displeasure
of
God,
or;
at
least,
carry
an
appearance of
divine
anger
in
them
:
But
there
is
a
time when these shall
be finished,
and sorrow,
shall
have
its
last period
;.There
is
a time
when these
cala-
inities
will be
overpassed, and shall
return
nomore
forever.
Reflection..
"
Why.
then, O
my soul,
why
shouldst
thou
be so
fond
of
dwelling
in
this
present world?
Why
shouldst thou
be
desirous
of.
a
long
continuance
in it?
Hast
thou
never
found
sorrows and afflictions.enough
among the scenes
of
life,
to make
thee
weary of
them
?
And when
sorrow and
sin
have
joined
together,
have
they
not
grievously
imbittered
this
life
unto
thee.
?.
Wilt
thou
never
be
wearied from
these sensible scenes
of
flesh
and
.blood
?
Hast thou
such
a
love
-to
the darknesses, the
defilements, and the
uneasinesses
which
are
found
in
such
a prison
as
this
is,
as to make thee
unwilling to
depart
when
God
shall
call.?
Hast
thou dwelt so
long
in
this
tabernacle
of
clay,
and dost thou not
groan, being
bur
-
dened
?
Hast
thou
no
desire
to
a
release into
that upper
and better
world,
where
sorrows,
,sins
and
temptations
.have
no place,
and
where
there
shall. never
be
the
least
appearance or
suspicion
of
the displeasure
of
thy
God
to-
wards
thee
?"
Observation
II.
"
The
grave
is
God's
known hiding-