DISCOURSE XI. 231 regard to himself, and to all the succeeding ages of the christian church. God does not always smite his own people to punish sin and shew his anger ; but these sufferings are often appointed for the trial of their christian virtues and graces, for the exercise of their humility and their patience, for the proof of their stedfast,- ness in religion, for 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 promised to them that love him ; James i. 12. The devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life; Rev. ii. 10. Our light afflictions which are but for a moment, are working for us a far more exceeding and eternal 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 defile- ments; they go 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 calamities will be overpassed, and shall return no more for ever. 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 ? Hest 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 weaned from these sensible scenes of flesh and blood ? Hast thou such a love to the darknesses, the defile - meets, 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 burdened? Hast thou no desire to a re- lease 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 towards thee ?" Observation II.." The grave is God's known hiding-place for his people :" It is his appointed shelter and retreat for his favourites, when he finds them over- pressed either with present dangers or calamities, or when he foresees huge calamities and dangers, like storms and billows, ready to overtake them; Is. vii. 1. The righteous is taken away from the evil to come. God
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