2. Our afflictions, of whatever kind they be, will
endure but a little time —
[The Apostle speaks of all, even the heaviest afflictions, as light and momentary"^. Even life itself is but as a shadow that declineth ; or a weaver's shuttle, which soon finishes the piece that is to be severed from the loom. And when once this frail life is ended, there is an everlasting termination of all our sorrows. If only we have believed in Christ, and sought an interest in him, we enter immediately into " his presence, where is fulness of joy for evermore." Into that blissful world nothing that is afflictive can ever enter to disturb their peace : " all tears are wiped away from their eyes ; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain : for the former things are passed away ^" And, as no created evil can then impair their bliss, so no created good can add to it : " The city has no need of the sun, neither of the moon to lighten it ; for the glory of God docs lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof^" How little will the transient clouds that once occasioned a momentary gloom be remembered, when our dwelling is for ever fixed in the full splendour of the Sun of Righteousness. Surely we need not
o Isai. liv. 7, 8. p 1 Pet. i. 6. q Mai. iii. 2, 3.
r 2 Cor. iv. 17. « Rev. xxi. 4. ' Rev. xxii. 23.