eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." 2 Cor. v. 1-4.

"And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for ? But if we hope for what we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." Rom. viii. 23-25.

[It is a sad and most humiliating proof of the corruption of our nature,-of the earthly. mindedness and carnality that cleave to us,that the glory and blessedness of heaven is not of itself sufficient to draw up all our thoughts and affections thither. But so it is:-and we

must bless God that He drives us with whips and scourges from misery to blessedness, from sin, darkness and pollution, to light, purity and glory, from earth to heaven.

Let us understand and remember that it is one of the gracious promises of that everlasting Covenant, which is ordered in all things and sure, that "If His children forsake My law, and walk not in My judgments; If they break My statutes, and keep not My commandments: Then will I visit their transgressions with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes." How gracious is it of our God, that whensoever we wander from His ways, He will drive us back, -though it be with the strokes of His chastising rod !

Observe the distinction marked by the Apostle (2 Cor. v. 4.); "Not for that we would be unclothed:" He was not weary of life; he was not fretful or impatient: "but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life: " he desired earnestly something more excellent, from a clear view of the unspeakable blessedness of heaven, which drew out his heart in longing

desires for the enjoyment of it. Worldly men often desire to be unclothed: they are weary of life: yea, so as even in impious impatience to lay violent hands upon themselves: but the Christian knows how much he has to be thankful for, even here below: he is therefore not only a patient, but a joyful and grateful pilgrim: but he longs for more abundant, for satisfying blessings; and therefore presses onward towards heaven.]

Let me learn submission.

"And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, (i. e. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron) and they died before the Lord. And Moses said unto Aaron, This is that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace." Lev. x. 2, 3, 6, 7.

"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground and worshipped, and said, Naked came I out

:

of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.- -What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips." Job i. 20-22; ii. 10.

"And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day." 2 Sam. xvi. 10-12.

"Also the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet

neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. So I spake unto the people in the morning; and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded." Ezek. xxiv. 15-18.

"He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth. And the high-priest arose, and said unto Him, Answerest Thou nothing? what is it which these witness against Thee? But Jesus held His peace.-And when He was accused of the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto Him, Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee? And He answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly." Isa. liii. 7. Matt. xxvi. 62, 63. xxvii. 12-14.

"And He went a little farther, and fell on