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 his dispensations, regards not the temporal but the eternal conditions of man, therefore as nothing exists uselessly, there must be some good in everything, and arising out of everything. In states of affliction, the things of the outward world are in some measure removed. The man of affliction being no longer able to enjoy its pleasure, is thrown on his own internal resources: and hence, if he never before thought of a future state, of death, resurrection, and judgment to come; now, being by affliction removed from the world and its passing and uncertain joys, he begins, perhaps for the first time in his life, to think, to muse a little upon his past life, and to make resolves for a better course for the future. If a state of affliction awaken but one just thought in the soul, and that thought lead to a more holy life, the advantages of that affliction are beyond all price; they have been the means of opening the mind to the joys and blessings of an eternal world. Can any advantage be put in comparison with this?

How often is it that man comes forth from affliction as silver comes forth from the refiner's fire, purified of its dross? and hence it is, that while health too oft conceals our brighter home, sickness steps in; it draws