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 hunger and thirst often assail us; the cross presses heavily upon us, and opposing influences seem to increase rather than diminish, as we press on our weary way; and these assaults are permitted to prove us—whether we will now be faithful to the Lord; whether our faith in, and love to, the Lord, with our dependence upon Him, be strong enough to carry us through these purifying processes; whether we can, with the fullest assurance of deliverance, say, "Though ten thousand times ten thousand should set themselves against me round about, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort and support me."

We may, and probably do, often think that we are humbled and proved too severely. But let us feel certain of this, however severe the trial may appear to us, nothing short of it would draw us nearer to God.

The Lord does not permit these afflictions to shew His power over us, or to exalt His glory in our suffering—as some of us have mistakenly supposed—. All that good which is comprehended in the Divine presence where there is fulness of bliss for evermore.

Vain is it for us to attempt to describe the fulness of bliss enjoyed in heavenly society: "Eye hath not secn, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man fully to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him!" but this we know, that every man will enjoy a fulness of happiness according to his state.

Therefore, let us remember, that every state through which we are led, is designed to humble and prove us, whether we will be faithful to the Lord, obedient to