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Of Eternity.
189

didst suffer them to sink into the bottom of thy heart, how couldst thou dare once complain?

Are not all painful labours to be endured for the sake of life eternal?

It is no small matter, to lose or to gain the kingdom of God.

Lift up thy face therefore unto heaven; behold, I and all My saints with Me, who in this world had great conflicts, do now rejoice, are now comforted, now secure, now at rest, and shall remain with Me everlastingly in the kingdom of My Father.


CHAPTER XLVIII.

OF THE DAY OF ETERNITY, AND THIS LIFE'S STRAITNESSES.

OMOST blessed mansion of the city which is above! O most clear day of eternity, which night obscureth not, but the highest truth ever enlighteneth! O day ever joyful, ever secure, and never changing into a contrary state!

O that that day would once appear, and that all things temporal were at an end!

To the saints it shineth, glowing with unceasing brightness, but to those that are pilgrims on the earth, it appeareth only afar off, and as through a glass.

2. The citizens of heaven do know how joyful that day is; but the banished children of Eve bewail its bitterness and tediousness.