December 28

"I would not live alway."—Job 7:16.

WHEN the venerable patriarch, whose brow was covered with the snow of age, stood before the Egyptian monarch, he said, "Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage," Genesis 47:9. David said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest," Psalms 55:6. Paul had a desire to depart, and be with Christ, which is far better. And Job in this passage exclaims, "I would not live alway." When the Christian adopts this language, he does not mean to manifest an indisposition to the duties of life, or a murmuring spirit under the trials of life. There are many reasons why he would not live alway. He would not

WHEN HE REFERS TO THE BODY. What a clog is it to the operations of the soul! How it binds us down to earth! In the heavenly state, the properties of the body, as well as the faculties of the soul, will be sanctified by the purity and grace of Christ, and rendered fit for his service, Philippians 3:20, 21. Then every faculty, energy, and power, shall move in submission to the divine will.

WHEN HE CONTEMPLATES THE SOUL. Whether we ascribe it to the influence of the body on the soul, or any other cause, it is too evident that not one faculty of the soul is directed completely to the great object of its being. Here we see the fruits and effects of sin: the understanding is dark, the affections unholy, the memory forgetful. What a contrast to the state of the believer in glory! He would not live alway.

BECAUSE OF HIS ABSENCE FROM CHRIST. "Whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord." It is true, his presence is felt and enjoyed here in the exercises of religion, but only partially; we can gain at best but a very imperfect view of his glories; the full vision is reserved for the period when we shall be called home. We are not fully satisfied; we want to experience more of his grace and love; more of the comforts of his Spirit. He would not live alway,

BECAUSE OF THE IMPERFECTION OF HIS KNOWLEDGE. "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part." How little do we know of the sublime truths of revelation! of the being and perfections of God! of the mysterious union of the two natures of Christ? of the plenitude of his grace, and the unrivaled splendor of his glory! When, therefore, the Christian contrasts his present ignorance with his future knowledge, he is induced to exclaim, "I would not live alway,"

BECAUSE OF THE HAPPINESS OF HEAVEN. Who would live alway, when beyond the grave is a paradise of joy? Who would live alway, when "there remaineth a rest to the people of God"? Who would prefer the first-fruits to the full harvest, the drop to the shower, the streams to the ocean, the earnest to the full possession? How different is the language of the worldling! If he had his choice, he would make this world his rest and home forever. We must not live alway on earth, whether we desire it or not; but we must live alway, either in heaven or hell.