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The principal sources of the tears shed upon earth by those whose character resembles that of the multitude whom John beheld may be reduced under the four following heads:

I. The firmest spirit is liable to be discomposed by THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT INTIMATE CONNECTION WHICH SUBSISTS BETWEEN THE SOUL AND THE BODY. Life is often embittered by a constitutional debility, or by accidental violence; by the acute pains of some diseases, by the effects of those exertions and indulgences that were prompted by health and vigour; and by the growing infirmities of years of that dissolution from which nature recoils. But they who are before the throne of God have received, in place of the earthly house of this tabernacle, a building of God.

II. Independently of bodily distress, WE ARE EXPOSED TO NUMBERLESS SORROWS BY THE DEGREE IN WHICH EXTERNAL OBJECTS AFFECT OUR HAPPINESS. Many are hardly able with sweat and toil to earn that measure of the good things of life which is necessary for subsistence. Some fail in every scheme which they form to better their fortunes: at one time, the visitation of heaven, at another, the imprudence, the treachery, or the malice of man, snatches from them the fruit of their labours. But when the great plan of the Divine government with regard to the human race shall be accomplished, there will be no further Heed for that seemingly unequal dispensation, which, although the source of many tears, is, in mercy and love, employed by the Father of mankind, to administer correction to their vices, to afford a trial and a display of their virtues, and to carry forward purposes too important and too remote for their apprehension. The sufferings of the righteous will no longer form part of that discipline which the imperfection of human nature requires; nor will the unmerited success of the wicked be continued, as an instrument of good to those to whom it appears to bring evil.

III. A third source from which the tears of good men flow is THAT KIND AFFECTION WHICH GOD, WHO IS LOVE, HATH PLANTED IN THE HUMAN BREAST. Although this principle be the solace of life, although it create those pleasing attentions and toils without which the repetition of the same scenes would become wearisome, and the labour of life intolerable; yet, in the mixed state in which we are called to exercise kind affection, it multiplies our cares and anxieties, and it often fills our hearts with anguish. The objects of our affection are not allowed to remain with us always, and there is no time when we hold them secure. The living sometimes inflict the most cruel wounds upon an affectionate heart. But the tears which flow from the distresses, the departure, or the improper behaviour of others, shall be wiped away from the eyes of those who are before the throne. In the city of the living God there is no affliction that demands the tribute of sympathy from those who are unable to give any other relief; no depraved mind that proves unworthy of the affection of which it had once been the object; no painful separation of kindred spirits; the people are all righteous, and the pure spiritual joy of righteousness and benevolence gladdens the whole company of the redeemed.

IV. If the servants of God were able in this state to attain the perfection of virtue, they might bear with composure bodily distress, the difficulties of their outward state, BUT THE BEST OF THE CHILDREN OF MEN ARE BOWED DOWN UNDER THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF VAIN THOUGHTS, OF IDLE WORDS, AND OF UNPROFITABLE ACTIONS. But God shall wipe away the tears of sin from the eyes of those who, knowing this bitterness, do indeed hunger and thirst after righteousness; for the day is coming when they shall be faultless. There will then be no sophistry to mislead the understanding, no false appearance of good to excite improper desires, no example of vice to allure imitation; there will then be no remainder of corruption to afflict and humble the spirit, no grovelling appetite to war against the soul, no mean passion to tarnish the beauty of holiness. Conclusion:

1. If all tears are to be wiped away hereafter, it follows that religion does not profess to wipe them away here.

2. If we believe that the time is coming when our tears shall be wiped away, let us prize the gospel of Christ, which hath given us this blessed hope.

3. This description of the happiness of heaven, like every other which the Scriptures contain, reminds us of the necessity of a virtuous life.

(G. Hill, D. D.)

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KJV: They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

WEB: They will never be hungry, neither thirsty any more; neither will the sun beat on them, nor any heat;