The reasons are with him “Whose judgments are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out.”  We may observe, however, that such is the way of God with man, while here on trial.  If at any time a person seems peculiarly favored of heaven, something of a different nature is commonly set over against it.  Perhaps to remind him that this is not his rest.  We seldom enjoy prosperity without a sensible mixture of adversity; or without somewhat adverse following in quick succession.  “Even in laughter, the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is heaviness.”  Neither are special trials or sorrows sent alone; comforts and consolations are usually joined with the, or soon succeed them.  If we consider the matter, we shall observe this in ourselves; and may often discover it in others.  We see it in the history of this patriarch, and that of many of his descendants.

The pilgrimage of Jacob, how remarkably diversified with good and evil, with joy and sorrow?  That also of Joseph—­of Moses—­of Daniel?  At times each of these were raised high and brought low—­sometimes found themselves at the summit of earthly honor and felicity; at other times, were cast down, and hope seemed ready to forsake them.

In the history of Job the same things are exemplified in still stronger colors.  That holy man experienced the extremes of honor and infamy, joy and grief, hope and terror.  The prophets and apostles, passed through scenes in many respects similar; their joys and sorrows were contrasted to each other.  Daniel’s mournings and fastings were followed with remarkable discoveries and cheering revelations; but the divine communications were almost too strong for frail humanity; they filled him with dismay, and had well nigh destroyed his mortal body.  “He fainted and was sick certain days.”

St. Paul was “caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it was not possible for a man to utter”—­had a view of the ineffable glory of the upper world; but trials no less remarkable, and very severe, were contrasted to those strange distinctions, and more than earthly joys!  “Lest I should be exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” *

* 2 Corinthians xii. 4-7.

St. john suffered sore persecutions—­was banished from the society of his fellow Christians, if not from the society of men.  But divine discoveries repaid all his sufferings—­heaven’s ineffable glories were opened to his view!  What he witnessed could be but very partially communicated.  Language is weak; only faint hints and general intimations could be given of the “glory which is to be revealed.”  But the suffering apostle enjoyed it, and was supported, yea, enraptured by it.

This life is filled with changes.  Good and evil, hope and fear, light and darkness, are set over against each other.  The saints, while they dwell in the dust, sometimes walk in darkness, and have their hours of gloom and horror—­“The whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain until now—­Even those who have the first fruits of the spirit, groan within themselves, waiting for—­the redemption of the body.  Those of whom the world is not worthy, are often in heaviness, through manifold temptations.”