Paul had felt, as we all feel, that there is in man a soul as well as a body, an eternal life as well as a temporal. He had also felt, as we all feel, that he was a sinner, condemned and hopeless before that holy law which he had broken, and the judgment of which he must one day meet. But, in obedience to the message of the gospel, he had accepted Christ as his Saviour, through whom he had received the forgiveness of sins, Divine sonship, and sanctifying grace. So that he had to regard himself as henceforth under training for heaven, the training administered by a Divine hand. He knew that the present life, with all its changes, was the thing that was wanted for his spiritual education, that nothing was accidental, that no changes were chances, and that all changes made up one great organized system of discipline, in which "all things were working together for good." Thus he could cherish in his heart a contentment which would cover all his experiences. There are ills which certain men can bear patiently, but a Christian contentment learns to bear all ills cheerfully; unmurmuring and acquiescent when sorrows multiply, and when mercies one by one are taken away. This contentment under Christian conditions is a duty, not perhaps of very easy attainment--Paul himself does not say that it is that--but it is a duty, as being the natural fruit of faith and trust. Every Christian should be able to say: I will not cloud the present with the past, Nor borrow shadows from a future sky: 'Tis in the present that my lot is cast, And ever will be through eternity. "Sufficient to the day the present ill," Was kindly utter'd by a heavenly Voice, And one inspired to tell his Master's will Hath bid us alway in the Lord rejoice. XII. _JOY._ "Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say rejoice."--Philippians iv. 4.