les were already excited and over-strained. Their brains
were so exhausted that in a few moments they would be sleeping on the
cold ground of Gethsemane. Had He poured the light of the other world
in full measure upon them, the tide of glory had submerged them, like
spent swimmers.

_Their affections_ could not bear more. Because He had spoken to them,
sorrow had filled their heart, and He forbore to describe the valley of
shadow through which they were still to pass, lest their hearts should
break. They had hardly commenced to drink its cup: what would its
dregs be? The footmen had wearied them: how would they contend with
horses? The brink had terrified them: how would they do in the
swellings of Jordan?

It is thus that He deals with us still. He knows our frame, and
proportions our trials to our strength. He carefully feels our pulse
before commencing the operation through which He would lead us to
perfect health. He tempers His discipline to our spiritual capacity.
We desire to know many things: the reason why sin has been permitted,
the fate of the impenitent; the state of the great masses of men who
have passed into eternity without a true knowledge of God. Peter asks
for John, "What shall this man do?" Each wants to know the secret
plans, whether for himself, or his beloved, which are lying in the mind
and purpose of the Eternal. What will the end be? Where does that
path lead by which I am going, and which descends steeply into the
ravine? Will the fight between evil and good be much prolonged? What
are hell, and the bottomless pit, and the meaning of Christ's
references to the undying worm and unquenchable flame? And Christ
says, "My child, you cannot bear it; you could not sleep at night, you
could not play with the merry children by day, you could not perform
your slender tasks, if you knew all that I know, and see as I see. Be
at rest. Trust Me. I will tell you as soon as you are strong enough.
Nothing shall be kept back from you, all shall be revealed." And
surely the sufferings and limitations of this present time will not be
worthy to be compared with the exceeding weight of glory, when in the
presence of our Lord we shall see eye to eye, and know even as we are
known.

In the light of these words we may get comfort. When some crushing
trouble befalls us, He who only spoke as they were able to bear, will
not permit the flame to be hotter, the tide stronger, or the task more
tryin