are in heaviness”—pressed down, forced to the earth, as if under some cruel load. The Christian’s joy is from heaven, his grief from earth. These two are ever at war with one another. 2. “Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.” Persecutions abounded. The devil aimed his fiery darts at them. The world spread its allurements for them. 3. Yet this state of trial has its alleviations. (1) It is only “for a season,” whereas the Christian’s joy endures for ever (Psa. 30:5; 2 Cor. 4:17). (2)