December, 1776
My dear Madam,
I have often preached to others of the benefits of affliction;
but my own path for many years has been so smooth, and my
trials, though I have not been without trials, comparatively so
light and few—that I have seemed to myself to speak by rote upon
a subject of which I had not a proper feeling. Yet the many
exercises of my poor afflicted people, and the sympathy the Lord
has given me with them in their troubles—has made "the benefits
of affliction" a frequent and favorite topic of my ministry
among them. The advantages of afflictions, when the Lord is
pleased to employ them for the good of his people, are many and
great. Permit me to mention a few of them; and may the Lord
grant that we may all find those blessed ends answered to
ourselves, by the trials he is pleased to appoint us.
Afflictions quicken us to prayer. It is a pity it should
be so; but experience testifies, that a long course of ease and
prosperity, without painful changes—has an unhappy tendency to
make us cold and formal in our secret worship. But troubles
rouse our spirits, and constrain us to call upon the Lord in
good earnest—when we feel a need of that help which we only can
have from his almighty arm.
Afflictions are useful, and in a degree necessary, to keep alive
in us—a conviction of the vanity and unsatisfying nature of the
present world, and all its enjoyments; to remind us that this
world is not our rest, and to call our thoughts upwards,
where our true treasure is, and where our heart ought to be.
When things go on much to our wish, our hearts are too prone to
say, "It is good to be here!" It is probable, that had Moses,
when he came to invite Israel to Canaan, found them in
prosperity—that they would have been very unwilling to move out
of Egypt; but the afflictions they were in—made his message
welcome. Thus the Lord, by pain, sickness, and disappointments,
by breaking our cisterns and withering our gourds—weakens our
attachment to this world, and makes the thought of leaving it,
more easy and more desirable.
A child of God cannot but greatly desire a more enlarged and
experimental acquaintance with his holy Word; and this
attainment is greatly promoted by our trials. The far greater
part of the promises in Scripture, are made and suited to a
state of affliction; and, though we may believe they are true,
we cannot so well know their sweetness, power, and suitableness,
unless we ourselves are in a state to which they refer! The Lord
says,
"Call
upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you."
Now, until the
day of trouble comes, such a promise is like a city of refuge to
an Israelite, who, not having slain a man, was in no danger of
the avenger of blood. He had a privilege near him, of which he
knew not the use and value—because he was not in the case for
which it was provided. But some can say, I not only believe this
promise upon the authority of the speaker—but I can set my seal
to it! I have been in trouble; I took this course for relief,
and I was not disappointed. The Lord truly heard and delivered
me. Thus afflictions likewise give occasion of our knowing
and noticing more of the Lord's wisdom, power, and goodness,
in supporting and relieving us—than we would otherwise have
known.
Afflictions evidence to ourselves, and manifest to others,
the reality of grace. When we suffer as Christians, exercise
some measure of that patience and submission, and receive some
measure of these supports and supplies, which the Gospel
requires and promises to believers—we are more confirmed that we
have not taken up with mere notions; and others may be convinced
that we do not follow cunningly devised fables.
Afflictions likewise strengthen us—by the exercise our
graces. As our limbs and natural powers would be feeble if not
called to daily exertion—so the graces of the Spirit would
languish, without something which was provided to draw them out
to use.
Lastly, afflictions are honorable, as they advance our
conformity to Jesus our Lord, who was a man of sorrows for
our sake. Methinks, if we might go to heaven without suffering,
we would be unwilling to desire it. Why should we ever wish to
go by any other path to heaven—than that which Jesus has
consecrated and endeared, by his own example? Especially as his
people's sufferings are not penal—there is no wrath in them. The
cup he puts in their hands is very different from that which he
drank for their sakes, and is only medicinal to promote their
chief good. Here I must stop; but the subject is fruitful, and
might be pursued through a quire of paper.
"And you
have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you
as sons--My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord
disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he
accepts as a son.
"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you
as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If
you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline),
then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us
and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit
to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers
disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but
God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his
holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but
painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of
righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by
it." Hebrews 12:5-11
Source:
http://gracegems.org/Newton/90.htm
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