Word
of God
Man
does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from
the mouth of God
Matthew
4:4
The
Epistle of James 1:2
2
My brethren, count it exceeding joy, when ye fall into divers
tentations,
Brethren:
These temptations may be numerous and various: Divers temptations, as the apostle speaks. Our trials may be of many and different kinds, and therefore we have need to put on the whole armour of God. We must be armed on every side, because temptations lie on all sides. . It is implied that troubles and afflictions may be the lot of the best Christians, even of those who have the most reason to think and hope well of themselves. Such as have a title to the greatest joy may yet endure very grievous afflictions. As good people are liable to be scattered, they must not think it strange if they meet with troubles. These outward afflictions and troubles are temptations to them. The devil endeavours by sufferings and crosses to draw men to sin and to deter them from duty, or unfit them for it; but, as our afflictions are in God’s hand, they are intended for the trial and improvement of our graces. The gold is put into the furnace, that it may be purified. (See Proverbs 17:3)
These temptations may be numerous and various: Divers temptations, as the apostle speaks. Our trials may be of many and different kinds, and therefore we have need to put on the whole armour of God. We must be armed on every side, because temptations lie on all sides. . It is implied that troubles and afflictions may be the lot of the best Christians, even of those who have the most reason to think and hope well of themselves. Such as have a title to the greatest joy may yet endure very grievous afflictions. As good people are liable to be scattered, they must not think it strange if they meet with troubles. These outward afflictions and troubles are temptations to them. The devil endeavours by sufferings and crosses to draw men to sin and to deter them from duty, or unfit them for it; but, as our afflictions are in God’s hand, they are intended for the trial and improvement of our graces. The gold is put into the furnace, that it may be purified. (See Proverbs 17:3)
The
trials of a good man are such as he does not create to himself, nor
sinfully pull upon himself; but they are such as he is said to fall
into. And for this reason they are the better borne by him.II. The
graces and duties of a state of trial and affliction are here pointed
out to us. Could we attend to these things, and grow in them as we
should do, how good would it be for us to be afflicted!1. One
Christian grace to be exercised is joy: We must not sink into a sad
and disconsolate frame of mind, which would make us faint under our
trials; but must endeavour to keep our spirits dilated and enlarged,
the better to take in a true sense of our case, and with greater
advantage to set ourselves to make the best of it. Philosophy may
instruct men to be calm under their troubles; but Christianity
teaches them to be joyful, because such exercises proceed from love
and not fury in God.
In
them we are conformable to Christ our head, and they become marks of
our adoption. By suffering in the ways of righteousness, we are
serving the interests of our Lord’s kingdom among men, and edifying
the body of Christ; and our trials will brighten our graces now and
our crown at last. Therefore there is reason to count it all joy when
trials and difficulties become our lot in the way of our duty. And
this is not purely a New-Testament paradox, but even in Job’s time
it was said, Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth. (See
Proverbs 12:1; Proverbs 15:31)There is the more reason for joy in
afflictions if we consider the other graces that are promoted by them
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