which the (John i. 4; I would urge them and help them to press forward to that fulness of joy, to Beloved Disciple desires to bring us; and v. 13) for when we have attained, on Scriptural grounds, to the full assurance of hope, then also shall we be enabled to "count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations," and to bless our Heavenly Father for every stroke of His chastising rod. The manner in which this little work has grown up under my hands has been far from favourable to any thing like critical completeness. It has no claim to attention, except as addressing itself to the heart and to the experience of the Afflicted. If these should find in it anything to edify or comfort, I intreat them to unite with me in prayer to that God, who works by the feeblest means, to vouchsafe His blessing upon it through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever. ISLINGTON, Amen, Sept. 1, 1831. O EVER-BLESSED and Almighty God, Ju Who dwellest in the high and holy place! How great Thy condescension and Thy grace, That Thou hast looked from Thy supreme abode, On us poor worms, groaning beneath the load Of darkness, guilt, pollution, misery,And dost invite us to draw near to Thee !... That Thou on us such mercy hast bestowed That we, in every time of doubt and fear, i Of anguish and affliction, may draw near With holy boldness to the eternal Throne, And find, in Thy perfections infinite, Fountains of consolation and delight For all who seek Thy face by Christ alone. THOUGHTS IN AFFLICTION. Did not infinite wisdom and mercy appoint this visitation? Heb. xii. 9. Dan. iv. 35. Psalm xxv. 10; cxv. 3. Rev. iii. 19. Shall a sinful worm complain? Lam. iii. 39. Job xxxiv. 31, 32. Gen. Let me search out the cause of my affliction. Then let me justify God. PAGE 1 Psalm li. 4. Neh. ix. 33. Dan. ix. 7, 8. 6 O let me admire His forbearance. Lam. iii. 22. Psalm ciii. 10-14. Dan, ix. 9. 8 And come, as a poor sinner, to the Cross. 1 John i. 8-10; ii. 1, 2. 11 How much more did Jesus endure for me! Psalm cii. 24-27. Isa. xl. 10, 11, 13 14 Is not the Spirit promised as a Comforter ? Is not this the portion of God's people? Heb. xii. 6-8. James v. 10, 11. Acts xiv. 22. 1 Thess. iii. 3, 4. Is not Tribulation a mark of my calling? 1 Pet. ii. 21-23. Luke ix. 23..... Are not all my Trials and Sufferings intended for my good? Heb. xii. 10, 11. Eccles. vii. 2-4..... Is not Affliction suited to mortify the flesh? 2 Cor. iv. 8-10, 16—18; xii. 7—10. Is it not suited to wean me from earth? Mic. ii. 10. Heb. xiii. 13, 14. ...... Is not all designed and adapted to make me long for heaven? PAGE 22 2 Cor. v. 1-4. Rom. viii. 23-25.... Let me learn submission. 34 Lev. x. 2, 3, 6, 7. Job i. 20-22; ii. 10. 2 Sam. xvi. 10-12. Ezek. xxiv. 15-18. Isa. liii. 7. Matt. xxvi. 39-42, 62, 63; xxvii. 12—14 And be more anxious that trials should be sanctified than removed. Jer. x. 24. Prov. iii. 11. 2 Cor. vii. 37 8-11. James i. 2-4. Mic. vii. 9... 45 PAGE Has suffering brought me nearer to God? Deut. viii. 2, 5, 6. Job xlii. 5, 6. Isa. ix. 13, 14. Jer. v. 3-6.... Have afflictions made God's word more sweet? Psalm xciv. 17-19; cxix. 67, 71. .. Have my trials made my prayers more humble and earnest? James v. 13. Gen. xxxii. 7-12, 24— 30. Hosea xii. 3-6. Have my afflictions taught me sympathy? 2 Cor. i. 3-6. Rom. xii. 15. 1 Cor. xii. 26... Have they taught me diligence in intercession? Heb. xiii. 3. Rom. xv. 30-32....... Have I not Special Promises? Psalm cxxvi. 5, 6. Isaiah xliii. 2, 3. Does not God's Word stand sure for ever Numb. xxiii. 19. Josh. xxiii. 14. Isa. 49 53 54 58 62 64 |