Rom. xii. 15.
k
Prov. xiv. 13.
prosperity, after his distresses, far exceeded any thing that he had enjoyed in his earHer hfe™. Naomi, too, found, in the issue, that she had no reason to "adopt the name of Mara":" for her subsequent connexion with Boaz soon dissipated all her sorrows, so that she could " put off her sackcloth and gird her with gladness." But, if this should not be the case, we may well be satisfied that " tribulation worketh patience, and experience and hope," and that our light and momentary afflictions work out " for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory"." In the view, then, of all these things, we should " learn, in whatsoever state we are, therewith to be content: we should be equally ready to be abased or to abound, and to be instructed everywhere, and in all things, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer needP."]
3. Piety—
[This will never fail us. If we have much, it will sanctify our prosperity, and keep it from injuring owe souls. If we have little, it will supply the lack of every thing. View the rich man in all his abundance, and Lazarus in all his destitu- tion. The eye of sense will look with envy on the one that is revelling in plenty : the eye of faith will form a far different estimate, and congratulate the sufferer in the midst of all his distresses. The wealth of this world brings with it many cares and troubles : but " the blessing of God maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow with ifi." Even whilst the two were here in this world, no doubt the poorer was the happier man. But at the moment of their departure hence, what different feelings woiild have been expressed, if they had still been subjected to the sight of man ! Is this the rich man — now destitute of a drop of water to cool his tongue ? Is this Lazarus — now in the bosom of Abraham, at the banquet of the Lord ? So, then, shall it ere long be said of you, ye sons and daughters of affliction, if only ye improve your trials for the furtherance of your spiritual welfare. How soon shall all " your tears be wiped away from your eyes !" How soon shall "joy and glad- ness come forth to meet you ; and sorrow and sighing flee away for ever ! " " Be patient,^ then, unto the coming of your Lord: " and you shall soon find, that " the sufferings of this present life were not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us ^"]
« Job xlii. 10 — 16. n ver. 20. " 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18.
P Phil. iv. 11, 12. <J Prov. x. 22. ^ Rom. viii. 18.