they should be needful for him, by a faithful and unchanging
God. St. Paul even "took pleasure in them" in this viewq: and regarded them not only as light, but " as lightness itself" from the consideration that they were " working out for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory r." The same experience also is ascribed to all the saints: for, of every true Christian it is said, "We glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; anil patience, experience; and experience, hope ; and hope maketh not ashamed8."]
And we also should be prepared to join in their anthems of praise —
[Our views of eternity should swallow up all inferior con- siderations ; and that dispensation be most welcomed which most conduces to our eternal interests. To flesh and blood, that which is attended with present comfort appears best ; but it is not really so. A wind that is somewhat cross will urge on a ship more steadily, and carry it forward more rapidly, than one which is quite direct ; because it will fill all the sails. So a measure of adversity will operate more favourably on our Christian course, than a state of unmixed prosperity. Taken in connexion, the good and the evil mutually assist each other, and "work together for good unto all them that love God, and have been called by him according to his purpose'." Our blessed Lord himself " was made perfect through sufferings :"' and what was subservient to his benefit, cannot fail of being conducive to ours also : and consequently, the acknowledgments which we should make respecting them in the eternal world should now at this time constitute an essential part of our thanksgivings to God.] Who does not see here —
1. The value and importance of faith? [Sense beholds things as they appear. Faith beholds them as they really are. Faith views them both in their source and end : it traces every thing to God, as the all-wise and infinitely gracious Disposer of all events. Faith comprehends that saying, " Is there evil in the city and the Lord hath not done it ?" It fully accedes, also, to that inspired declaration, " Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Hence, if our mercies were unmixed, it would be far from regarding it as a token for good : it would rather suggest, that we were bastards and not sons ; because there is no son whom a wise father chasteneth not". Learn then, my Brethren, to " walk by faith and not by sight x." You well know how greatly Jacob erred, when he said, " All these
<* 2 Cor. xii. 10. r 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18. The Greek.
8 Rom. v. 3—5. l Rom. viii. 28. ° Heb. xii. 6 — 8.
* 2 Cor. v. 7.