[In the midst of carnal enjoyments a man wishes for nothing more : but when trials of various kinds oppress his mind, his taste for earthly gratifications is weakened : their in- sufficiency to remove, or even to alleviate, trouble is felt ; and they no longer afford him that kind of satisfaction which they once did. Amusements, and company, have lost their relish : his mind is indisposed for them: they are become to him insipid, undesirable, irksome, odious. Something more sub- stantial is now wanted : something on which his soul may rest, as conducive to its present and eternal welfare. This was the effect produced upon the Prodigal. Whilst he could revel in luxury and pleasure, he cared for nothing ; but when his money was expended, and he was a prey to want, and could find no help, no pity, from man, then he began to reflect on the abun- dance that there was in his Father's house, and to desire a participation of it, though in the lowest and most menial office there. And had he not reason to be thankful for the trials which produced so blessed an effect ? In like manner then we also should acknowledge as a blessing every trial that is sent us for the accomplishment of so good an end.]
3. It drives us to God in prayer —
[Those who never called upon God in the time of their prosperity, are often stirred up to seek him in a season of ad- versity. " In their affliction," says God, " they will seek me early c :" and to the same effect the Prophet testifies, " Lord, in trouble have they visited thee ; they poured forth a prayer when thy chastening was upon themd." In the 107th Psalm this effect of troubles is marked in every instance : " Then cried they unto the Lord in their trouble e :" and in every instance this was the prelude to their deliverance. Who then that ex- periences this effect from his trials has not reason to be thankful for them ? Let it only be said of us, " Behold, he prayeth ;" and we shall have no cause for complaint, though we should have been struck blind, like Saul, and had our blindness continued to the latest hour of our lives f.]
4. It brings us to a saving knowledge of the Lord
Jesus —
[Of itself, affliction cannot effect this ; but when accom- panied by Divine grace, it often does. Indeed where a willing- ness to receive instruction, and a desire after spiritual blessings are excited in the soul, and issue in fervent prayer to God, there we may reasonably hope that all spiritual blessings will flow into the soul. God will not suffer any to seek his face in vain. Even though, like Manasseh, we may have brought down
c Hos. v. 15. d Isai. xxvi. 16. e vcr. 6, 13, 19, 28.
f Acts ix. 3, 4, 8.