Lam. iii. 27 — 29. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. He sitteth alone, and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. He putteth his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.
THERE are in the Holy Scriptures many passages which appear strange and paradoxical, but which do indeed contain the most important truths. " It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting/' says Solomon : and again, " Sor- row is better than laughter a." These, taken in con- junction with our text, " It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth," are as much opposed to the general sense of mankind, as any assertions can be : yet, the more they are considered, the more just and important will they be found. The truth is, that men judge of things only by their reference to time ; but God's estimate is formed with a more im- mediate reference to eternity. If we consider only the operation of natural causes, we may see that the declaration in our text is just : for it is a common proverb, that ' practice makes easy ;' and the earlier we are initiated into any art or science, the greater progress in it may be expected : but trials are indis- pensably necessary for the exercise of many of the Christian virtues : faith is called forth by difficulties ; meekness and patience by provocations ; forgiveness by injuries : so that a growth in these graces may be considered as materially advanced by early and long- continued occasions for their exercise. But, such is the corruption of our nature, that we need trials to purge it away : it is by fire that even good men must be refined from their dross : and, if we are called to experience afflictions in early life, we may hope our improvement will be proportionally great. In con- firmation of this sentiment, we propose to shew the benefit of early afflictions,
a Eccl. vii. 2, 3.