Jam. i. 1 2. Blessed is the man that endurefh temptation : for^ when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
UNDER the afflictions with which we are visited in this vale of tears, philosophy has suggested many- grounds for resignation and submission : but to find in them matter for self-congratulation and joy, was beyond the reach of unassisted reason. To that how- ever are we led by the voice of Revelation, which
teaches
1140.] god's testimony op his tempted people. 23
teaches us to look with confidence to a future state, wherein all that we endure for God, and in meek submission to his will, shall be compensated with a weight of glory, proportioned to the trials we have here sustained for his sake, and the spiritual im- provement which we have derived from them. St. James, who wrote to " his Jewish brethren who were scattered abroad" through the violence of persecu- tion, frequently repeats this consolatory idea. He begins with bidding them to " count it all joy when they fall into divers temptations." Towards the close of his epistle he declares this to be at least the per- suasion of his own mind; "Behold, we count them happy that endure^." But in the text he does not hesitate to affirm it as an unquestionable truth, that such persons are truly blessed : " Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for, when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him," Now as he spake this by inspiration from God, I shall consider it as a declaration from God himself; and shall unfold to you,
I. God's testimoTiy respecting his tempted people — '" Blessed is the man that endureth temptation" —
This sentiment doubtless, at first sight, appears very paradoxical —
[How can it be ? Consider the state of God's tempted people. Consider only the lighter trials which they are called to bear for tlieir Lord's sake : hatred, reproach, contempt, ridicule, the opposition of their nearest friends and relatives ; this, every one that will follow the Lord Jesus Christ must en- dure : a variety of circumstances may tend to screen a man from heavier trials ; but these, in some measure at least, are the lot of all, even of the least and poorest of Christ's followers, as well as of the most conspicuous among them : let the light but shine even into the poorest cottage, and the surrounding darkness will evince its incapacity to maintain communion with it. But come to the severer trials which thousands have to sustain : think of privations, the most distressing that can be imagined to flesh and blood : think of bonds, and impri- sonment : think of death in its most terrible and appalling
forms : • Cb. V. 1 1.