The design of God in these dispensations was in a more especial manner an occasion of gratitude to his soul. He felt that by this his diversified experi- ence, he was better fitted for the discharge of his high office, and better quahfied to comfort his afflicted brethren. By it,
1. He was better qualified to comfort others —
[None but those who have been in deep waters are capable of entering into the feelings of a tempest-tossed soul. It was from his " having been in all points tempted like as we are, that Jesus himself was so tenderly touched with the feeling of our infirmities," and that he acquired, so to speak, " a power to succour his tempted people'." Thus Paul learned to parti- cipate with others both in their joys and sorrows. Were they assaulted either by men or devils, he knew both the extent of the trial, and the consolations proper to be suggested for the mitigation of it. He could delineate the workings of the afflicted mind : he could state its various discouragements, and the devices by which Satan laboured to aggravate its sorrows. He needed only to report his own experience, and to apply to others the remedies he had found effectual for his own soul. In a word, the lessons which he himself had learned in the school of adversity, he was enabled to teach others, and thus eventually to " comfort others with the same comfort where- with he himself had been comforted of God."
Now this very consideration constituted no small part of that comfort for which he so gratefully adored his God. He saw that, whether he was afflicted or comforted, his experience was designed to promote, and did actually promote, " the consola- tion and salvation of others^:" and there he did rejoice, and determined, even though his trials should proceed to the utmost possible extremity, to rejoice, and to bless and magnify his God^.
In this view will every faithful minister rejoice, thankful alike either for joys or sorrows, if only they may fit him for a more profitable exercise of his ministry, and ultimately advance that for which alone he deserves to live, the consolation and salvation of those committed to his charge.]
2. He was made to edify others by his example —
[The supports which Paul experienced under his accumu- lated trials, were a source of great encouragement to others. His imprisonment at Rome, which he was apprehensive might intimidate many, and impede the success of his ministry,
i Heb. ii. 18. and iv. 15. ^ ver. 6. ' Phil. ii. 17, 18.