Jam. i. 12. Blessed is the man that endure th 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 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, pioportioned to the trials we have here sustained for his sake, and the spiritual improve- ment which we have derived from them. St. James, who wrote to " his Jewish brethren who were scat- tered abroad" through the violence of persecution, 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 persuasion of his own mind ; " Behold, we count them happy that endure8." 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
a Jam. v. 11.