THOUGHTS FOR THE AFFLICTED
A Christian under manifold trials replied to the following effect, to a friend who was condoling with him: “I look around, and I see how many there are who are much more heavily afflicted than myself. I look within, and I see how much corruption there is in my heart, which needs to be mortified, and which provokes the rod. I look downward, and I see that hell which I deserve, and from which grace alone has delivered me. I look upward, and I see that God whose hand overrules all events, and who doeth all things wisely and well. I look backward, and I see from how many troubles he has delivered me, and how many sharp afflictions he has made to work together for my good. I look forward, and I see that ‘far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory’ to which he is conducting me, and for which, by those afflictions, he is preparing me. And when I have looked in all these directions, I do not think much of my afflictions.”