We are told that the Lord "doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." It is certain, however, that all those who have been raised up to excel in any thing good, and to be useful among men, have always had an uncommon portion of trials, reproaches, persecutions, and sufferings. But what would have been the consequences to themselves and others had they not experienced these things, or had a less portion of them fallen to their lot? How little of that goodness found in them would have existed had they not had these trials! and how much less useful would they have been to others! Not a particle of trouble or affliction was appointed to them, or permitted to come upon them, but what was necessary for their well-being, or that would turn to their benefit and advantage.

Why was it that the apostle Paul underwent so great afflictions? and why was it that a thorn was given to him in the flesh, the messenger of Satan, to buffet, or (as it signifies) to strike him with the double fist? which was so painful and annoying to him that he "besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from him." The apostle tells us the reason why this grievous trial was permitted to him. "Lest" says he "I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations." How good and beneficial, then, was this affliction to the apostle, though painful and distressing to him in the extreme. And so it will be with every trial and affliction that shall come upon a sincere person. They all tend to his benefit and advantage, and are permitted to come upon him only for his furtherance in what is right, and are but evidences of the Lord's gracious and merciful intentions toward him. No truth is more certain or more fully supported by scriptures than this. " For whom the Lord loveth" says the apostle, " He chasteneth ; " and he tells us, moreover, that He chastens us "for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness." Hence it is that the Scriptures so repeatedly speak of the blessedness of trials and afflictions, and so many under the New-Testament dispensation have been enabled to rejoice in them. " My brethren," says the apostle James, " count it all joy when ye fall into divers trials, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." The apostle Paul also exhorts to be "patient in tribulation," and in writing to the Romans says, " We glory in tribulation also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope."

The apostle Paul, after he learned for what reason the messenger of Satan was permitted to buffet him, says in reference to it, " Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Cor. 12:10.)