Afflictions, Not to be altogether taken up with the sense of them. [ 1861]
IT is very observable of Iacob, That when his Wife dyed in Childbirth, she called the child Benoni,* 1.1 that is, a son of sorrowes; But Iacob, in all probabili∣ty, thought thus with himself, If I should call this Child Benoni, every time that I name him, it would put me in mind of the death of my dear Wife, which will be a continual affliction to me, and therefore I will nor have my child of that name,* 1.2 but will from henceforth call him Benjamin, that is, the son of my right hand. And this of Iacob may serve to shew us thus much, That when Afflictions befall us,* 1.3 we should not give way to have our thoughts continually upon them, alwayes poring on them, ever thinking and speaking of them, but rather to have our thoughts on those things that may comfort us, or that may stirre up our thankfulnesse to God for mercies, even in the very midst of our Afflictions afforded unto us.