Remarks on the Uses of Chastisement [pp. 342-357]

The Uses of Chastisement.
walking with God does not suffer this, for the whole armour of God protects him from the most unexpected assaults:
" he is not afraid of evil tidings, his heart is fixed, trusting in
the Lord:" but the slumbering and lukewarm professor sinks
disheartened. In wsin does he apply himself to earthly solaces
for alleviation of his grief. With shame, and p.,in of conscience, does he endeavour to ask deliverance of his offended
Father. Every petition that he utters, is accompanied with
a sense of weakness. The blessedness which once he spake
of is gone; the habit of devout waiting upon God is suspended; the way to the throne of grace is obstructed. How confidently would he offer his petitions, if he were persuaded of
his own acceptance: how gladly would he plead the promises, if
he felt his title to them secured in Christ. But alas! it is not
with him as in days that are past, when the candle of the Lord
shone on him. His mind has become attached to the earth;
his views of the blessed Redeemer are indistinct; he is convinced that his strength has departed, that his faith languishes,
and that he is defiled with sin.
Now his repentings are kindled; now he knows how evil
and bitter a thing it is to forsake the Lord, and to depart from
his fear; and when he considers how long God has borne
with him, how many favours he has received, and how brutish has been his ingratitude, his heart is broken, his tears
flow, he seeks the lowest place in the dust of abasement,
wonders that affliction has not long since overtaken him for
his carelessness and neglect, and bows before the Lord without a murmur. At such a time, the language of the afflicted
soul will be: "Wherefore doth a living man complain,a man
for the punishment of his sins? Let us search and try our
ways, and turn again unto the Lord: let us lift up our heart
with our hands unto God in the heavens: we have transgressed and have rebelled, thou hast not pardoned, thou hast covered thyself with a cloud that our prayer should not pass
through: mine eye trickleth down and ceaseth not, without
any interruption, till the Lord look down and behold from
heaven. "
Christian brethren, who have known affliction, and have
been chastened of the Lord, that you should not be condemned
with the world; who have suffered the loss of friends, of
health, of property, of reputation, how often has one hour of
such trials done more to show you your sins, and humble you
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