Page:Query in the Gospel Magazine for October M.DCC.LXXI (1783).pdf/4

 aſſured that his afflictions are ſanctified? I might anſwer, when he finds more love to God, more ſubmiſſion to the divine will, more patience in tribulation, and more of a ſpirit of prayer and ſupplication than before, as is commonly anſwered in ſuch a caſe. But I cannot perſuade myſelf, that this is the happieſt method of ſtrengthening the weak hands, and confirming the feeble knees of God's poor afflicted children, ſeeing ſome people may examine very cloſely, and yet be able to apprehend nothing, but the very contrary of theſe feelings; and does our divine religion provide no ground of encouragement for them? yes verily; and afflictions are certainly ſanctified, when,

1ſt, They draw forth our latent corruptions to view, which is frequently done, when, in reality, we cannot find more love to God, more humble ſubmiſſion to his will, more of a ſpirit of prayer, and more heart-inclination to ſpiritual duties: Inſtead of love, the enmity of the carnal heart may be diſcovered; inſtead of humble ſubmiſſion to his will, we may experience an impatient rebellious ſpirit, which we could hardly have believed ourſelves the ſubjects of, without this diſagreeable experience. There theſe corruptions dwelt before, but lay concealed in the deep receſſes of the ſoul, till the harrow of affliction brought them to view; "whatſoever doth make manifeſt is light, and all light cometh from God the father of lights; hence ſome are afflicted, and ſee no more of their hearts than before, becauſe the light of God's Spirit never ſhone at all into their hearts to bring them to view. But, in this caſe, the believer is apt to mſitake the real effects of afflictions for evils inſtead of bleſſings; when unbelief, impatience, and carnal enmity, pride, and ſelf, are manifeſted, he concludes that his heart aſſured that his afflictions are ſanctified? I might anſwer, when he finds more love to God, more ſubmiſſion to the divine will, more patience in tribulation, and more of a ſpirit of prayer and ſupplication than before, as is commonly anſwered in ſuch a caſe. But I cannot perſuade myſelf, that this is the happieſt method of ſtrengthening the weak hands, and confirming the feeble knees of God's poor afflicted children, ſeeing ſome people may examine very cloſely, and yet be able to apprehend nothing, but the very contrary of theſe feelings; and does our divine religion provide no ground of encouragement for them? yes verily; and afflictions are certainly ſanctified, when,

1ſt, They draw forth our latent corruptions to view, which is frequently done, when, in reality, we cannot find more love to God, more humble ſubmiſſion to his will, more of a ſpirit of prayer, and more heart-inclination to ſpiritual duties: Inſtead of love, the enmity of the carnal heart may be diſcovered; inſtead of humble ſubmiſſion to his will, we may experience an impatient rebellious ſpirit, which we could hardly have believed ourſelves the ſubjects of, without this diſagreeable experience. There theſe corruptions dwelt before, but lay concealed in the deep receſſes of the ſoul, till the harrow of affliction brought them to view; "whatſoever doth make manifeſt is light, and all light cometh from God the father of lights; hence ſome are afflicted, and ſee no more of their hearts than before, becauſe the light of God's Spirit never ſhone at all into their hearts to bring them to view. But, in this caſe, the believer is apt to miſtake the real effects of afflictions for evils inſtead of bleſſings; when unbelief, impatience, and carnal enmity, pride, and ſelf, are manifeſted, he concludes that his heart is