Page:Query in the Gospel Magazine for October M.DCC.LXXI (1783).pdf/5

 it got worſe instead of better. By his afflictions, he may be terrified at the diſcovery he has of him ſelf, and deem his awful feelings certain badges of alienation from God; whereas the truth is, the heart is just what it was before, enmity againſt God; but grace has brought it more to light, and therefore the advantage is greatly on the ſide of the patient, as an hidden enemy is by far more dangerous than an open one. Perhaps in the days of Job's firſt proſperity, it would have been difficult to perſuade him, that he was capable of charging God with dealing cruelly by him; but his afflictions irritated the enmity of his heart, and drew it forth in it's native oppoſition to God. Had not this enmity been native in his heart, it had not, on this occaſion, been drawn forth: The pious man might have continued it's ſubject ignorantly, therefore it's manifeſtation was certainly to his advantage.

2dly, Afflictions are ſanctified and for good, when they put our faith to the trial, that we may feel how weak it is, and how ſubject we are to doubt the mercy and goodneſs of a gracious God to us in the day of our calamity. It is not enough that we attain the knowledge of Chriſt, as the keeper of our perſons; but God will make him known as the keeper of our faith alſo: Which knowledge is attainable only by faith being put to the trial, without communicated aſſiſtance for that preſent time, that, by feeling it's own infirmity and weakneſs, it may live upon its proper object, and not upon itſelf: Hence, in the beginning of any ſevere affliction, the foul is ſometimes left to itſelf, in its own ſtrength, to ſtruggle at once againſt the ſtreams of affliction, unbelief, and riſing corruption, that the Lord may ſhew unto us all that is in our hearts. It was to little purpoſe Jeſus told the lous,