"Another heart quieting consideration is, that afflictions work for good. Judah's captivity in Babylon was for their good. 'It is good for me that I have been afflicted,' (Psalm 119:71). Afflictions to the godly are medicinal. Out of the most poisonous drugs God extracts our sal-
vation. Afflictions are as needful as ordinances (1 Peter 1:6). No ves-
sel can be made of gold without fire; so it is impossible that we should be made vessels of honour, unless we are melted and refined in the furnace of affliction. 'All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,' (Psalm 25:10). As the painter intermixes bright colours with dark shadows; so the wise God mixes mercy with judgment.
"Those afflictive providences which seem to be prejudicial, are bene-
ficial. Let us take some instances in Scripture. Joseph's brethren throw him into a pit; afterwards they sell him; then he is cast into prison; yet all this did work for his good. His abasement made way for his advancement, he was made the second man in the kingdom. 'You thought evil against me, but God meant it for good,' (Gen. 50:20). Jacob wrestled with the angel, and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint. This was sad; but God turned it to good, for there he saw God's face, and there the Lord blessed him. 'Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, for I have seen God face to face,' (Gen. 32:30). Who would not be willing to have a bone out of joint, so that he might have a sight of God?"
