Device #9 and Remedies
‘By presenting to the soul the crosses, losses, reproaches, sorrows, and sufferings that do daily attend those that walk in the ways of holiness.”
This device goes hand in hand with the previous. He shows the perceived blessedness of the lost man and then magnifies the difficulties of a life of holiness. Saith Satan, “You were better to walk in ways that are less troublesome, and less afflicted, though they be more sinful; for who but a madman would spend his days in sorrow, vexation, and affliction, when it may be prevented by walking in the ways that I set before him?” For remedies consider:
- That all the afflictions that do attend the people of God, are such as shall turn to the profit and glorious advantage of the people of God.
- That all the afflictions that do befall the saints, do only reach their worser part; they reach not, they hurt not, their noble part, their best part.
- That the afflictions that do attend the saints in the way of holiness, are but short and momentary.
- That the afflictions that do befall the saints are such as proceed from God’s dearest love.
- That it is our duty and glory not to measure afflictions by the smart but by the end.
- That the design of God in all the afflictions that do befall them, is only to try them; it is not to wrong them, nor to ruin them, as ignorant souls are apt to think.
- That the afflictions, wrath, and misery that do attend the ways of wickedness, are far greater and heavier than those are that do attend the ways of holiness.
Quick Thoughts:
