 Chapter 5 of the Crook and the Lot, or the Sovereignty and Wisdom of God, and the Afflictions of Men displayed. This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Elsie Selwyn. The Crook and the Lot, or the Sovereignty and Wisdom of God, and the Afflictions of Men displayed by Thomas Boston. Proposition 2. We shall not be able to mend the crook and our lot. Proposition 2. What God sees meet to mar, we shall not be able to mend in our lot. What crook God makes in our lot, we shall not be able to even. We shall, 1. Show God's marring and making a crook and one's lot as he sees meet. 2. We shall consider men's attempting to mend or even the crook and their lot. 3. In what sense it is to be understood that we shall not be able to mend or even the crook and our lot. 4. Render some reasons of the point. 1. As to the first head, namely to show God's marring and making a crook and one's lot as he sees meet. First, God keeps the choice of everyone's crook to himself and there and he exerts his sovereignty. Matthew 20, 15. It is not left to our option what that crook shall be or what our peculiar burden, but as the Potter makes of the same clay one vessel for one use, another for another use, so God makes one crook for one, another for another, according to his own will and pleasure. Psalms 135, 6. Quote, whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in heaven and in earth, end quote, etc. Secondly, he sees and observes the bias of everyone's will and inclination, how it lies and wherein it especially bends away from himself and consequently wherein it needs the special bow. So he did in that man's case, Mark 10, 21, quote, one thing thou lackest, go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor, end quote, etc. Observe the bent of his heart to his great possessions. He takes notice of what is that idol that in everyone's case is most apt to be his rival, that so he may suit the trial to the case making the crook there. Thirdly, by the conduct of his providence or a touch of his hand, he gives that part of one's lot a bow the contrary way, so that henceforth it lies quite contrary to the bias of the party's will, Ezekiel 24, 25, and here the trial is made. The bent of the will lying one way and that part of one's lot another, that it does not answer the inclination of the party but thwarts it. Fourthly, he wills that crook on the lot to remain while he sees meat for a longer or shorter time just according to the holy ends he designs it for, 2, Samuel 12, 10, Hosea 5, 15. By that will it is so fixed that the whole creation cannot alter it or put it out of the bow. Two, we shall consider men's attempting to mend or even that crook in their lot. This in a word lies in their making efforts to bring their lot in that point to their own will, that they may both go one way so it imports three things. First, a certain uneasiness under the crook and the lot. It is a yoke which is hard for the party to bear till his spirit be tamed and subdued, Jeremiah 31, 18. Quote, Thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, turn thou me and I shall be turned, end quote, etc. And it is for the breaking down of the weight of one spirit that God lays it on, for which cause it is declared to be a good thing to bear it. Lamentations 3, 27. That being the way to make one at length as a weaned child. Secondly, a strong desire to have the cross removed and to have matters in that part going according to our inclinations. This is very natural, nature desiring to be freed from everything that is burdensome or crossed to it. And if that desire be kept in a due subordination to the will of God and it be not too peremptory, it is not sinful. Matthew 26, 39. Quote, If it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not as I will, unquote, etc. Hence, so many accepted prayers of the people of God for the removal of the crook in their lot. Thirdly, an earnest use of means for that end. This naturally follows on that desire, the man being pressed with the cross, which is in his crook, labours all he can in the use of means to be rid of it. And if the means used be lawful and not relied upon, but followed with an eye to God in them, the attempt is not sinful whether he succeeded in the use of them or not. Three, in what sense it is to be understood that we shall not be able to mend or even the crook in our lot. It is not to be understood as if the case were absolutely hopeless and that there is no remedy for the crook in the lot. For there is no case so desperate, but God may write it. Genesis 18, 14. Quote, Is anything too hard for the Lord? End quote. When the crook has continued long and spurned all remedies, one has used for it. One is ready to lose hope about it, but many a crook given over for hopeless that would never mend God has made perfectly straight as in Job's case. But we shall never be able to mend it by ourselves if the Lord himself take it not in hand to remove it. It will stand before us immovable, like a mountain of brass, though perhaps it may be in itself a thing that might easily be removed. We take it up in these three things. One, it will never do by the mere force of our hand. One, Samuel 2,9. Quote, For by strength shall no man prevail. End quote. The most vigorous endeavors we can use will not even the crook if God give it not a touch of his hand so that all endeavors that way without an eye to God are vain and fruitless and will be but plowing on the rock. Psalms 127. One, two, two. The use of all allowable means for it will be successless unless the Lord bless them for that end. Lamentations 337. Quote, Who was he that saith and it cometh to path when the Lord commandeth it not? End quote. As one may eat and not be satisfied so one may use means proper for evening the crook in his lot and yet prevail nothing. For nothing can be or do for us any more than God makes it be or do. Ecclesiastics 911. Quote, The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Neither yet bred to the wise nor yet riches to men of understanding. End quote. Etc. Three, it will never do in our time but in God's time which seldom is so early as ours. John 76. Quote, My time is not yet come but your time is always ready. End quote. Hence that crook remains sometimes immovable as if it were kept by an invisible hand and at another time it goes away with a touch because God's time is come for evening it. Four, we shall now assign the reasons of the point. First, because of the absolute dependence we have upon God acts 1728. As the light depends on the sun or the shadow on the body so we depend on God and without him can do nothing, great or small, and God will have us to find it so to teach us our dependence. Secondly, because his will is irresistible. Isaiah 100 in 56, 10. Quote, My counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure. End quote. When God wills one thing and the creature the contrary it is easy to see which will must be done. When the omnipotent arm holds in vain does the creature draw. Job 9, 4. Quote, Who hath hardened himself against him and prospered. End quote. Inference 1. There is a necessity of yielding and submitting to the crook and our lot for we may as well think to remove the rocks and mountains which God has settled as to make that part of our lot straight which he hath made crooked. 2. The evening of the crook and our lot by main force of our own is but a cheat we put on ourselves and will not last, but like a stick by main force made straight it will quickly return to the bow again. 3. The only effectual way of getting the crook evened is to apply to God for it. Exhortation 1. Let us then apply to God for removing any crook and our lot that in the settled order of things may be removed. Men cannot cease to desire the removal of a crook more than that of a thorn in the flesh, but since we are not able to mend what God sees meet to mar it is evident we are to apply to him that made it to amend it and not take the evening of it in our own hand. Motive 1. All our attempts for its removal will without him be vain and fruitless. Psalms 127. 1. Let us be as resolute as we will to have it evened if God say it not we will labor in vain. Lamentations 3. 37. Howsoever fair the means we use bid for it they will be ineffectual if he command not the blessing. Ecclesiastics 9. 11. 2. Such attempts will readily make it worse. Nothing is more ordinary than for a proud spirit striving with the crook to make it more crooked. Ecclesiastics 10. 8. 9. Quote. Whoso breaketh a hedge a serpent shall bite him. Whoso removeeth stones shall be hurt therewith. End quote. Etc. This is evident in the case of the murmurers in the wilderness. It naturally comes to be so because at that rate the will of the party bends farther away from it and moreover God is provoked to wreath the yoke faster about one's neck that he will by no means let it sit easy on him. 3. There is no crook but what may be remedied by him and made perfectly straight. Psalms 146. 8. Quote. The Lord raises them that are bowed down. End quote. Etc. He can perform that concerning which there remains no hope with us. Romans 417. Quote. Who quickeneth the dead and calleth those things which be not as though they were. End quote. It is his prerogative to do wonders, to begin a work where the whole creation gives it over as hopeless and carry it onto perfection. Genesis 1814. 4. He loves to be employed in evening crooks and calls us to employ him that way. Psalms 5015. Quote. Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee. End quote. Etc. He makes them for that very end that he may bring us to him on that errand and may manifest his power and goodness in evening of them. Hosea 515. The straits of the children of men afford a large field for displaying his glorious perfections which otherwise would be wanting. Exodus 1511. 5. A crook thus evened is a double mercy. There are some crooks evened by a touch of the hand of common providence while people are either not exercised about them or when they fret for their removal. These are sapless mercies and short lived. Psalms 78. 30. 31. Hosea 1311. Fruits thus too hastily plucked off the tree of providence can hardly miss to set the teeth on edge and will certainly be bitter to the gracious soul. But owe the sweets of the evening of the crook by a humble application to and waiting on the Lord. It has the image and superscription of divine favor upon it which makes it bulky and valuable. Genesis 3310. Quote. For therefore I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God. End quote. Etc. Chapter 21. 6. 6. God has signalized his favor to his dearest children in making and mending notable crooks and their lot. His darling ones ordinarily have the greatest crooks made in their lot. Hebrews 126. But then they make way for their richest experiences and the removal of them upon their application to him. This is clear from the case of Abraham, Jacob and Joseph. Which of the patriarchs had so great crooks as they, but which of them on the other hand had such signal tokens of the divine favor? The greatest men as Samson and the Baptist have been born of women naturally barren. So do the greatest crooks issue in the richest mercies to them that are exercised thereby. 7. It is the shortest and surest way to go straight to God with the crook in the lot. If we would have our wish in that point we must as the eagle first soar aloft and then come down on the pray. Mark 536. Our faithless out of the way attempts to even the crook are but our fools haste. That is no speed as in the case of Abraham's going into haggar. God is the first mover who sets all the wheels in motion for evening the crook, which without him will remain immovable. Hosea 2, 21, 22. Object 1. Quote. But it is needless for I see that though the crook in my lot may mend yet it never will mend. In its own nature it is capable of being removed, but it is plain it is not to be removed it is hopeless. End quote. Answer. That is the language of unbelieving haste which faith and patience should correct. Songs 116, 1112. Abraham had as much to say for the hopelessness of his crook, but yet he applies to God in faith for the mending of it. Romans 4, 19, 20. Sarah had made such a conclusion for which she was rebuked. Genesis 18, 13, 14. Nothing can make it needless in such a case to apply to God. Object 2. Quote. But I have applied to him again and again for it yet it has never mended. End quote. Answer. Delays are not denials of suits at the court of heaven, but trials of the faith and patience of the petitioners. And Hosea will persevere, will certainly speed at length. Luke 18, 7, 8. Quote. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear along with them, I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. End quote. Sometimes indeed folks grow petish in the case of the crook and the lot, and let it drop out in their prayers in a course of despondency, while yet it continues un-easy to them. But if God mind to even it in mercy, he will oblige them to take it in again. Ezekiel 36, 37. Quote. I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them. End quote. Etc. If the removal come while it has dropped, there will be little comfort in it. Though we're never to be removed while we live, that should not cut off our applying to God for the removal, for there are many prayers not to be answered till we come to the other world, Romans 7, 24, and there all will be answered at once. Directions for rightly managing the application for removing the crook and the lot. 1. Pray for it. Ezekiels 36, 37. And pray in faith, believing that for the sake of Jesus, you shall certainly obtain at length and in this life too if it is good for you. But without peradventure in the life to come. Matthews 21, 22. They will not be disappointed that get the song of Moses and of the Lamb. Revelation 15, 3. And in some cases of that nature, extraordinary prayer with fasting is very expedient. Matthews 17, 21. 2. Humble yourself under it as the yoke which the sovereign hand has laid on you. Michael 7, 9. Quote, I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him. End quote. Etc. Justify God, condemn yourselves, kiss the rod, and go quietly under it. This is the most feasible way to get rid of it, the end being obtained. James 4, 10. Quote, thou wilt prepare their hearts, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. End quote. Psalms 10, 17. 3. Wait on patiently till the hand that made it mend it. Psalms 27, 14. Do not give up the matter as hopeless because you are not so soon relieved as you would wish. Quote. But let patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect in entire wanting nothing. End quote. James 1, 4. Leave the timing of the deliverance to the Lord, his time will at length to conviction, appear the best, and it will not go beyond it. Isaiah 60, 22. Quote, I the Lord will hasten it in his time. End quote. Waiting on him, ye will not be disappointed. Quote. Part they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. End quote. Isaiah 69, 23. Exhortation 2. What crook there is which in the settled order of things cannot be removed or evened in this world, let us supply to God for suitable relief under it. For instance, the common crook and a lot of saints be in dwelling sin as God has made that crook not to be removed here, he can certainly balance it and afford relief under it. The same is to be said of any crook while it remains unremoved. In such cases, apply yourself to God for making up your losses another way. And there are five things I would have you to keep in view and aim at here. One, to take God in Christ for, and instead of that thing, the withholding or taking away of which from you makes the crook in your lot, songs 162, 4, 5. There is never a crook which God makes in our lot, but it is in effect heaven's offer of a blessed exchange to us, such as Mark 10, 21, quote. Sell whatsoever thou hast, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, end quote. In managing of which exchange, God first puts out his hand and takes away some earthly thing from us, and at his expected we put out our hand next and take some heavenly thing from him and instead of it, and particularly his Christ. Wherefore has God emptied your left hand of such and such and earthly comfort? Stretch out your right hand to God in Christ, take him in the room of it, and welcome. Therefore the soul's closing with Christ is called buying, wherein parting with one thing we get another in its stead. Matthews 13, 45, 46, quote. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking godly pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price he went and sold all that he had and bought it, end quote. Do this, and you will be more than even hands with the crook in your lot. 2. Look for the stream running as full from him as ever it did or could run when the crook of the lot has dried it. This is the work of faith, confidently to depend on God for that which has denied us from the creature. Quote, When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up, end quote. Psalms 27, 10. This is a most rational expectation, for it is certain there is no good in the creature, but what is from God, therefore there is no good to be found in the creature, the stream, but what may be got immediately from God the fountain. And it is a well complete to come to God and say, Now, Lord, thou hast taken away from me such a creature comfort, I must have as good from thyself. 3. Seek for the spiritual fruits of the crook in the lot. Hebrews 12, 11. We see the way in the world is, when one trade fails, to fall on and drive another trade. So should we, when there is a crook in the lot, making our earthly comforts low, set ourselves the more for spiritual attainments. If our trade with the world sinks, let us seek to drive a trade with heaven more vigorously. See if by means of the crook we can obtain more faith, love, heavenly mindedness, contempt of the world, humility, self-denial, etc. 2. Corinthians 6, 10. So while we lose, at one hand we shall gain at another. 4. Grace to bear us up under the crook. 2. Corinthians 12, 8, 9. For this thing I be sought the Lord thrice. And he said, My grace is sufficient for thee. Whether a man be faint and have a light burden, or be refreshed and strengthened and have a heavy one, it is all the same. The latter can go as easy under his burden as the former under his. Grace proportioned to the trial is what we should aim at. Sitting that, though the crook be not even, we are even hands with it. 5. The keeping in our eye the eternal rest and weight of glory in the other world. 2. Corinthians 4, 17, 18. Quote, For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and internal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. This will balance the crook in your lot, be it what it will, while they who have no well-granted hope of salvation will find the crook in their lot in this world such a weight, as they have nothing to counterbalance it. But the hope of eternal rest may bear up under all the toil and trouble met with here. 3. Let us then set ourselves rightly to bear the crook in our lot, while God sees me to continue it. What we cannot mend, let us bear Christianly and not fight against God and so kick against the pricks. So let us bear it. 1. Patiently without fuming and fretting or murmuring. James 5, 7. Psalms 37, 7. Though we lose our comfort in the creature through the crook in our lot, let us not lose the possession of ourselves. Luke 21, 19. The crook in our lot makes us like one who has but a scanty fire to warm at, but impatience under it scatters it, so as to set the house on fire about us and expose us to danger. Proverbs 25, 28. Quote, He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls. End quote. 2. With Christian fortitude without sinking under discouragement. Quote, Nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. End quote. Hebrews 12, 5. Satan's work is by the crook, or to bend or break people's spirits. And often times, by bending to break them, our work is to carry evenly under it, steering a middle course, guarding against splitting on the rocks on either hand. Our happiness lies not in any earthly comfort, nor will the want of any of them render us miserable. Habakkuk 3, 17, 18. So that we are resolutely to hold on our way with the holy contempt and regardlessness of hardships. Job 17, 9. Quote, The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. End quote. Question. Quote, When may anyone be reckoned to fall under sinking discouragement from the crook in his lot? End quote. Answer. When it prevails so far as to unfit for duties, either of our particular or Christian calling, we may be sure it has carried us beyond the bounds of moderate grief. When it unfits us for the common affairs of life, which the Lord calls us to manage. 1. Corinthians 7, 24. Or for the duties of religion hindering them altogether. 1. Peter 3, 7. Quote, That your prayers be not hindered. End quote. Greek. Cut off or cut up like a tree from the roots. Or making one quite hopeless in them. Malachi 2, 13. 3. Let us bear it profitably, so as we may gain some advantage thereby. Psalms 114, 71. Quote, It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy statutes. End quote. There is an advantage to be made thereby. Romans 5, 3 through 5. And it is certainly an ill-managed crook in our lot when we get not some spiritual good of it. Hebrews 12, 11. The crook is the kind of spiritual medicine. And as it is lost physique that purges away no ill-humors in vain are its unpleasantness to the taste in its gripes and dirt. So it is a lost crook, and ill is the bitterness of it born if we are not bettered by it. Isaiah 27, 9. Quote, By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged. And this is all the fruit to take away his sin. End quote. What is to press this exhortation? Mode of one. There will be no evening of it while God sees me to continue it. Let us behave under it as we will and make what sallies we please in the case. It will continue immovable as fixed with bands of iron and brass. Job 13, 13, 14. Quote, But he is of one mind and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth even that he doeth for he performeth the thing that is appointed for me and many such things are with him? End quote. Is it not wisdom then to make the best we may of what we cannot mend? Make a virtue then of necessity. What is not to be cured must be endured and should with a Christian resignation. Mode of two. An awkward carriage under it notably increases the pain of it. What makes the yoke galler next? But that we struggle so much against it and cannot let it sit at ease on us. Jeremiah 31, 18. How often are we in that case like men dashing our heads against a rock to remove it? The rock stands unmoved but they are wounded and lose exceedingly by their struggle. And patience under the crook lays an overweight on the burden and makes it heavier while with all it weakens us and makes us less able to bear it. Mode of three. The crook in thy lot is the special trial God has chosen for thee to take thy measure by. 1 Peter 1, 6, 7. It is his God's fire whereby he tries what mental men are of. Heaven's touchstone for discovering true and counterfeit Christians. They may bear and go through several trials whom the crook in the lot will discover to be not because by no means they can bear that. Mark 10, 21, 22. Think then with thyself under it. Now hear the trial of my state turns. I must by this be proved either sincere or a hypocrite for can any be a cordial subject of Christ without being able to submit his lot to him? Do not all who sincerely come to Christ put a blank in his hand? Acts 9, 6. Psalms 47, 4. And does he not tell us that without that disposition we are not his disciples? Luke 14, 26. Quote, If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also he cannot be my disciple. End quote. Perhaps you find you can submit to anything, but that, there will not that but, more all. Mark 10, 21, 22. Did ever any hear of a sincere closing with Christ with a reserve or exception of one thing wherein they behoove to be their own lords? Question. Quote, Is that disposition then a qualification necessarily pre-required to our believing? And if so, where must we have it? Can we work it out of our own natural powers? End quote. Answer. No, it is not so, but it necessarily accompanies and goes along with believing. Flowing from the same saving illumination in the knowledge of Christ, whereby the soul is bought to believe on him. Hereby the soul sees him and able saviour and so trusts on him for salvation, the rightful lord in infinitely wise ruler and so submits the lot to him. Matthews 13, 45, 46. The soul taking him for a saviour takes him also for a head and ruler. It is Christ's giving himself to us and our receiving him that causes us to quit other things too and for him as it is the light that dispels the darkness. Case. Quote, Alas, I cannot get my heart freely to submit my lot to him in that point. End quote. Answer one, that submission will not be carried on in any way without a struggle. The old man will never submit to it and when the new man of grace is submitting to it the old man will still be rebelling. Galatians 5, 17, quote, for the flesh lusteth against the spirit in the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would, end quote. But are ye sincerely desirous and habitually aiming to submit to it? From the ungracious struggle against the crook turn away to the struggle with your own heart to bring it to submit believing the promise and using the means for it being grieved from the heart with yourself that you cannot submit to it. This is submitting of your lot in the favorable construction of the gospel. Romans 7, 17, 20, 2, Corinthians 8, 12. If you had your choice sought to submit to the crook then the crook even to your heart's desire. Romans 7, 22, 23 and do you not sincerely endeavor to submit notwithstanding the reluctancy of the flesh? Galatians 5, 17. Answer 2. Where is the Christian self-denial and taking up the cross without submitting to the crook? This is the first lesson Christ puts in the hands of his disciples Matthew 16, 17. Quote, If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. End quote. Self-denial would procure a reconciliation with the crook and an admittance of the cross but while we cannot bear our corrupt self to be denied any of its cravings and particularly that which God sees meet especially to be denied while we cannot submit to the crook. We cannot evidence ourselves Christians without conformity to Christ. Quote, He that sayeth he abideth and him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked. End quote. 1. John 2. 6. There is a continued crook in Christ's lot but he submitted to it. Philippians 2. 8. Quote, In being found in fashion as a man even the death of the cross. Romans 15. 3. For even Christ pleased not himself etc. And so must we if we will prove ourselves Christians indeed. Matthew 11. 29. 2. Timothy 2. 11. 12. Answer 4. How shall we prove ourselves the genuine kindly children of God if still warring with the crook? We cannot pray our father may the language of that practice is we must have our own will and God's will cannot satisfy us. Motive 4. The trial by the crook here will not last long. 1. Corinthians 7. 29. 331. What though the work be sore it may be the better comported with that it will not be long some a few days or years at farthest will put an end never be eased of it for if not eased before you will be eased of it at death come after it what will. A serious view of death and eternity make us set ourselves to behave rightly under our crook while it lasts. Motive 5. If you would in a Christian manner set yourselves to bear the crook you would find it easier than you imagine as to your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light end quote Satan has no ready or way to gain his purpose than to persuade men it is impossible that ever their minds should ply with the crook that it is a burden to them all together insupportable as long as you believe that be sure you will never be able to bear it but the Lord makes no crook in the lot of any for there is strength for that effect secured in the Covenant 2. Corinthians 3. 5. Philippians 4. 13. In being by faith fetched it will certainly come Psalms 28. 7. Motive 6. If you behave Christianly under your crook you will not lose your labor but get a full reward of grace in the other 15. 58. There is a blessing pronounced on him that endureth on this very ground James 1. 12. Quote blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him end quote wash their rose and made them white in the blood of the lamb end quote when you come there no vestiges of it will be remaining in your lot nor will you have the least uneasy remembrance of it but it will accent your praises and increase your joy. Motive 7. If you do not behave Christianly under it you will lose your heart. Do not submit to his yoke here and go quietly under it he will wreath his yoke about their neck forever with everlasting bonds that shall never be loosed. Job 9 4. Therefore set yourselves to behave rightly under the crook in your lot. End of Chapter 6 of the conversation about the crook in the lot or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Devorah Allen the crook in the lot or the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men displayed by Thomas Boston Chapter 6 Proposition 3 Proper means to behave rightly under the crook considering the crook in the lot as the work of God is a proper means to bring one to behave rightly under it. 1. What it is to consider the crook as the work of God we take it up in these five things first an inquiry into the spring once it rises Genesis 25 22 reason and religion both teach nor do we designedly make it for ourselves and to ascribe it to fortune is to ascribe it to nothing it is not sprung of itself but sown by one hand or another for us Job 56 and we are to notice the hand from once it comes secondly a perceiving of the hand of God in it whatever hand any creatures have therein we ought not to terminate Job 1 21 without this we shall make a God of the creature that is instrumental of the crook looking on it as if it were the first cause which is peculiar to God Romans 11 36 and bring ourselves under that doom Psalm 28 5 because they regard not the works of the Lord nor the operation of his hands he shall destroy them with the and wise ends becoming the divine perfections this is to take it by the right handle to represent it to ourselves under a right notion from whence a right management under it may spring it can never be safe to overlook God in it but very safe to overlook the creature ascribing it as David overlooked she may and looked to God in the matter of his cursing as one fixing his eyes not on the axe but on him that wielded it here two things are to come into our consideration first the decree of God purposing that crook for us from eternity for he worketh all things after the council of his own will Ephesians 11 the sealed book in which we are to look on them as made by the mountains of brass the immovable divine purposes Zechariah 6 1 this can be no presumption in that case if we carry it no further than the event goes in our sight and feeling for so far the book is open for us to look into secondly the providence of God bringing to pass that crook for us in time whatever kind of agency of the creatures may be in the making of our crook whatever they have done or not done towards it he is the spring that sets all the created wheels in motion which ceasing they would all stop though he is still infinitely pure in his agency however impure they be in theirs Job considered both of these chapter 23 14 fourthly a continuing in the thought of it as such it is not a simple glance a contemplating and leisurely viewing of it as his work that is the proper mean we are to be first habitually impressed with this consideration as the crook is some lasting grievance so the consideration of this as the remedy should be habitually kept up there are other considerations besides this that we must entertain so that we cannot always have it expressly in our mind but we must lay it down for a rooted principle in our position whereby it may expressly slip into our minds as occasion calls secondly we are to be occasionally exercised in it whenever we begin to feel the smart of the crook we should fetch in this remedy when the yoke begins to gall the neck there should be an application of this spiritual ointment and however often the former comes in on us it will be our wisdom to fetch in the latter as the proper remedy the oftener it is used it will come fifthly a considering it for the end for which it is proposed to us namely to bring us to a dutiful carriage under it men's corruptions will cause them to enter on the consideration of it but as the principle is so the end and effect of it will be corrupt second king 633 but we must enter on and use it for a good end if we would have good of it taking it as a practical to how it is to be understood to be a proper means to bring one to behave rightly under the crook not as if it were sufficient of itself and as it stands alone to produce that effect but as it is used in faith in the faith of the gospel that is to say a sinner's bear considering the crook in his lot as the work of god without any saving relation to him will never be a way to behave himself rightly under it but having believed in Jesus Christ and so taking god for his god the considering of the crook as the work of god his god is the proper means to bring him to that desirable temper and behavior many heroes mistake here when they hear such and such lawful considerations proposed for bringing them to duty they presently imagine that by the mere force of them they may gain the point and many preachers too who forgetting Christ in the gospel pretend by the force of reason to make men Christians the eyes of both being held that they do not see the corruption of men's nature which is such as sets the true cure above the force of reason all that they are sensible of being some ill habits which they think may be shaken off by a vigorous application of their rational faculties to clear this matter consider first is it rational to think to set fallen man with his corrupted nature to work the same way with innocent Adam that is to set beggars on a level with the rich lame men to a journey with those that have limbs innocent Adam had a stock of gracious abilities whereby he might by the force of moral considerations have brought himself to perform duty a right but where is that with us 2 Corinthians 3 5 whatever force be in them to a soul endowed with spiritual life what power have they to raise the dead Ephesians 2 1 secondly the scripture is very plain on this head showing the indispensable necessity of faith Hebrews 11 and that such as unites to Christ John 15 5 without me that is separate from me you can do nothing no not with all the moral considerations you can use how were the 10 commandments given on Mount Sinai not as bear exactions of duty but fronted with the gospel to be believed in the first place I am the Lord thy God etc and so Solomon who many regard rather as a moral philosopher than an inspired writer leading to Christ fronts his writings in the beginning of the Proverbs with most express gospel and must we have it expressly repeated on our Bibles with every moral precept or else shut our eyes and take these precepts without it that is the effect of our natural if we loved him more we should see him more in every page and in every command receiving the law at his mouth thirdly do but consider what it is to believe rightly under the crook in the lot what humiliation of soul self-denial and absolute resignation to the will of God must be in it what love to God it must proceed from how regard to his glory must influence it as the chief and see if it is not impossible for you to reach it without that faith aforementioned I know a Christian may reach it without full assurance but still according to the measure of their persuasion that God is their God so will their attainments in it be these keep equal pace oh what kind of hearts do they imagine themselves to have that think they can for a moment empty them of the creature farther than no doubt men may from the force of moral considerations work themselves to a behavior under the crook externally right such as many pagans had but a Christian disposition of spirit under it will never be reached without that faith in God objection then it is saints only that are capable of the improvement of that consideration answer yay indeed it is so as to that and all other moral considerations for true Christian and that amounts to no more than that directions for walking rightly are only for the living that have the use of their limbs and therefore that you may improve it set yourselves to believe in the first place three I shall confirm that it is a proper mean to bring one to behave rightly under it this will appear if we consider these four things one it is of great use to divert from the considering and dwelling on to irritate our corruption such are the bulking of our will and wishes the satisfaction we should have in the matters going according to our mind the instruments of the crook how injurious they are to us how unreasonable how obstinate et cetera the dwelling on these considerations is but the blowing of the fire within but to turn our eyes to it as the work of God would be a cure and such diversion of the thoughts is not only lawful but expedient and necessary two it has a moral aptitude for producing this good effect though our cure is not compassed by the mere force of reason yet it is carried on not by a brutal movement but in a rational way Ephesians 5 14 this consideration has a moral efficacy on our reason it is fit to awe us into a submission and ministers a deal of argument for behaving christianly under our crook 3 it has a divine appointment for that end which is to be believed Proverbs 3 6 so the text the creature in itself is an inefficacious and move less thing a mere vanity Act 17 28 that which makes anything a means fit for the end is a word of divine appointment Matthew 4 4 to use anything then for an end without the faith of this is to make a god of the creature therefore it is to be used in a dependence on god according to that word of appointment 1st Timothy 4 4 and 5 and everything is fit for the end for which god has appointed it this consideration is appointed for that end and therefore is a fit means for it 4 the spirit may be expected to work by it and does work by it in them that believe and look to him for it for as much as it is a mean of his own appointment papists, legalists and all superstitious persons devised various means of sanctification seeming to have or really having a moral fitness for the same but they are quite ineffectual because like Abana and Pharper they want a word of divine appointment for curing us of our leprosy therefore the spirit works not by them since they are not his instruments but devised of their own hearts and since even the means of divine appointment are ineffectual without the spirit these can never be effectual but this consideration having a divine appointment the spirit works by it use then take this direction for your behaving rightly under the crook in your lot ignore yourselves to consider it as the work of god and for helping you to improve it so as it may be effectual I offer these advices one consider it as the work of your god in Christ this is the way to sprinkle it with gospel grace and so to make it tolerable Psalm 22 1 the discerning of a father's hand in the crook will take out much of the bitterness of it and sugar the pill to you for this cause it will be necessary solemnly to take god for your god under your crook Psalm 142 4 and 5 2 in all your encounters with it resolutely to believe and claim your interest in him 1 Samuel 30 6 2 enlarge the consideration with a view of the divine relations to you and the divine attributes consider it being the work of your god the work of your father elder brother head husband et cetera who therefore surely consults your good consider his holiness and justice showing he wrongs you not his mercy and goodness that it is not worse his sovereignty that may silence you his infinite wisdom and love that may satisfy you in it 3 consider what a work of his it is how it is a convincing work for bringing sin to remembrance a correcting work to chastise you for your follies a preventing work to hedge you up from courses of sin you would otherwise be apt to run into a trying work to discover your state your graces and corruptions a weaning work to wean you from the world and fit you for heaven 4 in all your considerations of it in this manner look upward for his spirit to render them effectual 1 Corinthians 3 6 thus may you behave Christianly under it till God make it even either here or in heaven Proverbs 16-19 better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud could men once be brought to believe that it is better to have their minds bend to the crook in their lot than to force the crook to their mind they would be in a fair way to bring their matters to account here then the divine decision in that case better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud in which words first there is a comparison instituted and that between two parties and two points wherein they vastly differ first the parties are the lowly and the proud who differ like heaven and earth the proud are climbing up and soaring aloft the lowly the intent to creep on the ground if that is the will of God let us view them more particularly as the text represents them on the one hand is the lowly here there is a line reading and a marginal both from the Holy Spirit and they differ only in a letter the former is the afflicted or poor that are low in their condition those that have a notable crook in their lot through affliction laid on them whereby their condition is lowered in the world the other is the lowly or meek humble ones who are low in their spirit as well as their condition and so have their minds brought down to their lot both together making the character of this lowly party on the other hand is the proud the gay and high-minded ones it is supposed here that they are cross too and have crooks in their lot for dividing the spoil is the consequent of a victory and a victory presupposes a battle second the points wherein these parties are supposed to differ namely being of a humble spirit and dividing the spoil afflicted and lowly ones may sometimes get their condition changed may be raised up on high and divide the spoil as Hannah Job etc the proud may sometimes be thrown down and crushed as Pharaoh Nebuchadnezzar etc but that is not the question whether it is better to be raised up with the lowly or thrown down with the proud there would be no difficulty in determining that but the question is whether it is better to be of a low and humble spirit in low circumstances with afflicted humble ones or to divide the spoil and get one's will with the proud if men would speak the native sentiments of their hearts that question would be determined in a contradiction to the text the points then here compared and set one against another are these having the spirit with afflicted lowly ones to be low of spirit for the word primarily denotes lowness in situation or state so the point here proposed is to be with or in the state of afflicted lowly ones having the spirit brought down to that low lot the lowness of the spirit balancing the lowness of one's condition on the other hand to divide the spoil with the proud the point here proposed is to be with or in the state of the proud having their lot by main force brought to their mind as those who taking themselves to be injured fight it out with the enemy overcome and divide the spoil according to their will secondly the decision made wherein the former is preferred to the latter better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud if these two parties were set before us it were better to take our lot with those of a low condition who have their spirits brought as low as their lot then with those who being of a proud and high spirit have their lot brought up to their mind a humble spirit is better than a heightened condition End of Chapter 6 Chapter 7 of the crook and the lot or the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men displayed this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Elsie Selwyn the crook and the lot or the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men displayed by Thomas Boston Chapter 7 better to be brought low than to be proud and get our will Doctrine there is a generation of lowly afflicted ones having their spirit lowered and brought down to their lot whose case in that respect is better than that of the proud getting their will and carrying all to their mind One we shall consider the generation of the lowly afflicted ones having their spirit brought down to their lot and we shall first lay down some general considerations about them One there is such a generation in the world bad as the world is the text expressly mentions them and the scripture elsewhere speaks of them as Psalms 912 and 1012 Matthews 5 3 with Luke 6 20 where shall we seek them not in heaven there are no afflicted ones there nor in hell there are no lowly or humble ones there whose spirit is brought to their lot in this world they must then be where the state of trial is Two if it were not so Christ as he was in the world would have no followers in it he was the head of that generation whom they all copy after quote learn of me for I am meek and lowly of heart end quote Matthews 1129 and for his honor and the honor of his cross they will never be wanting while the world stands Romans 829 quote whom he did for no he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son his image lies in these two suffering in holiness whereof lowliness is the chief part three nevertheless they are certainly very rare in the world augur observes that there is another generation Proverbs 3013 quote their eyes are lofty and their eyelids lifted up end quote quite opposite to them and this makes the greatest company by far the low and afflicted lot is not so very rare but the low disposition of spirit is rarely yoked with it many a high spirit keeps up in spite of lowering circumstances four they can be no more a number than the truly godly for nothing less than the power of divine grace can bring down men's minds from their native height and make their will pliant to the will of God two Corinthians 1045 men may put on a face of submission to a low and crossed lot because they cannot help it and they see it is in vain to strive but to bring the spirit truly to it must be the effect of humbling grace five though all the godly are of that generation yet there are some of them to whom that character more especially belongs the way to heaven lies through tribulation to all acts 1422 and all Christ's followers are reconciled to it notwithstanding Luke 1626 yet there are some of them more remarkably disciplined than others whose spirit is hereby humbled and brought down to their lot Psalms 131 quote surely I have behaved inquiated myself as a child that is weaned of his mother my soul is even as a weaned child end quote Philippians 41112 quote for I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need end quote 6 a lowly disposition of soul and habitual aim and bent of the heart that way has a very favorable construction put upon it in heaven should we look for a generation perfectly purged of pride and risings of heart against their adverse lot at any time we should find none in this world but those who are sincerely aiming and endeavoring to reach it and keep the way of contented submission though sometimes blown aside to it again God accounts to be that lowly generation 2 Corinthians 7 10 11 James 5 11 secondly we shall enter into particulars there are three things which together make up their character first affliction in their lot that lowly generation preferred to the proud and prosperous is a generation of afflicted ones whom God keeps under the discipline of the covenant we may take it up in these two one there is a yoke of affliction of one kind or another often times upon them Psalms 73 14 God is frequently visiting them as a master dot his scholars and a physician his patients whereas others are in a sort overlooked by him revelations 3 19 they are accustomed to the yoke in that from the time they enter into God's family Psalms 129 and 29 1 through 3 God sees it good for them Lamentations 3 27 28 2 there is a particular yoke of affliction which God has chosen for them that hangs about them and has seldom if ever taken off them Luke 9 23 that is their special trial the crook in their lot the yoke which lies on them for their constant exercise their other trials may be exchanged but that is a weight that still hangs about them 2 lowliness in their disposition and tenure of spirit there are a generation of lowly humble ones whose spirits God has by his grace brought down from their natural height and thus 1 they think soberly and meanly of themselves what they are 2 Corinthians 12 9 10 what they can do 2 Corinthians 3 5 what they are worth Genesis 32 viewing themselves in the glass of the divine law and perfection they see themselves as a massive imperfection and sinfulness Job 5 6 2 they think highly and honorably of God Psalms 145 3 they are taught by the spirit what God is and so entertain elevated thoughts of him they consider him as the sovereign of the world his perfections as infinite holiness as a God in Christ doing all things well trusting his wisdom goodness and love even where they cannot see Hebrews 11 8 3 they think favorably of others as far as injustice they may Philippians 2 3 though they cannot hinder themselves from seeing their glaring faults yet they are ready with all to acknowledge of then they can see into others they are apt to look on others as better than themselves circumstances compared 4 they are sunk down into a state of subordination to God in his will Psalms 131 12 pride sets a man up against God lowliness brings him back to his place and lays him that God himself sit at the helm of their affairs and manage all for them Psalms 474 5 they are not bent on high things but disposed to stoop to low things Psalms 131 1 lowliness levels the towering imaginations which pride mounts up against heaven draws a veil over all personal worth and excellencies before the Lord and yields man's all his glory 2 Samuel 15 25 26 6 they are apt to magnify mercies bestowed on them Genesis 32 10 pride of heart overlooks and vilifies mercies one is possessed of and fixes the eye on what his wanting and one's condition making one like the flies and to set a mark on the good things they have possessed or yet do Job 2 10 Thirdly a spirit brought down to their lot their lot is a low and afflicted one but their spirit is as low being through grace brought down to it we may take it up in these five things 1 they submit to it as just Michael 7 9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord there are no hardships in our condition but we have procured them to ourselves and it is therefore just that we kiss the rod and be silent under it and so lower our spirits to our lot if they complain it is of themselves their hearts rise up not against the Lord far less do they open their mouth against the heavens they justify God and condemn themselves reverencing his holiness and spotless righteousness in his proceedings against them 2 they go quietly as tolerable lamentations 3 26 29 quote it is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord it is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth he sitteth alone and keep it silence because he hath borne it upon him he put his mouth in the dust it is of the Lord's mercy that it is not worse they take up the naked cross as God lays it down without those overweights upon it that turbulent passions add there in two and so it becomes really more easy than they thought it could have been like a burden fitted on the back 3 they are satisfied in it as drawing their comfort from another quarter than their outward condition even as the house stands fast when the prop is taken away that it did not blossom neither fruit be in the vine yet I will rejoice in the Lord end quote Habok 3 17 18 thus did David in the day of his distress quote he encouraged himself in the Lord his God end quote 1 Samuel 36 it is an argument of a spirit not brought down to the lot when men are damped and sunk it is an indication that makes men's comforts to wax and wane ebb and flow according to the various appearances of their lot in the world 4 they have a complacency in it as that which is fit and good for them Isaiah 39 8 2 Corinthians 12 10 men have a sort of complacency in the working of physique though it gripes them sore they rationally a spiritual medicine necessary fit and good for them yea best for them for the time since it is ministered by their heavenly father and so they reach a holy complacency in their low afflicted lot the lowly spirit extracts this sweet out of the bitterness in his lot considering how the Lord by means of that afflicting lot stops the provision for unruly lusts that they may be starved how he cuts off the man's burden and clog of earthly comforts that he may run them more expediously in the way of heaven 5 they rest in it as what they desire not to come out of till the God that brought them into it see it meet to bring them out with his goodwill Isaiah 28 16 though an unsubdued spirits time for deliverance is always ready a humble soul will be afraid of being taken out of its afflicted lot too soon for a change till the heavens moving bring it about so this hinders not prayer and the use of appointed means with dependence on the Lord but requires faith, hope, patience and resignation 2 Samuel 15 25 26 2 we shall consider the generation of the proud getting their will and carrying all to their mind and in their character also are three things first there are crosses in their lot and let them be in what circumstances they will in the world they cannot miss them all together for consider 1 the confusion and vanity brought into the creation by man's sin have made it impossible to get through the world but men must meet with what will ruffle them ecclesiastics 1 14 sin has turned the world from a paradise into a thicket there is no getting through without being scratched as midges and the summer will fly about as well as about those in sordid apparel so will crosses in the world meet with the high as well as the low 2 the pride of their heart espouses them particularly to crosses a proud heart will make a cross to itself where a lowly soul will find none ester 5 13 it will make a real cross 10 times the way it would be to the humble the generation of the proud are like nettles and thorn hedges upon which while they pass over low and plain things so none are more exposed to crosses than they though none so unfit to bear them as appears from secondly reigning pride in their spirit their spirits were never subdued by a work of thorough humiliation they remain at the height in which the corruption of nature placed them hence they can by no means bear the yoke god lays on them the neck is swollen with the ill humours of pride and passion a generation here in three things one they have an overvalue for themselves and so will not stoop to the yoke it is below them what a swelling vanity is in that exodus 5 2 quote who is the lord that I should obey his voice end quote hence a work of humiliation is necessary to make one take on the yoke whether of christ's precepts or providence the first error is in the understanding when Solomon man a fool accordingly the first stroke and conversion is there too by conviction to humble men are bigger in their own conceit than they are indeed therefore god suiting things to what we are really cannot please us 2 they have an un-mortified self-will arising from that overvalue for themselves and they will not stoop exodus 5 2 the question how our will is corrupt god's will is holy they cannot agree in one god says in his providence our will must yield to his but that I will not do till the iron sinew in it be broken romans 8 7 isiah 48 4 3 they have a crowd of unsubdued passions taking part with self-will and they say he shall not stoop romans 7 8 9 the field of battle within and without the man james 4 1 a holy god crosses the self-will of proud creatures by his providence overruling and disposing of things contrary to their inclination sometimes by his own immediate hand as in the case of kain genesis 4 4 5 sometimes by the hand of men carrying things against the proud heart and will unable to submit to the cross or to bear to be controlled rises up against it and fights for the mastery with its whole force of unmodified passions the design is to remove the cross even the crook and bring the thing to their own mind this is the cause of this unholy war in which one there is one black band of hellish passions that marches upwards and makes an attack on heaven itself namely discontent and patience murmuring the wishness of men pervereth his way and his heart fretteth against the lord end quote proverbs 19 3 these fire the breast fall the countenance genesis 4 6 let off sometimes a volley of indecent and passionate complaints jude verse 16 and sometimes of blasphemies of the cross namely anger wrath fury revenge bitterness etc proverbs 27 4 these carry the man out of the possession of himself Luke 21 19 fill the heart with a boiling heat Psalms 39 3 the mouth with clamor and evil speaking Ephesians 4 31 and threatenings on work a most heavy event as in the case of Ahab against Naboth thus the proud carry on the war but often times they lose the day and the cross remains immovable for all they can do yea and sometimes they themselves fall in the quarrel it ends in their ruin Exodus 15 9 10 but that is not the case in the text for we are to consider them as thirdly getting their will and carrying all to their mind this speaks according to the man's unmortified self-will and letting it go according to his mind Genesis 6 3 God sees it meet to let the struggle with him fall for it prevails not to his good Isaiah 1 5 so the reins are laid on the proud man's neck and he has what he would be at quote Ephraim is joined to idols let him alone end quote Hosea 4 17 2 Psalms 78 30 quote they were not estranged from their lust end quote God in the method of his covenant sometimes gives his people their will and sets them where they would be but then in that case the lust for the thing is mortified and there as weaned children Psalms 10 17 but here the lust remains rampant the proud seek 28 29 they could not think of bringing their mind to their lot but they thwarted with it wrestled and fought against it till it has brought up to their mind so the day is their own the victory is on their side 4 the man is pleased in his having carried his point even as one is when he is dividing the spoil 1 Kings 21 18 19 23 I am to confirm the doctrine or the decision of the text that the case of the former is better than that of the latter it is better to be in a low afflicted condition with a spirit humble and brought down to the lot then to be of a proud and high spirit getting the lot brought up to it and matters go according to one's mind this will appear from the following considerations 1 humility is so far considerations in the world attend the humble spirit and all the prosperity in the world attend pride humility will still have the better as gold in a dung hill is more excellent than so much lead in a cabinet for one humility is a part of the image of God pride is the masterpiece of the image of the devil let us view him who is the expressed image of the father's person and we shall behold his meek and lowly and heart Matthew 1129 God Isaiah 537 quote he was oppressed and he was afflicted yet he opened to not his mouth end quote that is a shining part of the divine image for though God cannot be low in respect of his state and condition yet he is of infinite condescension Isaiah 4715 none bears as he Romans 2 4 nor suffers patiently so much inflection as it showed in Christ quote for consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds end quote Hebrews 12 3 pride on the other hand is the very image of the devil 1 Timothy 3 6 shall we value ourselves on the greater distance between his spirit and his lot the former is as high as the throne of God the latter as low as hell and as it is impossible that ever his lot should be brought up to his spirit so his spirit will never come down to his lot and therefore he will be eternally in a state of war with his lot hence even at this time he has no rest but goes about seeks rest indeed but finds none now is it not better to be like who is this spring in sync of all evil can anything possibly cast the balance here and turn the preference to the other side quote then better it is to be of a humble spirit with a lowly end quote etc 2 humility and lowliness of spirit qualify us for friendly communion and intercourse with God in Christ pride makes God our enemy 1 Peter 5 5 our happiness make up our loss Psalms 30 5 if we have that nothing can make us miserable Romans 8 31 quote if God be for us who can be against us end quote now who are they whom God is for but the humble and lowly they who being in Christ are so made like him he blesses them and declares them the heirs of the crown of glory quote blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven end quote he will look to them be their condition ever so low while he overlooks others Isaiah 66 2 he will have respect to them however they be despised quote though the Lord be high yet hath he respect to the lowly but the proud he knoweth afar off end quote Psalms 138 6 he will dwell with them however poorly they dwell Isaiah 57 15 he will certainly exalt them in due time however low they lie now Isaiah 40 4 whom is he against whom does he resist the proud them he curseth Jeremiah 17 5 and that curse will dry up their arm at length the proud man is God's rival he makes himself his own God and would have those about him make him theirs too he rages he blusters if they will not fall down Isaiah 40 4 Psalms 18 27 now is it not better to be qualified for communion with God than to have him engaged against us at any rate? 3 humility is a duty pleasing to God pride a sin pleasing to the devil Isaiah 57 15 1 Timothy 3 6 God requires us to be humble especially under affliction quote 1 Peter 5 5 6 that is our becoming garment the humble publican was accepted the proud Pharisee rejected we may say of the generation of the proud as 1 Thessalonians 2 16 quote wrath has come upon them to the uttermost end quote they please neither God nor men but only themselves and Satan whom they resemble down to their afflicted lot have much quiet and repose of mind while the proud that must have their lot brought up to their mind have much disquiet trouble and vexation consider here that on the one hand quiet of mind and ease within is a great blessing upon which the comfort of life depends nothing without this can make one's life happy Daniel 5 6 and where this is maintained nothing can make it miserable John and God there is a defiance bid to all the troubles of the world songs 46 2 3 like the child sailing in the midst of the rolling waves the spirit brought down to the lot makes and maintains this inward tranquility our whole trouble and our lot in the world rises from the disagreement of our mind therewith let the mind be brought to the lot and the whole tumult is instantly hushed let it be kept in that disposition and the man will stand at ease in his affliction like a rock unmoved with waters beading on it Colossians 3 15 quote and let the peace of God rule in your hearts to the which also ye are called end quote on the other hand consider what disquiet of mind the proud sufferer they can get their lot brought up to their mind quote they have taught their tongues to speak lies and they weary themselves to commit iniquity end quote Jeremiah 9 5 James 4 2 quote ye lost and have not ye kill and desire to have and cannot obtain ye fight and war yet ye have not end quote what arrows of grief go through their heart what torture of the anxiety fretting and vexation must they endure what contrary passions fight within them and what sallies of passions do they make what uneasiness was Hammond in before he could carry the point of revenge against Mordecai obtaining the king's decree when the things got to their mind it will not quit the cost the enjoyment thereof brings not so much satisfaction pleasure as the want of it gave pain this was evident in Rachel's case as to the having of children and in that case Psalms 78 30 31 there is a dead fly in the ointment that Mars the saver they expected to find in it fruit plucked off the tree of Providence ere at his ripe will readily set the teeth on edge it proves Anna kept overnight exodus 16 20 they have but an unsure hold of it it doth not last with them either it has taken from them soon and they are just where they were again quote I gave the king in my anger and took him away in my wrath end quote Hosea 13 11 having a root of pride it quickly withers away or else they are taken from it the day of the execution came he was gone 3 they that get their spirit brought down to their afflicted lot gain a point far more valuable than they who in their pride force up their lot to their mind Proverbs 16 32 quote he that his slow and anger is better than the mighty and he that ruleth his spirit then he that taketh a city end quote the man the life is more than meat the man himself is more valuable than all external conveniences that attend him what therefore betters the man is preferable to what betters only his condition who doubts but where to are sick and the one gets himself transported from a coarse bed to a fine one the sickness still remaining the other lies in the course bed but the sickness is removed that the case and to have the whole world subdued to our will for then we are masters of ourselves according to that Luke 21 19 whereas in the other case we are still slaves to the worst of masters Romans 6 16 in the one case we are safe blow at storm well and the other we lie exposed to thousands of dangers Proverbs 25 28 quote he that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down 3 when both shall come to be judged it will appear the one has multiplied the tale of their good works and bringing their spirit to their lot the other the tale of their ill works and bringing their lot to their spirit we have to do with an omniscient God in whose eyes every internal action is a work good or bad to be reckoned for Romans 2 16 an afflicted lot is painful but where it is well managed it is very often a Christian which otherwise would lie dormant but there is never an act of resignation to the will of God under the cross nor an act of trusting in him for his help but they will be recorded in heaven's register as good works Malachi 3 16 and these are occasioned by affliction on the other hand there is never a rising of the proud heart against the lot nor a faithless attempt to bring it to our mind whether it's succeed or not but it passes for an ill work to be multiplied by the war in which the spoil is divided use one of information hence we may learn one it is not always best for folks to get their will many there are who cannot be pleased with God's will about them and they get their own will with a vengeance Psalms 81 11 12 quote Israel would none of me so I gave them up to their own hearts lust and they walked it is not the safest let not the people pride themselves in their carrying things that way then by a strong hand let them not triumph in such victory the after reckoning will open their eyes 2 the afflicted crossed party whose law is kept low is so far from being a loser that he is a gainer there by if his spirit is brought down to it and if he will see things in the light of God's unerring word he is in better case than if he had for destruction Psalms 78 29-31 and the other the vessels of mercy are fitted for glory and so God disciplines his own Lamentations 327 3 it is better to yield to providence than to fight it out that we should win yielding to the sovereign disposal is both our becoming duty and our greatest interest taking that way we act most honorably for what honor can there be and the creatures here and we act most wisely for whatever can be the success of some battles in that case we may be sure victory will be on heaven's side in the war 1 Samuel 2 9 4 by strength shall no man prevail and 4 it is of so much greater concern for us to get our spirits brought down and few there are who apply themselves to it and what is that but to be concerned to minister drink to the thirsty sick but never to mind to seek a cure for them whereby their thirst may be carried off use too of exhortation as you meet with crosses and your lot in the world let your desire be rather to have your spirit humbled and brought down than to get the cross removed I may not but that you may use all lawful means or concern to get your spirit to bow and ply than to get the crook and your lot evened mode of one it is far more needful for us to have our spirits humbled under the cross than to have the cross removed the removal of the cross is needful only for the ease of the flesh the humbling for the profit of our souls to purify them and bring them into a state of the spirit the humbling will lighten the cross mightily for the time Matthew 11 30 and in due time carry it cleanly off 1 Peter 5 6 but the removal of the cross is not a means to humble the unhumbled though it may prevent irritation yet the disease still remains 3 think with yourselves how dangerous and hopeless the case it is to have the cross removed is yet unbroken to be taken off trials ere we have given any good proof of ourselves and so to be given over of our position as hopeless Isaiah 1 5 Hosea 4 17 use 3 for direction believing the gospel take God for your God and Christ towards your eternal salvation and then dwell much on the thoughts of God's greatness and holiness and of your own sinfulness end of chapter 7