_Of the usefulness of adversity._
IT is good that we have sometimes troubles and crosses; for they often
make a man enter into himself, and consider that he ought not to place
his trust in any worldly thing.
It is good that we be sometimes contradicted; and that men think ill of
us: and this, although we do, and intend well.
For then we more diligently seek God for our inward witness, when
outwardly we are contemned by men.
*2. Wherefore a man should settle himself so fully in God, that he need
not seek comforts of men.
When a man is afflicted, tempted, or troubled with evil thoughts; then
he understandeth better the great need he hath of God.
3. So long as we live in this world, we cannot be without temptation.
Hence it is written in _Job_, The life of man is a warfare upon earth.
Every one therefore ought to take care as to his own temptations, and
to watch, in prayer, lest he be deceived by the devil; who never
sleepeth, but goeth about seeking whom he may devour.
4. Temptations are often very profitable to men, though they be
troublesome and grievous: for in them a man is humbled, purified, and
instructed.
All the saints have passed through, and profited by many tribulations
and temptations:
And they that could not bear temptations, became reprobates and fell
away.
*There is no place so secret, where there are no temptations.
5. There is no man that is altogether secure from temptations whilst he
liveth.
*When one temptation goeth away, another cometh; and we shall ever have
something to suffer.
Many seek to fly temptations, and fall more ♦grievously into them.
♦ “grivously” replaced with “grievously”
By flight alone, we cannot overcome, but by patience and humility we
conquer all our enemies.
6. He that only avoideth them outwardly, and doth not pluck them up by
the roots, shall profit little; yea, temptations will soon return unto
him, and he shall feel them worse than before.
*By patience (through God’s help) thou shalt more easily overcome, than
by harsh and disquieting efforts in thy own strength.
Often take counsel in temptations; and deal not roughly with him that
is tempted.
*7. The beginning of temptation is inconstancy of mind, and little
confidence in God.
*For as a ship without a rudder is tossed to and fro with the waves; so
the man that is negligent is many ways tempted.
Fire trieth iron, and temptation a just man.
*We know not often what we are able to do; but temptations shew us what
we are.
*We must be watchful, especially in the beginning of the temptation;
for the enemy is then more easily overcome, if he be not suffered to
enter the door of your hearts, but be resisted without the gate at his
first knock.
Wherefore one said, “Withstand the beginning; for an after-remedy comes
too late.”
*First there occurreth to the mind a simple evil thought; then a strong
imagination; afterwards delight; and lastly consent:
And so by little and little our malicious enemy getteth entrance,
whilst he is not resisted in the beginning.
And the longer one is slack in resisting, the weaker he becomes daily,
and the enemy stronger against him.
*8. Some suffer the greatest temptation in the beginning of their
conversion; others in the latter end.
*Others again are much troubled almost throughout their life.
Some are but slightly tempted according to the wisdom which weigheth
the states of men, and ordereth all things for the good of his elect.
9. We ought therefore, when we are tempted, so much the more fervently
to pray unto God, who surely will give with the temptation a way to
escape, that we may be able to bear it.
Let us therefore humble ourselves under the hand of God in all
temptations and tribulations; for he will exalt the humble in spirit.
10. In temptations and afflictions man is proved how much he hath
profited.
Neither is it any such great thing if a man be devout and fervent, when
he feeleth no affliction; but if in time of adversity he bear himself
patiently, there is hope then of great proficiency.
Some are kept from great temptations, and are overcame in small ones;
that being humbled, they may never trust themselves in great matters,
who are baffled in so small things.