How when tribulation cometh we must call upon and bless God
Blessed be thy name, O Lord, for evermore, who hast willed this
temptation and trouble to come upon me. I cannot escape it, but have
need to flee unto Thee, that Thou mayest succour me and turn it unto me
for good. Lord, now am I in tribulation, and it is not well within my
heart, but I am sore vexed by the suffering which lieth upon me. And
now, O dear Father, what shall I say? I am taken among the snares. Save
me from this hour, but for this cause came I unto this hour,(1) that
Thou mightest be glorified when I am deeply humbled and am delivered
through Thee. Let it be Thy pleasure to deliver me;(2) for what can I
do who am poor, and without Thee whither shall I go? Give patience this
time also. Help me, O Lord my God, and I will not fear how much soever
I be weighed down.
2. And now amid these things what shall I say? Lord, Thy will be done.
I have well deserved to be troubled and weighed down. Therefore I ought
to bear, would that it be with patience, until the tempest be overpast
and comfort return. Yet is Thine omnipotent arm able also to take this
temptation away from me, and to lessen its power that I fall not
utterly under it, even as many a time past thou has helped me, O God,
my merciful God. And as much as this deliverance is difficult to me, so
much is it easy to Thee, O right hand of the most Highest.
(1) John xii. 27. (2) Psalm xl. 16.