us to be affected in this way, not merely under one or two of them, but under any number, succession, combination of them,-under them not only when they are of this or that kind, but whatever kind they happen to be of,-under them not only when they come singly and go speedily, but even when they rush upon us from every side, and seem as if they would never take their departure.

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But is there not something strange, paradoxical, perplexing, impracticable in such an exhortation? Does it not even stand directly opposed to other declarations and requirements of the Divine Word on the subject? Was not our Lord's language to the disciples on the night of the betrayal, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation?" Does he not teach his people in all ages to plead, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil?” 2 How are we to reconcile passages like these with that now under consideration? There is no difference, so far as the term employed is concerned, for it is the same throughout; but there may be as respects its acceptation. Sometimes it signifies temptation, in the ordinary sense of the word, inducements or enticements to sin, objects presented, influences used with evil intent, to lead astray. More generally it means simply trials, tests of character, circumstances designed and fitted to prove us, and hence very specially afflictions, troubles, painful dispensations of providence; for these most of all serve that purpose. The former do not proceed from God, and ought to be deprecated; the latter do come from him, and should be welcomed. And thus James here but reiterates the teaching of the Great Master," Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."s Many in early times found it sible to obey the injunction. The apostles" And they de

1 Matt. xxvi. 41.

2 Matt. vi. 13.

3 Matt. v. 12.

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parted from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." Paul"I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation." Rising still higher, he says, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulation also." Nor did even ordinary Christians fall short of this attainment." For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance."

But, suppose the word to have the same signification in all these cases, there is no conflict, no difference in reality. Trials of any kind, such as earthly losses, bodily afflictions, domestic sorrows, spiritual assaults, are painful in their nature; for the present they are not joyous, but grievous. Not only so, there is an element of danger in every one of them, there is the risk of failure, of dishonouring God in the fires, and losing the benefit of the visitation. We instinctively shrink from suffering, and, sensible of our own weak. ness, as well as not forgetful of past shortcomings, we may well guard against all needless entering into temptation, and even fervently pray that, if it be the Lord's will, we may be exempted from the perilous ordeal. But when, in ways

unsought and unexpected, we are providentially brought into such circumstances, then, however numerous, diversified, and complicated our troubles, whatever the magnitude or accumulation of them, we may, we should feel not only calmly submissive, but even gratefully glad. We are in a Father's hand, his purposes are all wise and gracious, and, in the very midst of our heaviness, we should greatly rejoice. But how are we to turn the streams of sorrow into rivers of pleasure? How are we to extract songs from sighs? We are told in what follows.

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2. Why they were thus to regard their trials.-Ver. 3, Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh

1 Acts v. 41. 22 Cor. vii. 4.

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3 Rom. v. 3.

4 Heb. x. 34.

patience." They were to rise above the present smart, and think of the gracious design and the profitable issue—of the blessed ends these dispensations were both intended and fitted to serve. If we remember, as we ought, how apt we are to deceive ourselves, how ready to rest in mere appearances and empty notions, when all is prosperous and pleasant, how we need to be shaken and sifted to know what in reality and at bottom we are, how many flatter themselves and impose on others for a time, and at length come out in all the filthiness of the flesh ?-we shall hail whatever searches us through and through, even though it may pierce like a sword, or scorch like a furnace. Yes, we shall willingly bear all that, if thereby we may have clearer evidence of our calling and election of God, a sweeter, fuller sense of acceptance in the Beloved, with greater holiness of heart and life, increased meetness for the heavenly inheritIn view of the blessed fruits thus to be reaped, we may well "count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations," even as the courageous, patriotic soldier does when the trumpet summons him to the charge, for, while danger has to be encountered, and life, it may be, sacrificed, it furnishes him with the opportunity of proving his devotion to his king and country, of showing that he not only looks well on the day of peaceful parade, but is possessed of a courage which fails not when the enemy comes on and the battle is joined.

ance.

But how is the result brought about? "Knowing this," he says, knowing it as you do, both by the testimony of God's Word and the experience of God's people, knowing it as a thing often evidenced and indubitably certain,—“that the trying of your faith worketh patience." Faith is the primary, radical grace of the Christian character. From it, as a root, all the others spring; on it, as a foundation, all the others are built. It is the grand principle of the new life, which grows as it grows, and declines as it declines. Every

thing depends on it, and hence its soundness and strength are of vital importance. It needs proving, and that it can have only by means of divers temptations. It must pass through fiery trials. It must be cast into seven times heated furnaces. More precious than gold which perishes, it must be still more carefully and severely tested. This grace is often counterfeited. Many mistake fancy or feeling for it, delusive hopes, carnal confidences. Such persons have had impressions, convictions, and have come to entertain an idea, perhaps a confident one, of their own safety. How difficult is it to determine whether we are leaning on the creature or on the Lord, whether we are drawing our comfort from worldly streams or from the heavenly springs! When the sun of prosperity is shining brightly on us, we often confound its light with that of the Sun of Righteousness. But wait until dark clouds gather in the sky, until the rivers of earthly joy cease to flow,-wait until our refuges fail, our gourds wither,wait until friends forsake, hopes vanish, and troubles come rushing upon us like an armed man, then we are searched, sifted, tried. The false perishes, the true remains. The dross is consumed; the gold comes out entire and purified. What discoveries are then made, some of them humbling and painful, others very animating and delightful.

It worketh patience," endurance, perseverance, which is more than calm submission to the divine will, even resolute, energetic constancy, stedfastness in the doing of that will, a standing out, a holding on, and pressing forward in spite of the sufferings undergone. Hence it is said elsewhere, "Knowing that tribulation"-which corresponds to the trying or proving in the present case, for it is effected by means of tribulation—“worketh patience, and patience experience.' This is the result brought about, the effect produced. Such dealings not only evince the reality of faith, but promote its 1 Rem. v. 3, 4.

growth, for they stir it into more conscious and vigorous exercise. Amidst the shaking of the storm it does more than keep its ground, for in order to do that it requires to take a firmer hold than before of its great object. It must cling to Christ with a death-like grasp, which it does, not by any inherent power, any necessary or natural action of its own, but by the effectual agency of the Spirit, on whose working it is dependent, from its first rise, through all its stages and actings, on to its full maturity and final triumph. Thus the believer is more closely united to his Lord, cleaves to him more simply and tenaciously, and hence he remains stedfast, bears up under every burden, presses forward in the heavenward way, not only in spite of, but even by means of, the most adverse influences; for grace, with an art far surpassing the skill of the mariner, knows how to convert hindrances into helps, contrary winds into propitious breezes. He resembles the tree which "thrives by the rude concussion of the storm," becoming more firmly rooted by the blasts that toss its branches and threaten its destruction. The most tried Christians are the strongest. The proving of faith issues in endurance, and at every step this endurance Srows less difficult and less precarious. Carried through one affliction, supported under it beyond all our expectations, enabled to see the gracious design, and to reap the precious fruits of it, we are better prepared for welcoming and bearing another. Past evidences of the Divine love, wisdom, and faithfulness in the time of need, stablish the heart and banish fears in prospect of impending and under the pressure of present trials. Thus there is a going from strength to strength in the path of suffering.

But here the apostle pauses, as it were, and turns aside for a moment to exhort those whom he addresses regarding this patience. He says, ver. 4, "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Let this endurance not stop short in its course,