AFFLICTION.
Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word.—Psalm cxix. 67.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.—Psalm cxix. 71.
I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.—Psalm cxl. 12.
He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.—Isaiah, liii. 7.
In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them and carried them all the days of old.—Isaiah, lxiii. 9.
Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.—Hosea, vi. 1.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.—II. Corinthians, iv. 17.
Affliction has a taste as sweet
As any cordial comfort.
Shakspere.
Perfumes, the more they’re chafed, the more they render
Their pleasant scents, and so affliction
Expresseth virtue fully.
John Webster.
Afflictions clarify the soul,
And, like hard masters, give more hard directions,
Tutoring the non-age of uncurbed affections.
Francis Quarles.
To bear affliction with a bended brow,
Or stubborn heart, is but to disallow
The speedy means to health.
Francis Quarles.
A life all ease is all abused;—
O, precious grace that made the wise
To know—affliction, rightly used,
Is mercy in disguise.
G. B. Cheever.
Heaven but tries our virtues by affliction,
And oft the cloud which wraps the present hour
Serves but to brighten all our future days.
Dr. Brown.
I cannot call affliction sweet,
And yet ’twas good to bear;
Affliction brought me to Thy feet,
And I found comfort there.
My wearied soul was all resigned
To Thy most gracious will;
Oh! had I kept that better mind,
Or been afflicted still!
Where are the vows which then I vowed,
The joys which then I knew?
Those vanished like the morning cloud,
These like the early dew.
Lord, grant me grace for every day,
Whate’er my state may be;
Through life, in death, with truth to say,
“My God is all to me!”
J. Montgomery.
Come then, Affliction, if my Father bids,
And be my frowning friend: a friend that frowns,
Is better than a smiling enemy.
We welcome clouds that bring the former rain,
Though they the present prospect blacken round,
And shade the beauties of the opening year,
That, by their stores enriched, the earth may yield
A fruitful summer and a plenteous crop.
Swaine.
Mid pleasure, plenty, and success,
Freely we take from Him who lends;
We boast the blessings we possess,
Yet scarcely thank the one who sends.
But let affliction pour its smart,
How soon we quail beneath the rod!
With shattered pride, and prostrate heart,
We seek the long-forgotten God.
Eliza Cook.