30. The afflicted one praus for Patience and Endurance

EXHORTATION.

"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience; that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."—Heb. x. 25. 36.

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit; it comes from God, and must be asked of him in prayer. An afflicted one must pray the more zealously and eagerly, the more his sufferings beset him, as it is written of Christ, "And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly." 1. It is patience to remain quiet under affliction, and submit to all the ordinances of God. The believer knows that the evil comes from God, who is able again to remove it. He knows that even while he smites him, God loves him, and that he has not ceased to be his heavenly father, although he has imposed the yoke upon him. 2. Therefore the afflicted one must not murmur against God, how long or how severe soever his afflictions may become. On the contrary, he resolves to be silent and speak not, knowing that God will make all things well.

3. If perchance the violence of pain or the multiformity of sorrow should impair his trust

THE AFFLICTED ONE PRAYS fulness, he must implore the Lord to give him strength. God administers consolation in various ways; sometimes he awakes a consciousness in our hearts that our sufferings will shortly cease; sometimes he declares he will not forsake us; and occasionally he assuages and mitigates our woes. 4. This will invigorate the afflicted one, and once more imbue him with the vigor of the Lord.

Lord, my God! my sighs are not unknown to thee, and thou art well acquainted with my wretchedness and sorrow. My consolation is, that I know it comes from beloved hands. I have not brought it upon myself, but thou hast imposed it, and wilt help me to bear it. And as patience is one of the good gifts which come from above, from the father of light, O bestow it upon me according to thy mercy. If thou strengthen me, if thou help and bestead me, I can do everything, nothing will be impossible for me, nothing difficult; I can do all things by him who fortifies me, even Christ. And do not seize me too violently, so that I may endure it. Have patience with my weakness, strengthen my sinking hands, brace up my tottering knees, and say to my faint heart, "Thy Jesus is near FOR PATIENCE AND ENDURANCE.

thee; thy king cometh to thee, he is a righteous and an almighty deliverer." Yea, Lord, if thou dost help me, I am well helped; therefore, help me, O my salvation. Teach me to consider that it is thy holy will that I should suffer as I do. I will cheerfully acquiesce, and say, "Father, not my will, but thine, be done." Call to my mind thy love, that thou lovest me in suffering and affliction, that my griefs will last but a little while, and that the sufferings of this little span are nothing beside the glory which is to be made manifest in us. Help me to consider that thou art my gracious God and loving father, and that this present cross is not a sign of thy wrath but of thy mercy. Remind me of the example of my dear Savior Jesus Christ, who patiently bore all things. Grant that by thy grace I may follow him in this composure; let me suffer with him, that I may be also elevated to glory with him. Let my affliction not tear my word out of thy heart, nor impair my faith, nor prevent my prayers, but give me new power and courage, whenever I am called upon to weather another storm. Give me to think that thy help will soon make me glad, and thy strong assistance give me joy. Thou art my rock, my rampart, my fastness, my shield, my power; so says thy word, my help, my deliverance, my life; my almighty God, who can withstand thee? Amen. THE AFFLICTED ONE PRAYS FOR

1. My God, do not delay! O see my lamentation!

When wilt thou, O my light! send down thy consolation!

At home I suffer much, and when abroad I wend,

My troubles with me go, and with me homeward bend.

2. From day to day I hope there will be less of trouble,

But every day, alas! affliction seems to double;

My strength is giving out, my heart beset with fears,

My face is never dry of overflowing tears.

3. Such endlessness of care doth even lessen patience;

When all my hopes of ease are idle expectations;

I wait from early dawn till come the shades of night,

And all the night I yearn to see returning light.

4. And wilt thou longer still, my God, delay assistance?

What, then, will be my fate? O what is mine existence?

O do not linger yet, O hasten now to me,

And from these fetters set my wounded spirit free!

5. Comfort is all with thee, 'tis in thy presentation,

Thou with a word canst turn aside my lamentation.

O look upon me now! Come, and thy help afford!

Relieve my bitter cross! have mercy, gracious Lord!

THE REMOVAL OF HIS AFFLICTION.