CHAPTER X.
_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.