We may use the same argument when interceding for the grace which we need to enable us to glorify God by a becoming temper and conduct under trials, and by a suitable improvement of providential dispensations; and it will be our best plea, or most prevalent argument.

We may meet with discouragements—­God may seem deaf to our cries—­to delay his mercy; but if we “pray and faint not,” he will not always say to us, nay.  He will hear and help us.  For his own name’s sake he will do it.

When the woman of Canaan asked mercy for her daughter, no encouragement was given to her first petition—­the reply seemed harsh —­“It is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to dogs.”  But she persevered, and her faith, and fervor prevailed.  “Be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”  The same will be the answer to every humble suppliant for spiritual mercies, and for divine supports, who perseveres in his addresses at the throne of grace.

Respecting temporal matters, we know not what to pray for as we ought —­know not what is best for us.  Afflictions may be mercies.  They often are so.  Some have blessed God for them here; more will probably do it hereafter.  That they do not usually denote want of love in God, is manifest from the declarations of his word—­“Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons—­if ye are without chastisement, then are ye bastards and not sons.”  Those were determined sinners, given over to reprobation, of whom God said, “Why should ye be stricken any more!  Ye will revolt more and more.”

When afflictions serve to purge away sin—­to “purify and make white,” they are changed into mercies.  Instead of complaining, we have reason to bless God for them.  This hath often happened.  Afflictions arrest the attention—­lead to consideration, and reclaim from error.  “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep thy word.”

Prosperity hath often a different effect.  To the wicked it is frequently fatal in its consequences; here they have their good things, and they rest in them, forgetful of God, and the other world which they must soon enter, to receive according to their works.  Neither do the people of God always escape injury when they attain the things they here desire.  The prosperity we covet is more dangerous than the adversity we dread.  Few can bear prosperity—­few remain long uncorrupted in a prosperous state.  A state so difficult and dangerous is seldom long the state of the righteous.  It is more commonly the state of the wicked.  The righteous have their trials here; and this kind of trial, [prosperity] hath more often seduced them, than its opposite.  David and Solomon were sad examples of the baleful effects of power and greatness, riches and honor; but they were brought back to God and duty by the rod of disappointment;—­by the correctings of affliction.