Classic Audiobook Collection - The Crook in the Lot by Thomas Boston ~ Full Audiobook [religion]

Episode Date: August 22, 2023

The Crook in the Lot by Thomas Boston audiobook. Genre: religion In The Crook in the Lot, Scottish Presbyterian pastor Thomas Boston turns a single piercing question from Ecclesiastes 7:13 into a steady guide for anyone living with burdens they cannot simply fix: if God has made something crooked in your life, who can make it straight? Boston calls the unchosen trials of daily life the 'crook' and the overall shape of a person's circumstances the 'lot.' With the directness of a preacher and the tenderness of a counselor, he argues that afflictions are not random intrusions but belong to God's wise providence, and that peace begins when the sufferer learns to see the crook as the work of God rather than a mistake to be fought at all costs. Drawing from Scripture and lived pastoral experience, Boston explores why certain troubles strike the most sensitive places in our hearts, how impatience and pride harden the soul, and what it looks like to respond with humility, repentance, prayer, and persevering faith. The book reads like a series of sermons meant to steady trembling hands and reframe suffering as a severe mercy that can shape holiness. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 01 (00:08:29) Chapter 02 (00:40:22) Chapter 03 (01:24:19) Chapter 04 (01:44:05) Chapter 05 (02:20:42) Chapter 06 (02:40:03) Chapter 07 (03:14:39) Chapter 08 (03:49:04) Chapter 09 (04:07:39) Chapter 10 (04:52:23) Chapter 11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Crook and the Lot, or a display of the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men, and the Christian's deportment under them. By Reverend Thomas Boston. Preface Thomas Boston, the author of The Crook and the Lot, was born in the town of Dunst, Scotland, A.D. 1676, of respectable and religious parentage, and was the youngest of seven children. He was licensed to preach the gospel in 1697, and was ordained at simprin in sixteen ninety nine in the year seventeen hundred he married catherine brown a lady of good family and rare endowments of mind by her he had a number of children four of whom survived him

he departed this life in the hope of a glorious immortality a d seventeen thirty two in the fifty-sixth year of his age in person mr boston was above the middle stature and of a grave and amiable aspect His mind was vigorous and fruitful, his imagination lively but under due restraint, his judgment solid, his affections warm and tender, and his whole demeanor courteous, obliging, and benevolent. Under provocation he was gentle and always manifested a delicate regard for the feelings of others, but when a just occasion of rebuke occurred, he was always prompt in administering it. Having become in early life a subject of divine grace, he honored his profession by a deportment at once consistent and uniform.

He was preeminently a man of prayer, cultivating a close communion with God, and receiving many encouraging evidences of his personal acceptance. The divine providence was carefully observed and recorded by him in all its operations, and the law of God was regarded in all its claims with the most scrupulous exactness, tender in conscience, watchful in spirit, and rich in Christian experience. His effort was to avoid even the appearance of evil, and to be fruitful in every good work. In regard to others, he was affectionate as a husband, indulgent as a father, and sincere and faithful as a friend. Not only did he extend his counsel and sympathy to the distressed, but one-tenth of his annual income was

religiously devoted to the relief of the poor. As a scholar, Mr. Boston was well versed in the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and French languages, and in other departments of learning was no novice. As a theologian, his various works afford the best evidence of his great acquirements, of his sound and judicious views, and of his skill in defending the truth. In his application to study, he was indefatigable, and it was with him a rule to leave no subject he was investigating until he had mastered its difficulties. Yet with all, he was so unostentatious that nothing in his manner betrayed the conceit of learning.

He was a liberal admirer of the gifts of others, and was unwilling to detract from their merits, although they might differ with him in opinion. As a minister of Jesus Christ, he was particularly conspicuous. He was mighty in the Scriptures, not only in his critical acquaintance with him, but in his understanding of their spirit and power. by which he was well qualified to expound in a clear, simple, and cogent manner the great mysteries of the gospel to others.

His thoughts were generally just and often profound. His mode of expression simple and yet forcible. His imagination fertile and happily adapted illustrations, his delivery graceful and earnest, and in his whole manner in the pulpit, gravity, meekness, and authority were happily blended. His ministrations were not only acceptable, but successful in the conversion of sinners and in the edification of saints. Mr. Boston, although a devoted student, never suffered his delightful pursuit of knowledge to interfere with his pastoral visitations.

In preparing for the pulpit, he generally wrote out his sermons in full, an example worthy of imitation by more modern preachers. It is a remarkable fact that, although Mr. Boston was so eminently endowed by grace and mental culture for the work of the ministry, yet he was tempted to abandon it after he had entered on it, from a deep and humbling sense of his unfitness for the work. This was indeed a rare humility. In ecclesiastical judicatories Mr. Boston displayed great wisdom and prudence, and was well qualified to give counsel in difficult and intricate cases. His talent was so admirable in framing minutes that he was pronounced by a statesman of considerable note, the best clerk he had ever known in any court, civil, or ecclesiastical.

in relation to the general concerns of the church zeal and knowledge were happily combined in him and in securing its best interests few were so zealous for its purity or studious of its peace he was no friend to innovations and always subjected novel suggestions to the most careful scrutiny his opinion on the subject of controversy was that error was best confuted by a strong representation of the truth and in his defence of the protestant doctrine against the aspersion of a certain book he fully vindicated the truth answering objections but still avoided all offensive personal allusions in some notices of his life written for the use of his children he remarks thus also I was much addicted to peace and averse from controversy though once engaged therein I was set to go through with it I had no great difficulty to retain a due honor and charity for my brethren differing for me both in opinion and practice. But then I was no great hazard, neither of being swayed by them to depart from what

I judged truth or duty. With all, it was easy to me to yield to them and things wherein I found not myself in conscience bound up. Whatever precipitant steps I have made in the course of my life, which I desire to be humbled for, rashness and conduct was not my weak side. But since the Lord, by his grace, brought me to consider things, it was much my end. exercise to discern sin and duty in particular cases, being afraid to venture on things, until I should see myself called there too. But when the matter was cleared to me, I generally stuck fast by it, being as much afraid to desert the way which I took to be pointed out to me. The same paper he thus concludes,

And thus I have given some account of the days of my vanity. Upon the whole, I bless my God and Jesus Christ, that ever he made me a Christian, and took an early dealing with my soul, that ever he made me a minister of the gospel, and gave me some insight into the doctrine of his grace, and that ever he gave me the Blessed Bible, and brought me acquainted with the originals, and especially with the Hebrew text. The world hath all along been a stepdame unto me, and whenever I would have attempted to nestle in it, there was a thorn of uneasiness laid for me. is born crying, lives complaining, and dies disappointed from that quarter. All is vanity and vexation of spirit. I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord. It may be interesting for the reader to know that the

truly valuable treatise with which he is here presented, under a quaint title, was one of the last of the author's writings, and therefore embodies much of the maturity of his experience. He was engaged in revising it when he was called to cease from his labors. May it prove a happy legacy to everyone into whose hands it may fall. End of Preface. Section 2 of the crook in the lot, or a display of the sovereignty and wisdom of God and the afflictions of men and the Christians deportment under them, by Thomas Boston. This is a Libervox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, visit Librevox.org, recording by Chris Bun of Oakridge, Tennessee. Ecclesiastes 7.13

Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he hath made crooked. A just view of afflicting incidents is altogether necessary to a Christian deportment under them, and that view is to be obtained only by faith, not by sense, for it is the light of the word alone, that represents them justly, discovering in them the work of God, and consequently designs becoming the divine perfections. When these are perceived by the eye of faith and duly considered, we have a just view of afflicting incidents, fitted to quell the turbulent motions of corrupt affections under dismal outward appearances.

It is under this view that Solomon, in the preceding part of this chapter, advances several paradoxes which are surprising determinations in favor of certain things. that to the eye of sense, looking gloomy and hideous, are therefore generally reputed grievous and shocking. He pronounceseth the day of one's death to be better than the day of his birth, namely, the day of the death of one who, having become the friend of God through faith, hath led a life to the honor of God and service of his generation, and thereby raised himself the good and savory name better than precious ointment, verse one.

In like manner, he pronounces the house of mourning, to be preferable to the house of feasting, sorrow to laughter, and a wise man's rebuke to a fool's song. For that, howbeit the latter are indeed the more pleasant, yet the former are the more profitable. Versus two through six. And observing with concern how men are in hazard, not only from the world's frowns and ill-usage, oppression making a wise man mad, but also from its smiles and caresses, a gift destroying the heart. Therefore, since whatever way it goes there is danger he pronounces the end of every worldly thing better than the beginning thereof. Versus seven, eight. And from the whole, he justly infers that it is better to be humble and patient

and proud and impatient under afflicting dispensations, since, in the former case, we wisely submit to what is really best, in the latter we fight against it, verse eight. And he dissuades from being angry with our lot because of the adversity found therein. verse nine cautions against making odious comparisons of former and present times in that point insinuating undue reflections on the providence of god verse ten and against that curious and fretful disposition he first prescribes a general remedy namely holy wisdom as that which enables us to make the best of every thing and even giveth life in killing circumstances verses eleven twelve and then a particular remedy consisting in a due application of that wisdom towards taking a just view of the case consider the work of god for who can make that straight which he hath made crooked in which words are proposed one the remedy itself two the suitableness thereof one the remedy itself is a wise eyeing of the hand of god in all we find to bear hard upon us consider the work or see thou the doing of God.

Namely, in the crooked, rough, and disagreeable parts of thy lot, the crosses thou findest in it. Thou seest very well the cross itself, yea, thou turnest it over and over in thy mind, and leisurely viewest it on all sides. Thou lookest withal to this and the other second cause of it, and so thou art in a foam and fret. But, wouldst thou be quieted and satisfied in the matter, lift up thine eyes towards heaven, See the doing of God in it, the operation of His hand. Look at that, and consider it well. I the first cause of the crook in thy lot.

Behold how it is the work of God, his doing. 2. This view of the crook in our lot is very suitable to still indecent risings of heart, and quiet us under it, for who can, that is none can, make that straight which God hath made crooked. As to the crook in thy lot, God hath made it, and it must continue while he will have it so. Shouldst thou ply thine utmost force to even it, or to make it straight, thine attempt will be vain.

It will not alter for all thou canst do. Only he who made it can mend it, or make it straight. This consideration, this view of the matter, is a proper means at once to silence and to satisfy men, and so to bring them unto a dutiful submission to their, maker and governor under the crook and their lot. Now we take up the purpose of the text in these three propositions. Proposition 1. Whatsoever crook there is in one's lot, it is of God's making. Proposition 2. What God sees meat to mar, no one shall be able to mend in his lot. Proposition 3.

The considering of the crook in the lot as the work of God or of his making is a proper means to bring us to a Christian deportment under it. Proposition 1. Whatsoever crook there is in one's lot, it is of God's making. Here two things are to be considered, namely the crook itself and God's making of it. One, as to the crook itself, the crook in the lot, for the better understanding thereof these few things that follow are premised. 1.

There is a certain train or course of events by the providence of God falling to every one of us during our life in this world, and that is our lot, as being allotted to us by the sovereign God, our creator and governor, in whose hand our breath is, and whose are all our ways. This train of events is widely different to different persons, according to the will and pleasure of the sovereign manager, who ordereth men's conditions in the world in a great variety, some moving in a higher, some in a lower sphere. 2. In that trainer course of events some fall out cross to us and against the grain these make the crook in our lot.

While we are here, there will be cross events as well as agreeable ones in our lot in condition. Sometimes things are softly and agreeably gliding on, but by and by there is some incident which alters that course, grates us and pains us, as when we have made a wrong step and we begin to halt. 3. Everybody's lot in this world hath some crook in it. complainers are apt to make odious comparisons they look about and taking a distant view of the condition of others can discern nothing in it but what is straight and just to one's wish so they pronounce their neighbor's lot wholly straight but that is a false verdict there is no perfection here no lot out of heaven without a crook for as to all the works that are done under the sun behold all is vanity and vexation of spirit that which is crooked cannot be made made straight, Ecclesiastes 1, 14, 15. Who would not have thought that Haman's lot was very straight, while his family was in a flourishing

condition, and he, prospering in riches and honor, being prime minister of state in the Persian court, and standing high in the king's favor? Yet there was, at the same time, a crook in his lot which so galled him that all this availed him nothing, Esther 5.13. everyone feels for himself where he is pinched though others perceive it not nobody's lot in this world is wholly crooked there are always some straight and even parts in it indeed when men's passions having gotten up have cast a mist over their minds they are ready to say all is wrong with them nothing right but though in hell that tale is true and ever will be so yet it is never true in this world for there indeed there is not a doubt drop of comfort allowed. Luke 16, 24, 25. But here it always holds good that it is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed. Lamentations 3. 22. 4. The crook in the lot came into the world by sin it is owing to the fall, Romans 5.12. By one man sin entered into the world and death by sin,

under which death the crook in the lot is comprehended, as a state of comfort or prosperity is, in scripture style, expressed by living. 1. Samuel 25, 6. John 4. 50, 51. Sin so bowed the hearts and minds of men that they became crooked in respect of the holy law, and God justly so bowed their lot that it became crooked too. And this crook in our lot inseparably follows our sinful condition, until, dropping this body of sin and death, we get within heaven's gates. These, being premised to crook in the lot, speaks in general two things.

One, adversity. Two, continuance. Accordingly, it makes a day of adversity opposed to the day of prosperity in the verse immediately following the text. The crook in the lot is, first, some one or other piece of adversity. The prosperous part of one's lot, which goes forward according to one's wish is the straight and even part of it. The adverse part, going a contrary way, is the crooked part thereof. God hath intermixed these two in men's condition in this world. That, as there is some prosperity therein, making the straight line, so there is also some adversity making the crooked, which mixture hath placed not only in the lot of saints,

who are told that in the world they shall have tribulation, but even in the lot of all, as already observed. Secondly, it is adversity of some continuance. We do not reckon it a crooked thing, which, though forcibly bended and bowed together, yet presently recovers its former straightness. There are twinges of the rod of adversity, which, passing like a stitch in one side,

all is immediately set to rights again, one's lot may be suddenly overclouded, but the cloud vanish ere he is aware. But under the crook, one having leisure to find his smart, is in some concern to get the crook made even. So the crook in the lot is adversity continued for a shorter or longer time. Now there is a three-fold crook in the lot incident to the children of men.

One, one made by a cross dispensation, which, howsoever in itself passing, yet hath lasting effects. Such a crook did Herod's cruelty making the lot of the mothers in Bethlehem, who by the murderers were left weeping for their slain children, and which, not be comforted because they were not. Matthew 2.18. A slip of the foot may soon be made, which will make a man go halting long after. As the fishes are taken in an evil net, so are the sons of men snared in an evil time. Ecclesiastes 9, 12.

The thing may fall out in a moment, under which the party shall go halting to the grave. 2. There is a crook made by a train of cross dispensations, whether of the same or different kinds, following hard one upon another and leaving lasting effects behind them. Thus in the case of Job, while one messenger of evil tidings was yet speaking, another came. Job 1, 16 through 18. Cross events coming one upon the neck of another, Deep calling unto deep, make a sore crook.

In that case the party is like unto one, who, recovering his sliding foot from one unfirm piece of ground, sets it on another equally unfeigned, firm, which immediately gives way under him too. Or, like unto one who, traveling in an unknown mountainous track, after having, with difficulty, made his way over one mountain, is expecting to see the plain country, but instead thereof there comes in view time after time a new mountain to be passed. This crook in Asaph's lot had liked to have made him give up all his religion until he went into the sanctuary, where this mystery of providence was unriddled to him.

73, 13 through 17. Solomon observes, that there be just men unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked, Ecclesiastes 8.14. Providence taking a run against them, as if they were to be run down for good and all. Whoever they be, whose life in no part thereof affords them experience of this, sure Joseph missed not of it in his young days, nor Jacob in his middle days, nor Peter in his old days, nor our Savior, all his days. 3. There is a crook made by one cross-dispensation, with lasting effects thereof coming in the room of another removed. Thus one crook straightened, there is another made in its place, and so there is still a crook. Want of children had long been the crook in Rachel's lot,

Genesis 30, 1. That was at length made even to her mind, but then she got another in instead, hard labor and travailing to bring forth. Chapter 35. 16. This world is a wilderness in which we may indeed get our station changed, but the remove will be out of one wilderness station to another. When one part of the lot is made even, soon some other part thereof will be crooked. More particularly, the crook in it four things of the nature of that which is crooked. One, disagreeableness.

A crooked thing is wayward, and being laid to a rule answers it not, but declines from it. There is not in anybody's lot any such thing as a crook in respect of the will and purposes of God. Take the most harsh and dismal dispensation in one's lot, and lay it to the eternal decree, made in the depth of infinite wisdom, before the world began, and it will answer it exactly without the least deviation, all things being wrought after the council of His will, Ephesians 1. 11. Lay it to the providential will of God in the government of the world, and there is a perfect harmony. If Paul is to be bound at Jerusalem and delivered into the hands of the Gentiles,

it is the will of the Lord it should be so. Acts 21, 11, 14. Wherefore the greatest crook of the lot on earth is straight in heaven, there is no disagreeableness in it there. But in every person's lot, there is a crook in respect of their mind and natural inclination. The adverse dispensation lies cross to that rule, and will by no means answer it, nor harmonize with it. When divine providence lays one to the other, there is a manifest disagreeableness. The man's will goes one way and the dispensation another way. The will bends upwards and cross events pressed down, so they're contrary. And there, and only there, lies the crook. It is this disagreeableness which makes the crook in the lot fit matter of trial and

exercise to us, in this our state of probation, in which, if thou wast to prove thyself to God, walking by faith, not by sight, thou must quiet thyself in the will and purpose of God, and not insist that it should be according to thy mind. Job 34.33. 2. Unsightliness crooked things are unpleasant to the eye, and no crook in the lot seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, making an unsightly appearance. Hebrews 12, 11. Therefore, men need to be aware of giving way to their thoughts to dwell on the crook in their lot,

and of keeping it too much in view. David shows a hurtful experience of this in that kind. Psalm 39. 3. While I was musing, the fire burned. Jacob acted a wiser part, calling his youngest son Benjamin the son of the right hand, whom the dying mother had named Benani, the son of my sorrow, by this means providing that the crook in his lot should not be set afresh in his view on every occasion of mentioning the name of his son. Indeed, a Christian may safely take a steady and leisurely view of the

crook of his lot in the light of the Holy Word, which represents it as the discipline of the covenant. So faith will discover a hidden sightliness in it under a very unsightly outward appearance, perceiving the suitableness thereof to the infinite goodness, love, and wisdom of God, and to the real and most valuable interests of the party, by which means one comes to take pleasure, and that a most refined pleasure in distresses. 2 Corinthians 12. 10. But whatever the crook in the lot be to the eye of faith,

it is not at all pleasant to the eye of sense. 3. Unfitness for motion. Solomon observes the cause of the uneasy and ungraceful walking of the lame. Proverbs 26, 7. The legs of the lame are not equal. This uneasiness they find, who were exercised about the crook in their lot, a high spirit, and a low adverse lot, makes great difficulty in the Christian walk. There is nothing that gives temptation more easy access than the crook in the lot.

nothing more apt to occasion out of the way's steps. Therefore, saith the apostle, Hebrews 1213, Make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way. They who are laboring under it are to be pitied then, and not to be rigidly censured, though they are rare persons who learn this lesson till taught by their own experience.

It is long since Job made an observation in this case, which holds good unto this day. Job 12. 5. He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease. 4. Appness to catch hold and entangle, like hooks, fish hooks, Amos 4, 2. The crook in the lot does so very readily make impression to the ruffling and fretting one spirit, irritating corruption, that Satan fails not to make diligent use of it for these dangerous.

purposes, which point once gained by the tempter, the tempted, ere he is aware, finds himself entangled as in a thicket, out of which he knows not how to extricate himself. In that temptation it often proves like a crooked stick, troubling a standing pool, which not only raises up the mud all over, but brings up from the bottom some very ugly thing. Thus it brought up a spice of blasphemy in the atheism in Asaph's case. Psalm 7313 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain And washed my hands in innocence

As if he had said there is nothing at all in religion It is a vain and empty thing that profiteth nothing I was a fool to have been in care about purity and holiness Whether of heart or life Ah, is this the pious asaph? How has he turned so white unlike himself But the crook in the lot is a handle whereby the temper makes surprising discoveries of latent corruption even in the best.

This is the nature of the crook in the lot. Let us now observe what part of the lot it falls in. Three conclusions may be established upon this head. First, it may fall in any part of the lot. There is no exempted one in the case. For sin being found in every part the crook may take place in any part, being all as an unclean thing we may all fade as a leaf Isaiah 64 six. The mainstream of sin which the crook readily follows runs in very different channels

in the case of different persons. And in regard of the various dispensations of the minds of men, that will prove a sinking weight unto one which another would go very lightly under. Secondly, it may at once fall into many parts of the lot, the Lord calling, as in a solemn day, one's terrors round about. Lamentations 2.22. Sometimes God makes one notable crook in a man's lot, but its name may be gad, being but the forerunner of a troop which cometh.

Then the crooks are multiplied, so that the party is made to halt on each side. While one stream let it from one quarter is running full against him, another is let in on him from another quarter, till in the end the waters break in on the side. every hand. Thirdly, it often falls in the tender part, I mean that part of the lot wherein one is least able to bear it, or at least thinks he is so. Psalm 55, 12, 13. It was not an enemy that reproached me, then I could have borne it, but it was thou, a man, mine equal, my guide, and my acquaintance. If there is any one part of the lot which of all the others one is disposed to nestle in, the thorn will readily be laid there, especially if he belongs to God. In that thing wherein he

is least of all able to be touched, he will be sure to be pressed. There the trial will be taken of him, for there is the grand competition with Christ. I take from them the desires of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, Ezekiel 24, 25. Since the crook in the lot is the special trial appointed for every one. It is altogether reasonable, and becoming the wisdom of God, that it fall on that which of all things doth most rival him. But more particularly, the crook may be observed to fall in these four parts of the lot. First, in the natural part affecting persons considered as of the make allotted for them by the great God that formed all things. The parents of mankind, Adam and Eve, were formed together sound and entire, without the least blemish.

whether in soul or body, but in the formation of their posterity there often appears a notable variation from the original. Bodily defects, superfluities, deformities, infirmities, natural or accidental, made the crook in the lot of some. They have something unsightly or grievous about them. Crooks of this kind, more or less observable, are very common and ordinary. The best are not exempted from them, and it is purely owing to the sovereign pleasure that they are not more numerous.

tender eyes made the crook in the lot of leah genesis twenty nine seventeen rachel's beauty was balanced with barrenness the crook in her lot chapter thirty one paul the great apostle of the gentiles was it should seem no personable man but of a mean outward appearance for which fools were apt to contem him second corinthians ten ten timothy was of a weak and sickly frame first timothy five twenty three and there is a yet far more considerable crook in the lot of the lame, the blind, the deaf, and the dumb. Some are weak to a degree in their intellects, and it is the crook in the lot of several bright souls to be overcast with clouds, notably be misted and darkened from the crazy bodies they are lodged in, in the eminent instance whereof we have in the grave, wise, and patient Job, going mourning without the sun, yea, standing up and crying in the congregation. Job 30. 28.

Secondly, it may fall in the honorary part. There is an honor due to all men, the small as well as the great, 1. Peter 2.17, and that upon the ground of the original constitution of human nature as it was framed in the image of God. But in the sovereign disposal of holy providence, the crook and lot of some falls here. They are neglected and slighted.

Their credit is still kept low. they go through the world under a cloud being put into an ill name their reputation sunk this sometimes is the natural consequence of their own foolish and sinful conduct as in the case of dinah who by her gadding abroad to satisfy her youthful curiosity regardless of and therefore not waiting for a providential call brought a lasting stain on her honor genesis thirty four but where the lord intends a crook of this kind in one's lot innocence will not be able to ward it off in an ill-natured world neither will true merit be able to make head against it to make one's lot stand straight in that part thus david represents his case psalm thirty one eleven through thirteen they that did see me without fled from me i am forgotten as a dead man out of mind i am like a broken vessel for i have heard the slander of many thirdly it may fall on the vocational part whatever is a man's calling or station in the world be it sacred or civil the crook in their lot may take its place therein isaiah was an eminent prophet but most unsuccessful isaiah fifty eight one jeremiah met with such a train of discouragements and ill usage in the exercise of his sacred function that he was very near giving it up saying i will not make mention of him nor speak any more in his name jeremiah twenty nine the psalmist observes this crook often to be made in the lot of some men very industrious in their civil business who sow in the fields and at times god blesseth them and suffereth not their cattle to decrease but again

they are minished and brought low through oppression affliction and sorrow psalm one hundred seven thirty seven through thirty seven through thirty nine such a crook was even made in job's lot after he had longed stood even. Some manage their employments with all care and diligence, the husbandman carefully laboring his ground, the sheep-master, diligent to know the state of his flocks, and looking well to his herds. The tradesman, early and late at his business, the merchant diligently plying his, watching and falling in with the most fair and promising opportunities, but there is such a crook in that part of their lot, as all they are able to do can by no means make even, for why? The most proper means used for compassing an end are insignificant without a word of divine appointment commanding their success. Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? Lamentations

3.37. People ply their business with skill and industry, but the wind turns in their face. Providence crosses their enterprises, disconcerts their measures, frustrates their hopes and expectations, renders their endeavors unsuccessful, and so puts and keeps them still in straightened circumstances. So the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bred to the wise, Ecclesiastes 9.11. Providence interposing, crooks the measures which human prudence and industry had laid straight towards the respective ends. So the swift lose the race, and the strong the battle, and the wise miss of bread. While, in the meantime, some one or other providential incidents applying the defect of human wisdom conduct and ability the slow gain the race and carry the prize the weak win the battle and enrich themselves with the spoil and bread falls into the lap of the fool lastly it may fall in the relational part

relations are the joints of society and there the crook in the lot may take place one's smartest pain being often felt in these joints they are in their nature the spring of man's comfort, yet they often turn the greatest bitterness to him. Sometimes this crook is occasioned by the loss of relations. Thus a crook was made in the lot of Jacob by means of the death of Rachel, his beloved wife, and the loss of Joseph, his son and darling, which had liked to have made him go halting to the grave. Job laments this crook in his lot, Job 16, seven, thou hast made desolate all my company, meaning his dear children, every one of whom he had laid in the grave, not so much as one son or daughter left him.

Again, sometimes it is made through the afflicting hand of God lying heavy on them, which in virtue of their relation recoils on the party as is feelingly expressed by that believing woman, Matthew 15, 22. Have mercy on me, O Lord, my daughter is grievously vexed. Ephraim felt the smart of family afflictions when he called his son's name Briah because it went evil with his house. 1 Chronicles 7. 23. Since all is not only vanity but vexation of spirit,

it can hardly miss, but the more of these springs of comfort are open to a man he must at one time or other find he is but the more sources of sorrow to gush out and spring in upon him. The sorrow always proportioned to the comfort found in them or expected from them. And finally, the crook is sometimes made here by their proving uncomfortable through the disagreeableness of their temper and disposition. There was a crook in Job's lot by means of an undutiful ill-natured wife, Job 19, 17. In Abigail's by means of a surly ill-tempered husband, 1. Samuel 25, 25.

In Eli's through the perverseness and obstinacy of his children, Chapter 2.25. In Jonathan's through the furious temper of his father, chapter 20, 30 through 33, so do men oftentimes find their greatest cross where they expected their greatest comfort. Sin hath unhinged the whole creation and made every relation susceptible of the crook. In the family are found masters hard and unjust, servants froward and unfaithful. In a neighborhood, men selfish and uneasy. In the church, ministers unedifying, and offensive in their walk. And people contemptuous and disorderly, a burden to the spirits of ministers.

In the state, magistrates oppressive, and discountencers of that which is good, and subjects turbulent and seditious. All these cause crooks in the lot of their relatives, and thus far of the crook itself. End of Section 2. The Crook in the Lot, or the Sovereignty and Wisdom of God in the Afflictions of Men, displayed. This is a Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org.

The crook in the lot, or the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men, displayed by Thomas Boston. Chapter 3. Proposition 1. How and why he makes it. Two, having seen the crook itself, we are in the next place to consider of God's making it. And here is to be shown, one, that it is of God's making, two, how it is of his making, three, why he makes it. First, that the crook in the lot, whatever it is, is of God's making, appears from these three considerations. First, it cannot be questioned, but the crook in the lot, considered as a crook, is a penal evil, whatever it is for the matter thereof. That is, whether the thing in itself, its immediate cause and occasion, be sinful or not, It is certainly a punishment or affliction.

Now, as it may be, as such, wholly and justly brought on us by our sovereign Lord and judge, so he expressly claims the doing or making of it. Amos 3.6. Shall there be evil in a city and the Lord has not done it? Wherefore, since there can be no penal evil, but of God's making, and the crook in the lot is such an evil, it is necessarily concluded to be of God's making. Secondly, it is evident from the scripture doctrine of divine providence that God brings about every man's lot and all the parts thereof. He sits at the helm of human affairs

and turns them about whithersoever he listeth. Whatsoever the way. The the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven and in earth, in the seas and all deep places. Psalm 135, 6. There is not anything whatsoever befalls us without his overruling hand. The same providence that brought us out of the womb, bringeth us to, and fixeth us in, the condition and place allotted for us by him who hath determined the times and the bounds of our habitation. Acts 1726 It overrules the smallest and most casual things about us,

such as hairs of our head falling on the ground, Matthew 10, 29, and 30, A lot cast into the lap Proverbs 1633 Yea the free acts of our will whereby we choose for ourselves For even the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord As the rivers of water

Proverbs 21 1 In the whole steps we make And which others make in reference to us for the way of man is not in himself, it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10. 23. And this, whether these steps causing the crook be deliberate and sinful ones,

such as Joseph's brethren selling him into Egypt, or whether they be undesigned, such as manslaughter purely casual, as when one hewing wood kills his neighbor with the head of the axe slipping from the helve Deuteronomy 195 For there is a holy and wise providence that governs the sinful and the heedless actions of men As a rider doth a lame horse Of whose halting not he but the horse's lameness is the true and proper cause Wherefore, in the former of these cases, God is said to have sent Joseph into Egypt,

Genesis 45, 7, and in the latter, to deliver one into his neighbor's hand. Exodus 21, 13. Lastly, God hath, by an eternal decree, immovable as mountains of brass, Zechariah 6.1. Appointed the whole of everyone's lot, the crooked parts thereof, as well as the straight. By the same eternal decree, whereby the high and low parts of the earth, the mountains and the valleys were appointed, are the heights and the depths, the prosperity and adversity in the lot of the inhabitants thereof, determined, and they are brought about in time in a perfect agreeableness there too.

The mystery of providence in the government of the world is, in all the parts thereof, the building reared up of God, in exact conformity to the plan in his decree, who worketh all things after the council of his own will. Ephesians 1.11 So that there is never a crook in one's lot, but may be run up to this original. Hereof, Job piously sets us an example in his own case. Job 18, 13, and 14. He is in one mind and who can turn him.

And what his soul desireth, even that he does. for he performeth the thing that is appointed for me, and many such things are with him. Secondly, that we may see how the crook in the lot is of God's making, we must distinguish between pure, sinless crooks and impure, sinful ones. First, there are pure and sinless crooks, which are mere afflictions, cleanly crosses, grievous indeed but not defiling such was lazarus's poverty rachel's barrenness leah's tender eyes the blindness of the man who had been so from his birth john nine one Now the crooks of this kind are of God's making, by the efficacy of his power directly bringing them to pass, and causing them to be. He is the maker of the poor. Proverbs 17, 5.

Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his maker. That is, reproacheth God who made him poor. according to that 1 Samuel 2 7 the Lord maketh poor It is he that hath the key of the womb and as he sees meat shuts it 1st Samuel 1 5 or opens it Genesis 29 31 And it is he that formeth the eyes Psalm 94 9 and the man was born blind that the works of God should be made manifest in him. John 9 3 Therefore he saith to Moses, Exodus 4 11

Who maketh the dumb or deaf or the seeing or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Such crooks in the lot are of God's making in the most ample sense and in their full comprehension being the direct effects of his agency, as well as the heavens and the earth. Secondly, there are impure, sinful crooks, which, in their own nature, are sins as well as afflictions, defiling as well as grievous.

Such was the crook made in David's lot, through his family disorders, the defiling of Tamar, the murder of Amnon, the rebellion of Absalom, all of them unnatural. Of the same kind was that made in Job's lot by the Sabians and Chaldeans, taking away his substance and slaying his servants. As these were the afflictions of David and Job, respectively, so they were the sins of the actors, the unhappy instruments thereof. Thus one and the same thing may be to one a heinous sin,

defiling and laying him under guilt, and to another an affliction, laying him under suffering only. Now the crooks of this kind are not of God's making, in the same latitude as those of the former, for he neither puts evil in the whole, heart of any, nor stirreth up to it. He cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.

James 1.13. But they are of his making, by his holy permission of them, powerful bounding of them, and wise overruling of them to some good end. First, he wholly permits them suffering men to walk in their own ways. Acts 14. 16. Though he is not the author of those sinful crooks, causing them to be by the efficacy of his power, yet if he did not permit them, willing not to hinder them, they could not be at all. For he shutteth and no man openeth. revelations three seven but he justly withholds his grace which the sinner doth not desire takes off the restraint under which he is uneasy and since the sinner will be gone lays the reins on his neck and leaves him to the swing of his lust hosaiah four seventeen ephraim is joined to idols let him alone Psalm 81, 11 and 12.

Israel would none of me, so I gave them up to their own heart's lusts, in which unhappy situation the sinful crook doth from the sinner's own proper motion naturally and infallibly follow, even as water runs down a hill, wherever there is a gap left open before it. So, in these circumstances, Israel walked in their own councils, verse 12. And thus, this kind of crook is of God's making, as a just judge, punishing the sufferer by it. This view of the matter silenced David under Shemiay's cursings, 2 Samuel 16 10 and 11 Let him alone and let him curse

For the Lord hath bidden him Secondly He powerfully bounds them Psalm 76 10 The remainder of wrath That is the creature's wrath Thou shalt restrain Did not God bound these crooks

howsoever sore they are in anyone's case, they would be yet soar. But he says to the sinful instrument, as he said to the sea, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no farther, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed. He lays a restraining hand on him, that he cannot go one step farther, in the way his impetuous lust drives, than he sees meat to permit.

Hence it comes to pass that the crook of this kind is neither more nor less, but just as great as he by his powerful bounding makes it to be. An eminent instance hereof we have in the case of Job, whose lot was crooked through a peculiar agency of the devil. but even to that grand sinner God set a bound in the case. The Lord said unto Satan, behold all that he hath is in thy power, only upon himself, put not forth thine hand. Job 1.12. Now Satan went the full length of the bound, leaving nothing within the compass thereof untouched.

which he saw could make for his purpose, verses 18 and 19. But he could, by no means, move one step beyond it, to carry his point, which he could not gain within it. And therefore, to make the trial greater, and the crook soarer, nothing remained but that the bound set should be removed,

and the sphere of his agency enlarged, for which cause he saith. But touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. Chapter 2.5 And it being removed accordingly, but with all a new one set, verse 6. Behold, he is in thine hand, but save his life. The crook was carried to the utmost that the new bound would permit, in a consistency with his design of bringing Job to blaspheme.

Satan smote him with sore boils from the soul of his foot unto the crown of his head. Verse 7. And had it not been for this bound, securing Job's life, he, after finding this attempt unsuccessful to, had doubtless dispatched him at once. Thirdly, he wisely, he wisely, wise. overrules them to some good purpose, becoming the divine perfections. While the sinful instrument hath an ill design in the crook caused by him, God directs it to a holy and good end.

In the disorders of David's family, Amnon's design was to gratify a brutish lust, Absalom's, to glut himself with revenge, and to satisfy his pride and ambition. But God meant thereby to punish David for his sin in the matter of Uriah. In the crook made in Job's lot by Satan and the Sabians and Chaldeans, his instruments, Satan's design was to cause Job to blaspheme and theirs to gratify their covetousness. but God had another design therein becoming himself, namely to manifest Job's sincerity and uprightness. Did not he wisely and powerfully overrule these crooks made in men's lot, no good could come out of them, but he always overrules them so as to fulfill his own holy purposes

thereby. How be it the sinner meaneth not so. For his designs cannot miscarry, his counsel shall stand. Isaiah 46 10. So the sinful crook is, by the overruling hand of God, turned about to his own glory, and his people's good in the end. According to the word, Proverbs 16, 4. The Lord hath made all things for himself. Romans 8.28. All things work together for good to them that love God. Thus, Haman's plot for the destruction of the Jews was turned to the contrary, Esther 9.1. and the crook made in Joseph's lot by his own brethren selling him into Egypt, though it was on their part most sinful and of a most mischievous design, yet as it was of God's making by his holy permission, powerful bounding,

and wisely overruling it, had an issue well becoming the divine wisdom and goodness, both of which Joseph notices to them. Genesis 50 20 As for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good to bring to pass as it is this day to save much people alive. Thirdly, it remains to inquire

why God makes a crook in one's lot, and this is to be cleared by discovering the design of that dispensation. A matter which it concerns everyone to know, and carefully to notice, in order to a Christian improvement of the crook in their lot. The design thereof seems to be, chiefly, sevenfold. First, the trial of one state, whether one is in the state of grace or not, whether a sincere Christian or a hypocrite, though, every affliction is trying, yet here I conceive lies the main providential trial a man is brought into with reference to his state. For as much as the crook in the lot, being a matter of a

continued course, one has occasion to open and show himself again and again in the same thing. whence it comes to pass that it ministers ground for a decision in that momentous point. It was plainly on this foundation that the trial of Job's state was put. The question was whether Job was an upright and sincere servant of God, as God himself testified of him, or but a mercenary one, a hypocrite as Satan alleged against him, and the trial hereof was put upon the crook to be made in his lot. Job 1, 8 through 12, and Job 2, 3 through 6. Accordingly, that which all his friends, save Elehue, the last speaker, bid in their reasonings with him under his trial, Amat, was to prove him a hypocrite. Satan thus making use of these good men for gaining his point.

As God made trial of Israel in the wilderness for the land of Canaan, by a train of afflicting dispensations, which Caleb and Joshua bearing strenuously, were declared meat to enter the promised land, as having followed the Lord fully, while others being tired out with them, their carcasses fell in the wilderness. So he makes trial of men for heaven by the crook in their lot. If one can stand that test,

he is manifested to be a saint, a sincere servant of God, as Job was proved to be. If not, he is but a hypocrite. He cannot stand the test of the crook in his lot, but goes away like dross in God's furnace. A melancholy instance of which we have in that man of honor and wealth, who, with high pretences of religion, arising from a principle of moral seriousness, addressed himself to our Savior to know what he should do that he might inherit eternal life. Mark 10, 17 through 22.

Our Savior, to discover the man to himself, makes a crook in his lot, where all along before it has stood even, obliging him by a probatory command to sell and give away all that he had and follow him. Verse 21, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor. and come take up the cross and follow me. Hereby he was that moment in the court of conscience stripped of his great possessions, so that thenceforth he could no longer keep them with a good conscience, as he might have done before. The man instantly felt the smart of this crook made in his lot. He was sad at that saying, verse 22.

That is, immediately upon the hearing of it, being struck with pain, disorder, and confusion of mind, his countenance changed, became cloudy and lowering as the same word is used. Matthew 16, 3. He could not stand the test of that crook. He could, by no means, submit his lot to God in that point. but behoved to have it at any rate, according to his own mind. So he went away grieved, for he had great possessions. He went away from Christ back to his plentiful estate,

and though with a pained and sorrowful heart, sat him down again on it, a violent possessor before the Lord, thwarting the divine order. And there is no appearance that, that ever this order was revoked, or that ever he came to a better temper in reference thereunto. Secondly, excitation to duty, weaning one from this world,

and prompting him to look after the happiness of the other world. Many have been beholden to the crook in their lot, for that ever they came to themselves, settled and turned serious. going for a time like a wild ass used to the wilderness, scorning to be turned, their foot hath slid in due time, and a crook being thereby made in their lot, their month hath come wherein they have been caught.

Jeremiah 2.24. Thus was the prodigal brought to himself, and obliged to entertain thoughts of returning unto his father. Luke 15. 17. The crook in their lot convinces them at length that here is not their rest, finding still a pricking thorn of uneasiness, whensoever they lay down their head where they would fain take rest in the creature, and that they are obliged to lift it again, they are brought to conclude, there is no hope from that quarter, and begin to cast about for rest another way. So it makes them errands to God, which they had not before, for as much as they feel a need of the

comforts of the other world, to which their mouths were out of taste, while their lot stood even to their mind. Wherefore, whatever use we make of the crook in our lot, the voice of it is, arise ye and depart, this is not your rest. And it is surely that which of all means of mortification of the afflictive kind doth most deaden a real Christian to this life and world. Thirdly, conviction of sin. as when one walking heedlessly is suddenly taken ill of a lameness. His going halting the rest of his way convinces him of having made a wrong step, and every new painful step brings it afresh to his mind.

So God makes a crook in one's lot to convince him of some false step he hath made or course he hath taken. the sinner would otherwise be apt to overlook, forget, or think light of, is by this means recalled to mind, set before him as an evil and bitter thing, and kept in remembrance that his heart may every now and then bleed for it afresh. Thus by the crook, men's sin finds them out to their conviction, as the thief is ashamed when he is found. Numbers 32. 23. Jeremiah 2.26. The which Joseph's brethren do feelingly express under the crook made in their lot in Egypt.

Genesis 42. 21. We are verily guilty concerning our brother. Chapter 44. 16. God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants. the crook in the lot doth usually in its nature or circumstances so naturally refer to the false step or course that it serves for a providential memorial of it bringing the sin though of an old date fresh to remembrance and for a badge of the sinner's folly in word or deed to keep it ever before him When Jacob found Leah, through Laban's unfair dealing, palmed upon him for Rachel, how could he miss of a stinging remembrance of the cheat he had, seven years at least before,

put on his own father, pretending himself to be Esau? Genesis 27. 19 How could it miss of galling him occasionally afterwards during the course of the marriage? He had imposed on his father, the younger brother, for the elder, and Laban imposed on him the elder sister for the younger. The dimness of Isaac's eyes favored the former cheat, and the darkness of the evening did as much favor the latter. So he behoved to say, as a Dony Bezic, in another case, Judges 1, 7. As I have done, so God hath requited me. In like manner, Rachel, dying in childbirth, could hardly avoid a melancholy reflection on her rash and passionate expression mentioned

Genesis 31. Give me children, or else I die. Even Holy Job read, in the crook of his lot, some false steps he had made in his youth many years before. Job 13.26. Thou writeest bitter things against me and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth. Fourthly, correction or punishment for sin. In nothing more than in the crook of the lot is that word verified. Jeremiah 2.19. Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backsliding shall reprove thee.

God may, for a time, wink at one's sin, which afterward he will set a brand of his indignation upon, in crooking the sinner's lot, as he did in the case of Jacob and of Rachel mentioned before. though the sin was a passing action or a course of no long continuance, the mark of the divine displeasure for it set on the center in the crook of his lot may pain him long and sore, that by repeated experience he may know what an evil and bitter thing it was. David's killing Uriah by the sword of the Ammonites was soon over. but for that cause the sword never departed from his house. 2 Samuel 12.10

Gahazi quickly obtained two bags of money from Naaman in the way of falsehood and lying, but as a lasting mark of the divine indignation against the profane trick, he got with all a leprosy which claved to him while he lived, and to his posterity after him. 2 Kings 527. This may be the case as well where the sin is pardoned, as to the guilt of eternal wrath as where it is not. And one may have confessed and sincerely repented of that sin,

which yet shall make him go halting to the grave, though it cannot carry him to hell. A man's person may be accepted in the beloved, who yet hath a particular badge of the divine displeasure, with his sin hung upon him in the crook of his lot. Psalm 99, 8. Thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance on their inventions. Fifthly, Preventing of Sin. Josea 2.6. I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall that she shall not find her paths. The crook in the lot will readily be found to lie cross to some wrong bias of the heart,

which peculiarly sways with the party, so it is like a thorn hedge or wall in the way which that bias inclines him to. The defiling objects in the world do specially take and prove ensnaring, as they are suited to the particular cast of temper in men. But by means of the crook in the lot, the paint and varnish is worn off the defiling object, whereby it loses its former taking appearance. Thus, the edge of corrupt affections is blunted, temptation weakened, and much sin prevented.

The sinner, after gadding about so much to change his way, returning ashamed. Jeremiah 2. 36 and 37. Thus, the Lord crooks one slot that he may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from men. And so he keepeth back his soul from the pitiful. it. Job 33, 17 and 18. Everyone knows what is most pleasant to him, but God alone knows what is most profitable. As all men are liars, so all men are fools, too. He is the only wise God, Jude, verse 25. Many are obliged to the crook in their lot.

that they go not to those excesses, which their vain minds and corrupt affections would, with full sail, carry them to, and they would, from their hearts, bless God for making it, if they did but calmly consider what would most likely be the issue of the removal thereof. When one is in hazard of fretting under the hardship of bearing the crook, he would do well to consider what condition he is as yet in to bear its removal in a Christian manner. Sixthly, discovery of latent corruption, whether in saints or sinners. There are some corruptions in every man's heart which lie, as it were, so near the surface, that they are ready on every turn to rise up.

but then there are others also which lie so very deep that they are scarcely observed at all. But as the fire under the pot makes the scum to rise up, appear at top, and run over, so the crook in the lot raises up from the bottom and brings out such corruption as otherwise one could hardly imagine to be within. Who would have suspected such strength of passion in the meek Moses as he discovered at the waters of strife, and for which he was kept out of Canaan? Psalm 106 32 and 33, Numbers 2013. So much bitterness of spirit in the patient Job as to charge God with becoming cruel to him. 30, 21. So much ill nature in the good Jeremiah as to curse not only the day of his birth,

but even the man who brought tidings of it to his father. Jeremiah 20, 14, and 15. Or such a tang of atheism in Asif as to pronounce religion a vain thing. Psalm 73 13. 13. But the crook in the lot, bringing out these things, showed them to have been within how long soever they had lurked unobserved. And as this design, however indecently proud scoffers allow themselves to treat it, is in no way inconsistent with the divine perfections. So the discovery itself is necessary for the due humiliation of sinners. and to stain the pride of all glory that men may know themselves, both which appear in that it was on this very design that God made the long-continued crook in Israel's lot in the wilderness, even to humble them and prove them to know what was in their heart.

Deuteronomy 8. 2 7thly the exercise of grace in the children of God. Believers, through the remains of indwelling corruption, are liable to fits of spiritual laziness and inactivity, in which their graces lie dormant for the time. Besides, there are some graces which of their own nature are but occasional in their exercise, as being exercised only upon occasion of certain things, which they have a necessary relation to,

such as patience and long-suffering. Now, the crook in the lot serves to rouse up a Christian to the exercise of the graces, overpowered by corruption, and withal to call forth to action the occasional graces, ministering proper occasions for, for them. The truth is, the crook in the lot is the great engine of providence for making men appear in their true colors, discovering both their ill and their good. And if the grace of God be in them,

it will bring it out and cause it to display itself. It so puts the Christian to his shifts, that however it makes him stagger for a while, yet it will at length evidence both the reality and the strength of grace in him. Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes may be found unto praise.

1. Peter 1.6 and 7. The crook in the lot gives rise to many acts of faith, hope, love, self-denial, resignation, and other graces, to many heavenly breathings, pantings, and groanings, which otherwise would not be brought forth. And I make no question, but these things, however, by carnal men despised as trifling, are more precious in the sight of God than even believers themselves are aware of, being acts of immediate internal worship, and will have a surprising notice taken of them, and of the sum of them, at long run,

how be it the persons themselves often can hardly think them worth their own notice at all. The steady acting of a gallant army of horse and horse, foot to the routing of the enemy is highly prized. But the acting of holy fear and humble hope is in reality far more valuable as being so in the sight of God whose judgment we are sure is according to truth. This the psalmist teacheth. Psalm 147, 10 and 11. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse. He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. And indeed, the exercise of the graces of his spirit in his people is so very precious in his sight that whatever grace any of them excel in, they will readily get

such a crook made in their lot as will be a special trial. of it that will make a proof of its full strength. Abraham excelled in the grace of faith, entrusting God's bare word of promise above the dictates of sense, and God, giving him a promise that he would make of him a great nation, made with all a crook in his lot,

by which he had enough ado with all the strength of his faith, while he was obliged to, leave his country and kindred, and sojourn among the Canaanites, his wife continuing barren till past the age of childbearing, and when she had at length brought forth Isaac, and he was grown up, he was called to offer him up for a burnt offering, the more exquisite trial of his faith that Ishmael was now expelled his family, and that it was declared, that in Isaac only his seed should be called.

Genesis 21, 12 Moses was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. Numbers 12, 3 and he was entrusted with the conduct of a most perverse and unmanageable people. The crook in his lot plainly designed for the exercise of his meekness. Job excelled in patience, and by the crook in his lot, he got as much to do with it. For God gives none of his people to excel in a gift, but sometime or other he will afford them use for the whole compass of it. End of Chapter 3.

Chapter 4 of the crook in the lot are the sovereignty and wisdom of God, in the afflictions of men, displayed. This is a Librethox recording. All Librethox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libavox.org. Recording by Roof The crook in the lot are the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men displayed by Thomas Boston. Chapter 4 The Use of This Doctrine Now the use of this doctrine Is freefold

1 for reproof 2 for consolation And 3 for exaltation Use 1 for reproof And it meets with three sorts of persons As reprovable First the carnal and earthly who do not with awe and reverence regard the crook in their lot as of God's making.

There is certainly a signature of the divine hand upon it to be perceived by just observers, and that challenge of an awful regard, the neglect of which forbode's destruction. Psalm 28, verse 5, Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them and not build them up. And herein they are deeply guilty, who, pouring upon second causes, and looking no further than the unhappy instruments of the crook in their lot,

overlook the first cause as a dog snarls at the stone, but looks not to the hand that casts it. This is, in effect, to make a guard of the creature, so regarding it as if it could of itself, effect anything, while in the meantime it is but an instrument in the hand of God, the rod of his anger. Isaiah 10, 5. Ordained of him for judgment, established for correction. Habakkuk 1, verse 12,

O, why should men terminate their view on the instruments of the crook in their lot, and so magnify their scourges? The truth is, they are, for the most part rather to be pitied as having an undesirable office, which for their gratifying their own corrupt affections in making the crook in the lot of

others, returns on their own head at length with a vengeance, as did the blood of Jesreal and the house of Jehu. Cozia 1.4 And it is specially undesirable to be so employed in the case of such as belonged to God,

for rarely is the ground of the quarrel the same on the part of the instrument, as on God's part, but very different. Witness Shimei's cursing David as a bloody man, meaning the blood of the house of Saul, which he was not guilty of, while God meant it of the blood of Uriah, which he could not deny. 2 Samuel 16, 7 and 8. Moreover, the quarrel will be at length taken up between God and his people, then their scourges will find they had but a thankless office. Zechariah 1.15, I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction,

say of God, in resentment of the heathen crooking the lot of his people. In like manner are they guilty, who impute the crook in their lot to fortune, or their ill luck, which in very deed is nothing but a creature of imagination, framed for a blind to keep man from acknowledging the hand of God. Thus, what the Philistines doubted, they do more impiously determine, saying in effect, it is not his hand that smote us, it was a chance that happened to us. 1 Samuel 6. 9. And finally, those also are guilty, who in the way of giving up themselves to carnal mirth and sensuality set themselves to despise the cook in their lot. to make nothing of it and to forget it i question not but one committing his case to the lord and looking to him for remedy in the first place may lawfully call in the moderate use of the comforts of life for help in the second place

but as for that cause so frequent and usual in this case among carnal men if the crook of the lot really be as indeed it is of god's making it must needs be a most indecent and decent unkind becoming coarse to be appalled of all good men. Proverbs 3. 11. My son despise not the chastening of the Lord. It is surely a very desperate method of cure which cannot miss of issuing something worse than the disease. However, it may palliate it for a while. Isaiah 22, 12 to 14. in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping and to mourning and behold joy and gladness, eating flesh and drinking wine, and it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts. Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till you die. Secondly, the unsubmissive whose hearts like the troubled seas swell and boil, fret and murmur,

and cannot be at rest unto the crook in their lot. This is a most sinful and dangerous course. The Apostle Jude characterising some to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Verse 13, say of them, verse 16. These are murmurers, complainers, namely still complaining of their lot, which is the import of the word they are used by the Holy Ghost. For since the crook in their lot,

which their unsubdued spirits can by no means submit to, is of God's making. This their practice must need to be a fighting against God, and these their complainings and murmurings are indeed against him, whatever face they put upon them. Thus, when the Israelites murmur against Moses, Numbers 14, 2. God charges them with murmuring against himself. How long shall I bear with this evil congregations?

which murmured against me. Thurs 27. Ah, may not he who made and fashioned us without our advice, be allowed to make our lot too without asking our mind, but we must rise up against him on account of the crook made in it? What doff this speak, but that the proud creature cannot endure God's work, nor bear what he have done,

and how black and dangerous is that temper or spirit? how is it possible to miss of being broken to pieces in such a course? He is wise in heart and mighty in strength, who have hardened himself against him and have prospered. Job 9. 4. Thirdly, the careless and unfruitful, who do not set themselves dutifully to comply with the design of the crook in their lot. God and nature do nothing in vain.

since he makes the crook there is doubtless of becoming design in it, which we are obliged in a duty to fall in with, according to that, Micah six, nine, hear ye the rod. And indeed, if one shut not his own eyes but be willing to understand, he may easily perceive the general design thereof to be, to wean him from this world, and move him to seek and take up his heart's rest in God. and nature and the circumstances of the crook itself being duly considered,

it will not be very hard to make a more particular discovery of the design thereof. But alas, the careless sinner, sunken spiritual sloth and stupidity, is in no concern to discover the design of providence in the crook, so he cannot fall in with it, but remains unfruitful, and all the pains taken on him by the great husbandman, in the dispensation are lost. They cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty, groaning under the pressure of the crook itself,

and weight of the hand of the instrument thereof. But none, seraph, where is God, my maker? They look not, they turn not on to God for all that. Job 35, 9 and 10 Use too, for consolation. It speaks comfort to the afflicted, children of God. Whatever is the crook in your lot

it is of God's making, and therefore you may look upon it kindly. Since it is your father has made it for you, question not, but there is a favourable design in it toward you. A discreet child welcomes his father's rod, knowing that being a father he seek of his benefit thereby, and shall not God's children

welcome the crook in their lot as designed by their father, who cannot mistake his measures to work for their good according to the promise. The truth is, the crook in the lot of a believer, how painful soever it proves, is a part of the discipline of the covenant, the nurture secured to Christ's children by the promise of the father. Psalm 89, 30 and 32 If his children forsake my law and walk not in my judgment, walk not in my judgment, then will I visit their transgressions with the rod. Furthermore, all who are disposed to partake themselves to God under the crook in their lot

may take comfort in this. Let them know that there is no crook in their lot, but may be made straight, for God made it. Surely then he can mend it. He himself can make straight what he have made crooked, though none other can. There is nothing too hard for him to do. he raiseth the paw out of the dust and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill that he may set him with princes he maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of children psalm a hundred and thirteen seven to nine say not that your crook have been of so long a continuance that it will never mend put it in the hand of god who made it that he may mend it and wait on him and if it is it be for your good that it should be mended, it shall be mended. For no good thing will he withhold from them

that walk up brightly. Psalm 84.11. Use last for exaltation. Since the crook in the lot is of God's making, then eyeing the hand of God in yours be reconciled to it, and submit under it whatever it is. I say, eyeing the hand of God in it, for otherwise your submission under the crook in your lot cannot be a Christian submission, acceptable to God, having no reference to him as your party in the matter. Object 1. But some will say,

The crook in my lot is from the hand of the creature, and such a one too as I deserve no such treatment from. Answer, from what have been already said it appears, that although the crook in thy lot be indeed immediately from the creature's hand, yet it is mediately from the hand of God, there being nothing of that kind, no penal evil, but the Lord have done it. Therefore, without Paul peradventure, God himself is a principal party, whoever be the less principal,

and albeit there has not deserved thy crook at the hand of the instrument which he makes use of for thy correction. Thou certainly deservest it at his hand, and he may make use of what instrument he will in the matter, or may do it immediately by himself, even as seems good, in his sight. Object two, But the crook in my lot might quickly be evened

if the instrument or instruments thereof pleased, only there is no dealing with them, so as to convince them of their fault in making it. answer, if it be so, be sure God's time is not as yet come that the crook should be made even, for if it were come, though they stand now like an impregnable fort,

they would give way like a sandy bank under one's feet. They should bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet. Isaiah 49.23 Meanwhile, that stated, of the matter is so far from justifying ones not eyeing the hand of God in the crook in the lot, that it makes a piece of trial in which his hand very eminently appears, namely that men should be signally injurious and burdensome to others,

yet by no means susceptible of conviction. This was the trial of the church from her adversaries, Jeremiah 50, 7. All that found them have devoured them, and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the Lord the habitation of justice. They were very abusive and gave her barbarous usage,

yet would they owe no fault in the matter? How could they ward off the conviction? Were they verily blameless in their devouring the Lord's straying sheep? No, surely they were not. Did they look upon themselves as ministers of divine justice against her? No, they were not. did not. Some indeed would make a question here how the adversaries of the church could celebrate her God as the habitation of justice. But the original pointing of the text being retained,

it appears that there is no ground at all for this question here, and with all the whole matter is set in a clear light. All that found them have devoured them, and their adversaries said we offend not, because they have sinned against the Lord the habitation of justice. these last are not the words of the adversaries but the words of the prophet showing how it came to pass that the adversaries devoured the lord's sheep as they lighted on them and we all stood to the defence of it when they had done far from acknowledging any wrong the matter lay here the sheep had sinned against the lord the habitation of justice and as a just punishment hereof from his hand there could have no justice at the hand of their adversaries. Wherefore, laying aside these frivolous pretenses, and eyeing the hand of God, as that which have bowed your lot in the matter, and keep it in the bow, be reconciled to, and submit under the crook, whatever it is, saying from the heart, truly this is a grief,

and I must bear it, Jeremiah 10, 19, and to move you here on to, consider. 1. It is a duty you owe to God as your sovereign lord and benefactor. His sovereignty challenges our submission, and it can in no case be meanness or spirit to submit to the crook which his hand have made in our lot, and to go quietly under the yoke that he have laid on. But it is really madness for the pot-shirts of the earth by their turbulent and refractory carriage under it to strive with their maker. And his benefits, to us, ill-deserving creatures may well stop our mouth from complaining of his making a crook in our lot. Who would have done us no wrong had he made the whole of it crooked? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive the evil? Job 2. 10. 2. It is an unalterable

stature for the time of this life that nobody shall want a crook in their lot. For man is born into trouble as the sparks fly upward Job 5, 7 And those who are designed for heaven Are in a special manner assured of a crook in theirs That in the world they shall have tribulation John 1633

For by means thereof the Lord makes them meet for heaven And how can you imagine that you shall be exempted From the common lot of mankind Shall the rock be reproved out of his place for thee? and since God makes the crooks in men's lot, according to the different exigence of their cases, you may be sure that yours is necessary for you. A crook in the lot which one can by no means submit to

makes the condition of all things the lightliest to that in hell. For there is a yoke, which the wretched sufferers can either bear nor shake off, is wreathed about their necks. there the almighty arm-draars against them, and they against it, there they are ever-suffering and ever-sinning, still in the furnace, but their dross not consumed, nor they purified. Even such is the case of those who now cannot submit to the crook in their lot.

4. Great is the loss by not submitting to it. The crook in the lot rightly improved has turned to the best account, and made the best time to some that ever they had all their life long, as the psalmist from his own experience testifies. Psalm 119.67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now hath I kept thy word. There are many now in heaven who are blessing God for the crook they had in their lot here.

What a sad thing must it then be to lose this teaf wind for Immanuel's land. but if the crook in thy lot do thee no good be sure it will not miss of doing thee great damage it will greatly increase thy guilt and aggravate thy condemnation while it shall forever cut thee to the heart to think of the pains taken by means of the crook in the lot to wean thee from the world and bring thee to god but all in vain Take heed, therefore, how you manage it, lest thou mourn at the last, and say, How hath I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof? Proverbs 5, 10 to 12. End of chapter 4, recording by roof. Chapter 5 of the crook on the lot, or the sovereignty and wisdom of God, and the afflictions of men displayed.

This is the Lieberbox recording. all Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Elsie Selwyn. The crook in the lot, or the sovereignty and wisdom of God, and the afflictions of men displayed by Thomas Boston. Chapter 5. Proposition 2. We shall not be able to mend the crook in our lot. Proposition 2. What God sees meat to mar we shall not be able to mend in our lot. What crook God makes in our lot, we shall not be able to even. We shall, one, show God's marring and making a crook in one's lot as he sees meat. Two, we shall consider men's attempting to mender even the crook in their lot. Three, in what sense it is to be understood that we shall not be able to mend

or even the crook in our lot. Four, render some reasons of the point. One, as to the first head, namely to show God's marring and making a crook in one's lot as he sees meat. First, God keeps the choice of everyone's crook to himself, and therein he exerts his sovereignty. Matthew 2015. It is not left to our option what that crook shall be, or what our peculiar burden, but, as the potter makes of the same clay one vessel for one use, another for another use, so God makes one crook for one, another for another, according to his own will and pleasure. Psalms 135, 6, quote, whatsoever the Lord pleaded that did he, in heaven and in earth, end quote, etc. Secondly, he sees and observes the bias of everyone's will and inclination,

how it lies and wherein it especially bends away from himself, and consequently wherein it needs the special bow. So he did in that man's case, Mark 1021, quote, one thing thou lackest, go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, end quote, etc. Observe the bent of his heart to his great possessions, he takes notice of what is that idol, that in everyone's case is most apt to be his rival, that so he may suit the trial to the case, making the crook there. Thirdly, by the conduct of his providence or a touch of his hand, he gives that part of one's lot a bow the contrary way, so that henceforth it lies quite contrary to the bias of the party's will, Ezekiel 24-25. And here the trial is made. The bent of the will line one way and that part of one's

lot another, that it does not answer the inclination of the party but thwarts it. Fourthly, he wills that crook on the lot to remain while he sees meat for a longer or shorter time, just according to the holy ends he designs it for. 2. Samuel 12. 10. Hosea 5.15. By that will it is so fixed that the whole creation cannot alter it or put it out of the bow. 2. We shall consider men's attempting to mend or even not crook in their lot. This and a word lies in their making efforts to bring their lot in that point to their own will,

that they may both go one way so it imports three things. first a certain uneasiness under the crook in the lot it is a yoke which is hard for the party to bear till his spirit be tamed and subdued jeremiah thirty one eighteen quote thou hast chastised me and i was chastised as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke turn thou me and i shall be turned end quote etc and it is for the breaking down of the weight of one spirit that god lays it on for which cause it is declared to be a good thing that to bear it. Lamentations 3.27. That being the way to make one at length as a weaned child. Secondly, a strong desire to have the cross removed and to have matters in that part going according to our inclinations. This is very natural, nature desiring to be freed from everything that is burdensome or cross to it. And if that desire be kept and a due subordination to the will of God and it be not too peremptory, it is not sinful. Matthew 2639. Quote, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will,

unquote, etc. Hence, so many accepted prayers of the people of God for the removal of the crook in their lot. Thirdly, an earnest use of means for that end. This naturally follows on that desire. The man being pressed with the cross, which is in his crook, labors all he can in the use of means to be rid of it, and if the means used be lawful and not relied upon, but followed with an eye to God in them, the attempt is not sinful whether he succeeded in the use of them or not. 3. In what sense it is to be understood that we shall not be able to mend or even the crook in our lot? It is not to be understood as if the case were absolutely hopeless, and that there is no remedy for the cook in the lot, for there is no case so desperate, but God may write it.

Genesis 1814. Quote, is anything too hard for the Lord? End quote. When the crook has continued long and spurned all remedies one has used for it, one is ready to lose hope about it, but many a crook given over for hopeless, that would never mend God has made perfectly straight, as in Job's case. But we shall never be able to mend it by ourselves,

if the Lord himself take it not in hand to remove it, it will stand before us immovable, like a mountain of brass, though perhaps it may, be in itself a thing that might easily be removed. We take it up in these three things. One, it will never do by the mere force of our hand. One, Samuel, two, nine, quote, for by strength shall no man prevail. End quote. The most vigorous endeavors we can use will not even the crook, if God give it not a touch of his hand, so that all endeavors that way, without an eye to God, are vain and fruitless and will be but ploughing on the rock.

Psalms 127. 1. 2. 2. The use of all allowable means for it will be successless unless the Lord bless them for that end. Lamentations 3.37. Quote, Who is he that saith, and it cometh to path, when the Lord commandeth it not?

End quote. As one may eat and not be satisfied, so one may use means proper for evening the cook in his lot, and yet prevail nothing, for nothing can be or do for us any more than God makes it be or do. Ecclesiastics, 9, 11, quote, the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bred to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, end quote, etc. 3. It will never do in our time, but in God's time, which seldom is so early, as ours. John

7. 6. Quote, My time is not yet come, but your time is always ready. End quote. Hence, that crook remains sometimes immovable, as if it were kept by an invisible hand, and at another time it goes away with a touch, because God's time is come for evening it. 4. We shall now assign the reasons of the point. First, because of the absolute dependence we have upon God,

Acts 1728. As the light depends on the sun or the shadow on the body, so we depend on God and without him can do nothing, great or small, and God will have us to find it so to teach us our dependence. Secondly, because his will is irresistible, Isaiah 156. 10. Quote, my counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure, end quote. when God wills one thing in the creature the contrary, it is easy to see which will must be done. When the omnipotent arm holds, in vain, does the creature draw? Job 9.4. Quote, Who hath hardened himself against him and prospered?

End quote. Inference 1. There is a necessity of yielding and submitting to the crook in our lot, for we may as well think to remove the rocks and mountains, which God has settled as to make that part of our lot straight, which he hath made crooked. 2. The evening of the crook in our lot, by main force of our own, is but a cheat we put on ourselves and will not last, but, like a stick by main force made straight, it will quickly return to the bow again. 3. The only effectual way of getting the crook evened is to apply to God for it. Exhortation 1. Let us then apply to God for removing any crook in our

our lot, that in the settled order of things may be removed. Men cannot cease to desire the removal of a crook, more than that of a thorn in the flesh. But since we are not able to mend what God sees meat to mar, it is evidence we are to apply to him that made it to amend it, and not take the evening of it in our own hand. Motive 1. All our attempts for its removal will without him be vain and fruitless. Psalms. 127. 1. Let us be as resolute as we will to have it evened. If God say it not, we will labor in vain. Lamentations, 3.37. Howsoever fair the means we use bid for it, they will be ineffectual if he command not the blessing. Ecclesiastics, 9.11.

2. Such attempts will readily make it worse. Nothing is more ordinary than for a proud spirit striving with the crook to make it more crooked. Ecclesiastics, 10, 8, 9. Quote, "'Whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him, "'whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith,' and quote, etc. "'This is evident in the case of the murmurers in the wilderness. "'It naturally comes to be so, because at that rate, "'the will of the party bends farther away from it, "'and, moreover, God is provoked to wreath the yoke faster about one's neck,

that he will by no means let it sit easy on him. 3. There is no crook but what may be remedied by him and made perfectly straight. Psalms 146. 8. Quote, the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down, end quote, etc. He can perform that concerning which there remains no hope with us. Romans 4.17. Quote, Who quickeneth the dead and call

those things which be not as though they were." It is his prerogative to do wonders, to begin a work where the whole creation gives it over as hopeless, and carry it on to perfection. Genesis 1814. 4. He loves to be employed in evening crooks, and calls us to employ him that way. Psalms 50-15. Quote, call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee, end quote,

he makes them for that very end that he may bring us to him on that errand and may manifest his power and goodness in evening of them. Hosea 5.15, the straits of the children of men afford a large field for displaying his glorious perfections, which otherwise would be wanting. Exodus 1511. 5. A crook thus evened is a double mercy. There are some crooks evened by a touch of the hand of common providence, while people are either not exercised about them or when they fret for their removal, these are sapless mercies and short-lived. Psalms 78.30.31. Hosea 1311. Fruits, thus too hastily plucked off the tree of providence, can hardly miss to set the teeth on edge and will certainly be bitter to the gracious soul. But oh,

the sweets of the evening of the crook by a humble application to in waiting on the Lord. It has the image and superscription of divine favor upon it, which makes it bulky and valuable. Genesis 33.10, quote, for therefore I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God, end quote, etc. Chapter 21, 6. 6. God has signalized his favor to his dearest children in making and menending notable crooks in their lot. His darling ones ordinarily have the greatest crooks made in their lot. Hebrews, 12, 6. But then they make way for their richest experiences and the removal of them upon their application to him. This is clear from the case of Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. Which of the patriarchs had so great crooks as they? But which of them, on the other hand, had such signal

tokens of the divine favor. The greatest men as Samson and the Baptist have been born of women naturally barren. So do the greatest crooks issue in the richest mercies to them that are exercised thereby. Seven, it is the shortest and surest way to go straight to God with the crook in the lot. If we would have our wish in that point, we must, as the eagle first soar aloft and then come down on the prey. Mark 536. Our faithless out of the way attempts to even the crook are but our fools haste that is no speed as in the case of abraham's going into hager god is the first mover who sets all the wheels in motion for evening the crook which without him will remain immovable hosthea two twenty one object one quote

but it is needless for i see that though the crook in my lot may mend yet it never will mend in its own nature it is capable of being removed, but it is plain, it is not to be removed, it is hopeless." End quote. Answer. That is the language of unbelieving haste, which faith and patience should correct. Psalms. 116. 1112. Abraham had as much to say for the hopelessness of his crook, but yet he applies to God in faith for the mending of it. Romans 4.19. 20. Sarah had made such a conclusion, for which she was rebuked. Genesis 18, 13, 14. Nothing can make it needless in such a case to apply to God. Object 2, quote, but I have applied to him again and again for it, yet it has never mended, end quote. Answer, delays are not denials of suits at the court of heaven, but trials of the faith and patience

of the petitioners, and whoso will persevere, will certainly speed at length. Luke 18, 7, 8. Quote, and shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them, I tell you that he will avenge them speedily, end quote. Sometimes indeed folks grow pettish in the case of the crook in the lot, and let it drop out in their prayers in a course of despondency, while yet it continues uneasy to them, but if God mind to even it in mercy, he will oblige them to take it in again. Ezekiel 36, 37. Quote, I will yet for this be inquired of by the House of Israel to do it for them, end quote, etc. If the removal come while it has dropped, there will be little comfort in it.

Though it were never to be removed while we live, that should not cut off our applying to God for the removal, for there are many prayers not to be answered till we come to the other world, Romans, 7. 24, and there all will be answered at once. Directions for rightly managing the application for removing the crook in the lot. 1. Pray for it. Ezekiel's 36, 37. And pray in faith, believing that for the sake of Jesus, you shall certainly obtain at length and in this life too if it is good for you. But without peradventure in the life to come.

Matthews 21, 22. They will not be disappointed that get the song of Moses and of the Lamb. Revelations 15. 3. And in some cases of that nature, extraordinary prayer with fasting is very expedient. Matthews 1721. 2. Humble yourself under it as the yoke which the sovereign hand has laid on you. Michael 7.9. Quote, I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, end quote, etc. justify God, condemn yourselves, kiss the rod, and go quietly under it. This is the most feasible way to get rid of it, the end being obtained. James 4.10. Quote, thou wilt prepare their hearts, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. End quote. Psalms 10. 17. 3. Wait on patiently till the hand that made it mend it. Psalms 27. Do not give up the matter as hopeless because you. you are not so soon relieved as you would wish. Quote,

But let patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing, end quote. James 1.4. Leave the timing of the deliverance to the Lord. His time will at length to conviction appear the best and it will not go beyond it. Isaiah 60.22.

Quote, I, the Lord, will hasten it in his time, end quote. Waiting on him, ye will not be disappointed. quote, for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me, end quote. Isaiah 69.23. Exhortation 2. What crook there is, which in the settled order of things, cannot be removed or evened in this world,

let us apply to God for suitable relief under it. For instance, the common crook in the lot of saints, these indwelling sin, as God has made that crook not to be removed here, he can certainly balance it and afford relief under it. The same is to be said of any crook while it remains unremoveed. In such cases, apply yourself to God for making up your losses another way, and there are five things I would have you to keep in view and aim at here. 1. To take God in Christ for, and instead of that thing, the withholding or taking away of which from you makes the crook in your lot,

songs 162, 4, 5. there is never a crook which God makes in our lot, but it is, in effect, heaven's offer of a blessed exchange to us, such as Mark 10, 21, quote, sell whatsoever thou hast, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, end quote. In managing of which exchange, God first puts out his hand and takes away some earthly thing from us, and it is expected we put out our hand next and take some heavenly thing from him and the stead of it, and particularly his Christ. Wherefore, has God emptied your left hand of such and such and earthly comfort? Stretch out your right hand to God and Christ, take him in the room of it, and welcome. Therefore, the soul's closing with Christ is called buying, wherein parting with one thing we get another

in its stead. Matthews 13, 45, 46. Quote, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking godly pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. End quote. Do this and you will be more than even hands with the crook in your lot. 2. Look for the stream running as full from him as ever it did or could run when the crook of the lot has dried it. This is the work of faith confidently to depend on God for that which is denied us from the creature. Quote, when my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me end quote. Psalms 2710. This is a most rational expectation, for it is certain there is no good in the creature, but what is from God, therefore there is no good to be found in the creature, the stream,

but what may be got immediately from God the fountain, and it is a welcome plea to come to God and say, now, Lord, thou hast taken away from me such a creature comfort, I must have us good from thyself. 3. Seek for the spiritual fruits of the crook in the lot. Hebrews 12. 11. We see the way in the world is when one trade fails to fall on and drive another trade. So should we, when there is a crook in the lot, making our earthly comforts low, set ourselves the more for spiritual attainments. If our trade with the world sinks, let us seek to drive a trade with heaven more vigorously. See if by means of the crook we can obtain more faith, love, heavenly-mindedness, contempt of the world, humility, self-denial, etc. 2. Corinthians

6.10. So while we lose at one hand we shall gain at another. 4. Grace to bear us up under the crook. 2. Corinthians 12. 8. 9. Quote, for this thing I be sought the Lord thrice, end quote. And he said, quote, my grace is sufficient for thee, end quote. Whether a man be faint and have a light burden, or be refreshed and strengthened and have a heavy one, it is all the same. The latter can go as easy under his burden as the former under his. Grace proportion to the trial is what we should aim at. Getting that, though the crook be not even, we are even hands with it. Five, the keeping in our eye the eternal rest and weight of glory in the other world. Two, Corinthians, four, seventeen eighteen quote for our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding an internal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen and quote

this will balance the crook in your lot be it what it will while they who have no well-granted hope of salvation will find the crook in their lot in this world such a weight as they have nothing to counterbalance it but the hope of eternal rest may bear up under all the toil and trouble met with here exhortation three let us then set ourselves rightly to bear the crook in our lot while god sees meat to continue it what we cannot mend let us bear christianly and not fight against god and so kick against the pricks so let us bear it one patiently without fuming and fretting or murmuring james five seven psalms thirty seven seven though we lose our comfort in the creature through the crook in our lot let us not lose the possession of ourselves Luke 21. 19. The croak in our lot makes us like one who has but a scanty fire to warm at, but impatience under it scatters it, so as to set the house on fire about us and expose us to danger. Proverbs 2528, quote, He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls. End quote. Two, with Christian fortitude without sinking under discouragement, quote, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him, end quote, Hebrews 12, 5.

Satan's work is by the crook, either to bend or break people's spirits, and oftentimes, by bending to break them, our work is to carry evenly under it, staring a middle course, guarding against splitting on the rocks on either hand. Our happiness lies not in any earthly comfort, nor will the want of any of them render us miserable. Habakkuk 3. 17. 18, so that we are resolutely to hold on our way with a holy contempt and regardlessness of hardships,

Job 17, 9, quote, the righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger, end quote. Question, quote, when may anyone be reckoned to fall under sinking discouragement from the crook in his lot? End quote. Answer, when it prevails so far as to unfit for duties, either of our particular or Christian calling, we may be sure it has carried us beyond the bounds of moderate grief, when it unfits us for the common affairs of life which the Lord calls us to manage. 1. Corinthians 7.24. Or for the duties of religion hindering them altogether, 1. Peter 3.7, quote, that your prayers be not hindered, end quote. Greek, cut off or cut up like a tree from the roots, or making one quite hopeless in them. Malachi 2.13. 3. Let us bear it profitably,

so as we may gain some advantage thereby. Psalms 114. 71. Quote, it is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy statutes. And quote, there is an advantage to be made thereby, Romans 5, 3 through 5. And it is certainly an ill-managed crook in our lot when we get not some spiritual good of it. Hebrews 12. 11. The crook is a kind of spiritual medicine, and as it is lost physique that purges away no ill humors, in vain are its unpleasantness to the taste and its grippings endured. So it is a lost crook, and ill is the bitterness of it born if we are not bettered by it. Isaiah 27.9. Quote, by this, therefore, shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged. And this is all the fruit to take away his sin, end quote.

Motives to press this exhortation, motive one. There will be no evening of it while God sees me to continue it. Let us behave under it as we will and make what sallies we please in the case. It will continue immovable as fixed with bands of iron and brass. Job 13.13. Quote, But he is of one mind and who can turn him, and what his soul desire is, even that he doeth, for he performeth the thing that is appointed for me, and many such things

are with him." Is it not wisdom, then, to make the best we may of what we cannot mend? Make a virtue, then, of necessity. What is not to be cured must be endured, and should with a Christian resignation. Motive two. An awkward carriage under it notably increases the pain of it. What makes the yoke gala necks? But that we struggle so much against it, and cannot let us.

let it sit at ease on us. Jeremiah 31. 18. How often are we in that case like men dashing their heads against a rock to remove it? The rock stands unmoved, but they are wounded and lose exceedingly by their struggle. Impatience under the crook lays an overweight on the burden and makes it heavier, while withal it weakens us and makes us less able to bear it. Motive 3. The crook and thy lot is the special trial God has chosen for thee to take thy measure by. 1. Peter, 1. 6.5. 6. 7. It is God's fire whereby he tries what metal men are of. Heaven's touchstone for discovering true and counterfeit Christians. They may bear and go through several trials whom the crook in the lot will discover to be not, because by no means they can bear that. Mark 10. 21. 22.

Think then with thyself under it. Now here the trial of my state turns. I must by this be proved either sincere or a hypocrite, for can any be a cordial subject of Christ without being able to submit his lot to him? Do not all who sincerely come to Christ put a blank in his hand? Acts 9, 6. Psalms 47. And does he not tell us that without that disposition we are not his disciples? Luke 1426. Quote, if any man come to me and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also he cannot be my disciple." End quote. Perhaps you find you can submit to anything but that,

but will not that but mar all, mark 10, 21, 22. Did ever any hear of a sincere closing with Christ, with a reserve or exception of one thing wherein they behoove to be their own lords? Question, quote, is that disposition than a qualification necessarily pre-required to our believing, and if so where must we have it? Can we work it out of our own natural powers? End quote. Answer, no, it is not so, but it necessarily accompanies and goes along with believing, flowing from the same saving illumination in the knowledge of Christ, whereby the soul is brought to believe on him.

Hereby the soul sees him an able savior, and so trusts on him for salvation, the rightful Lord an infinitely wise ruler, and so submits the lot to him. Matthews, 13th, The soul taking him for a Savior takes him also for a head and ruler. It is Christ's giving himself to us and are receiving him, that causes us to quit other things to and for him, as it is the light that dispels the darkness. Case, quote, alas, I cannot get my heart freely to submit my law to him in that point. End quote. Answer one, that submission will not be carried on in any way without a struggle, the old man will never submit to it, and when the new man of grace is submitting to it, the old man will still be rebelling. Galatians 517, quote, for the flesh lusteth against the

spirit, in the spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary the one to the other, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would, end quote, but are ye sincerely desirous and habitually aiming to submit to it? From the ungracious struggle against the crook, turn away to the struggle with your own heart to bring it to submit, believing the promise, and using the means for it, being grieved from the heart with yourself, that you cannot submit to it. This is submitting of your lot in the favorable construction of the gospel, Romans 7. 17 through 20. 2. Corinthians 8.12. If you had your choice, would you rather have your heart brought to submit to the crook than the crook even to your heart's desire? Romans 7. 22. 23. And do you not sincerely

endeavor to submit notwithstanding the reluctancy of the flesh? Galatians 517. Answer 2. Where is the Christian self-denial and taking up the cross without submitting to the crook? This is the first lesson Christ puts in the hands of his disciples. Matthew 1624. Quote, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." End quote. Self-denial would procure a reconciliation with the crook and an admittance of the cross, but while we cannot bear our corrupt self to be denied any of its cravings, and particularly that which God sees meat especially to be denied, we cannot bear the crook in our lot, but fight against it in favor of self.

Answer 3. Where is our conformity to Christ while we cannot submit to the crook? We cannot evidence ourselves Christians without conformity to Christ. Quote, He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked. End quote. 1. John 2. 6. There is a continued crook in Christ's lot, but he submitted to it. Philippians 2.8. Quote, in being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Romans 15. 3. For even Christ, pleased, not himself, etc. And so must we, if we will prove ourselves Christians indeed, Matthew 1129, 2, Timothy 2, 1112. Answer 4. How shall we prove ourselves the genuine, kindly, children of God, if still warring with the crook? We cannot pray our Father, thy will be done on earth as, etc., Matthew 6. Nay, the language of that practice is, we must have our own will and God's will cannot satisfy us. Motive four. The trial by the crook here will not last long. 1. Corinthians 7. 29 through 31. What though the work be sore it may be the better comported with, that it will not be longsome. A few days or years at farthest will put an end to it and take you off your trials. Do not say, I shall never be eased of it, for if not eased before you will be

eased of it at death, come after it, what will? A serious view of death and eternity make us set ourselves to behave rightly under our crook while it lasts. Motif five, if you would in a Christian manner set yourselves to bear the crook, you would find it easier than you imagine, Matthew 11, 29, 30, quote, take my yoke upon you, and learn of me and ye shall find rest to your souls, for my yoke is easy in my burden is light." Satan has no readier way to gain his purpose than to persuade men it is impossible that ever their minds should ply with the crook, that it is a burden to them altogether insupportable. As long as you believe that, be sure you will never be able to bear it.

But the Lord makes no crook in the lot of any, but what may be born of them acceptably, though not sinlessly and perfectly. Matthew 11.30. For there is strength for that effect secured in the covenant. 2. Corinthians 3. 5. Philippians 4.13. In being by faith fetched, it will certainly come. Psalms 28. 7. Motive 6. If you behave Christianly under your crook here, you will not lose your labor, but get a full reward of grace in the other world through Christ. 2. Timothy, 2.12. 1. Corinthians 1558. There is a blessing pronounced on him that endureth on this very ground, James 1.12. Quote, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. For when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them

that love him, end quote. Heaven is the place into which the approved upon the trial of the crook are received. Revelations 7.14. Quote, these are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their rose and made them white in the blood of the lamb, end quote. when you come there, no vestiges of it will be remaining in your lot, nor will you have the least uneasy remembrance of it, but it will accent your praises and increase your joy. Motive 7. If you do not behave Christianly under it, you will lose your souls in the other world.

Jude 15, 16. Those who are at war with God and their lot here, God will have war with them forever. If they will not submit to his yoke here and go quietly under it, he will wreathe his yoke about their neck forever, with everlasting bonds that shall never be loosed. Job 9.4. Therefore, set yourselves to behave right lander the crook in your lot. End of Chapter 5. Chapter 6 of the crook in the lot, or the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men, displayed. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Recording by Devorah Allen

The crook in the lot or the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men displayed by Thomas Boston Chapter 6 Proposition 3 Proper means to behave rightly under the crook in our lot If you ask what way one may reach that, for direction we propose Proposition 3 The considering the crook in the lot as the work of God is a proper means to bring one to behave rightly under it. 1. What it is to consider the crook as the work of God. We take it up in these five things.

First, an inquiry into the spring whence it rises. Genesis 25-22. Reason and religion both teach us not only to notice the crook, which we cannot avoid, but to consider and inquire into the spring of it. Surely it is not our choice, nor do we designedly make it for ourselves. And to ascribe it to fortune is to ascribe it to nothing. It is not sprung of itself, but sown by one hand or another for us, Job 5.6. And we are to notice the hand from whence it comes. Secondly, a perceiving of the hand of God in it. Whatever hand any creatures have therein, we ought not determine our view in them,

but look above and beyond them to the supreme manager's agency. Job 1.21. Without this, we shall make a god of the creature that is instrumental of the crook, looking on it as if it were the first cause, which is peculiar to God, Romans 1136, and bring ourselves under that doom, Psalm 285, because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of His hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up. Thirdly, a representing it to ourselves as a work of God,

which he hath wrought against us for holy and wise ends, becoming the divine perfections. This is to take it by the right handle, to represent it to ourselves under a right notion, from whence a right management under it may spring. It can never be safe to overlook God in it, but very safe to overlook the creature, ascribing it unto God as if no other hand were in it,

his being always the principle therein. It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good, 1st Samuel 318. Thus David overlooked Shime, and looked to God in the matter of his cursing, as one fixing his eyes not on the axe, but on him that wielded it. Here two things are to come into our consideration.

First, the decree of God, purposing that crook for us from eternity. For he worketh all things after the council of his own will. Ephesians 1.11, the sealed book, in which are written all the black lines that make the crook. Whatever valleys of darkness, grief, and sorrow we are carried through, we are to look on them as made by the mountains of brass,

the immovable divine purposes, This can be no presumption in that case If we carry it no further than the event goes in our sight and feeling For so far the book is opened for us to look into Secondly, the providence of God bringing to pass that crook for us in time Amos 3.6 There is nothing can befall us without him in whom we live Whatever kind of agency of the creatures may be in the making of our crook

Whatever they have done or not done towards it, He is the spring that sets all the created wheels in motion, which ceasing they would all stop. Though he is still infinitely pure in his agency, however impure they be in theirs. Job considered both of these, Chapter 2314. Fourthly, a continuing in the thought of it as such. It is not a simple glance of the eye, but a contemplating and leisurely viewing of it as his work that is the proper mean. We are to be, first, habitually impressed with this consideration, as the crook is some

lasting grievance, so the consideration of this as the remedy should be habitually kept up. There are other considerations besides this that we must entertain, so that we cannot always have it expressly in our mind, but we must lay it down for a rooted principle, according to which we are to manage the crook, and keep the heart in a disposition whereby it may expressly slip into our minds as occasion calls. Secondly, we are to be occasionally exercised in it. Whenever we begin to feel the smart of the crook, we should fetch in this remedy. When the yoke begins to gall the neck, there should be an application of this spiritual

ointment. And however often the former comes in on us, it will be our wisdom to fetch in the latter as the proper remedy. The oftener it is used it will come more easily to hand, and also be the more effectual. Fifthly, a considering it for the end for which it is proposed to us, namely, to bring us to a dutiful carriage under it. Men's corruptions will cause them to enter on the consideration of it, but as the principle is, so the end and effect of it will be corrupt,

2 King 633. But we must enter on, and use it for a good end if we would have good of it, taking it as a practical consideration for regulating our conduct under the crook. 2. How it is to be understood to be a proper means to bring one to behave rightly under the crook. Not as if it were sufficient of itself, and as it stands alone to produce that effect, but as it is used in faith, in the faith of the gospel,

that is to say, a sinners bear considering the crook in his lot as the work of God, without any saving relation to him, will never be a way to behave himself rightly under it. But having believed in Jesus Christ, and so taking God for His God, the considering of the crook as the, the work of God, his God, is the proper means to bring him to that desirable temper and

behavior. Many heroes mistake here. When they hear such and such lawful considerations proposed for bringing them to duty, they presently imagine that by the mere force of them they may gain the point. And many preachers too, who, forgetting Christ in the gospel, pretend by the force of reason to make men Christians, the eyes of both being held, that they do not see the corruption of men's nature, which is such as sets the true cure above the force of reason, all that they are sensible of being some ill habits, which they think may be shaken off by a vigorous application of their rational faculties.

To clear this matter, consider first, is it rational to think to set fallen man with his corrupted nature to work the same way with innocent Adam, that is, to set beggars on a level with the rich, lame men to a journey with those that have limbs. Innocent Adam had a stock of gracious abilities, whereby he might, by the force of moral considerations, have brought himself to perform duty aright.

But where is that with us? 2 Corinthians 3.5. Whatever force be in them to a soul endowed with spiritual life, what power have they to raise the dead, such as we are? Ephesians 2.1. Secondly, the scripture is very plain on this showing the indispensable necessity of faith, Hebrews 11, and that such as unites to Christ, John 155. Without me, that is, separate from me, ye can do nothing, no, not with all the moral

considerations ye can use. How were the Ten Commandments given on Mount Sinai? Not as bare exactions of duty, but fronted with the gospel, to be believed in the first place. I am the Lord thy God, etc. And so Solomon, whom many regard rather as a moral philosopher, than an inspired writer leading to Christ, fronts his writings in the beginning of the Proverbs, with most express gospel. And must we have it expressly repeated on our Bibles with every moral precept, or else shut our eyes and take these precepts without it? That is the effect of our natural enmity to Christ. If we loved him more, we should see him more in every page,

and in every command, receiving the law at his mouth. Thirdly, do but consider what it is to believe rightly under the crook in the lot. What humiliation of soul, self-denial, and absolute resignation to the will of God must be in it. What love to God it must proceed from. How regard to His glory must influence it as the chief end thereof, and try and see if it is not impossible for you to reach it without that faith aforementioned. I know a Christian may reach it without full assurance, but still, according to the measure of their persuasion that God is their God, so will their attainments in it be. These keep equal pace.

Oh, what kind of hearts do they imagine themselves to have that think they can for a moment empty them of the creature farther than they can fill them with a God, as their God in its room instead. No doubt men may, from the force of moral considerations, work themselves to a behavior under the crook externally right, such as many pagans had. But a Christian disposition of spirit under it will never be reached without that faith in God. Objection. Then it is saints only that are capable of the improvement of that consideration. Answer, yea, indeed it is so, as to that and all other moral considerations for true Christian ends. and that amounts to no more than that directions for walking rightly are only for the living that have the use of their limbs and therefore that ye may improve it set yourselves to believe in the first place

three i shall confirm that it is a proper mean to bring one to behave rightly under it this will appear if we consider these four things one it is of great use to divert from the considering and dwelling on those things about the crook which serve to irritate our corruptions Such are the bulking of our will and wishes, the satisfaction we should have in the matters going according to our mind, the instruments of the crook, how injurious they are to us, how unreasonable, how obstinate, etc. The dwelling on these considerations is but the blowing of the fire within. But to turn our eyes to it as the work of God would be a cure by way of diversion. 2. Samuel 6, 9 and 10. and such diversion of the thoughts is not only lawful but expedient and necessary. 2. It has a moral aptitude for producing this good effect.

Though our cure is not compassed by the mere force of reason, yet it is carried on, not by a brutal movement, but in a rational way. Ephesians 514. This consideration has a moral efficacy on our reason. It is fit to awe us into a submission, and, a deal of argument for behaving Christianly under our crook. 3. It has a divine appointment for that end, which is to be believed. Proverbs 3.6. So the text. The creature in itself is an inefficacious and moveless thing,

a mere vanity. Act 1728. That which makes anything a means fit for the end is a word of divine appointment. Matthew 4.4. To use anything then for an end without the faith of this is to make a god of the creature. Therefore it is to be used in a dependence on God according to that word of appointment. 1 Timothy 4, 4 and 5. And everything is fit for the end for which God has appointed it. This consideration is appointed for that end, and therefore is a fit means for it. 4. The spirit may be expected to work by it, and does work by it, in them that believe and look to him for it, for as much as it is a mean of his own appointment.

Papists, legalists, and all superstitious persons devised various means of sanctification, seeming to have, or really having, a moral fitness for the same. But they are quite ineffectual, because, like Abana and Farper, they want a word of divine appointment for curing us of our leprosy. Therefore the spirit works not by them, since they are not his instruments, but devourable. devised of their own hearts. And since even the means of divine appointment are ineffectual without the spirit, these can never be effectual. But this consideration having a divine appointment, the spirit works by it. Use. Then take this direction for your behaving rightly under the crook

in your lot. Inure yourselves to consider it as the work of God. And for helping you to improve it, so as it may be effectual, I offer these advices. 1. Consider it as the work of your God in Christ. This is the way to sprinkle it with gospel grace, and so to make it tolerable. Psalm 22. 1 The discerning of a father's hand in the crook will take out much of the bitterness of it, and sugar the pill to you. For this cause it will be necessary, one, solemnly to take God for your God under your crook.

Psalm 142, 4 and 5. 2. In all your encounters with it, resolutely to believe and claim your interest in him. 1 Samuel 36. 2. Enlarge the consideration with a view of the divine relations to you, and the divine attributes. Consider it being the work of your God, the work of your father, elder brother, head, husband, etc., who therefore surely consults your good. Consider His holiness and justice, showing he wrongs you not, His mercy and goodness that it is not worse, His sovereignty that may silence you, His infinite wisdom and love that may satisfy you in it.

3. Consider what a work of His it is, How it is a convincing work for bringing sin to remembrance, A correcting work to chastise you for your follies, A preventing work to hedge you up from court. of sin you would otherwise be apt to run into, a trying work to discover your state, your graces and corruptions, a weaning work to wean you from the world and fit you for heaven. 4. In all your considerations of it in this manner, look upward for His spirit to render them effectual. 1 Corinthians 3.6. Thus may you behave Christianly under it, till God make it even,

either here or in heaven. Proverbs 16, 19, better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Could men once be brought to believe that it is better to have their minds bend to the crook in their lot than to force the crook to their mind, they would be in a fair way to bring their matters to a good account.

Here then, the divine decision in that case. Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, then to divide the spoil with the proud. In which words, first, there is a comparison instituted, and that between two parties and two points wherein they vastly differ. First, the parties are the lowly and the proud, who differ like heaven and earth. The proud are climbing up and soaring aloft. The lowly are content to creep on the ground, if that is the will of God. Let us view them more particularly as the text represents them. On the one hand is the lowly. Here there is a line reading and a marginal, both from the Holy Spirit and they differ only in a letter. The former is the afflicted or poor that are low in their condition, those that have a notable crook in their lot through affliction laid on them, whereby their condition is lowered in the world. The other is the lowly or meek, humble ones, who are low in their spirit as well as their condition, and so have their minds brought down to their lot.

both together making the character of this lowly party. On the other hand is the proud, the gay and high-minded ones. It is supposed here that they are cross too, and have crooks in their lot, for dividing the spoil is the consequent of a victory, and a victory presupposes a battle. Second, the points wherein these parties are supposed to differ, namely being of a humble spirit and dividing the spoil. Afflicted and lowly ones may sometimes get their condition changed, may be raised up on high and divide the spoil, as Hannah, Job, etc.

The proud may sometimes be thrown down and crushed, as Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, etc. But that is not the question whether it is better to be raised up with the lowly or thrown down with the proud. There would be no difficulty in determining that. But the question is whether it is better to be of a low and humble spirit in lowly. circumstances with afflicted humble ones, or to divide the spoil, and get one's will with the proud. If men would speak the native sentiments of their hearts, that question would be determined in a contradiction to the text. The points then here compared and set one against another are these. On the one hand, to be of a humble spirit with afflicted lowly ones, to be low of

spirit, for the word primarily denotes lowness in situation or state. So the point of here proposed is to be with, or in the state of, afflicted lowly ones, having the spirit brought down to that low lot, the lowness of the spirit balancing the lowness of one's condition. On the other hand, to divide the spoil with the proud, the point here proposed is to be with or in the state of the proud, having their lot by main force brought to their mind, as those who, taking themselves to be injured, fight it out with the enemy, overcome. and divide the spoil according to their will. Secondly, the decision made, wherein the former is preferred to the latter,

better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. If these two parties were set before us, it were better to take our lot with those of a low condition, who have their spirits brought as low as their lot, than with those who, being of a proud and high spirit, have their lot brought up to their mind. A humble spirit is better than a heightened condition.

End of Chapter 6. Chapter 7 of The Crook and the Lot, or the Sovereignty and Wisdom of God, in the Afflictions of Men displayed. This is the Librevox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Recording by Elsie Selwyn. The Crook and the Lot, or the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men displayed by Thomas Boston. Chapter 7. Better to be brought low than to be proud and get our will. Doctrine. There is a generation of lowly afflicted ones having their spirit lowered and brought down to their

lot, whose case in that respect is better than that of the proud getting their will and carrying all to their mind. One, we shall consider the generation of the lowly afflicted ones having their spirit brought down to their lot, and we shall first lay down some general considerations about them. 1. There is such a generation in the world, bad as the world is. The text expressly mentions them, and the scripture elsewhere speaks of them, as Psalms 9, 12, and 10, 12 Matthews 5, 3 with Luke 620. Where shall we seek them? Not in heaven. There are no afflicted ones there, nor in Hell, there are no lowly or humble ones there, whose spirit is brought to their lot. In this world, they must then be where the state of trial is.

Two, if it were not so Christ as he was in the world, would have no followers in it. He was the head of that generation whom they all copy after, quote, learn of me for I am meek and lowly of heart, end quote. Matthews 1129. And for his honor and the honor of his cross, they will never be wanting while the world stands. Romans 829, quote, whom he did for know, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son. His image lies in these two, suffering in holiness, whereof lowliness is the chief part. Three, nevertheless, they are certainly very rare in the world. Agar observes that there is another

generation, Proverbs 3013, quote, their eyes are lofty and their eyelids lifted up, end quote, quite opposite to them, and this makes the greatest company by far. The low and afflicted lot is not so very rare, but the low disposition of spirit is rarely yoked with it. Many a high spirit keeps up in spite of lowering circumstances. 4. They can be no more in number than the truly godly, for nothing less than the power of divine grace can bring down men's minds from their native height and make their will pliant to the will of God. 2 Corinthians 10 4 5 Men may put on a face of submission to a low and crossed lot because they cannot help it and they see it is in vain to strive but to bring the spirit truly to it must be the effect of humbling grace 5. Though all the godlier of that generation

yet there are some of them to whom that character more especially belongs The way to heaven lies through tribulation to all, Acts. 1422. And all Christ's followers are reconciled to it notwithstanding. Luke 1626. Yet there are some of them more remarkably disciplined than others, whose spirit is hereby humbled and brought down to their lot. Psalms 131.2.

Quote, surely I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned of his mother. My soul is even. even as a weaned child." And quote. Philippians, for 11.12, quote, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I'm instructed.

Both to be fool and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. End quote. 6. A lowly disposition of soul and habitual aim in bent of the heart that way has a very favorable construction put upon it in heaven. Should we look for a generation perfectly purged of pride and risings of heart against their adverse lot at any time? We should find none in this world. But those who are sincerely aiming and endeavoring to reach it and keep the way of contented submission, though sometimes blown aside and returning to it again, God accounts to be

that lowly generation. 2 Corinthians 7.10. 11. James 5.11. Secondly, we shall enter into particulars. There are three things which together make up their character. First affliction in their lot. That lowly generation preferred to the proud and prosperous is a generation of afflicted ones, whom God keeps under the discipline of the covenant. We may take it up in these two. One, there is a yoke of affliction of one kind or another, oftentimes upon them. Psalms 73. 14. God is frequently visiting them as a master doth his scholars and a physician his patients, whereas others are in a sort overlooked by him. Revelations 319. They are accustomed to the yoke in that from the time they enter into God's family. Psalms 129. 1 through 3. God sees it good for them. Lamentations 3. 2728.

2. There is a particular yoke of affliction which God has chosen for them that hangs about them, and is seldom if ever taken off them. Luke 9.23. That is their special trial, the crook in their lot, the yoke which lies in them for their constant exercise. Their other trials may be exchanged, but that is a weight that still hangs about them, bowing them down. Secondly, lowliness and their disposition and tenure of spirit. There are a generation of lowly, humble ones, whose spirit God has, by His grace, brought down from their natural height. And thus, one, they think soberly and meanly of themselves, what they are, two, Corinthians, 12, 9, 10, what they can do to Corinthians 3, 5, what they are worth, Genesis 32, 10, and what they deserve, lamentations 322.

Viewing themselves in the glass of the divine law and perfection, they see themselves as a massive imperfection and sinfulness. Job 5.6. 2. They think highly and honorably of God. Psalms 145. 3. They are taught by the spirit what God is and so entertain elevated thoughts of him. They consider him as the sovereign of the world, his perfections as infinite, his work as perfect. They look on him as the foundation of happiness, as a God in Christ, doing all things well, trusting his wisdom, goodness, and love, even where they cannot see. Hebrews 11.8. 3. They think favorably of others as far as injustice they may. Philippians 2. 3. Though they cannot hinder themselves from seeing their glaring faults,

yet they are ready withal to acknowledge their excellencies and esteem them so far, and because they see more into their own mercies and advantages for holiness and misimproving thereof, then they can see into others. They are apt. to look on others as better than themselves, circumstances compared. 4. They are sunk down into a state of subordination to God and his will. Psalms 131.1.2. Pride sets a man up against God. Loeliness brings him back to his place and lays him down at the feet of his sovereign Lord, saying, thy will be done on earth, etc. They seek no more the command but are content that God himself sit at the helm of their affairs

and manage all for them. Psalms 47. 4. 5. They are not bent on high things, but disposed to stoop to low things. Psalms 131.1. Lowliness levels the towering imaginations which pride mounds up against heaven, draws a veil over all personal worth and excellencies before the Lord, and yields a man's all to the Lord to be as stepping stones to the throne of his glory. 2. Samuel 15. 25. 26. 6. They are apt to magnify mercies bestowed on them. Genesis 32. 10. Pride of heart overlooks and vilifies mercies one is possessed of and fixes the eye on what is wanting in one's condition, making one like the flies, which pass over the sound places and swarm together on the soar. On the contrary, lowliness teaches men to recount the mercies they enjoy in the lowest condition, and to set a mark on the good things they have possessed or yet do.

Job 2.10. Thirdly, a spirit brought down to their lot. Their lot is a low and afflicted one, but their spirit is as low, being through grace brought down to it. We may take it up in these five things. One, they submit to it as just. Michael 7.9. Quote, I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him. End quote.

There are no hardships in our condition. but we have procured them to ourselves, and it is, therefore, just that we kiss the rod and be silent under it, and so lower our spirits to our lot. If they complain, it is of themselves. Their hearts rise up not against the Lord, far less do they open their mouth against the heavens. They justify God and condemn themselves, reverencing his holiness and spotless righteousness in his proceedings against them. Two, they go quietly under it as tolerable, lamentations three, 26 through 29. quote, it is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. He puteth his mouth in the dust. If so, be there, maybe hope. While the unsubdued spirit rages under the yoke as a bullock unaccustomed to it, the spirit brought to the lot goes softly under it. They see it is of the Lord's mercy that it is not worse. They take up the naked cross as God lays it down, without those overweights upon it that turbulent passions add therein too, and so it becomes really more easy than they thought it could have been, like a burden fitted on the back. 3. They are satisfied in it as drawing their comfort from another quarter than their

outward condition, even as the house stands fast, when the prop is taken away that it did not lean upon. Quote, although the fig tree should not blossom, neither fruit be in the vine, yet I will rejoice in the Lord." Habuk 3.17.18. Thus did David in the day of his distress, quote, he encouraged himself in the Lord his God, end quote. 1 Samuel 36.

It is an argument of a spirit not brought down to the lot when men are damped and sunk under the hardships of it, as if their condition in the world were the point where on their happiness turned. It is want of mortification that makes men's comforts to wax and weighing, ebb and flow, according to the various appearances of their lot in the world. 4. They have a complacency in it, as that which is fit and good for them. Isaiah 39, 8. 2 Corinthians 12. 10. Men have a sort of complacency in the working of physique, though it gripes them sore. They rationally think with themselves that it is good and best for them.

So these lowly souls consider their afflicted lot as a spiritual medicine, necessary, fit and good for them, yea best for them for the time, since it is ministered by their heavenly father, and so they reach a holy complacency in their low-afflicted lot. The lowly spirit extracts this sweet out of the bitterness and his lot, considering how the Lord by means of that afflicting lot, stops the provision for unruly lusts that they may be starved, how he cuts off the by-channels, that the whole stream of the soul's love may run towards himself, how he pulls off and holds off the man's burden, and clog of earthly comforts, that he may run them more expediously in the way of heaven. Five, they rest in it as what they desire not to come out of,

till the God that brought them into it, see it meet, to bring them out with his goodwill. Isaiah 28, 16. Though an unsubdued spirit's time for deliverance is always ready, a humble soul will be afraid of being taken out of its afflicted lot too soon. It will not be for moving for a change till the heaven's moving bring it about. so this hinders not prayer in the use of appointed means with dependence on the Lord but requires faith, hope, patience, and resignation.

2. Samuel 15, 25, 26. 2. We shall consider the generation of the proud getting their will and carrying all to their mind, and in their character also are three things. First, there are crosses in their lot. They also have their trials allotted them by overruling providence, and let them be in what circumstances they will in the world. world, they cannot miss them altogether. For consider, one, the confusion and vanity brought into the creation by a man's sin have made it impossible to get through the world, but men must meet with what will ruffle them. Ecclesiastics 1.14. Sin has turned the world from a paradise into a thicket.

There is no getting through without being scratched, as midges in the summer will fly about those walking abroad in a goodly attire as well as about those in sordid apparel. So will crosses in the world meet with the high as well as the low. Two, the pride of their heart espouses them particularly to crosses. A proud heart will make a cross to itself, where a lowly soul will find none. Esther, 5. 13. It will make a real cross ten times the way it would be to the humble. The generation of the proud are like nettles in thorn hedges, upon which things flying about do fix, while they pass over low and plain things, so none are more exposed to crosses than they, though none so unfit to bear them, as appears from, secondly, reigning pride in their spirit.

Their spirits were never subdued by a work of thorough humiliation. They remain at the height in which the corruption of nature placed them. Hence, they can by no means bear the yoke God lays on them. The neck is swollen with the ill-humors of pride and passion. Hence, when the yoke once begins to touch it, they cannot have any more ease. We may view the case of the pro-generation here in three things. One, they have an over-value for themselves, and so will not stoop to the yoke. It is below them. What a swelling vanity is in that. Exodus 5.2. Quote, who is the Lord that I should obey his voice? End quote. Hence, a work of humiliation is necessary to make one take on the yoke, whether of Christ's precepts or providence. The first error is in the understanding, whence Solomon ordinarily calls a wicked man a fool. Accordingly, the first stroke and conversion is thereto by conviction to humble. Men are bigger in their own conceit than they are indeed.

Therefore, God, suiting things to what we are really cannot please us. 2. They have an unfortified self-will arising from that overvalue for themselves, and they will not stoop. Exodus 5.2. The question betwixt heaven in us is whether God's will or our own must prevail. Our will is corrupt. God's will is holy. They cannot agree in one. God says in his providence, our will must yield to his, but that it will not do till the iron sinew in it be broken. Romans 8, 7. Isaiah 48, 4. 3.

They have a crowd of unsubdued passions taking part with self-will, and they say, he shall not stoop. Robins 7, 8, 9. And so the war begins, and there is a field of battle within and without the man, James, 4, 1. A holy God crosses the self-will of proud creatures by his providence, overruling and disposing of things contrary to their inclination, sometimes by his own immediate hand, as in the case of Cain. Genesis 4.4.5. Sometimes by the hand of men carrying things against their mind, as in the case of Ahab, to whom Naboth refused his vineyard. 1. Kings 21. 4. The proud heart and will, unable to submit to the cross, or to bear to be controlled, rises up against it and fights for the mastery with its whole force of unmortified passions. The design is to remove the cross, even the crook, and bring the thing to their own mind.

This is the cause of this unholy war in which won. There is one black band of hellish passions that marches upwards and makes an attack on heaven itself, namely discontent and patience murmuring, frettings, and the like. Quote, the foolishness of men pervareth his way, and his heart fretteth against the Lord, end quote. Proverbs 19, 3. These fire the breast, fall the countenance. Genesis 4, 6. Let off sometimes a volley of indecent and passionate complaints. Jude, verse 16, and sometimes of blasphemies, two kings, 4, 33. 2. There is another that marches forward and makes an attack on the instrument or instruments of the cross, namely anger, wrath, fury, revenge, bitterness, etc. Proverbs, 27, 4. These carry the man out of the possession of

himself, Luke 21, 19. Fill the heart with a boiling heat. Psalms 39, 3. The mouth with clamor and evil speaking. Ephesians 4.31. And threatenings are breathed out, Acts 9.1. And sometimes set the hands on work, a most heavy event, as in the case of Ahab against Naboth. Thus, the proud carry on the war, but oftentimes they lose the day, and the cross remains immovable for all they can do. Yay, and sometimes they themselves fall in the quarrel, it ends in their ruin. Exodus 15, 9, 10. But that is not the case in the text, for we are to consider them as, thirdly, getting their will and carrying all to their mind. This speaks, one, holy providence yielding to the man's unmortified self-will and letting it go according to his mind.

Genesis 6. 3. God sees it meet to let the struggle with him fall, for it prevails not to his good. Isaiah 1. 5. So the reins are laid on the proud man's neck and he has what he would be at. Quote, Ephraim is joined to idols. Let him alone. End quote. Hosea 4. 17. 2. The lust remaining in its strength and vigor. Psalms 78.30. Quote, they were not estranged from their lust, end quote. God, in the method of his covenant, sometimes gives his people their will and sets them where they would be. But then, in that case, the lust for the thing is mortified and there as weaned children. Psalms 10, 17. But here the lust remains rampant. The proud seek meat for it and get it. Three. The cross removed the yoke taken off. Psalms.

78.29. They could not think of bringing their mind to their lot, but they thwarted with it, wrestled and fought against it till it has brought up to their mind, so the day is their own. The victory is on their side. Four, the man is pleased in his having carried his point, even as one is when he is dividing the spoil. One, Kings, 21, 18, 19. Thus, the case of the afflicted lowly generation and the proud generation prospering is stated. Now, three, I am to confirm the doctrine or the decision of the text, that the case of the former is better than that of the latter. It is better to be in a low, afflicted condition with a spirit humble and brought down to the lot than to be of a proud and high spirit, getting the lot brought up

to it, and matters go according to one's mind. This will appear from the following considerations. One, humility is so far preferable to pride that in no circumstances whatsoever its preferableness can fail. Let all the afflictions in the world attend the humble spirit. and all the prosperity in the world attend pride. Humility will still have the better, as gold in a dunghill is more excellent than so much lead in a cabinet. For one, humility is a part of the image of God. Pride is the masterpiece of the image of the devil. Let us view him who is the expressed image of the father's person, and we shall behold his meek and lowly in heart. Matthew 1129. None more afflicted, yet his spirit perfectly brought down to his lot.

Isaiah 53.7. Quote, he was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. End quote. That is a shining part of the divine image. For though God cannot be low in respect of his state and condition, yet he is of infinite condescension. Isaiah 47.15. None bears as he, Romans, 2, 4, nor suffers patiently so much contradiction to his will,

which is proposed to us for our encouraging. and affliction as it's shown in Christ. Quote, for consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. End quote. Hebrews 12.3. Pride, on the other hand, is the very image of the devil. One, Timothy, three, six. Shall we value ourselves on the height of our spirits? Satan will vie with the highest of us in that point, for though he is the most miserable, yet he is the proudest in the whole creation. There is the distance between his spirit and his lot, the former is as high as the throne of God, the latter as low as hell, and as it is impossible that ever his lot should be brought up to his

spirit, so his spirit will never come down to his lot, and therefore he will be eternally in a state of war with his lot. Hence, even at this time, he has no rest, but goes about, seeks rest indeed, but finds none. Now, is it not better to be like God than like the devil, like him who is the fountain of all good, than him who is the spring and sink, all evil. Can anything possibly cast the balance here and turn the preference to the other side? Quote, then better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, end quote, etc. 2. Humility and lowliness of spirit qualify us for friendly communion and intercourse with God and Christ. Pride makes God our enemy. 1. Peter 5. 5. Our happiness here and hereafter depends

on our friendly intercourse with heaven. If we have not that, nothing can make up our loss. Psalms 35 If we have that Nothing can make us miserable Romans 8 31 Quote If God be for us Who can be against us?

Now who are they whom God is for But the humble and lowly They who being in Christ are so made like him He blesses them and declares them The heirs of the crown of glory Quote Blessed are the poor and spirit For theirs is the kingdom of heaven

End quote Matthew 5 3 He will look to them be their condition ever so low while he overlooks others. Isaiah 66. 2. He will have respect to them, however they be despised. Quote, though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect to the lowly, but the proud he knoweth afar off, end quote. Psalms 138. He will dwell with them however poorly they dwell, Isaiah 57. 15. He will certainly exalt them in due time, however low they lie now. Isaiah 40. 4. Whom is he against? Whom does he resist? The proud. Them he curseth. Jeremiah,

17.5. And that curse will dry up their arm at length. The proud man is God's rival. He makes himself his own God and would have those about him make him theirs too. He rages, he blusters, if they will not fall down before him, but God will bring him down. Isaiah 40. 4. Psalms 1827. Now, is it not better to be qualified for communion with God than to have him engaged against us at any rate? Three, humility is a duty pleasing to God, pride, a sin pleasing to the devil, Isaiah 5715, 1 Timothy 3, 6. God requires us to be humble, especially under affliction, quote, and be clothed with humility, end quote. 1. Peter 5.5. 6. That is our becoming garment. The humble publican was accepted. The proud Pharisee rejected. We may say of the generation of the proud as one. Thessalonians 2.16,

quote, wrath has come upon them to the uttermost, end quote. They please neither God nor men, but only themselves and Satan, whom they resemble in it. Now duty is better. than sin at any rate. Two, they whose spirits are brought down to their afflicted lot have much quiet and repose of mind, while the proud that must have their lot brought up to their mind have much disquiet, trouble, and vexation. Consider here that on the one hand, quiet of mind and ease within is a great blessing upon which the comfort of life depends. Nothing without this can make one's life happy. Daniel 5.6. And where this is maintained, nothing can make it miserable. 1633. This is being secured in God. There is a defiance bid to all the troubles of the world.

Psalms 46. 2. 3. Like the child sailing in the midst of the rolling waves. The spirit brought down to the lot makes and maintains this inward tranquility. Our whole trouble and our lot in the world rises from the disagreement of our mind therewith. Let the mind be brought to the lot and the whole tumult is instantly hushed. Let it be kept in that disposition, and the man shall stand at ease in his affliction, like a rock unmoved with waters beating on it. Colossians 315, quote, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to the which also ye are called, end quote. On the other hand, consider what disquiet of mind the proud suffer ere they can get their lot brought up to their mind. Quote, they have taught their tongues to speak lies, and they weary themselves to commit

Iniquity, end quote. Jeremiah 9.5, James 4.2. Quote, ye lost and have not, ye kill and desire to have, and cannot obtain, ye fight and war, yet ye have not. End quote. What arrows of grief go through their heart? What torture of anxiety, fretting, and vexation must they endure? What contrary passions fight within them? And what sallies of passions do they make? What uneasiness was Hammond in, before he could carry the point of revenge against Mordecai, obtaining the king's decree. When the things got to their mind, it will not quit the cost. The enjoyment thereof brings not so much satisfaction and pleasure as the want of it gave pain. This was evident in Rachel's case as to the having of children, and in that case, Psalms 78, 30, 31.

There is a dead fly in the ointment that marred the savor they expected to find in it. fruit plopped off the tree of Providence, erred his ripe, will readily set the teeth on edge. It proves like the manna kept overnight. Exodus 1620. They have but an unsure hold of it. It doth not last with them. Either it has taken from them soon, and they are just where they were again, quote, I gave thee a king in my anger and took him away in my wrath. End quote. Hosea, 13, 11. Having a root of pride, it quickly withers away, or else they are taken from it, that they have no access to enjoy it. So Hammond obtained the decree, but ere the day of the execution came, he was gone. Three, they that get their spirit

brought down to their afflicted lot, gain a point far more valuable than they who in their pride force up their lot to their mind. Proverbs 1632. Quote, he that his slow and anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. End quote, this will appear if you consider one. The latter makes but a better condition in outward things. The former makes a better man. The life is more than meat. The man himself is more valuable than all external conveniences that attend him. What, therefore, better as the man is preferable to what better is only his condition. Who doubts but where to are sick and the one gets himself transported from a course bed to a fine one, the sickness still remaining. The other lies in the course bed, but the sickness is

removed, that the case of the latter is preferable. So here, etc. 2. The subduing of our own passions is more excellent than to have the whole world subdued to our will. For then we are masters of ourselves, according to that, Luke 2119, whereas in the other case we are still slaves to the worst of masters. Romans 6.16. In the one case we are safe, blow at storm will, and the other we lie exposed to thousands of dangers. Proverbs 25. 28. Quote, he that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls. And quote. Three, when both shall come to be judged, it will appear the one has multiplied the tale of their good works and bringing their spirit to their lot, the other the tale of their ill works,

and bringing their lot to their spirit. We have to do with an omniscient God, in whose eyes every internal action is a work good or bad to be reckoned for, Romans, 2.16. An afflicted lot is painful, but where it is well-managed, it is very fateful. It exercises the graces of the spirit and a Christian which otherwise would lie dormant. But there is never an act of resignation to the will of God under the cross, nor an act of trusting in him for his help, but they will be recorded in Heaven's register as good works. Malachi 316. And these are occasioned by affliction. On the other hand, there is never a rising of the proud heart against the lot, nor a faithless attempt to bring it to our mind, whether it succeed or not, but it passes for an

ill work before God. How then will the tale of such be multiplied by the war in which the spoil is divided? Use one. Of information. Hence we may learn one, it is not always best for folks to get their will. Many there are who cannot be pleased with God's will about them, and they get their own will with a vengeance. Psalms 81, 11, 12. Quote, Israel would none of me, so I gave them up to their own heart's lust, and they walked in their own counsels, end quote. It may be most pleasant and grateful for the time, but it is not the safest. Let not the people pride themselves in their carrying things that weigh then by a strong hand. Let them not triumph in such victory. The after-reckoning will open their eyes. Two, the afflicted crossed party whose lot is kept low, is

so far from being a loser that he is a gainer thereby if his spirit is brought down to it. And if he will see things in the light of God's unerring word, he is in better case than if he had God all carried to his mind. In the one way, the vessels of wrath are fitted for destruction. Psalms 78, 29 through 31, and the other, the vessels of mercy are fitted for glory, and so God disciplines his own. Lamentations 3.27. 3. It is better to yield to providence, then to fight it out, though we should win, yielding to the sovereign disposal is both our becoming duty and our greatest interest. Taking that way, we act most honorably, for what honor can there be in the creatures disputing his ground with his creator, and we act most wisely, for whatever can be the success

of some battles in that case. We may be sure victory will be on heaven's side in the war. 1 Samuel 2.9, quote, for by strength shall no man prevail, end quote. Four, it is of so much greater concern for us to get our spirits brought down than our outward condition raised. But who believes this? All men strive to raise their outward condition. Most men, never mind the bringing down of their spirits, and few there are who apply themselves to it. And what is that but to be concerned to minister drink to the thirsty sick, but never to mind to seek a cure for them, whereby their thirst may be carried off. Use, too, of exhortation. As you meet with crosses in your lot in the world, let your desire be rather to have

your spirit humbled and brought down than to get the cross removed. I mean not but that you may use all lawful means for the removal of your cross and dependence on God, but only that you be more concerned to get your spirit to bow and ply than to get the crook and your lot evened. Motive 1. It is far more needful for us to have our spirits humbled under the cross than to have the cross removed. The removal of the cross is needful only for the ease of the flesh, the humbling for the profit of our souls to purify them and bring them into a state of health and cure. 2. The humbling of the spirit will have a mighty good effect on a crossed lot, but the removal of the cross will have none on the unhumbled spirit. The humbling will lighten the cross

mightily for the time. Matthew 11.30, and in due time carry it cleanly off. 1. Peter 5. 6. But the removal of the cross is not a means to humble the unhumbled, though it may prevent irritation, yet the disease still remains. Three, think with yourselves how dangerous and hopeless the case it is to have the cross removed ere the spirit is humbled. That is, to have the means of the cure pulled away and blocked up from us, while the power of the disease is yet unbroken, to be taken off trials ere we have given any good proof of ourselves, and so to be given over of our position as hopeless. Isaiah 1.5. Hosea 4. 17. Use 3. For direction, believing the gospel, take God for your God and Christ

towards your eternal salvation and then dwell much on the thoughts of God's greatness and holiness and of your own sinfulness. So will you be humbled under the mighty hand of God, and in due time he will lift you up. End of chapter 7. Chapter 8

of the crook and the lot, or the sovereignty and wisdom of God, in the afflictions of men displayed. This is a labor box recording. All labor box recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librabox.org. Reporting by Kathleen, The Crook and the Lot, or the Sovereignty and Wisdom of God, in the afflictions of men displayed by Thomas Boston. Chapter 8. 1 Peter 5. 6.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. In the preceding part of this chapter, the apostle presents the duties of the church officers towards the people, and then the duty of the people, both towards their officers and among themselves, which he winds up, in one word, submission, for which causes he recommends humility as the great means to bring all to their respective duties. This is enforced with an argument taken from the different treatment the Lord gives to the proud and the humble, his supposing himself to the one and showing favor to the other. Our text is an exhortation drawn from that consideration, and in it we have.

First, the duty we are to study, humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, and therein we may notice. One, the state of those to whom it is proposed, those under the mighty hand of God, whom his hand has humbled or brought low in respect of their circumstances in the world and by these i think are meant not only such as are under particular signal afflictions which is the lot of some but also those who by the providence of god are in any kind of way lowered which is the lot of all all being in a state of submission or dependence on others god has made his life a state of trial and for that cause he has by his mighty hand subjected men one to another as wives children servants to husbands parents masters and these again to their superiors among whom again even the highest depend on those under them as magistrates and ministers on the people even the supreme magistrate this state of the world god has made for the trial of men in their several stations and dependence on others and therefore when the time of trial is over it also comes to an end then cometh the end when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power one corinthians fifteen twenty four twenty five meantime while it lasts it makes humility necessary to all to prompt them to the duty they owe their superiors to whom god's mighty hand has subjected them to the duty itself namely humiliation of our spirits under the humbling circumstances the lord has placed us in

humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of god that he may exalt you in due time whether we are under particular afflictions which have cast us down from the height we were some time in or whether we are only inferiors in one or more relations or whether which is most common both these are in our case we must therein eye the mighty hand of god as that which placed us there and is over us there to hold us down in it and so with an awful regard thereto bow down under it in the temper and disposition of our spirits suiting our spirits to our lot and careful of performing the duty of our low sphere three a particular spring of this duty therefore we must consider that those who cannot quietly keep the place assign them of god in their afflictions or relations but still press upward against the mighty hand that is over them that mighty hand resists them throwing them down and often farther down than before whereas it treats them with grace and favor that compose themselves under it to a quiet discharge of their duty and their situation so eyeing this we must set ourselves to humble ourselves secondly the infallible issue of that course that he may exalt you in due time the particular that is not always to be understood finally as denoting the end or design the agent proposes to himself but sometimes eventually only as denoting the event or issue of the action john nine two three one john 2.19. So here, the meaning is not. Humble yourselves. On design, he may exalt you, but, and it shall issue in his exalting you. Compare James 4.10. 1. Here is a happy event of humiliation of spirit secured, and that is exaltation are lifting up on high by the power of God, that he may exalt you. Exulting will as sure.

surely follow on humiliation of spirit suitable to the low lot as the morning follows the night or the sun riseth after the donny and these words are fitted to obviate the objections that the world and our corrupt hearts are apt to make against bringing down the spirit to the low lot object one if we let our spirit fall we shall lie always at folks's feet and they will trample on us answer no pride of spirit unsubdued will bring men to lie at the feet of others for ever isaiah sixty six twenty four but humiliation of spirit will bring them undoubtedly out from under their feet malachi four two three they that humble themselves now will be exalted for forever. They will be brought out of their low situation and circumstances. Cast ye yourselves even down with your low lot, and assure yourselves, ye shall not lie there. Object two. If we do not raise ourselves, none will raise us, and therefore we must see to ourselves to do ourselves right. Answer, that is wrong. Humble ye yourselves in respect of your spirits, and God will raise you up in respect of your lot, for low condition, and they that have

God engaged for raising them, have no reason to say they have none to do it for them. Bringing down of the spirit is our duty. Raising us up is God's work. Let us not forfeit the privilege of God's raising us up by arrogating that work to ourselves, taking it out of his hand. object three but sure we shall never rise high if we let our spirits fall answer that is wrong too god will not only raise the humble ones but he will lift them up on high for so the word signifies they shall be as high at length as ever they were low were they ever so low nay the exaltation will bear proportion to the humiliation two here is the date of that happy event when it will fall out in due time or in the season the proper season for it galatians six nine in due season we shall reap if we faint not we are apt to weary in humbling trying circumstances and would instantly have up our head john seven six but solomon observes there is a time for everything when it does best, and the wise will wait for it.

Ecclesiastes 3.1.28. There is a time, too, for exalting them that humble themselves. God has said it, and it is the due time for the purpose, the time when it does best, even as sowing in the spring, and reaping in the harvest. When that time comes, your exalting shall no longer be put off, and it would come too soon, should it come before that time.

Document 1. The bent of one's heart, in humbling circumstances, should lie towards a suitable humbling of the Spirit, as under God's mighty hand, placing us in them. We shall consider, one, what things are supposed in this? It supposes that, 1. God brings men into humbling circumstances, Ezekiel 1724.

And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree. There is a root of pride in the hearts of all men on earth that must be mortified ere they can be mate for heaven. And therefore no man can miss in this time of trial, some things that will give a proof whether he can stoop or know. And God brings them into humbling circumstances for that very end. Deuteronomy 8.2. the lord that god led thee these forty years in the wilderness to humble thee and to prove thee to know what was in thine heart two these circumstances prove pressing as a weight on the heart tending to bear down psalm one hundred seven twelve therefore he brought down their hearts with labor they strike at the grain of the heart and cross the natural inclination whence a trial arises whether, when God lays on his mighty hand, the man can yield under it or not, and consequently,

whether he is meat for heaven or not. Three, the heart is naturally apt to rise up against these humbling circumstances, and consequently against the mighty hand that brings and keeps them on. The man naturally bends his force to get off the weight, that he may get up his head, seeking more to please himself than to please his God. Job 35, 9.10. They cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty, but none saith, where is God my maker? This is the first gate the heart runs to in humbling circumstances, and in this way the unsubdued spirit holds on.

For, but what God requires is, rather to labor to bring down the heart, than to get up the head. James 4.10. Here lies the proof of one's meatness for heaven, and then is one in the way heaven ward. When he is more concerned to get down his heart than to get up his head, to go calmly under his burden than to get it off, to bow under the mighty hand, than to put it off him. Five, there must be a noticing of the hand of God in humbling circumstances. Here ye the rod and him who hath appointed it. Micah 6.9. There is an abjectness of spirit, whereby some give up themselves to the will of others in the harshest treatment, merely to please them, without regard to the authority and command of God. This is real meanness of spirit, whereby one lies quietly to be trampled on by a fellow worm from its imaginary weight, and none so readily fall into it as the proud. At some time, to serve their own turn. These are men pleasers. Ephesians 6.6. With Galatians 1.10.

2. What are those humbling circumstances the mighty hand of God brings men into? Supposing here what was before taught concerning the crook and the lot being of God's making. These are circumstances. 1. Of imperfection. God has placed all men in such circumstances. under a variety of wants and imperfections, Philippians 312. We can look nowhere, where we are not beset with them. There is a heap of natural and moral imperfections about us,

our bodies and our souls, in all their faculties, are in a state of imperfection. The pride of all glory is stained, and it is a shame for us not to be humbled under such wants as attend us. It is like a beggar strutting in his rags, two of inferiority in relations whereby men are set in the lower place in relations and society and made to depend on others one corinthians seven twenty four god has for a trial of men's submission to himself subjected them to others whom he has set over them to discover what regard they will pay to his authority and commands at second hand dominion or superiority or superiority is a part of the divine image shining in them one corinthians eleven seven and therefore reference of them consisting in an awful regard to that ray of the divine image shining in them is necessarily required

ephesians five twenty three hebrews twelve nine the same holds in all other relations and superiority namely that they are so far in the place of god to their relatives psalm 82. 6. And though the parties be worthless in themselves, that loses not from the debt due to them. Acts 23, 4, 5. Romans 13. 7. The reason is, because it is not their qualities, but their character, which is the ground of that debt, of reverence and subjection. And the trial God takes of us in that matter turns not on the point of the former but of the latter now god having placed us in these circumstances of inferiority all refractoriness in all things not contrary to the command of god is a rising up against his mighty hand romans thirteen two because it is immediately upon us for that effect though it is a man's hand that is immediately on us three of contradictions tending directly to bulk us of our will. This was a part of our Lord's state of humiliation, and the apostle supposes it will be a part of ours too. Hebrews 12. 3. There is a perfect harmony

in heaven, no one to contradict another there, for they are in their state of retribution and exaltation, but we are here in our state of trial and humiliation, and therefore cannot miss contradiction, be replaced ever so high. Whether these contradictions be just or unjust, God tries men with them to humble them, to break them off from addictedness to their own will, and to teach them resignation and self-denial. They are in their own nature humbling,

and much the same to us, as the breaking of a horse or a bullock is to them, and I believe there are many cases in which there can be no accounting for them, but by recurring to this use god has for them four of affliction proverbs sixteen nineteen prosperity puffs up sinners with pride for it is very hard to keep a low spirit with a high and prosperous lot but god by affliction calls men down from their heights to sit in the dust plucks away their gay feathers wherein they prided themselves rubs the paint and varnish from off the creature whereby it appears more in its native deformity there are various kinds of affliction some more some less humbling but all of them are humbling wherefore not to lower the spirit under the affliction is to attempt to rise up when god is casting and hope holding us down and cannot fail if continued in to provoke the lord to break us in pieces isaeciel twenty four thirteen for the afflicting hand of god is mighty five of sin as the punishment of sin we may allude to that job thirty nineteen all the sin in the world is a punishment of adam's first sin man threw himself into the mire at first and now he is justly left well in it men willfully make one false step and for that cause they are justly left to make another worse and sin hangs about all even the best and this is overruled of god for our humiliation that we may be ashamed and never open our mouth any more wherefore not to be humbled under our sinfulness is to rise up against the mighty hand of god and to justify all our sinful departings from him

him as lost to all sense of duty and void of shame three what it is in humbling circumstances to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of god this is the great thing to be aimed at in our humbling circumstances and we may take it up in these eight things one noticing god's mighty hand as employed in bringing about everything that concerns us either in the way of efficacy or permission and he said it is a very thing that concerns us either in the way of efficacy or permission and he said it is a is the lord let him do what seemeth him good one samuel three eighteen and the king said the lord hath said unto him curse david who shall then say wherefore hast thou done so to samuel sixteen ten he is the fountain of all perfection but we must trace our imperfections to his sovereign will it is he that has posted every one in their relations by his providence without him him we could not meet with such contradictions for the king's heart is in the hand of the lord as the rivers of water he turneth it whithersoever he pleaseth proverbs twenty one one he sends afflictions and justly punishes one sin with another isaiah six ten two a sense of our own worthlessness and nothingness before him psalm one hundred forty four three looking to the infinite majesty of the mighty hand dealing with us we should say with abraham genesis eighteen twenty seven behold i am but dust and ashes and say amen to the cry isaiah forty six all flesh is grass and so forth the keeping up of thoughts of our own excellency under the pressure of god's mighty hand is the very thing that swells the heart and pride causing it to rise up again

against it and it is the letting of all such thoughts of ourselves fall before the eyes of his glory that is the humbling required three a sense of our guilt and filthiness romans three ten isaiah sixty four six the mighty hand doth not press us down but as sinners it is meet then that under it we see our sinfulness our guilt whereby we shall appear criminals justly cause to suffer our filth our filthes our filthiness whereupon we may be brought to loathe ourselves and then we shall think nothing lays us lower than we well deserve it is the overlooking our sinfulness that suffers the proud heart to swell for a silent submission under the hand of god his sovereignty challenger this of us romans nine twenty nay but o man who art thou that repliest against god and nothing but unsubdued pride of spirit can allow us to answer again under his sovereign hand a view of his sovereignty humbled and awed the psalmist into submission with a profound silence psalm thirty nine nine i was dumb i opened not my mouth because thou didst it job one twenty one the lord gave and the lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the lord and forty four five what shall i answer thee i will lay mine hand upon my mouth once have i spoken but i will not answer yea twice but i will proceed no farther and eli one samuel three eighteen it is the lord let him do what seemeth him good five a magnifying of his mercies towards us in the midst of all his proceedings against us

psal one hundred forty four three has he laid us low if we be duly humbled we shall wonder he has laid us no lower ezra nine thirteen for however low the humble are laid they will see they are not yet so low as their sins deserve lamentations three twenty two six a holy and silent admiration of the ways and counsels of god as to us unsearchable romans eleven thirty three pride of heart thinks nothing too high for the man and so arrains before its tribunal the divine proceedings pretends to see through them censures freely and condemns but humiliation of spirit disposes a man to think awfully and honorably of those mysteries of providence he is not able to see through seven of forgetting and laying aside before the lord all our dignity whereby we excel others revelations four ten pride feeds itself on the man's real or imaginary personal excellency and dignity and being so inured to it before others cannot forget it before god luke eighteen eleven god i thank thee i am not as other men but humiliation of spirit makes it all to vanish before him as doth the shadow before the shining sun and it lays the man in his own eyes lower than any surely i am more brutish than any man and have not the understanding of a man proverbs thirty two eight a submitting readily to the meanest offices requisite in or agreeable to our circumstances pride at every turn finds something that is below the man to condescend or stoop to measuring by his own mind and will, not by the circumstances God has placed him in, but humility measures by the circumstances

one is placed in, and readily falls in with what they require. Here of our Savior gave us an example to be imitated. Philippians 2.8. Being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death. John 13. 14, If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye ought also to wash one another's feet. Use of exhortation. Let the bent of your heart then, in all your humbling circumstances, be towards the humbling of your spirit, as under the mighty hand of God. This lies in two things. One, carefully notice all your humbling circumstances, and overlook none of them, observe your imperfections, inferiority in relations, contradictions you meet with, your afflictions, uncertainty of all things about you,

and your sinfulness, look through them designedly, and consider the steps of the conduct of providence toward you in these, that ye may know yourselves and may not be strangers at home, blind to your own real estate and case. Two, observe what these circumstances require of you as suitable to them bend your endeavors towards it to bring your spirits into that temper of humiliation that as your lot is really low in all these respects so your spirits may be low too as under the mighty hand of god let this be your great aim through your whole life and your exercise every day motive one god is certainly at work to humble one and all of us however high any are lifted up in this world providence has hung certain badges for humiliation on them whether they will notice them or not isaiah forty six

now it is our duty to fall in with the design of providence that while god is humbling us we may be humbling ourselves and that we may not receive humbling dispensations in vain two the humiliation of our spirit will not take effect without our own agency therein. While God is working on us that way, we must work together with him, for he works on us as rational agents, who being moved, move themselves. Philippians 2, 12, 13. God by his providence may force down our lot and condition without us, but the spirit must come down voluntarily and of choice, or not at all. Therefore, strike in with humbling providences. In humbling. In humbling, yourself as mariners spread out the sails when the wind begins to blow that they may go away before it three if ye do not ye resist the mighty hand of god acts seven fifty one ye resist in so far as ye do not yield but stand as a rock keeping your ground against your maker in humbling providences jeremiah five three thou hast stricken them but they have not grieved thou hast consumed them but they have refused to receive correction they have made their faces harder than a rock they have refused to return much more when ye work against him to force up your condition which ye may see god means to hold down

and of this resistance consider one the sinfulness what an evil thing it is it is a direct fighting against god a shaking off of subjection to our sovereign lord and a rising in rebellion against him Isaiah 14. 9. 2. The folly of it. How unequal is the match? How can the struggle end well? Job 9. 4. What else can possibly be the issue of the pot's herds of the earth dashing against the rock of ages? But that they be broken to pieces, all men must certainly bow or break under the mighty hand of God. Job 41.8. 4. This is the time of of humiliation even the time of this life everything is beautiful in its season and the bringing down of the spirit now is beautiful as in the time thereof even as the ploughing and sowing of the ground is in the spring consider one humiliation of spirit is in the sight of god of great price one peter three four as he has a special aversion to pride of heart he has a special liking of humility chapter five five the humbling of sinners and bringing them down from their heights wherein the corruption of their nature has set them is the great end of his word and of his providences two it is no easy thing to humble men's spirits it is not a little that will do it

it is a work that is not soon done there is need of a digging deep for a thorough humiliation in the work of conversion luke six forty eight many a stroke must be given as the root of the tree of the natural pride of the heart ere it fall oft times it seems to be fallen and yet it arises again and even when the root stroke is given in believers the rod of pride buds again so that there is still occasion for new humbling work three the whole time of this life is appointed for humiliation this was signified by the forty years the israelites had in the wilderness Deuteronomy 8 2 It was so to Christ and therefore it must be so to men Hebrews 12 too And in that time they must either be formed

According to his image Or else appear as reprobate silver that will not take it on by any means Romans 829 So that whatever lifting up men may now And then get in this life The habitual course of it will still be humbling. Four, there is no humbling after this. Revelations 22.11, if the pride of the heart is not

brought down in this life, it will never be. No kindly humiliation is to be expected in the other life. There the proud will be broken in pieces, but not softened. Their lot and condition will be brought to the lowest pass, but the unhumbleness of their spirits will still remain. Whence they will be in eternal agonement, through the opposition betwixt their spirits and lot revelations sixteen twenty one wherefore beware lest ye sit your time of humiliation humbled we must be or we are gone for ever and this is the time the only time of it therefore make your hay while the sun shines strike in with humbling providences and fight not against them while ye have them acts thirteen the season of grace will not last if ye sleep in seed time ye will beg in harvest five this is the way to turn humbling circumstances to a good account so that instead of being losers ye would be gainers by them psalm one hundred nineteen seventy one it is good for me that i have been afflicted would ye gather grapes of these thorns and thistles set yourselves to get your spirits humbled by them humiliation of spirit is the most valuable thing in itself proverbs sixteen thirty two it cannot be brought to dear whatever one is made to suffer

if his spirit is thereby duly brought down he has what is well worth bearing all the hardships for one peter three four humility of spirit brings many advantages along with it it is a fruitful bow well-laden wherever it is it contributes to one's ease under the cross matthew eleven thirty lamentations three twenty seven to twenty nine it is a sacrifice particularly acceptable to god psalm fifty one seventeen the eye of god is particularly on such for good isaiah sixty six two to this man will i look even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word yea he dwells with them isaiah fifty seven fifteen and it carries a line of wisdom through one's whole conduct proverbs eleven two with the lowly is wisdom six consider it is a mighty hand that is at work with us the hand of the mighty god let us then bend our spirits towards a compliance with it and not wrestle against it consider one we must fall under it since the design of it is to bring us down we cannot stand before it for it cannot miscarry in its designs isaiah forty six ten my counsel shall stand so fall before it we must either in the way of duty or judgment psalms thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies whereby the people fall under thee too they that are so wise as to fall in humiliation under the mighty hand be they ever so low the same hand will raise them up

again. James 4. 10. In a word, be the proud ever so high. God will bring them down. Be the humble ever so low. God will raise them up. End of chapter 8. Chapter 9 of the Crookin'A lot, or the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men displayed. This is a Librevox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Elsie Selwyn. The Crook in the Lot, or the Sovereignty and Wisdom of God in the afflictions of Men, displayed by Thomas Boston. Chapter 9, Directions for Reaching Humiliation. 1. General Directions. Direction 1. Fix it in your heart to seek some spiritual

improvement of the conduct of providence toward you, Micah 6.9. Till once your heart gets a set that way, your humiliation is not to be expected. Hosei. 14. 9. But nothing is more reasonable if we would act either like men or Christians than to aim at turning what is so grievous to the flesh unto the prophet of the spirit, that if we are losers on one hand, we may be gainers on another. Two, subtle the matter of your eternal salvation in the first place by betaking yourself to Christ and taking God for your God and Him, according to the gospel offer, Hosea 219. Hebrews 8. 10. Let your humbling circumstances move you to this, and while the creature dries up, you may go to the fountain, for it is impossible to reach due humiliation before his

mighty hand without faith in him as your God and friend. Hebrews 11, 6. 1. John 4. 19. 3. Use the means of soul humbling in the faith of the promise. Psalms 28, 7. Moses, smiting the rock in faith of the promise, made water gush out, which otherwise would not at all have appeared. Let us do likewise in dealing with their rocky hearts. They must be laid on the soft bed of the gospel and struck there as Joel 2.13, quote, turn to the Lord your God for he is gracious and merciful, end quote, or they will never kindly break or fall in humiliation. Two, particular directions. One, assure yourself that there are no circumstances that you are in so humbling, but you may get your heart acceptably brought down to them. 1. Corinthians 10. 13. Quote, but God is

faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." This is truth, to Corinthians 12.9, quote, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness, end quote, and you shall be persuaded of it with application to yourselves if ever you would reach the end. Philippians 4.13, quote, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheth me." End quote. God allows you to be persuaded of it, whatever is your weakness and the difficulty of the task. Quote, for our sakes this is written, that he that ploweth shall plow in hope, and he that thresheth and hope should be partaker of his hope, end quote.

1 Corinthians 9, 10. And the belief thereof is a piece of the life of faith. 2. Timothy 2.1. If you have no hope of success, your endeavors, as they will be heartless, so they will be vain. Quote, wherefore lift up the hands that hang down in the feeble knees, and quote, Hebrews 12, 12. 2. Whatever hand is or is not in your humbling circumstances, do you take God for your party and consider yourselves therein as under his mighty hand? Micah, 6, 9. Men in their humbling circumstances overlook God, so they find not themselves called to humility under them. They fix their eyes on the creature instrument, and instead of humility, their hearts rise, but take him for your party that ye may remember the battle and do no more.

Job 41.8. 3. Be much in the thoughts of God's infinite greatness. Consider his holiness and majesty to awe you into the deepest humiliation. Isaiah 6. 3 through 5. Job met with many humbling providences in his case, but he was never sufficiently humbled under them till the Lord made a new discovery of himself unto him in his infinite majesty and greatness.

He kept his greatness. against his friends and stood to his points till the Lord took that method with him. It was begun with thunder, Job 37, 1, 2. Then follow God's voice out of the whirlwind. Chapter 38, 1. Whereon Job is brought down. Chapter 40, 4, 5. It is renewed till he is farther humbled.

Chapter 42, 5, 6. Quote, Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes, end quote. Four, and nur yourselves silently to admit mysteries in the conduct of providence towards you, which you are not able to comprehend, but will adore. Romans 11.33. Quote, O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out. And quote, that was the first word God said to Job, 38, 2. Quote, who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

end quote it went to his heart stuck with him and he comes over it again chapter 42 three as that which particularly brought him to his knees to the dust even in those steps of providence which we seem to see far into we may well allow there are some mysteries beyond what we see and in those which are perplexing and puzzling sovereignty should silence us his infinite wisdom should satisfy that we cannot see five be much in the thoughts of your own sinfulness job four four 44. Quote, Behold, I am vile, what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. End quote. It is overlooking of that which gives us so much ado with humbling circumstances. While the eyes are held that they cannot see sin, the heart riseth against them. But when they are

opened, it falls. Wherefore, whenever God is dealing with you and humbling dispensations, turn your eyes upon that occasion on the sinfulness of your nature. Heart and life, and that will help forward your humiliation. Six. Settle it in your heart that there is need of all the humbling circumstances you are put in. This is truth. 1. Peter 1.6. Quote, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. End quote.

God brings no needless trials upon us, afflicts none but as their need requires. Lamentations 3.33. Quote, for he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. That is an observable difference betwixt our earthly and our heavenly father's correction. Hebrews 12. 10. Quote, they, after their own pleasure, but he, for our prophet, that we might be partakers of His holiness. End quote. Look to the temper of your own hearts and nature.

How apt to be lifted up. To forget God, to be carried away with the vanities of the world. What foolishness is bound up in your heart? Thus you will see the need of humbling circumstances for ballast, and of the rod for the fool's back, and if at any time you cannot see that need, believe it on the ground of God's infinite wisdom that does nothing in vain. 7. Believe a kind design of providence in them towards you. God calls us to this as the key that opens the heart under them.

Revelations 319. Satan suggests suspicions to the contrary as the bar which may hold it shut. 2. Kings 633. Quote, This evil is of the Lord. What should I wait for the Lord any long? And quote, as soon as the suspicion of an ill design in them against us reigns, the creature will, like the worm at the man's feet, put itself in the best posture of defense it can, and harden itself in sorrow, but the faith of a kind design will cause it to open out itself in humility before him. Case, quote, oh, if I knew there were a kind design in it, I would willingly bear it, although there were more of it, but I fear a ruining design of providence against me therein. end quote Answer Now what word of God or discovery from heaven Have you to ground these fears upon

None at all but from hell 1 Corinthians 10 13 What thank you the design towards you in the gospel is Can you believe no kind design In all the words of grace they're heaped up What is that I pray but black unbelief in its hue of hell Flying in the face of the truth of God And making him a liar

Isaiah 41 1 John 5 10 11 The gospel is a breathing of love and goodwill to the world of mankind sinners, Titus 2.11, 3, 3, 4, 1, John 4, 14, John 3, 17. But ye believe it not, in that case, more than devils believe it. If he can believe a kind design there, ye must believe it in your humbling circumstances too, for the design of providence cannot be contrary to the design of the gospel, but contrary-wise, the latter is to help forward to the other.

8. Think with yourselves that this life is the time of trial for heaven, James 1.12. Quote, Blessed is the man that endureth a temptation, for when he has tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. And, quote, and therefore there should be a welcoming of humbling circumstances in that view. Verse 2. Quote, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. end quote. If there is an honorable office or beneficial employment to be bestowed, men strive to be

taken on trial for it and hope they may be thereupon legally admitted to it. Now God takes trial of men for heaven by humbling circumstances as the whole Bible teacheth, and shall men be so very loath to stoop to them? I will ask you. One, is it nothing to you to stand a candidate for glory to be put on trial for heaven? Is there not an honor in it, an honor which all the saints have had. James 5, 10, 11. Quote, behold, we count them happy that endure, and quote, etc. In a fair prospect in it, 2 Corinthians 417, for our light affliction, which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding an eternal weight of glory. Do but put the case that God should overlook you in that case, as one whom it is needless ever to try on that head, that he should order you your portion in this life

with full ease as one that is to get no more of him. What would that be? Two. What a vast disproportion is there between your trials and the future glory? Your most humbling circumstances, how light are they in comparison of the weight of it? The longest continuance of them is but for a moment compared with that eternal weight. Alas, there is much unbelief at the root of all our uneasiness under our humbling circumstances. Had we a clearer view of the other world, we should not make so much of either the smiles or frowns of this. 3. What think ye of coming foul off in the trial of your humbling circumstances? Jeremiah 6. 29.30. Quote, the lead is consumed of the fire. The founder melteth in vain,

for the wicked or not plucked away. Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them. End quote. That the issue of it be only that your heart appear of such temper as by no means to be humbled, and that therefore you must and shall be taken off them, while yet no humbling appears. I think the awfulness of the dispensation as such as might set us to our knees to deprecate the lifting except from our humbling circumstances, ere our hearts are humbled. Isaiah 1.5. Ezekiel 2413. 9. Think with yourselves how by humbling circumstances the Lord prepares us for heaven, quote, giving thanks unto the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints and light." End quote. Colossians 1.12. 2 Corinthians 5. 5. The stones and timber

are laid down, turned over and over and hewed, ere they be set up in the building, and not set up just as they come out of the quarry and wood. Were they capable of a choice such of them as would refuse the iron tool would be refused a place in the building? Pray, how think ye to be made meat for heaven by the warm sunshine of this world's ease and getting all your will here? Nay, sirs, that would put your mouth out of taste for the joys of the other world. Vessels of dishonour are fitted for destruction that way, but vessels of honor for glory by humbling circumstances. I would here say one. Will nothing please you but two heavens, one here, another hereafter? God has secured one heaven for the saints, one place where they shall get all their will, wish, and desire, where

there shall be no weight on them to hold them down, and that is, in the other world. But ye must have it both here and there, or ye cannot digest it. Why do you not quarrel too that there are not two summers in one year, two days in the 24 hours. The order of the one heaven is as firm as that of the years and days, and ye cannot reverse it. Therefore, choose ye whether you will take your night or your day first, your winter or your summer, your heaven here or hereafter. Without being humbled with humbling circumstances in this life, ye are not capable of heaven. 2. Corinthians 5. 5. Quote, now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing as God."

You may indeed lie at ease here in a bed of sloth and dream of heaven, beg with hopes of a fool's paradise, wishing to cast yourself just out of Delilah's lap into Abraham's bosom, but except ye be humbled ye are not capable. 1. Of the Bible heaven, that heaven described in the Old and New Testaments, is not that heaven a lifting up in due time, but how shall ye be lifted up that are never well got down. Where will your tears be to be wiped away? What place will there be for your triumph? Who will not fight the good fight? How can it be a rest to you who cannot submit to labor? 2. Of the saints heaven, Revelation 7.14, quote, and he said unto me, these are they which came out

of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb. end quote. This answers the question about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the saints with them there, they were brought down to the dust by humbling circumstances, and out of these, they came before the throne. How can ye ever think to be lifted up with them, with whom ye cannot think to be brought down? 3. Of Christ's heaven, Hebrews 12, 2, quote, Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of God? and quote, oh, consider how the forerunner made his way. Luke 24, 26, quote, ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory, end quote, and lay your account with it that if ye get

where he is, ye must go thither as he went. Luke 923, quote, and he said if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me, end quote. 10. Give up at length with your towering hopes from this world and confine them to the world to come. Be as pilgrims and strangers here, looking for your rest in heaven, and not till ye come there. There is a prevailing evil, Isaiah, 47, 10, quote, thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way, yet saidest thou not. There is no hope, end quote. So the babel building is still continued, though it has fallen down again and again. For men say, quote, the bricks are fallen down, but we will be.

build with hewn stones. The sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars." Isaiah 9. 10. This makes humbling work very longsome. We are so hard to quit hold of the creature, to fall off from the breast and be weaned, but fasten on the other world, and let your hold of this go. So shall ye be humbled, indeed, under the mighty hand. The faster you hold the happiness of that world, the easier it will be to accommodate yourselves to your humbling circumstances here. 11. Make use of Christ in all his offices for your humiliation under your humbling circumstances. That only is kindly humiliation that comes in this way. Sakurai. 12. 10. Quote, and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn.

End quote, etc. This you must do by trusting on him for that effect. One, as a priest for you. You have a conscience, full of guilt, and that will make one uneasy in any circumstances, and far more in humbling circumstances. It will be like a thorn in the shoulder on which a burden is laid. But the blood of Christ will purge the conscience, draw out the thorn, give ease. Isaiah 3324, in fit for service doing or suffering. Hebrews 9.14, quote, How much more shall the blood of Christ purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? end quote. 2. As your prophet to teach you, we have need to be taught rightly to discern our humbling

circumstances for, often we mistake them so far that they prove an oppressive load. Whereas could we rightly see them just as God sets them to us, they would be humbling but not so oppressive. Truly we need Christ in the light of His Word and Spirit to let us see our cross in trial as well as our duty. Psalms 25 910. 3. As your king, you have a stiff heart, loathe to bow, even in humbling circumstances. Take a lesson from Moses, what to do in such a case. Exodus 34.9, quote, and he said, let my Lord, I pray thee, go amongst us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin. And quote, put it in his hand that is strong and mighty, Psalms 248, he is able to cause it to melt and like wax before the fire turned to the seal.

Think on these directions in order to put them in practice, remembering, if ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Remember humbling work is a work that will fill your hand while you live here and that you cannot come to the end of it till death, and humbling circumstances will attend you while you are in this lower world. A change of them ye may get, but of freedom from them ye cannot, till ye come to heaven. So the humbling circumstances of our imperfections, relations, contradictions, afflictions, uncertainties and sinfulness will afford matter of exercise to us while here. End of Chapter 9 Chapter 10 of the crook in the lot, or the sovereignty and wisdom of God, in the afflictions of men,

displayed. This is a Librethox recording. All Librethox recordings are in the post. public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit libidox.org, recording by roof. The crook in the lot or the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men displayed by Thomas Boston. Chapter 10. In due time, those that humble themselves under the mighty hand of God will be lifted up. What remains of the purpose of this text I shall comprise in. Doctrine two, there is a due time wherein those that now humble themselves under the mighty hand of God

will certainly be lifted up. One, those who shall share at this lifting up, most by their account in the first place, with a casting down. Revelation 7. 14. john sixteen thirty three in the world ye shall have tribulation there is no coming to the promised land according to the settled method of grace but through the wilderness not entering into this exaltation but through a straight gate if we cannot away with the casting down we shall not taste the sweet of the lifting up two being cast down by the mighty hand of god we must learn to lie still and quiet under it till the same hand that casts us down raises us up if we would share of this promise lifting up. Lamentations 3. 27. It is not the being cast down into humbling circumstances by the providence of God, but the coming down of our spirits under them by the grace of God that brings us within the compass of this promise. Three, those who are never humbled in humbling circumstances

shall never be lifted up in the way of this promise. Men may keep their spirits on the high bend in their humbling circumstances, and in that case may get a lifting up. Proverbs 16, 19. But such a lifting up as will end in a more grievous fall. Surely thou did set them in slippery places. Thou castles them down in a moment. Psalm 73, 18.

But they who are not humble themselves in humbling circumstances will find their obstinacy will keep their misery ever fastened them without remedy. 4. Humility of spirit in humbling circumstances ascertains are lifting up out of them some time with the goodwill and fathor of heaven. Luke 18 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other, that every one that exalted himself shall be abased,

and he that humble of himself shall be exalted. Solomon observes, Proverbs 15, 1, that a soft answer turneth away rough, the grievous words stir up anger. And so it is that while the proud through their obstinacy do but wreathe the yoke faroster about their own necks, the humble ones, by their yielding, make their relief sure.

1 Samuel 2 8 to 10 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust And lifteth up the beggar from the dunkhill To set them among princes And to make them inherit the throne of glory He will keep the feet of his saints And the wicked shall be silent in darkness

For by strength shall no man prevail The adversaries of the Lord should be broken in pieces So canon will break down a stone wall while yielding packs of wool will take away its force. 5. There is an appointed time for the lifting up of those that humble themselves in their humbling circumstances. Habakkuk 2. 3. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie. Though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come. It will not tarry. To everything there is a time as for humbling, so for lifting up.

Ecclesiastes free, free. We know it not, but God knows it, who have appointed it. Let not the humble ones say, As shall never be lifted up. There is a time fixed for it as precisely as for the rising of the sun after a long and dark night, or the return of the spring after a long and sharp winter. 6. It is not to be expected that immediately upon one's humbling himself, the lifting up is to follow. no one is not merely to lie down under the mighty hand

but to lie still waiting the due time humbling work is longsome work the Israelites had forty years of it in the wilderness God's people must be brought to put a blank in his hand as to the time and while they have a long night of walking in darkness must trust Isaiah 50 10 Who is among you the fear of the Lord

to obey of the voice of his servant, the walketh in darkness and have no light. Let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God. 7. The appointed time for the lifting up is the due time. The time fittest for it, wherein it will come most seasonably. And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we think not.

Galatians 6. 9. For that is the time God has chosen for it, and be sure his choice as the choice of infinite wisdom is the best, and therefore faith sets to wait it. Isaiah 28, 16 He that believers shall not make haste. Much of the beauty of anything depends on the timing of it, and he has fixed that in all that he does, Clesiastes 3, too. He have made everything beautiful in his time. The lifting up of the humble will not fail to come in the appointed and due time, Habakkuk 2.3. Time makes no halting. It is running day and night, so the due time is fast coming.

When it comes, it will bring the lifting up along with it. Let the humbling circumstances be ever so low, ever so hopeless. It is impossible, but the lifting up from them must come in the due time. A word in the general to the lifting up, abiding those that humble themselves. There is a two-fold lifting up. 1. A partial lifting up competent of the humbling time during this life. Psalm 30 1. I will exalt thee, O Lord, for thou hast lifted me up, and has not made my foes rejoice over me.

This is the lifting up in part, and but in part not wholly, and such liftings up the humbled may expect, while in this world, but no more. These give a breathing to the weary, a change of burdens, but do not set them at perfect ease. So Israel in the wilderness, in the midst of their many morning times, had some singing ones. Exodus 15 1. Numbers 21 17 2. A total lifting up competent to them at the end of time and death. Luke 16. 22. It came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. Then the Lord deals with them no more by parcels, but carries their relief to perfection.

Hebrews 1222, 23. Then he takes off all their burdens, eases them of all their weights and lays no more on forever. He then lifts them up to a height they were never at before, know not even at their highest. He sets them quiet above all that is low, and therein fixes them, never to be brought down more. Now there is a due time for both these. One for the partial lifting up. Every time it's not fit for it, for we are not always fit to receive comfort and ease, or a change of our burdens. God sees there are times wherein it is needful for his people to be in heaviness. One Peter one six. to have their hearts brought down with grief.

Psalm 107. 12. But then there is a time really appointed for it in the divine wisdom, when he'll think it as needful to comfort them as before to bring them down. 2 Corinthians 2.7. So that contrary-wise, he ought to rather to forgive and comfort him, less perhaps with such and one should be swallowed up with overmunt sorrow. We are in that case in the hand of God, as in the hand of our physician, who appoints the time the drawing plaster shall continue,

and when the healing plaster shall be applied and leaves it not to the patient. 2. For the total lifting up, when we are sought oppressed with our burdens, we are ready to think, O, to be away and set beyond them all. Job 7, 2 and 3 as a servant earnestly desire of the shadow and as an highly in looker for the reward of his work so am I made to possess months of vanity

and whirousen nights are pointed to me but it may be fitter for all that that we stay a while and struggle with our burdens Philippins 1 2425 nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you and having this confidence I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your fervence and joy of faith.

A few days might have taken Israel out of Egypt into Canaan, but they would have been too soon there, if they had made all that speed, so they behoves to spend forty years in a wilderness till their due time of entering Canaan should come, and be sure the saints entering heaven will be convinced that the time of it is best chosen, and there will be a beauty in that it was no sooner,

and thus the lifting up is secured for the humble. if one should assure you when reduced to poverty that the time would certainly come yet that you would be rich when sore sick that you would not die of that disease but certainly recover that would help you to bear your poverty and sickness the better and you would comfort yourselves with that prospect however one may continue poor and never be rich may be sick and die of his disease but whoever humble themselves under their humbling circumstances we can assure them from the lord's word they shall certainly without all pert venture be lifted up out of and relieved from their humbling circumstances they shall certainly see the day of their ease and relief when they shall remember their burdens as waters that fail and you may be assured that thereof from the following considerations. The nature of God duly considered ensures it. Psalm 103, 8 and 9. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy.

He will not always chide, neither would he keep his anger, forever. The humbled soul, looking to God in Christ, may see free things in his nature jointly securing it. 1. Infinite power that can do all things. No circumstances are so low, but he can raise them. So entangling and perplexing, but he can unravel them. So hopeless, but he can remedy them. Genesis 18, 14. Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Be our case what it will. It is never past reached with him to help it, but then it is the most proper season for him to take it in hand when all others have given it over. Luke 32. 36 For the Lord shall judge his people and repent himself for his servants when he seeth that their power is gone and there is none shut up or left.

2. Infinite goodness inclining to help. He is good and gracious in his nature. Exodus 30, 4. 6 and 7. And therefore his power is a spring of comfort to them. Romans 14, 4. Men may be willing that are not able, or able that are not willing, but infinite goodness, joining infinite power in God,

may ascertain the humbled of a lifting up in due time. That is a word of inconceivable sweetness. 1 John 4, 16. We have known and believed the love that God has God has, have unto us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in Him. He has the bows of a father towards the humble. Psalm 103. 13. Like as a father pity of his children, so the Lord pitheth them that fear him. Ye boughs of mercy more tender than a mother to her sucking child. Isaiah 49.15. Wherefore, howbeit his wisdom may see it,

necessary to put them in humbling circumstances and keep them there for a time. It is not possible he can leave them therein altogether. Three, infinite wisdom that doff nothing in vain, and therefore will not needlessly keep one in humbling circumstances. Lamentations free, 32 and 33. But though he caused grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies, for he doff not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. God sends afflictions for humbling, as the end, and designed to be brought about by them. When what is obtained, and there is no more use for them that way, we may assure ourselves they will be taken off. The providence of God viewed in its stated methods of providence with its objects ensures it.

Turn your eyes which way you will on the divine providence. thence that in due time the humble will be lifted up. Observe the providence of God in the revolutions of the whole course of nature. Day succeeding to the longest day, a summer to the winter, a waxing to the wading of the moon, a flowing to an ebbing of the sea, etc. Let not the Lord's humbled ones be idle spectators of these things. They are for our learning. Jeremiah 31 35 to 37.

Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day and the ordinances of the moon, and of the stars for a light by night, which divideeth the sea when the ways thereof roar, the Lord of hosts is his name. If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever. Will the Lord's hand keep such a steady course in the earth, See, invisible heavens, as to bring a lifting up in them after casting down, and only forget his humbled ones. No, by no means.

Observe the providence of God, and the dispensations thereof, about the man Christ, the most noble and august object thereof, more valuable than a thousand worlds. Colossians 2.9 Did not Providence keep this cause with him, first humbling him, then exulting him, then exulting him, him and lifting him up, thus bringing him to the dust of death in a course of sufferings, 33 years, then exulting him to the father's right hand in an eternity of glory. Hebrews 12, 2. Who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Philippians 2. 8. 9. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, wherefore God also have highly exalted him. The exaltation could not fail to follow his humiliation. Luke 24, 26, ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory? And he saw and believed it would follow, as the springing of the seed doth the sowing it. John 12. 24. There is a near concern the humble in humbling circumstances have herein. This is the pattern providence copies after in its conduct toward you.

The father was so well pleased with this method in the case of his own son that it was determined to be followed, and just copied over again in the case of all the heirs of glory. Romans 8. 29 For whom he did fore know, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among the firstborn among the men. many brethren. And who would not be pleased to walk through the darkest valley treading his steps? This is a sure pledge of your lifting up. Christ in his state of humiliation was

considered as a public person and representative, and so is he in his exaltation. So Christ's exaltation ensures your exultation out of your humbling circumstances. Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body, shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust. Isaiah 26, 19. Come and let us return on to the Lord, for he have torn and he will heal us. He has smitten and he will bind us up. After two days, he will revive us. In the third day he will raise us up and we shall live in his sight. Hosea 6, 1 and 2. and I've raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly praises in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2 6

Yea he has gone into the state of glory for us as our forerunner. Whether the forerunner is for us entered. Even Jesus made an high priest forever. Hebrews 6. 20 His humiliation was the price of your exaltation and his exhortation a testimony of the acceptance of its payment to the full. There are no humbling circumstances you are in, but you would have perished in them, had not he purchased your lifting up out of them by his own humiliation.

Isaiah 2619 Now His humbling grace in you is an evidence of the acceptance of his humiliation for your lifting up. Observe the prudence of God toward the church in all ages. This has been the course the Lord has kept with her. Psalm 129 1 to 4 Abel was slain by wicked cane to the great grief of Adam and Eve and arrested their pious children But then there was another seed raised up in Abel's room

Genesis 4 25 Noah and his sons were buried alive in the art for more than a year But then they were brought out into a new world and blessed Abraham for many years went childless but at length Isaac was born. Israel was long, immeasurable bondage in Egypt, but at length seated in the promised land, etc.

We must be content to go by the footsteps of the flock, and if in humiliation we shall surely follow them in exaltation too. Observe the providence of God and the dispensation of his grace toward his children. The general rule is, 1 Peter 5, 5. For God resists the proud, and give of grace. grace to the humble. How are they brought into a state of grace? Is it not by a sound work of humiliation going before? Luke 6.48. And ordinarily, the greater is the measure of grace

designed for any. The deeper is their humiliation before, as in Paul's case. If they are to be recovered out of a backsliding case, the same method is followed, so that the deepest humiliation ordinarily makes way for the greatest comfort, and the darkest hour goes before the rising of the Son of righteousness upon them. Isaiah 66 5 to 13. Observe the providence of God at length, throwing down wicked men, however long they stand and prosper. Psalm 37, 25 and 36, I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and no he was not. Yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

They are long green before the sun, but at length they are suddenly smitten with an east wind, and wither away. Their lamp goes out with a stench, and they are put out in obscure darkness. Now it is inconsistent with the benignity of the divine nature, to forget the humble to raise them while he minds the proud to abase them. The word of God puts it beyond all per adventure, which from the beginning to the end is the humbled saint's security for a lifting up. Psalm 11949, 49 and 50

Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which there has caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, for thy word have quickened me. His word is the great letter of his name, which he will certainly cause to shine. Psalm 138, 2. For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name, and in all generations has been safely relied on. Psalm 12, 6. Consider, 1. The doctrines of the Word, which teach faith and hope for the time,

and a happy issue which the exercise of these graces will have. The whole current of Scripture to those in humbling circumstances is not to cast away their confidence but to hope to the end and that for this good reason that it shall not be in vain See Psalm 2714 Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart Wait I say on the Lord And compare Romans 933

Isaiah 49 23 For they shall not be ashamed That wait for me 2 The promises of the word whereby heaven is expressly engaged For lifting up to those that humble themselves

In humbling circumstances Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord And he shall lift you up James 410 And he that humble of himself shall be exalted Matthew 23 12 it may take a time to prepare them for lifting up but that being done it is secured lord that has heard the desire to humble thou will prepare their hearts then wilt thou cause thine ear to hear psalm ten seventeen they have his word for deliverance psalm fifty fifteen and though they may seem to be forgotten they shall not be always so the time of their deliverance will come for the need of their deliverance will come for the need of

shall not always be forgotten. The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. Psalm 9. 18. He will regard the prayer at the destitute and not despise their prayer. Psalm 102. 17. 3. Examples of the word sufficiently confirming the truth of the doctrines and promises. Romans 15. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. In the doctrines and promises the lifting up is proposed to our faith, to be reckoned on the credit of God's word. But in examples it is in the case of others set before our eyes to be seen.

James 5.2 Behold we count them happy which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord. the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. There we see it in the case of Abraham, Job, David, Paul and other saints, but above all in the case of the man Christ. 4. The intercession of Christ joining the prayers and cries of his humbled people in their humbling circumstances ensures the lifting up for them at length.

Be it so that the proud cry not when he bind of them. yet his own humbled ones will certainly cry unto him. Psalm 43, 7 and 8, Deep calleth on to deep at the noise of thy water spouts. All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the Lord will command his loving kindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

And though unbelievers may soon be outwearied, and give it over altogether, surely believers will not do so but though they may in a fit of temptation laid by his hopeless they will find themselves obliged to take it up again jemmy twenty nine then i said i will not make mention of him nor speak any more in his name but his word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones and i was weary with forbearing and i could not stay they will cry night and day on to-day on to him. Luke 18, 7. Knowing no time for giving it over till they be lifted up. Lamentations free, 49 and 50. Mine eye tricklet down and cease if not, without any intermission, till the Lord look down and behold from heaven. Now Christ's intercession being joined with these cries, there cannot fail to be a lifting up. Christ's intercession is certainly joined with the

cries and prayers of the humbold in their humbling circumstances. Revelation 8. 3. Another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer, and it was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. They are by the spirit helped to groan for relief. Romans 8, 26.

And the prayers and groans which are through the spirit are certainly to be made effectual. by the intercession of the sun. James 5. 16. And you may know they are by the spirit, if so be ye a help to continue praying, hoping for your suit at last on the ground of God's word of promise. The nature's praying is a pool that will dry up in a long drought.

The spirit of prayer is the lasting spring. John 4.14. Psalm 138. 3. in the day when I cried thou answerest me and strengthens me with strength in my soul truly there is an intercession in heaven on account of the humbling circumstances of the humble ones then the angel of the Lord answered and said O Lord of hosts how long wilt thou not have mercy and Jerusalem none the cities of Judah against which thou hast ad indignation these free score and ten years Zechariah 1.12. How then can they miss of a lifting up in due time? Christ is in deep earnest in his intercession for his people in their humbling circumstances. Some will speak a good word in favour of the helpless. That will be a little concerned whether they speed or not. But our intercession is in earnest in behalf of his humbled ones,

for he is touched with sympathy in their case. Isaiah 43 In all their affliction he was afflicted, A most tender sympathy, Zechariah 2, 8. For he did touch of you, touch of the apple of his eye. He has their case upon his heart, where he is in the holy place in the highest heavens,

Exodus 28, 29. And he keeps an exact account at the time of their humbling circumstances, be it as long as it will endure. joined with the cries and prayers of the humbled in their humbling circumstances. Revelation 8. 3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censor, and it was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

They are by the spirit helped to groan for relief. Romans 8.26. And the prayers and groans which are through the spirit, certainly to be made effectual by the intercession of the sun. James 5. 16. And ye may know they are by the spirit. If so be ye are helped to continue praying, hoping for your suit at last, on the ground of God's word of promise.

For nature's praying is a pool that will dry up in a long drought. The spirit of prayer is the lasting spring. John 4. 14. Psalm 138. 3. In the day when I cried, thou answers me, and strengthens me with strength in my soul. Truly, there is an intercession in heaven, on account of the humbling circumstances of the humbled ones. Then the angel of the Lord answered, and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem, none the cities of Judah,

against which thou hast had indignation these three score and ten years? Zechariah 1.12. How then can they miss of a lifting up in due time? Christ is in deep earnest in his intercession for his people in their humbling circumstances. Some will speak a good word in favour of the helpless. That will be little concerned whether they speed or not. But our intercessor is in earnest in behalf of his humbled ones. He is touched with sympathy in their case.

Isaiah 43, 9. in all the affliction he was afflicted A most tender sympathy Zechariah 2 8 For he that touch of you touch of the apple of his eye He has their case upon his heart Where he is in the holy place

In the highest heavens Exodus 28 29 And he keeps an exact account of the time With their humbling circumstances Beard as long as it will. Zechariah 1.12. Moreover, it is his own business. The lifting up which they are to have is the thing that is secured to him, the promises made to him on the account of his blood shed for them.

Psalm 89 33 to 36. So not only are they looking on earth, but the man Christ is in heaven looking for the accomplishment of these promises. Hebrews 10, 12. But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, forever sat down on the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. How is it possible then that he should be balked? Moreover, these humbling circumstances are his own sufferings still, though not in his person, yet in his members.

Colossians 1, 24, who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, I fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his body's sake, which is the church. Wherefore, there is all ground to conclude he is in deep earnest. Again, his intercession is always effectual. John 1142, and I know that thou hearest me always.

It cannot miss to be so, because he is the father's well-beloved son. His intercession has a plea of justice for the ground of it. 1 John 2. 1. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Moreover, he has all power in heaven and earth lodged in him. Matthew 28, 18. And finally, he and his father are one, and there will one. So both Christ and his father do will the lifting up of the humbled ones,

but yet only in the due time. I now proceed to a more particular view of the point. And one, we will consider the lifting up as brought about in time, which is the partial lifting up. This lifting up does not take place in every case of a child of God. One may be humbled in humbling circumstances, and which is not to get a lifting up in time. We would not, from the promise, presently conclude that we being humbled under our humbling circumstances shall certainly be taken out of them and freed from them

ere we get to the end of our journey. For it is certain, there are some such as our imperfections and sinfulness and mortality we can by no means be rid of what of while in this world. And there are particular humbling circumstances the Lord may bring about one

and keep about him till he goes down to the grave. While in the meantime he may lift up another from the same. Heeman was pressed down all along from his youth. Psalm 3815 Others all their lifetime Hebrews 2 15

Object If that be the case What comes of the promise of lifting up Where is the lifting up If one may go to the grave under the weight? Answer Were there no life after this There would be ground for that objection

but since there is another life there is none in it at all. In the other life, the promise will be accomplished to the humbled as it was. Luke 1622. Consider that the great term for accomplishing the promises is the other life, not this. These all died in the faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, were persuaded of them and embraced them. Hebrews 1113. And that whatever accomplishment of the promise is here,

it is not of the nature of a stock, but of a sample, or a pledge. Question, but then, may we not give over praying for the lifting up in that case? Answer, we do not know when that is our case, for a case may be past all hope in our eyes, and the times of others in which God designs the lifting up in time, as in Job's chapter 6

2 What is my strength that I should hope And what is mine end that I should prolong my life But be as it will We should never give over praying for the lifting up Since it will certainly come to all who pray in faith for it If not here, then hereafter The promise is sure

And that is the commandment So much praying cannot miss of a happy issue at length Psalm 50, 15, Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. The whole life of a Christian is a praying, waiting life to encourage where unto all temple deliverances are given as pledges. Romans 8 23

Not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the spirit. Even we ourselves grown within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit the redemption of our body. And whoso observes that full lifting up at death to be at hand must certainly rise if he has given over his case as hopeless. However, there are some cases wherein this lifting up does take place. God gives his people some notable liftings up,

even in time raising them out of remarkably humbling circumstances. The storm is changing to a calm. they remember it as waters that fail. Psalm 40, 1 to 4. Some may be in humbling circumstances very long, and sore and hopeless, and yet a lifting up may be abiding them, of a much longer continuance. This is sometimes the case with the children of God, who are set to bear the yoke in their youth, as it was with Joseph and David,

and of them they get it laid on them in their middle age, as it was with Job, who could not be less than 40 years old at his troubles coming, but after it lived 140. Job 43, 16. God by such methods prepares man for peculiar usefulness. Others may be in humbling circumstances long and sore, and quite hopeless in the ordinary course of Providence, yet they may get a lifting up ere they come to their journey's end. The life of some of God's children is like a cloudy and rainy day, wherein in the evening the sun breaks out from under the clouds,

shines fair and clear a little, and then sets. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear nor dark, but it shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be light. Zechariah 14, 6 and 7. Such was the case of Jacob in his old age, brought in honour and comfort into Egypt unto his sons and then died. Yet, whatever liftings up they get in this life,

there were never wants some weights hanging about them for their humbling. They may have their singing times, but their songs while in this world will be mixed with groanings. To Cunfins 5.4. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan being burdened. The unmixed dispensation is reserved for the other world. but this will be a wilderness unto the end, where there will be howlings with the most joyful notes.

All the liftings up which the humbled meet with now are pledges, and but pledges and samples of the great lifting up, abiding them on the other side, and they should look on them so, Hosea 2.15, and I will give her her vineyards and vents, and the valley of acour for adorth hope, and she shall sing there as in the days of her youth,

and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. Our Lord is now leading his people through the wilderness, and the manor and the water of the rock are earnests of the milk and honey flowing in the promised land. They are not yet come home to their father's house, but they are travelling on the road, and Christ their elder brother with them, who bears their expenses, takes them into inns by the way, as it were, and refreshes them with partial liftings up,

after which they must get to the road again. But that entertainment, by the way, is a pledge of the full entertainment who will afford them when they come home. Object. But people may get a lifting up in time that yet is no pledge of a lifting up on the other side. How shall I know it then to be a pledge?

Answer. That lifting up which comes by the promises is certainly a pledge of the full lifting up in the other world. For as the other life is the proper time with accomplishing of the promises, so we may be sure that when God once begins to clear his bond,

he will certainly hold on till it is fully cleared. The Lord will perfect that which concern of me. Psalm 138, 8. So we may say as Naomi to Ruth upon her receiving the six measures of barley from Boas, Ruth 3, 18.

He will not be in rest till he have finish the thing this day. There are liftings up that come by common providence, and these indeed are single, and not pledges of more. But the promise chains mercies together, so that one got is a pledge of another to come, yea of the whole chain to the end. 2 Samuel 5, 12. Question, But how shall I know the lifting up to come by the way of the promise? Answer, that which comes by the way of the promise comes in the low way of humiliation, the high way of faith, or believing the promise, and the long way of waiting hope and patience continuing. James 5. 7. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman

waited for the precious fruit of the earth, and have long patience for it till he receives the early and latter reign. Humility prepares for the accomplishment of the promise. Faith sucks the breast of it, and patient waiting hangs by the breast till the milk comes abundantly. But no liftings up of God's children here any more than pledges of lifting up. God gives worldly men their stock here, but his children get nothing but a sample of theirs here. Psalm 17 14 Even as the servant at the term gets his fee in a round sum, while the young heir gets nothing but a few pence of spending money,

The truth is, this same spending money is more valuable than the world's stock. Psalm 4.7 Thou has put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. But though it is better than that, and their services too, and more worth than all their waiting, yet it is below the honour of their God to put them off with it. Hebrews 11, 16 but now they desire a better country that is and heavenly wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for we have prepared for them a city. End of chapter 10, recording by roof.

Chapter 11 of the crook in the lot, or the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men displayed. This is a Librethox recording. All Librethox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org The Crook in the Lot or the Sovereignty and Wisdom of God in afflictions of Men displayed by Thomas Boston. Chapter 11 What they all get By the lifting up promised To the Humble We shall now consider

What they will get By this lifting up promised to the humble They will get, one A removal of their humbling circumstances God having tried them a while And humbled them And brought down their hearts Will at length take off their burden

remove the weight so long hung on them, and so take them off that part of their trial joyfully, and let them get up their back long bowed down, and this one of two ways. Either in kind by a total removal of the burden. Such a lifting Job got, when the Lord turned back his captivity, increased to gain his family and substance,

which had both been desolated. David, when Saul his persecutor, fell in battle, and he was brought to the kingdom after many a weary day, expecting one day to fall by his hand. It is easy with our guard to make such turns in the most humbling circumstances, or in equivalent, or as good, removing the weight of the burden, that though though it remains it presses them no more, two Corinthians twelve, nine, and ten, and he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities. Though they are not got to the shore, yet their head is no more under the water but lifted up. David speaks feelingly of such a lifting up. Psalm 27, 5 and 6. for in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion

in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me he shall set me upon a rock and now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy I will sing yea I will sing praises unto the Lord Such had the free Hebrews in the fiery furnace the fire burnt but it could burn nothing of them but their bonds they had the warmth and light of it but nothing of the scorching heat

two a comfortable sight of the acceptance of their prayers put up in their humbling circumstances while prayers are not answered but trouble continued they are apt to think they are not accepted or regarded in heaven because there is no alteration in their case Job 9, 16 and 17 If I had called and he had answered me, yet would I not believe that he had he had hearken onto my voice,

for he break of me with a tempest. But that is a mistake. They are accepted immediately, though not answered. 1 John 5, 14. And this is the confidence we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he he heareth us. the Lord does with them as a father, with the letters coming thick from his son abroad, reads them one by one with pleasure, and carefully lays them up to be answered at his convenience.

And when the answer comes, the son will know how acceptable they were to his father. Matthew 15, 28 A heart satisfying answer of their prayers, so that they shall not only get the thing, but see they have it as an answer of prayer, and they will put a double value on the mercy. 1 Samuel 2. 1. Accepted prayers may be very long of answering many years, as in Abraham and David's case, but they cannot miscarry of an answer at length.

Psalm 9 18. The time will come when God will tell out to them, according to the promise that they shall change their note, and say, Psalm 116 1. I love the Lord, because He have heard, my voice and my supplication, looking on their lifting up as bearing the signature of the hand of a prayer hearing God. 4. Full satisfaction as to the conduct of providence, in all the steps of the humbling circumstances, and the delay of the lifting up, however perplexing

these were before. Revelation 15. 3. Standing on the shore and looking back to what they have passed through, they will be made to say he have done all things well. Those things which have bitter to Christians in the passing through are very sweet in the reflection on them, so is Samson's riddle verithed in their experience. Five, they get their lifting up together with the interest for the time they lay out of it. When God pays his bonds of promises, he pays both principal and interest together. The mercy is increased according to the time of the time. they waited, and expenses and hardships sustained during the dependence of the process. The fruits of common providence are soon ripe, soon rotten, but the fruit of the promise is often

long a ripening, but then it is durable, and the longer it is a ripening it is the more valuable when it comes. Abraham and Sarah waited for the promise about ten years, at length they fought on a way to hasten it. Genesis 16. That soon took in the birth of Ishmael, but he was not the promised son. They were coming into extreme old age, ere the promise brought forth.

Genesis 18. 2. But when it came, they got it with an addition of the renewing of their ages. Genesis 21, 7, and 25, 1. The most valuable of all the promises was the longest in fulfilling. namely the promise of Christ. That was four thousand years. Six, the spiritual enemies that flew thick about them in the time of the darkness of the humbling circumstances

were we scattered at this lifting up in the promise. 1 Samuel 2, 1 and 5. And Hannah prayed and said, My heart rejoiced within the Lord. My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies. They that were full have hide out themselves of bread. and they that were hungry ceased. Formidable was Pharaoh's host behind the Israelites

while they had the Red Sea before them, but when they were through the sea, they saw the Egyptians dead on the shore. Exodus 14.30. Such a sight would they that humble themselves under humbling circumstances get of their spiritual enemies when the time comes for their lifting up. We come now to the first.

the due time of this lifting up. That is a natural question of those who are in humbling circumstances. Watchmen, what of the night? Isaiah 21, 11 and 12. And we cannot answer it to the humbled soul, but in the general. The lifting up of the humble will not be longsome, considering the weight of the matter, that is to say, considering the worth and value of the lifting up of the humble. When it comes, can by no means we reckon long to the time of it, when you sow your corn in the fields, though it does not ripen so soon as some garden seeds, but you wait three months or so, you do not think the harvest long are coming, considering the value of the crop. This view the apostle takes of the lifting up in humbling circumstances.

2 Corinthians 4. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worker for us a far more exceeding an eternal weight of glory. So that a believer looking on the promise with an eye of faith and perceiving its accomplishment and the worth of it when accomplished may wonder it has come so slowly, therefore it is determined to be a time that comes soon. Luke 18, 7 and 8, soon in respect of its weight and worth. when the time comes it and only it will appear the due time to everything there is a season and a great part of wisdom lies in discerning it and doing things in this season thereof and we may be sure infinite wisdom cannot miss the season by mistaking it

deuteronomy thirty two four he is a rock his work is perfect for all his ways of judgment but whatever god doth will abide the strictest examination in that as all other points ecclesiastes three fourteen i know that whatsoever god doth it shall be for ever nothing can be put to it nor anything taken from it and guard off it that men may fear before him It is true, many times appear to us as the due time for lifting up, which yet really is not so, because there are some circumstances hid from us which render that season unfit for the thing. Hence John 7, 6. My time is not yet come, but your time is always ready. But when all the circumstances always foreknown of God shall come to be opened out, and lay together before us, we shall then say,

see the lifting up is come in the time most for the honour of God and our good, and that it would not have done so well sooner. When the time comes, that is really the due time, the proper time for the lifting up a child of God from his humbling circumstances, it will not be put off one moment longer. Habakkuk two, free. At the end it shall speak, it will surely come, it will not tarry. though it tarry it will not linger nor be put off to another time. O what rest of heart would the firm faith of this afford us, there is not a child of God but would with the utmost earnestness protest against a lifting up before the due time,

as against an unright fruit cast to him by an angry father which would set his teeth on edge. Since it is so then, could we firmly believe this point that it will undoubtedly come in the due time, without losing of a minute it would afford a sound rest. It must be so, because God has said it, were the case ever so hopeless, where mountains of difficulties lying in the way of it

at the appointed time it will blow. Hebrew Habakkuk 2. 3. A metaphor from the wind rising in a moment after a dead calm. the humbling circumstances are ordinarily carried to the utmost point of hopelessness before the lifting up the knife was at isaac's throat before the voice was heard two corinthians one eight and nine for we would not brethren have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in asia that we were pressed out of measure above strength insomuch that we despaired even of life but we had the sentence of death in our sense of death in our sense of death in our sense of death in our sense of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God, which raise of the dead.

Things soon seen to us arrived at that point, such as to hastenness of our spirits, but things may have far to go down after we think they are at the foot of the hill, and we are almost as little competent judges of the point of hopelessness, as of the due time of lifting up. But generally God carries his people's humbling circumstances downward, still downward till they come to that point. Herein God is holding the same course which he held in the case of the man Christ, the beloved pattern copied after,

in all the dispensations of providence toward the church and every particular believer. Romans 8. 29. He was all along a man of sorrows. As his time went on, the water swelled more, till he was brought to the dust of death. then he was buried and the gravestone sealed which done the world thought they were quit of him and he would trouble them no more but they quite mistook it then and not till then was a due time for lifting him up and the most remarkable liftings up that his people get are fashioned after this grand pattern another end which providence aims at is to carry the believer clean off his own

and all created foundations to fix his trust and hope in the Lord alone. 2 Corinthians 1. 9. That we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raise of the dead. The life of a Christian here is designed to be a life of faith, and though faith may act more easily when it has some helpful sense, yet it certainly acts most nobly when it acts in opposition to sense. Then is it pure faith when it stands. only on its own native legs, the power and word of God.

Romans 4 19 and 20. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. And thus it must do, when matters are carried to the utmost point of hopelessness. again due preparation of the heart for the lifting up out of the humbling circumstances goes before the due time of that lifting up according to the promise it is not so in every lifting up the liftings up of common providences are not so critically managed men will have them or wait for them no longer and god flings them in anger ere they are prepared for them hosea thirteen two i gave thee a king

in mine anger. They can by no means abide the trial, and God takes them off as reprimate silver that is not able to abide it. Jeremiah 6. 29 and 30. This due preparation consists in a due humiliation, Psalm 10, 17, and it often takes much work to bring about this, which is another point that we are very incompetent judges of. We should have fought Job was brought very low in his spirit by the providence of God bruising him on the one hand and his friends on the other for a long time. Yet after all that he had endured both ways, God sought necessary to speak to him himself for his humiliation.

Chapter 381 By that speech of God himself, he was brought to his knees, Chapter 40, 4 and 5. And we should have thought he was. then sufficiently humbled, and perhaps he fought so too. But God sought a further degree of humiliation necessary, and therefore begins again to speak for his humiliation, which at length laid him in the dust. Chapter 42, 5 and 6. And when he was thus prepared for lifting up, he got it. There are six things I conceive belong to this humiliation, preparatory to lifting up. 1. A deep sense of sinfulness and unworthiness of being lifted up at all.

Job 40. 4. Behold, I am vile. What shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. People may be long in humbling circumstances, e'er they be brought to this length. Even good men are much prejudiced in their own behalf, and may so far forget themselves as to think God deal. as his favours unequally, and his mighty severe on them more than others. Elihu mark of this fault in Job, under his humbling circumstances, Job 33, 8 to 12, and I believe it will be found, though it is readily a greater keenness to vindicate our own honour

from the imputation the humbling circumstances seem to lay upon it, then to vindicate the honour of God in the justice and equity of the dispensation. The blindness of an ill-natured world were ready to suspect the worst causes for humbling circumstances, as if the greatest sufferers were surely the greatest sinners. Luke 134 gives the handle for this bias of the corrupt nature. But God is a jealous God, and when he appears sufficiently to humble,

he will cause the matter of our honour to give way to the vindication of his. 2. A resignation to the divine place, pleasure as to the time of lifting up. God gives the promise, leaving the time blank as to us. Our time is always ready, and we rashly fill it up at our own hand. God does not keep our time, because it is not the due time. Hence we are ready to think his word fails, whereas it is but our own rash conclusion from it that fails. Psalm 116, 2. I said in my head, all men are liars. Several of the saints have suffered much by this means,

and thereby learned to let alone filling up that blank. The first promise was first used by believing Eve. Genesis 4, 1. Another promise was so by believing Abraham after about ten years waiting. Genesis 16. If this be the case of any child of God, let them not be discouraged upon it.

thinking they were overrash in applying the promise to themselves. There were only so in applying the time to the promise. A mistake that saints in all ages have made, which they repented and saw the folly of, and let alone that point for the time to come, and then the promise was fulfilled in its own due time. Let them in such circumstances go and do likewise, leaving the time entirely to the Lord.

3 An entire resignation as to the way and manner of bringing it about We are ready to do as to the way of accomplishing the promise Just as with the time of it To set a particular way for the Lord's working of it If that be not kept The proud heart is stumbled 2 kings 5

2 But Naiman was rough And he went away and said behold I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call in the name of the Lord his God and strike his hand over the place but the Lord will have his people broken off and that too that they shall prescribe no way to him

but leave it to him entirely as in that case verse 14 he went down and dipped himself seven times in Jordan according to the saying of the man of God and he was clean the compass of our knowledge of ways and means is very narrow as if one is blocked up oft times we cannot see another but our god knows many ways of relief where we know but one or none at all and it is very usual for the lord to bring the lifting up of his people in a way they had no view to are to repeated disappointments from those quarters whence they had great expectation 4. Resignation as to the degree of the lifting up, yea, and as to the very being of it, in time.

The Lord will have his people weaned so, that however hasty they have sometimes been, that they behold to be so soon lifted up, and could no longer bear, they shall be brought at length to set no time at all, but submit to go to the grave under their weight, if it seemed good in the Lord's eyes, and in that case they'll be brought to be content with any measure of it in time, without prescribing how much. 2 Samuel 15, 25 and 26 If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord,

he will bring me again, but if they thus say I have no delight in thee, behold, here am I, let him do a seem of good unto him. 5. The continuing of praying and waiting on the Lord in the case. Ephesians 6, 18. Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereon to with all perseverance. It is pride of heart, an unsubdududeness of spirit, that makes people give over praying and waiting, because their humbling circumstances are lengthened out time after time.

2 Kings 6. 33. But due humility going before the lifting up, brings men into that temper to pray wait and hang on resolutely setting no time for the giving it over till the lifting up come whether in time or eternity lamentations free forty nine and fifty six mourning under mismanagements in the trial job forty two three therefore had i uttered that i understood not things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. The proud heart dwells and expiates on the man's sufferings in the trial, and cast out all the folds of the trial on that side, and views them again and again. But when the spirit of God comes duly to humble, in order to lifting up, he will cause the man to pass, in a sort, the suffering side of the trial, and turn his eyes on his own conduct in it,

ransack it, judge himself impartially, and condemn himself, so that his mouth will be stopped. This is that humility that gurf before the lifting up in time in the way of the promise. We proceed to consider the lifting up

as brought about at the end of time in the other world. And first, a word as to the nature of this lifting up. Concerning it, we shall say these five things. 1. There is a certainty of this lifting up in all cases of the humbled under humbling circumstances. Though one cannot in every case make them sure of a lifting up in time, yet they may be assured,

be the case what it may, they will without all per adventure, get a lifting up on the other side. 2 Corinthians 5. 1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God and house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. Though God's humble children may have both breakfast and dine on bread of adversity and water of affliction, they will be sure to sup sweetly and plentifully, and a believing expectation of the latter might serve to qualify the former and make them easy under it. 2. It will be a perfect lifting up. Hebrews 12. 22.

They will be perfectly delivered out of their particular trials and special furnace, be what it will, that made them weary many a day. Lazarus was then delivered from his poverty and sores, and lying at the rich man's gate, Luke 16, 22, and fully delivered. Yea, they will get a lifting up from all their humbling circumstances together. All imperfections would then be at an end, inferiority in relations, contradictions, afflictions, uncertainty and sin.

If it was long in coming, there will be a blessed moment when they shall get all together. Three, they will not only be raised out of their low condition, but they will be set up on high as Joseph, not only brought out a prison, but made ruler over the land of Egypt,

and they will be lifted up into a high place. Luke 1622. The beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. Now they are at best, but in a low place, upon this earth. There they will be seated in the highest heavens. Philippians 1.23, with Ephesians 4.10. Often in their humbling circumstances, they are obliged now to embrace dunghills.

Then they will be set with Christ on his throne. Revelation 3.21. To him that overcome of will like grant, to sit with me on my throne. Though they now cleave to the earth, and men say, bow down that we may pass over you, there will then be settled in the heavenly mansions above the sun, moon and stars. They will also be lifted up into a high state and condition, a state of perfection. Out of all their troubles and uneasiness, they will be set in a state of rest, from their mean and inglorious condition, they will be advanced into a state of perfection. They will be

advanced into a state of glory. Their burdened and sorrowful life will be succeeded with a fullness of joy, and for their humbling circumstances, they will be clothed with eternal glory and honour. 4. It will be a final lifting up, after which there will be no more casting down forever. Revelation 7. 16. When we get a lifting up in time, we are apt to imagine fondly we are at the end of our trials, but we soon find we are too hasty in our conclusions, and the cloud returns. Psalm 30, 6 and 7 In my prosperity I said I shall never be moved. Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.

But then, indeed, the trial is quite over. The fight is at an end, and then is the time of the retribution and triumph. Five, there will not be the least remaining uneasiness from the humble, circumstances, but on the contrary they will have a glorious and desirable effect. I make no question, but the saints will have the remembrance of the humbling circumstances they were under here below. Did the rich man in hell remember his having five brethren on the earth, how sumptuously he fared, how Lazarus sat at his gate, and can we doubt that the saints will remember perfectly their heavy trials? Revelation 6.

ten but then they will remember them as waters that fail as the man recovered to health remembers his tossings on the sick-bed and that is a way of remembering that sweetens the present state of health beyond what otherwise it would be certainly the shore of the red sea was the place that of all places was the fittest help the israelites to sing in the highest key and the humbling circumstances of saints on the earth will be of the same use of the place that of all places was the fittest to help the israelites to sing in the highest key and the humbling circumstances of the same use to them in heaven. Revelation 15. 3. Secondly, a word to the due time of this lifting up. There is a particular definite time for it in every saint's case, which is the due time, but it is hid from us. We can only say in general, one, then is the due time for it when our work we have to do in this world is over. God has appointed to everyone his task, fight, trial and work, until that is done, we are in a sort immortal. John 9.4 and 11. 9.

That work is, doing work, work set to us by the great master, to be done for the honour of God and the good of our fellow creatures. Ecclesiastes 9. 10. We must be content to be doing on, even in our humbling circumstances till that be done out. it is not the due time for that lifting up till we are at the end of that work and so have served our generation and it is suffering work there is a certain portion of suffering that is allotted for the mystical body the hair has divided to the several members their proportions thereof and it is not the due time for that lifting up till we have exhausted the share thereof allotted to us paul looked on his life as a going on in there that. Colossians 1. 24. 2. When that lifting up comes, we shall see it has come exactly in the due time, that it was well it was neither sooner nor later, for though heaven is always better than earth, and that it would be better for us absolutely speaking to be in heaven than on

earth. Yet certainly there is a time wherein it is better, for the honour of God and his service that would be on the earth than in heaven. Philippians 1.24. Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you, and it will be no grief of heart to them when there, that they were so long in their humbling circumstances, and were not brought sooner. Use one, let not then the humble cast away their confidence, whatever their humbling circumstances be. Let them assure themselves there will come a lifting up to them at length, if not here, yet to be sure hereafter. Let them keep this in their view, and comfort themselves with it, for God has said it. Psalm 9. 18. The needy shall not always be forgotten. If the night were ever so long,

the morning will come at length. Two, let patience have her perfect work. the husbandman waits for the return of his seed the merchant for the return of his ships the store-master for what he calls year time when he draws in the produce of his flocks all these have long patience and why should not the christian too have patience and patiently wait for the time appointed for his lifting up he have heard much of the crook in the lot the excellency of humbleness of spirit in a low lot beyond for his pride of spirit, though joined with a high one. You have been called to humble yourselves in your humbling circumstances, and have been assured in that case of a lifting up. To conclude, we may assure ourselves, God will at length breaking pieces of proud,

be they ever so high, and he will triumphfully lift up the humble, be they ever so low. End of chapter 11. End of cooking the lot, or the sovereignty and wisdom of God in the afflictions of men displayed by Thomas Boston.