(8) We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (9) Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; (10) Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (11) For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (12) So then death worketh in us, but life in you. (13) We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; (14) Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. (15) For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. (16) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
I bring the whole of those verses into one view, because the observations which arise out of them, are nearly to the same purpose. It is truly blessed to behold, the soul-exercises of the faithful, whether minister, or people, sanctified from an union with Christ. The Apostle enumerates within a little compass, great searchings of heart. They were always carrying their lives in their hands, while bearing about in their body, the dying of the Lord Jesus. Wheresoever they came, by whomsoever they were met; whether they were separated from each other, or went preaching the kingdom in company together; persecution was sure to follow. But Paul relates, what an happy frame they were preserved in by grace, in that, though troubled on every side, yet not distressed; though persecuted of men, yet never forsaken of God! Reader! depend upon it, the consolations in Christ, never rise so high in the full tide of holy joy, as when the storm of persecution blows most violently. It is said, that music sounds always sweetest on the water. But whether it be so or not, it is very sure, that the melody of Christ's voice, which is the sweetest of all music, we never hear so lovely, as when the floods of ungodly men, drive us to the Lord.
There are two sweet lessons, which this view of Paul and his companions instruct us in; and which, I beg God the Holy Ghost to make me a practical scholar, under his divine teaching, in the exercise of, from day to day. The one is, the conviction, that all the afflictions of God's people, are not only light afflictions of a moment; but that they work out for them, a for more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. And the other is from whence the child of God may by faith fetch daily strength, to counteract, even in the moment of their pressure, their burden, and to bear up under them all. For this cause, saith Paul, we faint not, while we look not at the things which are seen; but at the things which are not seen.
In relation to the former. Grace in lively exercise, will never fail to comfort the soul, while making a right calculation, that this affliction, be it what it may, is fraught with blessing. It is not enough to the child of God, to say, that it will do no harm. For this is but a negative kind of comfort. But he ought to say, and he will say it when truly taught of God; it will do good. For though all afflictions in their nature, being the consequence of the fall, are in themselves evil; and work evil, to the whole Adam-nature, void of Christ: yet coming in and through the Covenant of grace in Christ; to the Lord's people their very property is changed. Hence, the Holy Ghost hath caused it to be proclaimed in his Scriptures, that all Things work together for good to them that love God; to the who are the called according to this purpose, Romans 8:28. Reader do not forget this a child of God must be ultimately a gainer by every affliction, when sanctified.
In relation to the latter. We learn from Paul's example, from whom to gain strength, and where to direct our views for help, in every time of need. And depend upon it, while looking to Jesus, and in eyeing things which are eternal; all the short events of this dying, transitory world, will lessen in their view, like distant objects, too remote to engage our regard; or like the noise of distant voices, in which we have no concern. Reader! only calculate those great, and momentous things, with which the child of God is connected, from one eternity to another. God the Father's everlasting love. God the Son's Headship, Suretyship, and Relations. God the Spirit's engaged grace, influences, and power. Here is enough to fetch comfort from forever. Blessed Spirit! daily realize these precious things, and my interest in them, to my soul: and sure I am, I shall then faint not; for though the poor tabernacle of my body, the outward man, perish; yet thus my inward man, will be renewed, day by day.