We never have such close dealings with God, as when we are in tribulation. Some of you do not pray half as much as you ought. It is even so with the Christian. Let all be well, and he forgets God. So that while troubles abound, they drive us to God, and then consolations abound.
Some people call troubles weights.
Verily they are so. A ship that has large sails and a fair wind, needs ballast. Troubles are the ballast of a believer. The eyes are the pumps which fetch out the bilge-water of his soul, and keep him from sinking. But if trials be weights, I will tell you of a happy secret.