The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
[FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
"My Grace is Sufficient for Thee"


1t is significant of duty, as well as comfort.
ing to our experience, that such an answer was
given to the prayer of the Apostle, that the
thorn in the flesh night depart from him. The
inirmity of which he complained was not re-
moved. 1t was permitted to remain as an oc-
casion to Satan to buffet him. He was not,
therefore, encouraged to expect dellyerance
from this source Of temptation, but to rely up
ON the sufficiency of Divine grace TO keep him
from SHINING under the temptation, and thus
to comfort aud purify his heart That partic-
ular form OF trial may have been necessary to
make him humble, and to develop and strength
en- his Christian character So highly gifted
in mind, and so greatly favored above others
in the heavenly vision Of which he speaks, he
was in danger Of becoming proud and selt-suf-
feient Iepleascd the Lord 81. subject hiia to
this constant source Of temptation to remind
him that he was but a man; apoor, weak, SIN
full man: and that all his suffciency was in
sovereign grace.
The answer which he received hushed the
complaints OF the Apostle, though 1t did not
induce him to relax his watchfulness. ltquiet-
ed his Impotence in respect to the ecistiaG
fact. and directed his attention to his own
agency in dealing with it. Itwhispered re-
lief to his sense of responsibility, and saved
him from despair
There is much in this incident of Pauls ex-
perience, both to enlighten and to comfort the
people of God. 1t discoses the folly Of brood
ing over facts which lie beyond our control,
while we are yielding to the temptations which
they produce. We often deceive ourselves in
thinking it an evidence Of piety to indulge fruit
less lamentations over what we cannot help,
while our attention is diverted from the very
starting point of our responsibility. If tenn
per, or some other disposition, gets the advan-
tage of us if affliction tempts us to impa-
thence and discomfort; instead of looking to
Christ for the power of resistance, we pallate
our guilt by lamenting our in6rmities. Thus
while the character is weakened, and barren
ness is brought upon the soul, we are kept
swinging between painful sense of guilt and
an inclination to find relief in extenuating cir
cumstances. Meanwhile the light of Gods
favor disappears, and the declaration of the
Psalmist is felt too late, . If regard iniquity
in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.
How different was it with the Apostle
Through faith he so apprehended the promise,
as not only to obtain comfort, but to achieve
a triumph. With the thorn in his flesh still
,Teaaaiafisq as an occasion TO Satan to buffet
Rim he could say, Most gladly, therefore,
will I glory in. my infrmites, that the power Of
Christ may rest upon me- What an example
of faith fossaints in all ages, in I'll the vicissi-
tudes life. Trials we cannot avoid iufrmities
of some sort'will always attach to us and these
will be occasions to bring Satan against us; but
through aosas;e may make them opportuni-
ties both of comfort and triumph. The prom
ise made to Paul imposed an obligation as well
as conferred a privilege, and he 50 felt it. 1t
is still the same to all the disciples of Christ.
While it whispers his love in tones of the ten
derest sympathy with them amidst these trials,
it is designed to nerve them to vigorous re-
sistance of all sin. Religion is resource in
every emergency. Instead, then, of INDUCING
vain wishes that his lot were different, let every
Christian remember that just in such tondi-
ton he may, by the grace Of God, achieve the
noblest victories in respect to character, and
rise to the highest position of purity and hap
pinesS. /. \.