---

I. A PATHETICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SHORTNESS, ETC., OF HUMAN LIFE. Afflictions and calamities of innumerable kinds seem necessarily and constantly to attend the life of man.

II. A DECLARATION THAT THESE MISERIES AND TROUBLES DO NOT ARISE FROM CHANCE OR NECESSITY. They come from the wise providence of God governing the world. This, indeed, is the only true and solid comfort that can possibly be afforded to a rational and considerate mind.

III. IT IS IMPLIED THAT THERE ARE MANY JUST AND GOOD AND USEFUL ENDS UPON ACCOUNT OF WHICH GOD PERMITS SO MANY AFFLICTIONS.

1. Some of those things which we usually esteem among the troubles and afflictions of life are such as may justly, and must necessarily, be resolved into the absolute sovereignty and dominion of God. Of this kind are mortality in general, and the shortness of human life; the unequal distribution of riches and honour and the good things of this present life; the different capacities and abilities of mind; the different tempers and constitutions of body; the different states and conditions wherein God has originally placed man in the world. Of these things there can, there needs, be no other account given than the absolute sovereignty and dominion of God. Hath not the Master a right to employ His servants in what several stations He pleases, more or less honourable, provided, in His final distribution, He deals equitably with each of them in their several and respective degrees?

2. A greater part of the troubles of life, and the afflictions we are apt to complain of, are not the immediate and original appointment of God at all, but the mere natural effects and consequences of our own sin. Most sins, even in the natural consequences of things, are, at some time or other, attended with their proper punishment. This consideration ought to make us acquiesce, with all humility and patience, under that burden which not God, but our own hands have laid upon us. But even the afflictions which are the consequences of our own folly may, by a wise improvement, by bearing them as becomes us, and by exercising ourselves to wisdom under them, become the matter of an excellent virtue, and may turn into the occasion of much religious advantage.

3. Some of the greatest afflictions and calamities of life are the effects of God's public judgments upon the world for the wickedness and impiety of others. These are sufficient grounds of contentment and acquiescence, of willing submission and resignation to the Divine will. The ends God intends in afflictions are four —

1. To teach us humility and a just sense of our own unworthiness.

2. To lead us to repentance for our past errors.

3. To wean us from an over-fond love of the present world.

4. To try, improve, and perfect our virtues, and make some particular persons eminent examples of faith and patience to the world.Two inferences.

(1) It is a very wrong and unjust conclusion to imagine, with Job's friends, that whoever is much afflicted must consequently have been very wicked, and that God is very angry with him.

(2) From what has been said there appears great reason for men to resign themselves with all patience to the will of God; and to rely upon Him with full trust and assurance (in all possible circumstances of life) that He will direct things finally to our best advantage.

(S. Clarke, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;

WEB: For affliction doesn't come forth from the dust, neither does trouble spring out of the ground;