Those doltish children!,.

Back to Christ's Comfort for Weary Pilgrims!

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(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

SIn is pleasant — but unprofitable. 
Affliction is unpleasant — but profitable.

By affliction, the Lord separates the sin that He hates — from the soul that He loves. He sends affliction — to take the dirt of the world out of the hearts of His children!"Before I was afflicted I went astray — but now I keep Your word!" Psalm 119:67 

As waters are purest, when they are in motion — so saints are generally holiest, when in affliction. Some Christians resemble those doltish children, who will learn their lessons — no longer than while the rod is on their backs! In the greatest affliction — the Lord has sealed the sweetest instruction, "It was good for me to be afflicted — so that I couldlearn Your statutes!" Psalm 119:71 

Many Christians are not bettered by the judgments they see — when they have bettered by the judgments they have felt. The gold is refined — by being in the furnace! Likewise, with the Christian, "I have refined you in the furnace of suffering!" Isaiah 48:10