What are we, when we have no trials?'

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The Lord has appointed the path of sorrow for the
redeemed to walk in. Why? One purpose is to wean 
them from the world—another purpose is to show them 
the weakness of the creature—a third purpose is to 
make them feel the liberty and vitality of genuine 
godliness made manifest in their soul's experience. 

What are we, when we have no trials? 
Light, 
frothy, 
worldly-minded, 
carnal, 
frivolous. 

We may talk of the things of God, but they 
are at a distance—there are . . .
no solemn feelings,
no melting sensations,
no real brokenness,
no genuine contrition,
no weeping at the divine feet,
no embracing of Christ in the arms of affection. 

What can bring a man here? A few dry notions 
floating to and fro in his brain? That will never 
bring the life and power of vital godliness into 
a man's heart. It must be by being 'experimentally 
acquainted with trouble'. When he is led into the 
path of tribulation, he then begins to long after, 
and, in God's own time and way, he begins to 
drink into, the sweetness of vital godliness, 
made manifest in his heart by the power of God.

When affliction brings a man down, it empties 
him of all his high thoughts, and lays him low 
in his own eyes.

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