Conclusion 1

Conclusion. I.

A good man is found good by the examinations of God. When God comes to try a good man, He finds the heart of the man to be right before Him. The good man may say with him in (1 Chronicles 29:17), O my God, I know that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness; as for me, in the uprightness of my heart have I offered. Indeed our God uses not an extremity of justice and rigour in our trial; He would find a world of iniquity in us, if He did; and He would utterly consume us. The Lord said in (Isaiah 48:10), Behold, I have refined you, but not like silver. No, the refiner of gold or silver will not allow the least measure of dross therein. But our merciful God overlooks many grains of corruption, many grains of defilement and of debasement in us; for we all have our grains. However upon the trial of a good man, the good God pronounces this of him, This is a dear Son and a pleasant child, I will surely have mercy on him; He pronounces this, I find good metal in the soul of this man, and he shall be mine in the day when I make up my jewels. The Devil, the Satan, who is the Accuser of the Brethren, he may load a good man with calumnies not a few; that evil spirit will accuse a good man as guilty of hypocrisy in the power of it; but the Holy God brings it to a trial, and then He pronounces as in (Job 2:3), I have tried him; and he is my servant, a perfect and an upright man; One that fears God and eschews evil; and still he holds fast his integrity.