Tuesday 27 [April, 1773], in the morning, soon after I awoke, while
ruminating on my case, these words were impressed on my heart with both power
and comfort, viz. "ye have heard of the afflictions of Job, and have seen
the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender
mercy." The whole dealings of God
towards Job opened very clearly to view, and it was evident that his case far
exceeded mine: at once he lost all his children and wealth, not by what we call
a natural Death, but by one fatal stroke the vital flame is quenched in the
ruins of an house. That clause which
saith, "the Lord is very pitiful," ministered truly great comfort to
my soul. Had then a lively sense of the
tender compassion of the Lord; and though he causeth grief for wise ends, yet
will he have compassion according to the
multitude of his mercies. By this means,
found myself much supported, and enabled to believe that I should yet find God
very pitiful, notwithstanding that now the chastisement was severe. The words are in the epistle of James, chap.
v. and verse 11, only with this variation, viz. in James the word is patience, and the word affliction was
used instead thereof, as being most suitable to my case. It may be observed, that in giving comfort,
the Lord doth not always use the very word in the text, but is pleased to adapt
the substance thereof, according to the circumstance of the afflicted. 'Tis more than probable, that there are some,
who are strangers to comfort from the scriptures by the application of promises,
and such may think it only a kind of fancy; but they who are better acquainted
with God, and know the mysteries of the kingdom, can bless his holy name, for
such glorious displays of his love. 1
Those who are
Christians can affirm that their faith is made stronger, their love for Christ
made dearer, as He comforts and carries them through times of great
trial. I can testify in my own life that
my greatest times of spiritual growth have come when I have been brought to the
end of myself. None can know how
merciful God is until they experience that mercy first-hand.
As I came within a few miles of home,
sorrow returned again afresh in such a degree, that human nature seemed too
weak to sustain the heavy load, till these words were impressed on my mind with
a degree of power, viz. "Can a
woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son
of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet
will I not forget thee." For a
little space, that part calmed the surges of sorrow, which says, "yet will
I not forget thee." But had not
rode far before my wounds began to bleed afresh, then these words came with such power, that not only my distress
was removed, but also, greater assurance of eternal life was enjoyed, than what
I had been favoured with for some years past, viz. "that we must through
much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Being thus supported, came home in the
strength of the Lord, having great cause to speak both of judgment and
mercy. This tour contained six months
and one day, in which greater hardships were endured, than are spoken of, but
may be conceived by remembring [sic] that
in rainy and snowy weather blankets stretched were all my house: and in fair
weather no other shelter than the open air: but in many respects, have learned
more in this time, than in all my life before.
In the description of this country, and account of the Indians, my
endeavour and view was, to inform all who were pleased to read: but the
narrative, respecting my troubles, was chiefly designed for the sons and
daughters of affliction, hoping it may not be altogether in vain to
others. To all parents of children, who
may be pleased to read, would close this Journal with a few words of advice,
viz.
1.
Consider the most lovely child
only lent to you from God, who has a sovereign
right to call for his own, when, and in what way seemeth good unto himself; and
none should say, what doest thou? Alas! we are prone to forget this, and act as
if there was none that ruleth above, ordering all events here on earth.
2.
Never suffer your affections to be fixed too much on any child, for our
children are all mortal, and at best but uncertain comforts. How often may it be observed, that God is
pleased to take away the flower of a family? and that in the morning of days
and bloom of life. He has wise ends in
all his proceedings, and gives no account of his actions to man. If he is pleased to spare our children, how
often doth it prove only a continued cause of sorrow? for such is the corruption
of the age, that very few seek after God, and endeavour to keep themselves unspotted
from the world. We are too subject, if
God endows our children with any thing distinguishable, to idolize such; but
often he shews us our fault, with broken hearts. This was my unhappy case. All my concern was about my son Joseph. He was as dear to me as Absalom to David, or
as Benjamin to Jacob. But, was soon made
to see my folly, and the great instability of worldly comforts. All that I would say on this occasion is,
"the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord." We find that God makes his dearest children
pass under the rod: and this we may expect, though we are not at ease; for our
blessed Lord says, "as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten."
3.
Endeavour to be single-hearted, not loving the world, nor the things of
the world, for, when this is our case, we are fit to live or die; having our
affections on things above, far from all disappointment. 'Tis said this is not
our rest, and so we shall find it; but there remains a rest for the people of God. 'Tis but a little while, before all our
concerns about this world will have an end.
Some of our children have gone before us, and we shall soon follow
after; these bodies shall remain in the solitary confines of the grave 'till
time shall be no more. How are we disquieted
in vain! for all things here are but vanity and vexation of spirit.
4.
And lastly, when in adversity, beware of murmuring against God. Cannot say that I was free from it, but am so
far from justifying it, that 'tis expected, that among other iniquities, this
also is washed away by the precious blood of Christ. We find this sin cleaving to the best of men. Jeremiah curses the day of his birth. 'Tis indeed a great evil—it represents God
lacking wisdom or goodness in disposing events on earth: but he is wise in all
his providences, and not only good, but he doeth good continually, and nothing
but what is for the best to all his children.
David could say, it was good for him to have been afflicted. And we have this gracious word to support us,
viz. "all things do work together for good to them that love
God." Wherefore let us lift up our
hands that hang down, and be encouraged, for whatsoever we suffer, it is the
Lord that has done it, and can direct it, and bless it for good. He is at hand himself, and while we are here,
let him be the delight and joy of our hearts, then we may say with calmness,
when our spirits are demanded, come Lord Jesus, come quickly, amen.
F I N
I S 2
It is just
astonishing to see such mature wisdom coming from a man who has lost his very
son. Do we rest in God’s providential
control of our lives or are we apt to complain, as if He is treating us unfairly? What do we have in our lives, be it people or
things, that we love more than Christ?
Certainly Jones’ “words of advice” speak to us from ages past.
Thus ends our
look at the journal of this remarkable man.
I hope those of you who read my blog have enjoyed his story as much as I
have!
Christ, not man, is King!
Dale
2) Ibid., p. 88-90.
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