What He takes from me, I gain most by
 
(Letters of William Romaine, 1714-1795)

Because I am a very dull scholar and the Master is meek and lowly, He therefore bears with me and takes a great deal of pains to instruct me in my lessons.

I think this is one great end and aim in all His dealings with His dear people-He would have them to trust Him, to live on Him, and to love Him always.

But how can He do this so effectually, as by bringing them off from trusting in, living on, and loving other things? He would take these out of the heart, in order to make room for Himself. He is a jealous God. He will not sit on the same throne with idols! If there is one idol still in the heart, it must come down! The more we cleave to it, He will put forth the more of His strength to divorce us from it.

While He is in much mercy doing this, the foolish heart thinks Christ is hurting it and intending it evil-when He means nothing but good, and is taking the best means to bestow good. He is removing the shadow-to make way for the substance. He is deadening the soul to worldly enjoyments-that it may be thereby more alive to God, and fitter for closer communion with Him.

Graciously is He teaching me these blessed lessons. What He takes from me, I gain most by. For I am an immense, yes, an eternal gainer, when He fills up with Himself the lack of that which He takes away. Whatever brings me this blessing, I can welcome it.

Welcome every cross which brings me nearer to my Jesus, and makes me live in closer fellowship with Him. And then I can say, and feel it too, "Farewell, fine world! Farewell all your fine things! Farewell forever!" when they would keep me one moment from the enjoyment of my greatest good, and from the love of my best and eternal Friend, my Jesus.