[2.] There is a fainting which causeth dejection and falling off from God. Surely this worse becometh the children of God : Eev. ii. 3, ' Thou hast borne and hast patience, and hast laboured and hast not fainted.' This maketh us cast off our profession and practice of godliness, and so cuts us off from all hope of reward : Gal. vi. 9, ' Ye shall reap in due time, if ye faint not.' It is not taken there for some weariness, or remiss- ness, or perplexity, which may befall God's children, but a total defec- tion. AVhen troubles discourage us in our duty, it is a step towards it, and tendeth to apostasy, which christians should prevent in time : Heb. xii. 12, 13, ' Wherefore lilt up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way.' We often begin to faint, and lag in heaven's way, being wearied and vexed with the oppositions of the car- nal world, reproaching, threatening, and persecuting us ; but when we begin to waver, we should look to it betimes, and rouse up ourselves, that we may resolve to go on and finish our race, and not lose the benefit of our former labours and sufferings.
2. Consideration, That in this weakness, if be we left to ourselves, we cannot support ourselves. This appeareth, partly because they that have but a light tincture of the Spirit give up at the first assault : Mat. xiii. 21, ' When tribulation ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.' Offers of pardon of sins and eternal life affect them for a while, and engage them in the profession of godliness ; but when once it cometh to prove a costly business, they give it over presently. And partly because the most resolved, if not duly possessed with a sense of their own weakness, soon miscarry, if not in whole, yet in part ; witness Peter, Mat. xxvi. 33-35. Christ had warned them that such afflictions should come, as the stoutest should stumble at them, and fall for a time ; but Peter, being conscious to himself of his own sincerity, could not believe such weakness to be in him ; but God will soon con- fute confidence in our own strength, as the event of his fearful fall did evidently declare. Partly because they that seem to be most fortified, not only by resolution, but strong reasons, may 3'et overlook them in a time of temptation. As Eliphaz told Job, chap. iv. 3-5, ' Behold, thou hast instructed many, and hast strengthened the weak hands ; thy words have upholden him that was falling ; and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest ; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.' It is one thing to give counsel, and another to practise it; and there is a great deal of difference between trial apprehended by our judgment and felt by our sense : John xii. 27, ' Now is my soul troubled ; and what shall I say ? Father, save me from this hour ; but for this cause came I to this hour.' When well, we easily give counsel to the sick ; they that stand on shore may direct others when struggling with a tempest. And besides, we know many things habitually which we cannot actually bring to remem- brance, being overcome with the sense of present evils ; and grace that
VeR. 26.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 229
seemeth strong out of trial is found weak in trial, and faileth when we should most act it. And partly because those that do not wholly de- spond, but are yet wrestling, are plainly convinced that they cannot con- quer by their own strength: Jer. viii. 18, 'When I would comfort myself against my sorrow, my heart fainteth within me.' The tedious- ness of present pressures doth so invade their spirits, that they find themselves much too weak to grapple with their troubles ; they essay to do it, but find it too hard for them. Now after all these experiences of the saints, where is the man that will venture in his own strength to compose his sph'it and overcome his own infirmities ?
3. That when we cannot support ourselves through our weakness, the Spirit helpeth us. We speak not of the necessity of the Holy Spirit to our regeneration, but confirmation. After grace received, worldly things set near and close to us, and the love of them is not so quite extinct in us but that they have too great a command over our inclina- tions and affections, that we cannot overcome our infirmities without the assistance of grace, which Christ dispenseth by his Spirit. And it is not enough for us to stand upon our guard and defend ourselves, but we must implore the divine assistance, which is engaged for us : Eph. iii. 16, 'That he would grant unto you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man ; ' 1 I'eter i. 5, ' Who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ;' 1 Cor. x. 13, 'There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man ; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the tempta- tion also make a way to escape.' The Spirit that enlighteneth a christian fortifieth him, and the same gi'ace which he sheddeth abroad in the soul filleth us both with light and strength, and as a spirit of strength and counsel doth enable us to bear all the afflictions which otherwise would shake and weaken our resolutions for God and heaven.