4. They that rouse up themselves, and use all means, are in a nearer capacity to receive influences from the Spirit than others. For the apostle's word is, ' He helpeth also ; ' we have been at the work, reason- ing and pleading, but he maketh our thoughts effectual : Ps. xxvii. 14, ' Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart ; wait, I say, on the Lord.' If we do not exercise faith and hope, how can we look for the assistance of the Holy Ghost ? If we give way to discouragement, we quit our own comfort ; but when we strive to take courage from the grounds of faith, it is followed with strength from God to undergo the trouble; so Ps. xxxi. 24, 'Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope ia the Lord.' When we arm ourselves witla constancy and fortitude, there is no doubt of God's seasonable relief ; but if you, out of love of the ease and contentment of the flesh, give way to difficulties, and despond, how can you expect God's assistance ? You banish it from you.
Use 1. Is comfort to the children of God. For the Lord is not a spectator only of our troubles, but an helper in our conflicts — We are set forth as a spectacle to God, men, and angels, 1 Cor. iv. 9 ; therefore we should see how we acquit ourselves. But our comfort is that he is the strength of our souls, that we are engaged in his cause, and by his power and strength. God will not desert us, or deny to support us,
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230 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XXXIV.
unless we give liim cause by our negligence and grievous sins ; no, i£ you wait upon him, strength will be renewed to you : Isa. xl. 31, ' They that wait on the Lord shall not faint, but renew their strength.' In our weakness he maketh his strength and power to appear, and can enable his servants to do and endure anything rather than quit his cause ; they shall have a new supply of strength, when they seem to be clean spent, and overcome all difficulties in the way to heaven.
Use 2. Is direction. To ascribe our standing to the Spirit. We are weak creatures of ourselves, able to do nothing ; but through the Spirit of Christ, all things, Phil. iv. 13 ; that is, go through all conditions. We owe all that we are and all that we do to the Holy Spirit ; we live by his presence, understand by his light, act by his power, suffer by the courage he inspireth into us. We are ungrateful to the Holy Spirit if ■we ascribe that to ourselves as authors, whereof we are scarce servants and ministers. Paul more humbly acknowledges, 1 Cor. xv. 10, ' But by the grace of God I am what I am.'
Use 3. Is exhortation. Let us not faint under our troubles. There are many considerations.
1. Sinners are not discouraged by every inconvenience occasioned by their sins, but can deny themselves for their lusts' sake. And shall we be discouraged in God's service ? Every lesser inconvenience that be- falleth us in the way of our duty is taken notice of, but the great evils of sin are not regarded. When you see sin's martyrs walk about the streets, or carried to their execution, it should be a shame to christians. Some whose flesh is mangled by their sin, impoverished by their sin, brought to public shame by their sin, die for their sin ; and are we so weak when we suffer for Christ ?
2. Others have borne far heavier burdens, and yet do not sink under them. The Lord Christ, Heb. xii. 3, 'endured the contradiction of sinners,' and many of his precious servants : Heb. xi. 35, ' They accepted not deliverance, looking for a better resurrection.' They might, upon certain conditions, have been free from their cruel pains and tortures, but these conditions were contrary to the law of God, therefore would not by indirect means get oif their trouble. Now, shall we praise their courage and not imitate it ? Tliat is to be christians in speculation.
3. God promiseth to moderate the afflictions and sweeten the bitter- ness of them, lest we should faint: Isa. Ivii. 16, ' I will not be wroth for ever, and contend always ; for so the spirit should faint, and the soul which I have made.' God hath great consideration of man's infirmity and weakness, and how unable they are to hold out under long and grievous troubles ; tharefore he stayeth his band, will not utterly dis- hearten and discourage his people. A good mau will not overburden his beast. If you be satisfied in the wisdom and faithfulness of God's providential government, you have no reason to faint, but keep up your dependence upon him.
4. Wheu reason is tired, faith should supply its place, and We should hope against hope, Kom. iv. 18. Faith can fetch water not only out of the fountain, but out of the rock ; when other helps fail, then is a time for God to work.
5. Give vent to the ardour of your desires in prayer : Luke xviii. 1, Christ taught men to ' pray always, and not to faint.' Keep up the