The case of Indisposition resolved, and Discouragements

FROM what hath been spoken, with some little k addition, it will not be difficult to resolve that case which some require help in, namely, whether we ought to perform duties, our hearts being altogether indisposed. For satisfaction we must know, 1. Our hearts of themselves do linger after liberty, and are hardly brought under the yoke of duty ; and the more spiritual the duty is, the more is their untowardness. Corruption getteth ground, for the most part, in every neglect; it is as in rowing against the tide, one stroke neglected will not be gained in three; and therefore it is good to keep our hearts close to duty, and not to hearken unto the excuses they are ready to frame.

In the setting upon duty, God strengtheneth his own party that he hath in us: we find a warmness of heart, and increase of strength, the Spirit going along with us, and raising us up by degrees, until it leaveth us as it were in heaven. God often delighteth to take the advantage of our indisposition, that he may manifest his work the more clearly ; and that all the glory of the work may be his, whose all the strength is.

Obedience is most direct when there is nothing else to sweeten the action; although the sacrifice be imperfect, yet the obedience, with which it is offered, hath acceptance.

That which is won as a spoil from our corruptions, will have such a degree of comfort afterwards, as for the present it hath of cumber. Feeling and freeness of spirit is oft reserved until duty be discharged : reward followeth work. In and after duty we find that experience of God’s presence, which without obedience we may long wait for, and yet go without. This hindereth not the spirit’s freedom in blowing upon our souls when it listeth, John iii. 8. For we speak only of such a state of soul as is becalmed, and must row, as it were, against the stream. As in sailing, the hand must be to the stern, and the eye to the star: so here, put forth that little strength we have to duty, and look up for assistance, which the spirit as freely, so seasonably will afford.

Yet in these duties, that require as well the body as the soul, there may be a cessation till strength be repaired : whetting doth not let but fit. 2. In sudden passions there should be a time to compose and calm the soul, and to put the strings in tune: the prophet would have a minstrel to bring his soul into frame. So likewise we are subject to discouragements in suffering, by reason of impatiency in us: alas, I shall never get through such a cross! But if God bring us into the cross, he will be with us in the cross; and at length bring us out more refined ; we shall lose nothing but dross, Zech. xiii. 9. Of our own strength we cannot bear the least trouble, and by the Spirit’s assistance we can bear the greatest: the Spirit will join his shoulders to help us to bear our infirmities. The Lord will put his hand to heave us up, Psalm xxxvii. 24. You have heard of the patience of Job, saith James, chap. v. 11, we have heard likewise of his impatiency too: but it pleased God mercifully to overlook that. It yields us comfort also in desolate conditions, as contagious sicknesses, and the like, wherein we are more immediately under God’s hand. Then Christ hath a throne of mercy at our bed’s side, and numbers our tears and our groans. And, to come to the matter we are now about, the sacrament it was ordained not for angels, but for men ; and not for perfect men, but for weak men; and not-for Christ, who is truth itself, to bind him, but because we are ready by reason of our guilty and unbelieving hearts to call truth itself into question: therefore it was not enough for his goodness to leave us many precious promises, but he giveth us seals to strengthen us: and, what though we are not so prepared as we should, yet let us pray as Hezekiah did: The Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary, 2 Chron, xxx. 19. Then we come comfortably to this holy sacrament, and with much fruit. This should carry us through all duties with much cheerfulness, that, if we hate our corruptions, and strive against them, they shall not be counted ours. It is not J, saith Saint Paul, but sin that dwelleth in me, Rom. vii. 17; for what displeaseth us shall never hurt us, and we shall be esteemed of God to be that we love, and desire, and labour to be; what we desire to be, we shall be; and what we desire truly to conquer, we shall conquer; for God will fulfil the desire of them that fear him, Psalm cxlv. 19; the desire is as earnest of the thing desired. How little encouragement will carry us to the affairs of this life? and yet all the helps God offers will hardly prevail with our backward natures. Whence are then discouragements? 1. Not from the Father, for he hath bound himself in covenant to pity us as a father pitieth his children, Psalm ciii. 13; and to accept as a father our weak endeavours ; and what is wanting in the strength of duty, he giveth us leave to take up in his gracious indulgence, whereby we shall honour that grace wherein he delights, as much as in more perfect performances.

2. Not from Christ, for he by office will not quench the smoking flax. We see how Christ bestoweth the best fruits of his love upon persons, for condition mean, for parts weak, for infirmities, nay, for grosser falls, offensive ; first, thus it pleaseth him to confound the pride of flesh, which usually taketh measure of God’s love by some outward excellency. Secondly, thus he is delighted to shew the freedom of his grace and his prerogative royal, that whosoever glorieth, may glory in the Lord.

In the eleventh to the Hebrews, among that cloud of witnesses, we see Rahab, Gedeon, and Samson, ranked with Abraham the father of the faithful. Our blessed Saviour as he was the image of his Father, so in this he was of the same mind, glorifying his Father for revealing the mystery of the Gospel to simple men, neglecting those that carried the chief reputation of wisdom in the world.. Heb. Xi. 31,32.

It is not unworthy of the remembering that which Saint Augustine speaketh of a silly man in his time, destitute almost altogether of the use of reason, who when he was most patient of all injuries done to himself; yet, from a reverence of religion he would not endure any injury done to the name of Christ; in so much that he would cast stones at those that blasphemed, and would not in that case spare his own governors ; which sheweth that the parts of none are so low, as that they are beneath the gracious regard of Christ; where it pleaseth him to make his choice, and to exalt his mercy he passeth by no degree of wit, though never so plain.

3. Neither do discouragements come from the Spirit, he helps our infirmities, and by office is a Comforter, Rom. viii. 26. If he convinceth of sin, and so humbleth us, it is that he may make way to shew his office of comforting us. Discouragements, then, must come from ourselves and Satan, who laboureth to fasten on us a loathing of duty.