26 Likewise the spirit also. Least the faithful should object, that they are weaker, then they are able to bear so many & so hard burdens, he setteth before them the help of the spirit, which is abundantly sufficient to overcome all difficulties. There is no cause then, why any should complain, that the bearing of the cross is above their strength, seeing we are strengthened by virtue from above. And the greek word Sunantilambanesthai, to help together is very significant, namely, that the spirit receiving unto it part of the burden, wherewith our infirmity is oppressed, doth not only help us and succour us, but doeth so ease us, as though it undertook some part of the burden with us. And in the word infirmities, the plural number hath his augmentation. For seeing experience doeth teach us that unless we be stayed by the power of God, innumerable ruins are straight ways at hand: Paul therefore admonisheth, that notwithstanding we are every way weak, & divers infirmities threaten falling unto us, yet there is aid enough in the spirit of God, so that we shall never be moved or overthrown by any heap of evils. Howbeit these helps of the spirit teach us more certainly, that through the ordinance of God it is so brought to pass, that by mournings and sighs we should ascend to our redemption. For we know not what to pray. Above he spake of the testimony of the spirit, whereby we know God to be our father, & whereunto we trusting, dare call upon God as father: now repeating again this second member of invocation, he saith we are taught of the same spirit how he is to be called upon, and what is to be asked of him by prayers. And very aptly he hath annexed prayers to the careful, or heavy desires of the faithful, because God doeth not therefore afflict his with miseries, that they should inwardly devour up a hidden or secrete sorrow:1 but that by prayer they should exonerate and ease themselves, and so exercise their faith. And albeit I know there are divers interpretations ⟨p. 107⟩brought upon this place, yet the meaning of Paul seemeth unto me, to be simply thus, that we are blind in praying unto God: because although we feel our evils, yet our minds are more intricated and confounded, then that they can rightly elect what is convenient or expedient. If any man except,2 that there is a rule prescribed unto us in the word of God:
26 Likewise the spirite also. Least the faithful shoulde obiect, that they are weaker, then they are able to beare so many & so hard burdens, he setteth before them the helpe of the spirit, whiche is aboundantly sufficient to ouercome al difficulties. There is no cause then, why any should complayne, that the bearing of the crosse is aboue their strength, seeing we are strengthened by vertue from aboue. And the greeke word Sunantilambanesthai, to helpe together is very significant, namely, yt the spirit receiuing vnto it part of the burdē, wherwith our infirmity is oppressed, doth not only helpe vs and succour vs, but doeth so ease vs, as though it vndertooke some part of the burden with vs. And in the word infirmities, the plural number hath his augmentation. For seeing experience doeth teach vs that vnlesse we be stayed by the power of God, innumerable ruines are straight waies at hand: Paule therfore admonisheth, that notwithstāding we are euery way weake, & diuers infirmities threatē falling vnto vs, yet there is ayde inough in the spirit of God, so that we shal neuer be moued or ouerthrown by any heape of euils. Howbeit these helpes of the spirite teach vs more certainly, that through the ordinaunce of God it is so brought to passe, that by mourninges and sighes we should ascend to our redemption. For wee know not what to pray. Aboue he spake of the testimonie of the spirite, wherby we know God to be our father, & wherunto we trusting, dare call vpon God as father: nowe repeating agayne this second member of inuocation, he saith we are taught of the same spirite howe he is to be called vpon, and what is to be asked of him by prayers. And very aptly hee hath annexed prayers to the carefull, or heauie desires of the faithfull, because God doeth not therefore afflict his with myseries, that they shoulde inwardly deuour vp a hidden or secrete sorowe:1 but that by prayer they should exonerate and ease themselues, and so exercise their faith. And albeit I knowe there are diuers interpretations ⟨p. 107⟩brought vpon this place, yet the meaning of Paule seemeth vnto me, to be simply thus, that we are blinde in praying vnto God: because although we feele our euils, yet our mindes are more intricated and confounded, then that they can rightly elect what is conuenient or expedient. If any man except,2 yt there is a rule prescribed vnto vs in ye word of God:
- 1Wherefore the godly are afflicted.Wherfore the godly are afflicted.
- 2Objection.Obiection.
