I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Object. O! but, I am not discouraged at my weakness, in regard of the uncomfortableness of it, but in regard of the unserviceableness of it: for if I were strong in Grace, I should be able to do more Service for God; then I should be able to resist my Temptations, and to overcome the evil One: for the Apostle John saith, I write to you young men, because ye are strong, and have overcome the evil One, But I have great Temptations, and but small strength to resist them: I have a great deal of work to do for God, and have no strength to do it with; therefore I am thus discouraged, have I not cause and reason now?

Object. O! but, I am not discouraged at my weakness, in regard of the uncomfortableness of it, but in regard of the unserviceableness of it: for if I were strong in Grace, I should be able to do more Service for God; then I should be able to resist my Temptations, and to overcome the evil One: for the Apostle John saith, I write to you yong men, because ye are strong, and have overcome the evil One, But I have great Temptations, and but smal strength to resist them: I have a great deal of work to do for God, and have no strength to do it with; therefore I am thus discouraged, have I not cause and reason now?

Answ. 1 No: For the Spiritual Battle, is not always to the strong: our Victory lies not in our selves, and our own habitual strength; but in Christs fresh assistance. How often have the strong fallen, and the weak stood? We read of that young King, Edward the Sixth, That when the Emperor sent to him, desiring that his Sister Mary (afterwards Queen of England) might have liberty for the Mass in her House; this young Prince did stand out against that Temptation, when all his Counsel was for it, yea, when that good man, Bishop Cranmer, and that other holy man, Bishop Ridley, did yield thereunto, and pressed the King to it, insomuch as the King did break forth into tears, desiring them to be contented; whereupon the Arch-Bishop Cranmer, took his School-master, Mr. Cheek, by the hand, and said, Ah! Mr. Cheek, you have such a Scholar that hath more Divinity in his little finger, than all we have in our whole Bodies. Here the weak stood, and the strong did fall; the weak did resist Temptation, when the strong did yield: for our strength lies in Christ without us, not in our selves within us. And if ye look into the 2. and 3. Chapters of the Revelations, ye shall find, That whereas all the Churches are charged with some sin or other, only the Church of Philadelphia is charged with no sin at all, but commended for keeping the word of Christs Patience; and yet this Church, and no other, is said to have a little strength.