The Fountain of Life Opened

First, Gods suspending wonted influences and aids of grace from them. They were not wont to do so. They never did so afterwards. They would not have done so now, had there been influences of Power, Zeal, and Love from Heaven upon them. But how then should Christ have born the heat and burden of the day? How should he tread the Wine Press alone. How should his sorrows have been extreme, unmixed and succourless (as it behoved them to be) if they had stuck faithfully to him in his troubles. No, no, it must not be. Christ must not have the least relief or comfort from any creature, and therefore that he might be left alone, to grapple hand to hand with the wrath of God, and of men; the Lord for a time withholds his encouraging, strengthening influences from them, and then like Sampson when he had lost his locks, they were weak as other men.

First, Gods suspending wonted influences and aids of grace from them. They were not wont to do so. They never did so afterwards. They would not have done so now, had there been influences of Power, Zeal, and Love from Heaven upon them. But how then should Christ have born the heat and burden of the day? How should he tread the Wine Press alone. How should his sorrows have been extream, unmixed and succourless (as it behoved them to be) if they had stuck faithfully to him in his troubles. No, no, it must not be. Christ must not have the least relief or comfort from any creature, and therefore that he might be left alone, to grapple hand to hand with the wrath of God, and of men; the Lord for a time withholds his incouraging, strengthening influences from them, and then like Sampson when he had lost his locks, they were weak as other men.

Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, saith the Apostle, Eph. 6.10. If that be withheld, our resolutions, and purposes melt away before a temptation, as Snow before the Sun.