The works of George Swinnock, M.A

III. The Natural burden (as I may call it, though it hath a relation to spiritual, but not fully in the former sense) of their infirmities. Some by reason of bad instruments, are but bunglers at their work; They have naturally understandings very dull to receive, and memories very slow to retain spiritual things. They have ill constitutions of body, and thereby the worse frames of soul, and the more apt to be peevish and fretful; Now we exhort you brethren, that ye support the weak, and be patient towards all men, 1 Thes. 5. 14. All the persons in Gods family, are not of the same height and strength: though some are Old Men and Fathers, and others are Young and strong; yet some are little Children, Babes in Christ; some can go alone, or with a little help, if you hold them but by their leading-strings; but others must be carried in arms, and will require much love and patience ⟨p. 293⟩to overcome their childish frowardness. Christ winks at their weaknesses, who hath most reason to be moved with them; though his disciples were raw, and dull, and slow to believe and understand, yet he bears with them. Nay, though when he was watching for them, and in his bloody sweat, his whole body being in a gore blood, under the weight of their and others sins on his back, and they lay sleeping and snoring, and could not watch with him one hour, he doth not fall fiercely upon them, but calmly asketh them, Could ye not watch with me one hour? and afterwards excuseth it for them,

III. The Natural burthen (as I may call it, though it hath a relation to spiritual, but not fully in the former sense) of their infirmities. Some by reason of bad instruments, are but bunglars at their work; They have naturally understandings very dull to receive, and memories very slow to retain spiritual things. They have ill constitutions of body, and thereby the worse frames of soul, and the more apt to be peevish and fretful; Now we exhort you brethren, that ye support the weak, and be patient towards all men, 1 Thes. 5. 14. All the persons in Gods family, are not of the same height and strength: though some are Old Men and Fathers, and others are Young and strong; yet some are little Children, Babes in Christ; some can go alone, or with a little help, if you hold them but by their leading-strings; but others must be carried in arms, and will require much love and patience