Case IV: What Weariness in and Unwillingness to Duties May Stand with Grace

For the resolving this, some distinctions must be premised, and then some conclusions elicited.

Distinction, This weariness and unwillingness must be distinguished, 1. According to the degrees of it; and so it is either partial and gradual, or else prevalent and plenary. 2. According to the subject of it: and so this weariness is either of the members or else of the mind. 3. According to the prevalence of it; and so it is either transient and occasional, or settled and habitual. 4. According to the sense we have of it; and so it is either matter of allowance to us, or matter of annoyance. 5. According to the cause of it; and so it is either from a fixed dislike of food, or else from an accidental distemper of the stomach. 6. According to the effects of it; for it is either victorious, and makes us give over our duties, or else abhorred, and repulsed by grace, the Christian still holding on the way of duty.

Conclusion 1. When this weariness is only in the members, or at least chiefly, but there is still a willingness of the mind, this is no matter of questioning our estate. When the mind outgoes and undoes the body, and the appetite to duties continues in vigour, though there is a languishing of the natural strength and weariness of the bodily organs, this is not our sin, but affliction. But too commonly the body hath so much influence upon the mind, as causeth a hstlessness and sluggishness there, and makes it negligent in its office; yet when this does proceed from the failing of the spirits, tired with bodily labour and exercise, and from the distemper of the parts, our most pitiful Father considers our frame, and remembers we are but dust; and our merciful High Priest, that is not untouched with the sense of our infirmities, is ready to frame our excuse, that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

2. Where our weariness in, and unwillingness to, duties, are only gradual and partial, not plenary and prevalent, it is not sufficient to conclude ourselves jrraceless. While the twins are together in the womb, and two nations within our bowels, there will be contrary inclinations; the flesh will never say Amen to a god mai’^:* irli’jh, bllt “‘ill bc lusting against the spirit, and will hang back when the spirit puts forwards, and pull down when the spirit bends upwards; so that, while corruption remaineth, there will be always a dissenting part and continual conflicts, whence it is no wonder there should arise some weariness; yet the spirit is the prevailing interest, and, though often-times foiled, yet hath mostly the mastery of the combat, and carries it against the flesh, though not without much resistance and reluctance from the rebel opponent.

3. When this weariness is only transient, during the present temptation or defection, (which, as soon as the tried soul can get out of it, returns to its former temper and pleasure in holy duties,) there is only matter of humiliation. But, when it is the settled, permanent, and habitual frame of the mind, it is a matter of questioning our condition. The holy Psalmist, under a desertion, was even almost persuaded to give over with religion; but, when he is himself, nothing is so sweet, nothing so lovely and desirable to him, as the duties of holiness. But for them who have, in their ordinary settled course and frame, no mind to duties, but are driven to them by conscience, or engaged by company or custom, or the like, their case is fearful in that measure, that duty is unpleasant, and not loved.

4. Where this weariness of, and unwillingness to, duties are painful and grievous, as a sore in the eye, or a sickness in the heart, the state is good; but, where it is naturally allowed, and meets with little or no resistance, it is a bad sign; for this argues thcrfi is nothing but fleish, and thoro ia no contrary principle in such a heart; for if there were, the spirit would at least make opposition. This was the very frame of those unsanctified sinners that counted the Sabbaths and services of God an unprofitable burden, a very weariness, a bondage not to be borne. A gracious heart, when under such a distemper as that God’s service seems a weariness, is even weary of himself: whilst this is burdensome, he is a burden to himself; he cannot enjoy himself, while in such a frame wherein he cannot enjoy God; and, if this be the case, our state is good, though the frame be bad.

5. Where this weariness and unwillingness are not from a rooted dislike of the food, but an accidental and preternatural indisposition of the stomach, or a being disappointed of God’s presence in duties, the main state is safe. You know under a distemper the appetite may loathe and nauseate the food, that a man doth love above all other meats when he is well; and so it is here. Do you, when you are yourselves, relish more sweetness in God’s service than in your meats and drinks? Are no sweets so delightful to you as fellowship and communion with God, when you can attain to them in duties? Do you come away discontented because you cannot meet with God? Is the ground why your countenances fall, and your hearts are discouraged, because you have with them toiled and spread the net, and have not caught what you went for, or because you have no answer or mcome from God? If it be thus, it is a sign your hearts are set upon God, and tlhat you place the happiness and comfort of your lives in God, and that so your state is safe: otherwise when there is a fixed antipathy to duties, and an habitual dishke to them, and contrariety to them, the case is very sad.

6. Where our weariness and unwillingness are such as make us give over our duties, so as to live in the ordinary neglect of them, it is a fearful sign: but where, notwithstanding present discouragements, we hold on in the performance of our duties, and a humble waiting on God for removing our difficulties till we are brought to a better frame; this argues well. The church herself may be greatly deserted; but then she gives not over duties, but seeks after her beloved, and makes diligent inquiry, and will not be at rest till she hath found him: but the hypocrite gives up, and will not wait upon the Lord any longer. Not but that a deserted soul may, under the violence of temptations, omit duties for a time; but his condition during this is most painful, restless, and grievous to him, and he quickly returns again, and never comes to live quiet in the ordinary omission of known duties.

7. When our weariness and unwillingness are such as make us fall out with the service of Christ, and willing to ease durselves of his yoke and throw off his burden, this is a bad sign; but when we fall out with ourselves, and justify and approve Christ’s ways and service, it is well. Thus it was with Paul; he doth not quarrel with the law as too strict and severe, nor think of breaking off his bands and taking his liberty; but he pleads for the law, and greatly approves it and commends it, and condemns the backwardness of his own nature. Whep men are more willing to be rid of Christ’s burden than of the distemper that makes it grievous; and cast about for ease, by widening their bands, and not by bringing their minds to them, it is a woful discovery of an unsound heart.