Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/347

 weak constitution, or weakened by some accidental disorder, especially of the nervous kind. In many cases we find ''the corruptible body presses down the soul''; in this, the soul rather presses down the body, and weakens it more and more. Nay, I will not say, that deep and lasting sorrow of heart, may not sometimes weaken a strong constitution, and lay the foundation of such bodily disorders, as are not easily removed. And yet all this may consist with a measure of that ''faith which still worketh by love''.

4. This may well be termed a fiery trial: and though it is not the same with that the apostle speaks of in the fourth chapter, yet many of the expressions there used concerning outward sufferings, may be accommodated to this inward affliction. They cannot indeed with any propriety be applied to them that are in darkness: these do not, cannot rejoice; neither is it true, that ''the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon'' them. But he frequently doth on those that are in heaviness, so that though sorrowful, yet are they always rejoicing.

III. 1. But to proceed to the third point, What are the causes of such sorrow or heaviness in a true believer? The apostle tells us clearly; Ye are in heaviness, says he, through manifold temptations: [Greek: poikilois] manifold; not only many in number, but of many kinds. They may be varied