When the Lord saw the moaning and weeping of this distressed mother, he was moved in tender compassion and had more pity in his heart for her than could be in her heart for her dear and only son. In these words, we will consider both the condition of the woman and the counsel of Christ concerning her condition. The Condition of the Woman She appears to be very heartbroken and distressed.

The sermon centers on Christ's prophetic office of spiritual illumination, emphasizing that true understanding of Scripture is not merely intellectual but requires divine opening of both mind and heart by the Holy Spirit. It argues that natural reason and even diligent study cannot produce saving knowledge, as spiritual truths are beyond human comprehension apart from Christ's supernatural work, which alone dispels spiritual blindness and enables the soul to perceive the glory of Christ. The text underscores the necessity of Christ's personal intervention—through the Word and Spirit—to transform the heart, making the gospel effectual, and contrasts the temporary, prideful light of worldly wisdom with the humbling, life-changing, and eternal light of saving grace. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to recognize their dependence on Christ for illumination, to respond with gratitude and obedience, and to labor diligently in the means of grace, knowing that only He can open eyes to see the light of salvation.

A study of the Nicene Creed.

John Flavel in the 5th Volume of his Works begins on Page 437 and continues to Page 494 in relating 12 Cases in which a Christian may keep his own heart under many different situations – In our previous two Sessions we have looked at Cases 1 and 2 – Case 1 – How a Christian may keep his heart from pride and carnal security, under the smiles of providence, and constancy of creature-comforts. And Case 2 – How a Christian under great afflictions may keep his heart from repining, or desponding under the hand of God? Under this 2nd Case he gives us nine special helps. (We have only looked at one so far.) The 1st Help – That by these cross providences, God is faithfully pursuing the great design of electing love upon the souls of His people, and He orders all these afflictions as means sanctified to that end. Now tonight we will look at Help # 2. Help # 2 – Though God hath reserved to Himself a liberty of afflicting His people, yet he hath tied up His own hands by promise never to take away His lovingkindness from them.

John Flavel in the 5th Volume of his Works begins on Page 437 and continues to Page 494 in relating 12 Cases in which a Christian may keep his own heart under many different situations – Last time we looked at Case # 1 – How a Christian may keep his heart from pride and carnal security, under the smiles of providence, and constancy of creature-comforts. Now we will look at Case # 2, which is this – How a Christian under great afflictions may keep his heart from repining, or desponding under the hand of God? He gives us nine special helps. (We will only look at the 1st.) The 1st Help – That by these cross providences, God is faithfully pursuing the great design of electing love upon the souls of His people, and orders all these afflictions as means sanctified to that end.

John Flavel goes on now to relate, from P. 437-494, 12 Cases in which he opens us for us how a Christian may keep his own heart under many different situations – Case 1. How a Christian may keep his heart from pride and carnal security, under the smiles of providence, and constancy of creature-comforts. And here he gives 7 Choice Helps under this first Case, to secure the heart from the dangerous snares of prosperity. 1st Choice Help – To consider the dangerous ensnaring temptations attending a pleasant and prosperous condition; few yea, very few of those that live in the pleasures and prosperity of this world escape everlasting perdition. 2nd Choice help. It may keep us yet more humble and watchful in prosperity, if we consider that among Christians many have been much the worse for it.

We have been looking at the truth of why Christians should make this the great business of their life; their learning to keep their heart with all diligence. The reason for this is given in the text itself – It is out of the heart that spring all the issues of life. All the matters of spiritual importance; everything related to trusting and obeying God. We have looked at 5 of the 6 reasons that John Flavel gives in his book by the same name: 1) That our keeping our heart is to God's glory. 2) That it establishes the sincerity of our profession. 3) – That the beauty of our walk with Christ arises from the heavenly frame and holy order of our spirits. 4) – That the comfort of our souls does much depend upon the keeping of our hearts; for he that is negligent in attending to his own heart is ordinarily a great stranger to assurance and the sweet comforts flowing from it. And 5th – It is upon the improvement of our graces that the keeping of our heart depends. Now, this evening, we will look at the 6th reason of why we should make this the great business of our life.