Yet hath he not root in himself
Nor in Christ; the word is not rooted in him, nor has he the root
of the matter, or the truth of grace in him:
but dureth for a while;
a hearer of the word, a professor of religion, showing some
outward respect to the word, and to the preachers of it:
for when tribulation or persecution ariseth, because of the
word;
which is often the case, and must be expected by those who
embrace the Gospel, profess the name of Christ, and are willing
to live godly in him. Tribulation may intend some lesser and
lighter troubles for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel; such as
the revilings and reproaches of men, loss of character, and trade
and persecution may design something more public and vehement;
such as confiscation of goods, imprisonment, and danger of life,
the most exquisite tortures, and death in the most cruel form and
shape; things very disagreeable to flesh and blood, and which
cannot be endured, and submitted to, by persons without a
principle of grace, by one that has no root in himself. Luke
calls this a time "of temptation", or trial, as it is either way,
both by private troubles, and more public persecutions: these try
men's principles and professions, and whether the truth of grace
is in them or not; and where it is not in any person,
by and by he is offended;
at the cross; he shrinks back from it, does not care to take it
up, and follow Christ; but drops his religion, and the profession
of it; apostatises, falls away, and comes to nothing.