A treatise on comforting afflicted consciences - The Digital Puritan

AFFLICTED CONSCIENCES.Illiearful profaning ihem by misapplication against Cod'swill, "making the heart of the righteous sad, whom Godwould not have made sad : and strengthening the hands ofthe wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way,by promising him life " (Ezek. xiii, 22). Fourthly, viilanousperverting and abusing them to their own advantage, applause,rising, revenge, and such other private ends.2. In respect of the flattering and unfaithful ministersthemselves. First, extreme vileness (Isa. ix, 15). Secondly,guiltiness of spiritual bloodshed (Ezek. iii, 18). Thirdly,liableness to the fierce wrath of God in the day of visitation(Jer. xiv, 15 ; 1 Kings xxii, 25).3. In respect of their hearers, who delight in their lies,in their smooth and silken sermons; sudden, horrible, andunavoidable confusion (Isa. xxx, 13, 14).4. Burning both together in hell for ever without timelyand true repentance, cursing there each other continually,and crying with mutual hideous yellings, " O thou destroyerof our souls, hadst thou been faithful in thy ministry, wehad escaped these eternal flames" —! " O miserable manthat I am ! Wo is me that ever I was minister ; for now,besides the horror due unto the guiltiness of mine own undonesoul, I have drawn upon me by my unfaithfsl dealingthe cry of the blood of all those souls who have perishedunder my ministry, to the everlasting enraging of my alreadyintolerable torment,"Give me leave to conclude this point with that patheticaland zealous passage of reverend and learned Greenhamagainst negligent pastors, amongst whom I may justly rankand reckon all daubers and men-pleasers ; for self-preachersare for the most part seldom-preachers. Hear his words —:" Were there any love of God from their hearts in those,who, instead of feeding to salvation, starve many thousandsto destruction ; I dare say, and say it boldly, that for allthe promotions under heaven they would notofl'er that injuryto one soul, that now they offer to many hundred souls.But, Lord, how do they think to give up their reckoning tothee, who in most strict account wilt take the answer ofevery soul committed unto them one by one ! Or with whatconcern do they often hear that vehement speech of ourSaviour Christ, Feed, feed, feed ! With what eyes do theyso often read that piercing speech of the apostle. Feed theflock committed unto you ! But if none of these will movethem, then the Lord open their eyes to hear the grievousgroans of many souls lying under the grisly altars of destruction,and complaining against them ;*O Lord, therevenger of blood, behold theso men whom thou hast set