A treatise on comforting afflicted consciences - The Digital Puritan

172 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMFORTINGa time allay the pain of the patient, but after the grief becomethmore grievous : so the comfortable applying of G od'spromises are not so profitable ibr every one that is humbled,especially when their souls are rather further to be castdown than as yet to be raised up ; so those sugared consolationsmay for a while overheal the conscience and abatesome present grief; but so as afterwards the smart may bethe sorer, and the grief may grow the greater. Hereof ensueththis effect, that comfort seemeth to cure for a while,but for want of wisdom in the right discerning of the cause,men minister one medicine for another ; and so for want ofskill the latter grindeth sorer than the former."Calvin, also, that great pillar and glory of the Christianworld, for sincere and sound orthodox doctrine*, concursin judgment with this blessed man of God ; and so, I doubtnot, do all the faithful ministers of Jesus Christ. " Let thisbe the first degree of repentance, when men feel that theyhave been grievous offenders; and then the grief is not tobe immediately cured, as impostors deal flatteringly andnicely wath men's consciences, that they may favour themselvesas much as may be, and be notably deceived withsuperficial daubing. The physician will not forthwithassuage the pain, but will consider what may be more expedient.Perhaps he will increase it, because a sharpermedicine will be necessary. Even so the prophets of God,when they see trembling consciences, do not presently applysweet consolations ; but rather tell ihem, that they mustnot dally with God, and stir up those who are so forward oftheir own accord, that they would propose unto themselvesthe terrible judgment of God, that they may yet be moreand more humbled."Another excellent and skilful workman in the great mysteryof saving souls t, tells us truly, " That the promise ofsalvation doth not immediately belong to one terrified inconscience, but to one that is not only terrified for his punishment,but is contrite-hearted for sin, which is the workof the gospel. Let not these be weary of the yoke of Godand the law, and make overmuch haste out of this state, forso they may undo themselves. For some withstanding theirterror, have withstood their salvation, &c. Even as an impatientpatient gets the surgeon to pull out the tent andcorrosive, or pulls it oft' himself as soon as it begins to smarta little, and so thinks it is searched enough, and now layson healing plaisters : but afterwards breaks oft" again worsethan ever. Whereas if the corrosive had been let lie on till* On Joel, chap, ii, f Mr. Rogers of Dedham, Doctrine of Faith.