A treatise on comforting afflicted consciences - The Digital Puritan

306 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMFORTINGthem but a little with the hand of faith, and much delicioussweetness of spiritual peace may distil upon thy soul.Lastly, such considerations as these may contribute somematter of comfort and support to him of weakest apprehensionin this case.1. If he consult with his own conscience, he shall happilyfind in his present sincere resolution an impossibility toturn back again to his former sinful life, pleasures, goodfellowship,sensual courses, and company. He says, andthinks it, that he will rather die than lie, swear, profanethe sabbaths, put to usury, do wrong, keep any ill-gottengoods in his hands, haunt ale-houses, play-houses, gaminghouses; or willingly put his heart or hand to any kind ofiniquity, as he was formerly wont. And doth nature,think you, keep him back, or grace and God's Spirit 12. If he should now hear, and have his ears filled withoaths, blasphemies, ribald talk, rotten speeches, filthysongs, railing at God's people, scoffing at religion, jestingout of scriptures, &c., his heart would rise ; he would eitherreprove them or be rid of them as soon as he could ; whereasheretofore he hath been perhaps a delightful hearer of them,if not a notorious actor himself. And whence do youthink doth this arise, but from the seed of God remainingin him ?3. If when you hear him complain, that howsoever hehath cast himself upon Christ, as the prophets have counselledhim, yet since thereupon he feels no such comfortand peace in believing as other Christians do, he begins todoubt whether he hath done well or no, and to conceivethat he hath laid hold upon the promises too soon ; nay,and it may be upon this discontent, doth thus further enlargehis complaint— Alas! my sins have formerly beenso great, my heart is at this present so hard, my sorrow soscant, my failings so many, that I know not what to sayto myself. Methinks I can neither pray, confer, love thebrethren, sanctify the sabbath, rejoice in the Lord, as I seeother of God's children do ; and therefore I am afraid allis nought. What heart can 1 have to hold on ] — 1 say, ifto such a speech thou shouldst for trial give this reply :Well then, if it be so, even give over all ; strive no moreagainst the stream ; trouble thyself no longer with reading,prayer, following sermons, forbearing good-fellowship andthine old companions. And since no comfort comes bycasting thyself upon Christ, cast thyself again into thecurrent of the times, course of the world, and merrycompany ; for there, yet, is some little poor pleasure to behad at least. Oh ! No, no, no, would he say ; that will