A treatise on comforting afflicted consciences - The Digital Puritan

322 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMFORTINGtreme filth, extortions, pollutions. Physicians, by ripeningdiseases, make way to heal them ; for diseased matter isnever more easily removed than when it exceedeth in ripenessand quantity.4th. Lying long in ignorance, sensuality, and dissolutelife, without profitable and powerful means. In this case,upon the first awaking and affrighting the conscience forsin, it may be exposed to many terrible perplexities andlonger continued terrors. For the light of natural consciencebred with them in their own bosoms may in themean time serve to enrage and torture, as we see in manyguilty heathens ; but there is no natural light to lead us toChrist and evangelical comforts. 'J'he commandments haveground in nature ; but the mystery of the gospel is whollysupernatural. We find by manifold experience what a hardand heavy task it is to undertake a poor ignorant soul,troubled in mind. The cure is many times very difficult,dangerous, and long. The darkness of their ignorance,being now distressed in conscience, is very fit and fearfulmatter for Satan to work on hideously, and to play his pestilentpranks of most gross impostures and much hellishcruelty. His malicious main plot against such, and his utmostendeavour ordinarily is to drive them to self-destruction,if it be possible, before they get understanding in tlieways of God, or we can get any competent light and comfortinto their consciences.(2.) Some concurrent circumstances ; as,1st. The melancholic and sad constitution of the party ;that humour doth naturally give extraordinary entertainmentand edge to terrors and sorrows.2d. The crabbedness and crookedness of his natural disposition,which must be tamed and taken down with morelabour and with much violence. A hard and knotty blockmust have a hard wedge. An angry word or frown willwork more with some dispositions, than many sore blowsupon a cross and sturdy spirit. God is here wont sweetlyand wisely to apply himself to the several natures, conditions,and dispositions of his children.3d. Height of place and happiness to have for this lifewhat heart can wish. Whereby it comes to pass that menare so deeply drowned in sensuality, epicurism, and earthlymindedness,that for a thorough change they have needmany times to be taken down thoroughly with a deep senseof legal terrors.4th. Excellency of natural or acquired parts and endowments; as wit, learning, courage, wisdom, &c. wretchedlyabused and long misemployed upon wrong and wicked ob-