A treatise on comforting afflicted consciences - The Digital Puritan

AFFLICTED CONSCIENCES. 359perimental recounting former deliverances, mercies, andfavours upon ourselves and others, and so becomes far moreexcellent and victorious for future encounters. It furthersalso repentance, in respect' of, — First, Sight of sins. Forthrough the glass of spiritual affliction we see more of them,and see them to be more monstrously vile. The clouds ofinward trouble especially, unite as it were, and collect thesight of our souls, and so represent our sins more to the lifeand in their true colours ; whereas the glistering of prosperityIS wont to disperse and dazzle it. Secondly, Ofsense. We aie then more apprehensive of divine wrath andweight of sin, when we are terrified but with a taste ofthose immeasurable seas of bitterness and terror which itinfinitely merits at the hands of God. 1'hirdly, Of hatredand opposition. We then grow into a more hearty loathingof that sweet meat vvhich we are too apt to tumble into ourmouth and hide under our tongue, when we feel it accompaniedwith such sour sauce, and turned into gall andgravel with.n us. We shall afterwards be far more watchful,and afraid to give entertainment or warmth in ourbosoms to those vipers which have so bitten and stung us.It makes self-denial more resolute and thorough ; for thedearest and most desirable things of this life, compared withChrist, were never viler dung in our esteem than at such atime. We then find that most true, that though all thestars shine never so bright, yet it is still night because thesun is gone. But the alone presence of that prince of lightcreates a comfortable and glorious day, though never a starappear. So let us enjpy the Lord Jesus, and no matterthough all the creatures in the world be turned into bears ordevils about us: but if he withdraw himself, and the lightof his countenance set out of our sight, the confluence ofall the comforts the whole creation can afford will do us nogood at all. It quickeneth notably our new obedience ; inrespect of, — First, Holiness towards God, and reverentheavenly behaviour about the first table. A general tasteand trial whereof we may take, by comparing mariners ina storm with those arrived in a haven; prisons with theatres;burials with banquets ; beds of sickness and expectationof death with strength of youth and prosperous health ;and, which is punctual for my purpose, fits of temptationwith times of spiritual v. el fare. For as in the one state wemay observe too much presumption and putting far from usthe evil day, forgetfulness of God, security and sloth ; soin the other, trouble, danger, and distress, much alter thecase. We shall then see them bitterly bewailing their formersins, trembling in the dust, seeking early God's face