A treatise on comforting afflicted consciences - The Digital Puritan

AFFLICTED CONSCIENCES. 377measure, time, and working ; and when his hand is heavyupon us in one kind, tenderly to take care that we be notoppressed with other extremities also ; as appears by thatsweet observation of Mr. Fox, in the story of the twoGlovers. " God, in his holy providence, seeing his old andtrusty servant so many years with so extreme and manytorments, broken and dried up, would in no wise heap toomany sorrows upon one poor silly wretch, neither wouldcommit him to the flames of fire, who had been alreadybaked and scorched with the sharp fires of inward affliction,and had sustained so many burning darts and conflictsof Satan so many years. God, therefore, of his divine providence,thinking it too much that one man should be somuch overcharged with so many plagues and torments, didgraciously provide, that Robert his brother, being bothstronger of body, and also better furnished with helps oflearning to answer the adversaries, should sustain the conflict."It rnay be our only wise God purposeth to exerciseus extraordinarily with spiritual conflicts and troubles ofconscience, and therefore doth mercifully give us moreprosperity and comfort in our outward state ; or, perhaps,to afflict us with variety of worldly crosses ; and thereforedoth sweetly and compassionately give us more peace andcomfort at home in our own hearts : or, it may be, hemeans to make us eminent objects of disgrace, reproach,and slander in the world, and even from those who " sit inthe gate," for our forwardness and excellency of zeal ; andtherefore, out of a gracious tender-heartedness, gives usboth more calmness in conscience and contentment in outwardthings ; or, perhaps, he may lay all these upon us,suffer us to be tried with ill tongues, with troubles withoutand terrors within ; but even then undoubtedly "his graceshall be sufficient for us " : so wise and so merciful is ourblessed God. Only, first, let us take heed (though in ourown apprehensions and misdeeming we may pretend andexcept never so plausibly) that we never prescribe untohim how, in what stint or measure he should afflict us.Secondly. That we never ward or put off any blow from hisown heavenly hand, men, or creatures, with the wound ofconscience ; never decline any ill by ill means. Thirdly,That we learn and labour to profit by and make the rightuse of all his corrections. Fourthly. And ever magnify theglory of his mercy and wisdom in sparing us any way, histender-hearted taking notice where we are weakest, andnot so able to bear his severer visitations ; but specially,that he ever pitches upon that affliction which doth oursouls most good, and serves most effectually to procure,2 K 3