The Souls Conflict With Itself, Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII.
Of sorow for sin, and hatred of sinne, when right and sufficient. Helps thereto.
AH, there's my misery. If I could bee Object.humbled for sinne, I might hope for mercy, but I never yet knew what a broken heart meant, this soule of mine was never as yet sensible of the griefe and smart of sinne, how then can I expect any comfort?
It is one of Sathans policies, to hold Answ. 1.us in a dead and barren condition, by following us with conceits, that wee have not sorowed in proportion to our offences. True it is, we should labour that our sorow might in some measure answer to the haynousnesse of our sins: but we must know sorrow is not required Sorow not required for it selfe: as sorow.for it selfe in that degree as faith is; If we could trust in God without much sorow for our sins, then it would not be required, for God delights not in our sorow as sorow, God in mercy both requires it and workes it, as thereby making us capable vessels of mercy, fit to acknowledge, value, and walke worthy of Christ; he requres it as it is a means to imbitter sin, and the delightfull pleasures thereof unto us, and by that meanes bring us to a right judgement of our selves, and the creature, with which sinne commits spirituall adultery, that so we may recover our taste before lost. And then, when with the Prodigall wee returne unto our selves (having lost our selves before) we are fit to judge of the basenesse of sin, and of the worth of mercy; and so upon grounds of right reason, bee willing to alter our condition, and embrace mercy upon any tearmes it shall please Christ to injoyne.
Secondly, if we could grieve and cast Ans. 2. The greatest sorow can make no satisfaction for sinne.downe our selves beneath the earth, as low as the nethermost pit, yet this would be no satisfaction to God for sin; of it selfe, it is rather an enterance, and beginning of hell.
Thirdly, we must search what is the Ans. 3.cause of this want of griefe which wee complaine of; whether it be not a secret cleaving to the creature, and too much contentment in it, which oft stealeth away the heart from God, and brings in such contentment, as is subject to faile and deceive us, whereupon from discontentment, wee grieve, which griefe (being carnall) hinders griefe of a better kinde.
Usually the causes of our want of Causes of our want of griefe for sinne.griefe for sin are these. First, a want of serious consideration, and dwelling long enough upon the cause of griefe, 1. Want of consideration.which springs either from an unsetlednesse of Nature, or distractions from things without. Moveable dispositions, are not long affected with any thing. One maine use of crosses, is to Vse of crosses.take off the soule from that it is dangerously set upon, and to fixe our running spirits. For though griefe for crosses hinder spirituall griefe, yet worldly delights hinder more. That griefe is lesse distant from true griefe, and therfore neerer to be turned into it.
And put case wee could call off our 2. Want of a divine worke.mindes from other things, and set them on griefe for our sinnes, yet it is onelyonly Gods spirit that can worke our hearts to this griefe, and for this end, perhaps God holds us off from it, to …each us, that he is the teacher of the heart to grieve. And thereupon it is our duty to waite, till hee reveale our selves so far to our selves, as to stir up this affection in us.
Another cause may bee a kinde of doublenesse of heart, whereby wee 3. A kinde of doublenes of heart.would bring two things together that cannot suite. We would grieve for sin so far as we thinke it an evidence of a good condition: but then, because it is an irksome taske, and because it cannot be wrought without severing our heart from those sweet delights it is set upon: hence we are loath God should take that course to worke griefe, which crosseth our disposition. The soule must therefore by selfe-deniall be Selfe-deniall.brought to such a degree of sincerity and simplicity, as to be willing to give God leave to worke this sorow, not to bee 2 Cor. 7. 10.sorrowed for, by what way hee himselfe pleaseth. But here we must remember againe, that this selfe-deniall, is not of our selves, but of God, who onelyonly can take us out of our selves, and if our hearts were brought to a sto…ping herein to his worke, it would stop many a crosse, and continue many a blessing which God is forced to take from us, that he may worke that griefe in us, which he seeth would not otherwise be kindly wrought.
God giveth some larger spirits, and so their sorowes become larger. Some 4.upon quicknesse of apprehension, and the ready passages betwixt the braine and the heart, are quickly moved: where the apprehension is deeper, and the passages slower, there sorow is long in working, and long in removing. The deepest waters have the stillest motion. Iron takes fire more slowly then stubble, but then it holds it longer.
Againe, God that searcheth and knows our hearts (better then our selves) knows 5. Because God sees not griefe so fit for one disposition as another.when and in what measure it is fit for to grieve: He sees it fitter for some dispositions, to goe on in a constant griefe. We must give that honour to the wisdome of the great Physitian of soules, to know best how to mingle and minister his potions. And we must not bee so unkinde to take it ill at Gods hands, when he, (out of gentlenesse and forhearance) ministers not to us that chur…sh Physick hee doth to others; but cheerefully embrace any potion that he thinkes fit to give us.
Some holy men have desired to see Earnest desire of too much sorow for sin dangerous.their sinne in the most ugly colours, and God hath heard them in their requests. But yet his hand was so heavy upon them, that they went alwayes mourning to their very graves; and thought it fitter to leave it to Gods Mr. Leaver.wisdome to mingle the potion of sorrow, then to be their own choosers. For a conclusion then of this point, If wee grieve that we cannot grieve, and so far as it is sinne, make it our griefe: then put it amongst the rest of our sinnes, which we beg pardon of, and helpe against, and let it not hinder us from going to Christ, but drive us to him. For, herein lyes the danger of this temptation, that those who complaine in this kinde, thinke it should be presumption to goe to Christ: when as he especially calleth the weary and heavy laden sinner to come unto him, and therefore such … are sensible that they are not sen… enough of their sin; must know, though want of feeling be quite opposite to the life of Grace: yet sensiblenes of the want of feeling▪ shews some degree of the life of Grace. The safest way in this case is, from that life and light that God hath wrought in o… soules, to see and feele this want of feeling, to cast our selves and this our indisposition, upon the pardoning and healing mercy of God in Christ.
We speake onelyonly of those that are Cautionso farre displeased with themselves for their ill temper, as they doe not favour themselves in it, but are willing to yeeld to Gods way in redressing it, and doe not crosse the Spirit, moving them thus with David to check themselves, and to trust in God. Otherwise, an unfeeling and carelesse state of Spirit will breed a secret shame of going to God, for removing of that wee are not hearty in labouring against, so farre as The most constant state of the soule, in regard of sinne.our conscience tells us we are enabled.
The most constant state the soule can bee in, in regard of sin, is, upon judgement to condemne it upon right …nds, and to resolve against it. Thereupon Repentance is called an af…isdome and change of the minde. And …s disposition is in Gods children at … times. And for affections, love of that …ich is good, and hatred of that which … evill; these likewise, have a setled …tinuance in the soule. But, griefe … sorow rise and fall as fresh occasions …re offered, and are more lively stirred … upon some lively representation, to … soule of some hurt wee receive by …e, and wrong wee doe to God in it. …e reason hereof is, because till the …e be separated from the body, these …ctions have more communion with … body, and therefore they cary more …ward expressions, then dislike, or …omination in the minde doth. We … to judge of our selves more by that …ich is constant, then by that which is …ing and flowing.
But, what is the reason that the affecti…s Quest.doe not alwayes follow the judgement, … the choise or refusall of the will?
Our soule being a finite substance, is Answ. 1.caried with strength but one way at one time.
2. Sometime God calls us to joy as well as to grieve: and then no wonder 2.if griefe be somewhat to seeke.
3. Sometimes when God calleth …o griefe, and the judgement and will goeth 3.along with God, Yet the heart is not alwayes ready, because (it may bee) it hath runne out so farre, that it cannot presently be called in againe.
4. Or, the spirits (which are the instruments of the soule) may be so wasted, 4.that they cannot hold out to feed a strong griefe: in which case, the conscience must rest in our setled judgement and hatred of ill; which is the A neverfailing character of a good soule.surest and never-failing Character of a good soule.
5. Oft times God in mercy takes us off 5.from griefe and sorow, by refreshing occasions: because sorow and griefe are affections very much afflicting both of body and soule.
When is godly sorrow in that degre… Quest.wherein the soule may stay it selfe from uncomfortable thoughts about its condition …
Ans. 1. When we finde strength against that sin …ich formerly we fell into, and ability to …e in a contrary way: for this answers 1. When the soule is sufficiently humbled.Gods end in griefe, one of which, is a prevention from falling for the time … come. For God hath that affection … him which hee puts into Parents, …hich is by smart to prevent their childrens boldnesse of offending for the time to come.
2. When that which is wanting in 2.gri…fe, is made up in feare. Here there is … great cause of complaint of the …nt of griefe, for this holy affection is Feare is the awbād of the soul… …band of the soule, whereby it is …pt from starting from God and his …yes.
3. When after griefe wee finde in 3.…rd peace; for true griefe being Gods …orke in us, hee knowes best how to …easure it. Therefore, whatsoever …e God brings my soule into, I am … rest in his goodnesse, and not except …gainst his dealing. That peace and joy, …ich riseth from griefe in the use of …eanes, and makes the soule more …ble and thankfull to God, and lesse censorious and more pitifull to others: is no illusion, nor false light.
The maine end of griefe and sorow is, t… make us value the grace and mercy of God 4.in Christ, above all the contentments which sinne feeds on. Which where it is found, we may know that griefe for sin, hath enough possessed the soule before. The sufficiency of things is to be judged by an answerablenesse to their use and ends: God makes sinne bitter, that Christ may be sweet: that measure of griefe and sorow is sufficient, which brings us, and holds us to Christ.
Hatred, being the strongest, deepest, and steadiest affection of the soule against 5.that which is evill; Griefe for sinne is then right, when it springs from hatred, and encreaseth further hatred against it.
Now the soule may bee knowne to hate sin, when it seekes the utter … lishing How to know that we hate sin rightly.of it, for hatred is an imp… ble, and irreconcileable affection.
True hatred is caried against … 1.whole kinde of sin, without respect … 2.any wrong done to us, but only out of meere Antipathie, and contrariety of …sposition to it. As the Lambe hateth …he whole kinde of Wolves, and man …eth the whole kinde of Serpents. A load does us no harme, but yet wee …e it.
That which is hatefull to us, the …earer it is, the more wee shun and ab…orre 3.it, as venomous Serpents, and …full creatures, because the neerenesse of the object affects us more deeply. Therefore, if our griefe spring …om true hatred of sinne, it will make …o new league with it, but grieve, for … sinne, especially for our owne particular sinnes, as being contrary to the worke of Gods grace in us, then is griefe … affection of the new creature, and every way of the right breed.
But for fuller satisfaction in this case, 4.…e must know there is sometimes griefe … sin in us, when we thinke there is none: … wants but stirring up by some quickning word; the remembrance of Gods …avours and our unkindnesse, or the a… …aking of our consciences by some …osse, will raise up this affection feelingly in us. As in the affection of love, many thinke that they have no love to God at all: yet let God be dishonoured in his name, truth, or children, and their love will soone stirre and appeare in just anger.
In want of griefe for sinne, we must remember, 1. That wee must have this What wee must doe in want of griefe for sinne.affection from God, before we can bring it unto God.
And therefore, in the second place, Our chiefe care should be, not to harden 1.our hearts against the motions of 2.the spirit, stirring us to seasonable griefe, for that may cause a judicial hardnesse from God. God oft inflicteth some spirituall judgement (as a correction upon men) for not yeelding to his spirit at the first, they feele a hardnesse of heart growing upon them: This made the Church complaine, Why hast thou hardened our hearts from thy Isay 63.feare? which if Christians did well consider, they would more carefully entertaine such impressions of sorow, as the spirit in the use of the meanes, and observation of Gods dealing toward… tselves or others, shall worke in …m, then they doe. It is a saying of …, Let a man grieve for his sinne, and … for his griefe. Though wee can nei…er love, nor grieve, nor joy of our …es, as we should, yet our hearts tell …, wee are often guilty of giving a …ck to the spirit, stirring these affecti… in us, which is a maine cause of the …y sharp afflictions wee endure in …is life, though Gods love in the main …er of salvation be most firme unto …
We must not thinke to have all this …fe at first, & at once, for oftentimes 3.…n deeper after a sight and feeling of Gods love then it was before. God is a … Agent, and knowes every mans se…ll mould, and the severall services …is to use them in, and oft takes liber… afterwards to humble men more …en he hath inabled them better to …e it) then in their first entrance in… Al a Christians grief is not at first.Religion: Griefe before springs …monly from selfe-love, and feare …ger. Let no man suspect his estate …se God spares him in the beginning. For Christians many times meete with greater trials after their conversion then ever they thought on. When men take little fines, they means to take the greater rent. God will have his children first or last to feele what sin is, and how much they are beholding to him for Christ.
This griefe doth not alwayes arise fr… Griefe arises not alwayes frō our poring on sinne.poring on sinne, but by oft considering of the infinite goodnesse of God in Christ, and thereby reflecting on our owne unworthinesse, not onelyonly in regard of sinne past, but like wise of the sin that hangeth upon us, and issues daily from … The more holy a man is, the more hee sees the holinesse of Gods nature, with whom he desires to have, communion, the more he is grieved that there shoul be any thing found in him, displeasing to so pure a Majestie.
And as all our griefe comes no… … first, so God will not have it come … once, but to be a streame alwayes … ning, fed with a spring, yet withiin … bankes, though sometimes deep… sometimes shallower. Griefe for s… i… like a constant streame; griefe for …her things is like a torrent, or swelling waters, which are soone up, soone downe, what it wants in greatnesse, is made up in continuance.
Againe, If wee watch not our nature, 4. That there may be a spice of Popery in this our earnest desire of much griefe.there will be a spice of Popery, (which is a naturall Religion) in this great desire of …re griefe… as if we had that, then we had something to satisfie God withall, …nd so, our mindes will run too much …pon workes. This griefe must not …ly bee wrought by God revealing … sinne, and his mercy unto us in Christ: But when it is wrought, wee …st altogether rest (in a sense of our …e emptinesse) upon the full satisfa…on and worthinesse of Christ our Sa….
All this that hath beene said, tends The scope of this discourse of griefe.… to the abating of our desire to have … tender and bleeding heart for sinne: … that in the pursuit of this desire, we … not cast downe so as to question our …es, if we feele not that measure of …se which we desire and endeavour …: Or, to refuse our portion of joy which God offers us in Christ. Considering, griefe is no further good, then it makes way for joy: which caused our Saviour to joyne them together: Blessed are the mourners, for they shall bee Mat. 5.comforted. Being thus disposed, wee may commit our souls to God in peace, notwithstanding Satans troubling of us in the houre of temptation.