Comforting Afflicted Consciences, Text (11 of 11)

Comforting Afflicted Consciences · Text (11 of 11)

p. 5112. What is the reason, thou art so sad, and sore afflicted, for the absence of thy Beloved; and with want of the woonted gracious, and comfortable workings of the Spirit? It is because Thou hast formerly grasped the Lord Iesus sweetly, and savingly, in the armes of thy Soule; been sensibly refreshed with the savour of His good ointments; ravished extraordinarily with the beauty of His Person, dearenesse of His blood, riches of His purchase, and glory of his kingdome; And hast heretofore holden Him, as the very life of thy Soule, and chiefest and onelyonly treasure; ejaculating, with David, unfainedly from the heart-roote,Psal. 73.25.Ps 73:25 Whom have I in Heaven but Thee? And there is none upon Earth, that I desire, besides p. 512Thee? (Earth is an Hell, and Heaven no Heaven, without Iesus Christ). I say, the present griefe, that thy well-beloved is now gone, argues evidently, this former enjoyment of His gracious presence. And then build upon't, as upon the surest Rocke: Once Christs, and His for ever. Rom. 11.29.Rom 11:29The gifts and calling of God, are without repentance, Whom Hee loveth once, Hee loveth unto the end: Iohn 13.1. Malach. 3.6.John 13:1Mal 3:6Hee is no changeling in his love; I am the Lord, faith Hee, I change not: therefore yee sonnes of Iacob are not consumed: **Semelelectus, semper dilectus.Once elected, ever beloved: Once aaRenatus non denascitur. Side Deo conceperis, certus crit partus tuus, non erit aborsu…. August. Rom. 8.38.39.Rom 8:38Rom 8:39New-borne, and borne to eternity: If once the sanctifying Spirit hath seizd upon Thee for Iesus Christ, thou art made sure, and lockt fast for ever, in the armes of his love, with everlasting barres of mercy and might, from any mortall hurt, and adversary power. Thou maist then cast downe the gauntlet of defiance against the Devill, and the whole world; and take up with Paul, that victorious chalenge unto all created things: bbDe quo sanctissimus ille vir, & alij in Sacrâ Scripturâ, certò considere potuit; ae …o etiam alij sancti viri certò confidere possunt & dehent: Ratio: quia ommum sanctorum sides codem fundamento promissionum divinarum nititur, idémque spiritus omnes inhabitat, licèt diversâ mensurâ. De gratiâ propriâ & remissione peccatorum, Iob, David, Paulus, certò considere potuerunt, ut est demonstratum: Decídem igitur & alij sancti certò considere possunt, at debent. Par. adversus Bellande Iustisicat. Lib. 3. Cap 5. Sect. Statigitur.I am perswaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other Creature, shall bee able to separate mee from the love of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord: Hee may hide His face from Thee for a while; but thou hast His owne sure, and inviolable Word from His owne mouth. That Hee will returne, and with everlasting kindnesse have mercy on thee. Hee ccErgò, inquam, irascitur Deu… inter dum suis, id est, iustes. At non deserit. Imò & deserit. Isaiae quinquage simo quarto; Ad punctum in modico dereliquite: & in miserationibus magnis congregabote. Psalmo vigesimo secundo, Deus meus, Deu…meus, quare dereliquisti me? Haec manifesta. Tantùm distingvendum, Ira… D…i alias reprobationis esse, quae adversus iustos nulla sit unquam: alias correptionis, quae omnib… communis: Non s…eleratis-tantùm, sed etiam iustis: utrisque tamen propter peccata. E…dem modo, & d…sertio iudicanda: Temporalis, ant eterna. Illa, quae homines permittit ad tempus luc…ari cunt malo, interdum culpae, saepitis poenae: Haec, quae ijsdem laxat habenas, ut à peccatis in peccat a delopsi, poenas dent tandem aeternas. Hoc modo iustos, idest, fideles nunquam d…serit Deus: … Chamier. Tom. 3. Lib. 11. Cap. 18. Sect. 6.may frowne upon Thee, I confesse, for a season; p. 513and so fright thee with his terrours, as tho, in thy present apprehension, thou wert a lost Man: But Hee never will; Hee cannot possibly forsake thee finally. I have ddVt fides certiùs niti promissioni possit, Deus iureiurando foedus suum sancit, atque imbecillitati naturae consulit. Valdè enim difficile est in hac carnis nostrae imbecillitate, & in hac peccatorum & aerumnarum mole, quibus oppressi sumus, retinere hane fidem, quòd simus in gratiâ apud Deum, et quòd i…e animum suum erga nos non mutet, etiamsise in poenis irasci nonnunquam ostendat. Sed excitanda est fides in hac luctâ, consideratione inrisjurandi, quo Deus promissionem confirmat. Maius enim à Deo praestari non potest, quàm quòd sacrum suum nomen adhibet, illúdque tanquam pignoris vice promissioni adijcit. Moller▪ in Locum.sworne once by my holinesse, that I will not faile David; Psal. 89.35. And in the meane time, thy former feelings of the motions of the Spirit and grace, doe give cleare evidence, and assurance, that spirituall life is still eeAccidit interdùm, ut Christum in nobis sentiamus, qui sensus illi…ò nullus sit; Residet tamen in nobis, ut anima in corpore dormientis, licèt nec ipsa nec ulla eius operatio sentiatur. Spin. de justir. Christi.resident in thy Soule; tho runne, as it were, into the roote, and tho it's more lively operations, and effects bee suspended for a time.ffMulier foetum conceptum non semper molitantem sentit: ubi tamen semel, & iterum sensit, praegnantemse esse non ambigit. Idem. Ibid. The Woman, that hath once felt the Child stir in Her wombe, is most assured, that shee is with-Child; that an immortall Soule, and naturall life, is infused into it by the omnipotent hand of God, though at other times, shee perceive no motion at all: It is so in the present Point. And thy grieving also, groaning, and panting after Christ, is an unanswerable argument, that thou art alive spiritually. Lay the waight of the whole world upon a man, that is starke dead, and Hee can neither stirre, cry, or complaine.

3. Consider that some graces are more substantiall in themselves, more profitable to us, and of greater necessitie for salvation; as Faith, repentance, love, New-obedience, active and passive; Selfe-deniall, vilenesse in our owne eyes, humble walking with God, &c. Others are not so, or absolutely, necessary, but accompany a saving state, as separable accidents; as ioy and peace in believing, sensible comfort in the holy Ghost, comfortable feelings of Gods favour, rejoycing in hope, a lively freedome in prayer,**Of which, see my Directions for a more comfortable walking with God, pag. 319. assurance of evidence,aaDeus efficaciter electos vocando indit …psis Principium aeterna durationis, quod in ijs solis reperitur: hoc in Scripturis vocatur Radix insita, Matth. 13.21. Semen manens, 1. Ioh. 3.9. & immortale, 1. Pet. 1.23. Vnctio manens, 1. Ioh. 2.27. Sermo insitus, Iam. 1.21. Spiritus inhabitans, 1. Cor. 3.16. Fons aquae salientis in vitam aeternam, Ioh 4.14. Ames. Coron. Art. 5. Cap. 1.Matt 13:211 John 3:91 Pet 1:231 John 2:27Jas 1:211 Cor 3:16John 4:14 &c. And from hence mayest thou take comfort in two respects: First, Desertion deprives thee only of these comfortable accessar…es; but thou art still possest of the Principall, and substantialls of salvation: Of which, not the utmost concurrence of all hellish, and earthly rage, can p. 514possibly rob thee; And therefore thou art well enough in the meane time, and as safe, as safety it selfe can make thee. 2. Secondly, Losse of these lesse principall graces (which by accident, is a singular advantage and gaine) drives thee nearer unto Iesus Christ, at least, by many unutterable groanes; every one whereof, is a strong cry in the eares of God; and causeth thee, better to prise, and plie; to exercise, and improove more fruitfully, those other more necessary graces, without which thou canst not bee saved. It is a wise, and honest passage in Mistris Iuxons Monument; pag 60. Shee continued faithfull to the ende, in the most substantiall graces. For howsoever shee mourned for the want of that degree of ioy, which shee had felt in former times; yet she continued in repentance; in the practise of holinesse, and righteousnesse; in a tender love of God, and to his Word, and Children; in holy zeale, and fruitfulnesse, even to the last period of her daies. And indeede, her want of full ioy was so sanctified unto her, that it was a furtherance to a better grace; namely, to repentance, and selfe-deniall, and base esteeme of her selfe. And I call repentance▪ a better grace then ioy, because, howsoever ioy, is a most excellent gift of the Spirit; yet unto us, repentance is more profitable. For I make no question, but that a mourning Christian may bee saved without ravishing ioy; and that Christ may wipe away his his teares in heaven: but no Christian shall bee saved without repentance, and selfe-deniall. For instance: The darkenesse of our Spirits in spirituall desertions, sets our Faith on worke extraordinarily. In such a Case, it hath recourse with more love, and longing to all the fountaines of life. The Person and Passion of Christ; all the Promises; Gods free grace; His sweet Name, and survaies them more seriously; searches and sounds them to the bottome; that by some meanes, at least, it may subsist, and hold up the head in such an evill time, and amongst so many terrours, and boisterous tempests. It is now put to the improvement, of the very utmost of all p. 515it's heavenly vigour and valour; and inforced to put forth it's highest, and most heroicall Act; even to cleave fast to the sure Word of God, against all sense and feeling; against all terrours, tricks of Satan, and temptations to the contrary. And by this extraordinary exercise and wrastling, it is notably strengthened, and steeled for the time to come. For as sloth, idlenesse, and want of exercise, doth much emasculate, and make our bodies more unactive, and unable; but hard-ship, agitation and imployment, doth much quicken, and fortifie them: So it is in the present Point. Without oppositions and assault, Faith langvisheth, and lies hid; but when stormes, and spirituall troubles are towards, it stirres up it selfe; gathers it's strength, and forces together: casts about for subsidiary assistance by prayer, Ministeriall counsell, meditation upon speciall promises for the purpose; experimentall recounting former deliverances, mercies, and favours upon our selves, and others, &c. And so becomes farre more excellent and victorious, for future incounters. It furthers also Repentance: In respect of, first, Sight of sins. For thorow the glasse of spirituall Affliction we see more, and them more monstrously vile. The clouds of inward trouble especially, unite, as it were, and collect the sight of our soules; and so represent our sinnes more to the life, and in their true colours: where as the glistering of prosperity, is wont to disperse and dazle it. Secondly, Of sense; wee are then more apprehensive of divine wrath, and weight of sinne; when wee are terrified, but with a taste of those immeasurable Seaes of bitternesse, and terrour, which it infinitely merits at the hands of God. Thirdly, Of hatred and opposition; wee then grow into a more hearty loathing of that sweet meat, which wee are too apt to tumble into our mouth,Iob 20.1….Job 20:1 & hide under our tongue; when wee feele it accompanied with such sower sauce, and turned into gall and gravell within us. Wee shall afterwards bee farre more watchfull, and afraid to give p. 516entertainement, or warmth in our bosomes to those Vipers, which have so bitten and stung us. It makes Selfe-deniall more resolute and thorow. For the dearest and most desirable things of this life, compared with Christ, were never viler dung in our esteeme, then at such a time. Wee then finde that most true; That tho all the Starres shine never so bright, yet it is still night, because the Sunne is gone; But the alone presence of that Prince of light, creates a comfortable and glorious day; though never a Starre appeare. So, let us enjoy the Lord Iesus; and no matter, tho all the creatures in the World bee turned into Beares, or Divels about us; But if hee withdraw himselfe; and the light of his countenance set out of our sight; the confluence of all the comforts, the whole Creation can afford, will doe us no good at all. It quickneth notably our New-obedience. In respect of, first, Holinesse towards God, and reverent heavenly behaviour about the first Table. A generall taste and triall whereof, wee may take, by comparing Marriners in a storme, and arrived in the Haven; hhChrysostomus alicubi docet; Satius esse longe in carcere detineri obscurissimo, teterrimo; quàm in Theatris versari. Quispiam saepè ingreditur carcerem superbus, exit demisso animo; ingreditur suribundus, exit mansuetus; ingreditur delicatus, exit patiens miseriarum, &c. Versà vice, se res babet in Theatris: Ingrederis modestus, exis lascivus; ingrederis mitis, exis in furorem proiectus & tragoedias; ingrederis animo moderato & virili, exis dissolatus in delicias & vanitates, &c. I am sure I retaine Chrysostomes sense.Prisons with Theaters; Burialls with Banquets; Beds of sickenesse, and expectation of death, with strength of youth, and prosperous health; and, which is punctuall for my purpose, fits of temptation, with times of spirituall wellfare. For as in the one state, wee may observe too much presumption, and putting farre from us the evill day, forgetfulnesse of God, security, and sloth: so in the other, Trouble, danger and distresse, much alter the Case. Wee shall then see them, bitterly bewayling their former sinnes; trembling in the dust, seeking early Gods face and favour; falling to prayer; vowing better obedience; and promising, upon deliverance, much holinesse, and a happy change. What mighty groanes of spirit proceede from the deserted, in such a Case, which are the strongest praiers, tho in that agony they falsely complaine, that they cannot pray? How greedy are they of godly conference, counsell and comfort p. 517out of the Word, daies of humiliation, of the most searching Sermons, godliest company, presence and praiers of the precisest Ministers? How fearefull are they, to heare any worldly talke upon the Lords day? How sensible of the least sinne, any dishonour of God, and all appearance of evill? In a word; how busie are they about that One necessary thing? Secondly, Of compassionatenesse towards others. Selfe-sufferings soften mens hearts towards their Brethren: Personall miseries makes them pittifull, and painefull to afford all possible help in times of distresse. Experience of our owne weakenesses, wants, danger to sinke under the waves of Gods wrath, and dis-ability to subsist by our selves, begets a sweet mildnesse, and gentle behaviour towards our neighbours; whose assistance, visitation and praiers wee now see, wee stand in need of in extremities, and evill times. Prosperity is apt of it selfe, to produce scornefulnesse, insolency, selfe-confidence, and contempt of others; But Gods hand upon us, especially in afflictions of Soule, teacheth us another lesson; to wit, how fraile, weake, and unworthie wee are. Thirdly, Of selfe-knowledge. In times of peace and calmenesse, looking thorow the false spectacles of selfe-love and conceitednesse, we are ready to over-weene, and out-prize our gifts; to mistake shadowes, for substances; smallest Mites of vertues, for richest talents; the infant beginnings of grace, for tallnesse in Christ: But remove these deceiving glasses, and let the touchstone of some sorer triall represent our selves unto our selves; and wee shall more clearely see our spirituall abilities, in their true nature and proportion. Then all unsound semblances of selfe-conceited sufficiencies, and former flourishes of unhumble assurance (which like gilded Papers, or Posts, shewing gloriously in the Sunshine, and seeming pure gold in outward appearance) will vanish quite away, and come to nothing in the fire of spirituall afflictions. Then the weaknesse of our, too much vaunted of, Christian valour, p. 516duplicate page p. 517duplicate page p. 518will bee discovered unto us, and acknowledged of us; when wee are put to wrastle with the wrath of God, and left to the horrour of some hideous temptation.

4. Heare Master Hooker, a man of great learning, and very sound in this point: (I varie some words, but keepe the sense entire) Happier a great deale is that mans Case, whose soule by inward desolation is humbled, then hee, whose heart is, through abundance of spirituall delight, lifted up, and exalted above measure. Better is it sometimes to goe downe into the pit with him, who beholding darknes, and bewailing the losse of inward ioy and consolation, crieth from the bottome of the lowest hell; My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken mee? Then continually to walke arme in arme with Angels; to sit, as it were, in Abrahams bosome; and to have no thought or cogitation, but of peace, and blessing himselfe in the singularity of assurance above other men; to say, I desire no other blisse, but only duration of my present comfortable feelings, and fruition of God: I want nothing, but even thrusting into heaven; and the like. For in the height of spirituall ravishments, thou art in great aaPares esse possunt in charitate coram Deo: & ille qui spirituali consolatione per…unditur, & ille, …ui eâ privatur. Imò si dili…enter pensetur, magis pericli tari poterit, qui devotionis dulcedine fruitur, quàm is cui haec denegatur. Ratio. Quia si consolatione hui…smodi fungens de gratiâ tali confidat & sut impersectum exinde considerare negligat; suâ devotione erit Deo potiùs remotior, quâm propinquior propter suam presumptionem & satuam confidentiam. Gers. Tract de Remed. contra pusillan. Psal. 30.6.7.Ps 30:6Ps 30:7hazard of being exalted above measure; and so may bee justly exposed to a Thorne in the flesh, the Messenger of Satan to buffet thee, which is a very heavie case: But now on the other side, the lowest degree of humiliation under Gods mighty hand, is the nearest step to rising, and extraordinary exultation of spirit; The extremest darknesse of a spirituall desertion, is wont to go immediately before the glorious Sun-rise of heavenly light, and un-utterable lightsomnes in the soule. David securely pleasing, and applauding himselfe in his present stability, and strong conceit of the continuance of his peace, brake out thus; I shal never be moved; Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountaine to stand strong: But hee was quickly throwne downe, from the top of his supposed unmoveable hill; taken off from the height of his confidence, and lay trembling in the dust. Thou didst p. 519hide thy face, and I was▪ bbSubtraxisli sensum favoris & benevolentiae tuae, ita ut quocunque me verterem, nihil nisi Deum iratum cernerem, ita tandem excussus est mihi ille veternus, quo mens antea erat sopita, & incidi in magnam consternationem, & horrendos dolores, in quibus luitari me oportuit cum desperatione, cum sensu mortis & inserorum, &c. haec enim est illa consternatio, de quâ hic loquitur. Moller. in Loc.troubled. But now that sweetest rapture of incredible joy (for so he spake, The ioy which I feele in my conscience is incredible) did arise in Master Peacocks heart, when hee was newly come, as it were, out of the mouth of Hell. Mistris Bretterghs wonderfull reioycing followed immediately, upon her returne out of a roaring wildernesse, as she called it. What large effusions of the Spirit, and overflowing rivers of heavenly peace, were plentifully showred downe upon Robert Glovers troubled spirit, after the heaviest night, in all likelyhood, that ever he had in this world, by reason of a greivous Desertion?

5. Nay, heare the Spirit of all truth and comfort Himselfe immediately: Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voyce of his servant, that walketh in darkenesse, and hath no light? Let him trust in the Name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Whence wee may draw a double comfort in time of Desertion: first, Because in thy present apprehension, thou finds, and feeles thy selfe in darkenesse, and to have no light; thou art ready therupon to conceive, and conclude un-necessarily against thy owne soule, that Gods favour, Iesus Christ, grace, salvation, and all, are gone for ever. And this is the most cutting sting, & sorest pang, which grievously afflicts, and rents the heart in pieces with restlesse angvish in such Cases. Out of what depth of horrour, doe you thinke, did these heavie groanes, and almost, if not ccDesperati… duplex: 1. Temporaria, quam sily Dei interdum experiuntur, cùm doloribus in…erni circundantur & terribili maximarum tentationum luctâ, perpetuóque impendentium calamitatum onere premuntur, & quasi exanimantur: quam tamen mox auxilio gratiae divi…ae ac Spiritus Sancti, & per consolationem Scripturarum, fide vivâ superant, laetám que Catastrophen sortiuntur: sicuti Davidis, Psal. 77.8.9 10. & 22.2. & 31.23, &c. & aliorum electorum exemplo comprobatur. 2. Finalis, nihil aliud est, quàm peccata sua maiora & graviora aestimare, quàm gratiâ divinâ, & merito filij Dei remitti & expiari queant—Non expectare gratiam, veniam & alia benesi…ia credentibus promissa sed horribili sensuirae Dei & metu suturae abiectionis in aeternas poenas & mortem trepidare, & cruciari conscientiâ atque Deum …anquam crudelem & tyrannum exhorres…ere, …disse, & blasphemare. Alexiphar. adversus Desperat, pag. 15▪ &c.Ps 77:8Ps 77:9altogether for the time, despairing speeches p. 520spring, in those blessed Saints mentioned before?ddPsal. 77.78.Ps 77:78 Will the Lord cast off for ever? And will hee be favourable no more? Is his mercy cleane gone for ever? Doth his promise faile for evermore? Ostendi…, quales f…erint cogitationes a…mi luctantis cum irâ Dei, & cum desperatione: cùm enim dolor non …emi…teret, etiamsi multa, quae ad eum sedandum factura videbantur, animo colligeret, sed subindè magis intenderetur & cresceret: tandem penè fractus magnitudine & morâ calamitatis, …rumpit in has voces, An in secula repellet? Haec epitasis est huius certaminis, in quâ parum absuit à desperatione. Videbat nullis remedij, bactenus sedari potuisse dolorem. Ideò diabolus immittit e… has cogitationes; frustra cum respicere ad gratiam & misericordiam d… nam: quia ira De…ta accensa, & essusa sit, ut sedari aut exting vi posthac non possit: nec restareal…ud, quàm tristem damnationis sententiam, quae expectanda sit. Moller in Locum.While I suffer thy terrours, I am eePsal 88.15. Non ab externâ aliquâ calamitate, quae tolerari ac vinci nonnunquam, praesertim à pijs potest, erant his dolores; sed à sensu irae & iudicij divini, qui sensus initium & quasigustus est mortis aeterne. —A signo magnitudinem sui doloris ostendit, quòd perpetuò suerit non tantum facie, sed animo consternato, anxio & dubio, ut nesciret quid ageret, aut quò sese verteret; at que ut fides huc illuc agitata semper in metu versatur, ne mox inter suos dolores exting veretur. Id enim propriè significat verbum no. Idem in Loc.Ps 88:15distracted. I am amazed, confounded, and almost mad with feare, least my soule should bee swallowed up, with the horrours of eternall death:ffActs and Monuments, pag. 1891. I am afraid lest the Lord hath utterly withdrawne his wonted favour from me: ggThe Christian life and death of Mistris Brettergh, pag. 13.Woe, woe, woe, &c. A weake, a wofull, a wretched, a forsaken woman: hhDiscourse of Master Peacocks desertion.I have no more sense of grace then these curtaines. Oh! how wofull and miserable is my estate, that must thus converse with hell-hounds! It is against the course of Gods proceedings to save mee, &c. But now herein, the deserted in the sense I have said, are much deceived, and extremely wrong their owne soules in such extremities; not considering, that their walking in darkenesse, and having no light, may most certainely consist with a saving estate, and a Beeing in Gods favour, tho for the present not perceived. Which appeares plainely by the quoted place: Wherein, Hee that walketh in darkenesse, and hath no light, is such an one as feareth the Lord, and obeyeth the voice of his servant. Now the feare of God, and obedience to the Ministery, are evident markes of a gracious man. Hence it is, that when the servants of God are something come againe unto themselves, they see▪ and censure their owne unadvisednesse in that respect; disavow, and disclaime all termes tending that way, which they let hastily fall from them, in heate of temptation. And I said, p. 521faith David, this is my infirmity: but I will remember the yeeres of the right hand of the most High. iiIbid.Truly, said Master Peacocke, my heart and soule have been far led, and deepely troubled with temptations, and stings of conscience; but I thanke God, they are eased in good measure. Wherefore I desire, that I bee not branded with the note of a forlorne reprobate. Such questions, Oppositions, and all tending thereto, I renounce. Here then is a great deale of comfort, in the greatest darkenesse of a spirituall desertion: for wee may assure our selves, that God by his blessed Spirit hath a secret influence, and saving worke upon the soule of his Child; when there is no light, or feeling of his favour at all. The Sun, we know, tho hee leaves his light upon the face of the earth, yet notwithstanding, descends by a reall effectual influence into the bosome, and darkest bowels thereof; and there exerciseth a most excellent work, in begetting mettals, Gold, Silver, and other pretious things. It is proportionably so in the present Point. A poore soule may lie groveling in the dust, afflicted, tossed with tempest, and in present apprehension, have no comfort; and yet blessedly partake still of the sweet influence of Gods everlasting love, of a secret saving worke of grace, and almighty support of the sanctifying Spirit. Let us looke upon the Lord Iesus himselfe:**See Doctor Andrewes Sermon upon this Text: Behold and see, if there bee any sorrow like my sorrow. And that nothing might bee wanting to make his sorrowes beyond measure sorrowfull, his Father withdrew from him that solace hee was wont to finde in God. Field of the Church, lib. 5. cap. 18. His Father, by divine dispensation, shewing no comfort. Maxey of Christs Agony. His holy soule, though hee was Lord of Heaven and Earth, upon the Crosse, was even as a scorched heath-ground, without so much, as any drop of deaw of comfort, either from Heaven or Earth; and yet at the same time, hee was gloriously sustained by an omnipotent influence: And God was never nearer unto Him, than then; neither Hee, ever so obedient unto God. And I make no doubt, but that the judicious eye of the well-experienced Physition, may many times easily observe it, in those troubled, tempted and deserted soules, which they deale, and converse with, for recovery and cure. This secret and saving influence (I speake of) might bee evidently discerned in Master p. 522Peacocke, even at the worst. Some reverend Ministers standing by his bed of sorrow, asked him, if they should pray for him: Marke well his answer, Take not the Name of God in vaine (said hee) by praying for a Reprobate. Which words well weighed, seeme to imply, and represent clearely to a spirituall discerning judgement, some good measure, even of the highest degree of divine love; preferring the glory of God, before the wellfare of his owne soule; rather willing to have the meanes of his salvation neglected, then the Lord dishonoured, One asking another time; whether hee loved such an One, meaning a godly man: Yes, saith hee. Why? For his goodnesse. Another comming to him upon the Lords day, willed him to put his hand to a note of certaine debts: This is not a day for that, said hee. And at the same time, hee would hardly suffer any to stay with him from the Sermon. Beeing told of suffering plaisters out of Gods Word, to rest upon his wounded soule; Hee brake out thus: Oh! if I had. Oh! if it would please God. I had rather then any thing in this, or other three thousand Worlds! By these we may bbIn a gloomy Day there is so much light, wherby we may know it to bee Day, and not night: so there is something in a Christian under a Cloud, whereby Hee may bee discerned to bee a true Believer, and not an Hypocrite. There is no meere darkenesse in the state of Grace, but some beame of light, whereby the Kingdome of darknesse wholy prevaileth not. Do…tor Si…bes Bruised Reed, pag. 101.see, and other passages to the same purpose; that our blessed God had a secret working, and saving influence upon his soule, even in the depth and hideous darkenesse of his most grievous desertion. Here is love, first, unto God in a high degree; secondly, deare affection unto his Children, and that for his Image shining in them; thirdly, love unto his Sabbaths, and salvation of others; fourthly, vehement desires after grace and Gods favour. All which, were undeniable demonstrations of an undamned state, to every understanding eye. Nay, unquestionable arguments of spirituall life, and designation to eternall blisse. Whereupon, my resolution was then, and protestation, upon good ground: That if all the powerfull eloquence, which rested with in the reverent bosome of mine owne deare Mother, the famous Vniversity of Oxford, managed by the S…raphicall tongue of p. 523the highest, and most glorious Angell in heaven, had been industriously set on worke for that purpose; except I had heard my blessed Redeemer say, I will rend a member from my Body, and throw it away; The holy Spirit say, I will pull my seale from that Soule, which I have savingly sanctifyed; my gracious and mercifull Father say, I wil this once faile, & forsake One of mine; I could never have been possibly perswaded, that, that soule of his, so richly laden with heavenly treasure, and gifts of God,foreign. never to be repented of; so syncerely exercised in the waies of God, and opposition to the corruption of the times, &c. should possibly perish! 2. Secondly, suppose thou shouldest walke in darkenesse and have no light, in the sense of the Prophet, for the residue and remainder of thy few and evill dayes in this vale of teares; nay, and dye so, before comfort comes; yet be not discomforted. For fearing God, and being uprighthearted, thy Soule shall most certainely bee preserved in spirituall and eternall safety, by staying upon thy God; tho thou bee without any sense of joy, and peace in believing. This life, tho never so long, is but a moment to the life to come: But the kindnesse is everlasting, with which hee will have mercy on thee. Thy sufferings are but short, whatsoever they bee; But thou hast eternity of joyes in the World above; purchased and prepared for thee, by the hearts-blood of that blessed Saviour of thine, upon whom thy soule relies. It is the Divels policy, say Divines, to procure for his slaves, all the favours, honours, and advancements; all the prosperities and pleasures hee can possibly; lest if hee should not follow, and fullfill their humours this way, they might thinke upon seeking after, and serving a new Master: No… caring to vexe, or molest them in this World; because hee knowes full well, hee shall have time enough hereafter to torment them in Hell. And wilt not thou contrarily, be content, if God so please, to passe thorow this vale of teares, even with Hemans horrour: p. 524Psal. 88.15. Sith Heaven is so neare at hand, and thou hast a little before thee, an everlasting time, to row in the bottomlesse, and boundlesse Ocean of all glory and blisse; in an endlesse variety of new and fresh delights, infinitely excellent and sweet, aboue the largest created conceite?

6. Let us suppose a Christian in these three states: (And it is no uncouth thing to those who obserue, or feele Gods secret, and unsearchable dealings with his Children).

1. First, in a faire and comfortable calme, and Sunshine, after the tempestuous troubles, and travaile in the pangs of the New-birth: when the light of Gods countenance; the first refreshing warmth of his sanctifying Spirit; the fresh sweetnesse and vitall stirrings of grace; the ravishing consciousnesse of his happy conversion, doe fill his soule, as with marrow and fatnesse; and feede it with a kindly, and more lively disposition to all good and godly dueties. 2. Secondly, in a spirituall Desertion; when the sense of Gods favour, love, and woonted presence; the comfortable vse, and exercise of the Ordinances, graces and spirituall affaires langvish; and leave him for a time. 3. Thirdly, In the state of recovery, and restitution from such a fearefull Dampe, and deprivation of divine comfort, unto former ioyfull feelings, and re-enjoyment of his Beloved; so that his revived soule may sweetly sing, My Beloved is mine, and I am his. Now, I doubt not, But that the middle of these three estates, being accompanied with hearty griefe, and groanes for Christs absence; restlesse pantings, and longings after a new resurrection, as it were, of the sensible, and fruitfull operations of grace; renewed desires and endeavours, for regainement of accustomed surer hold, by the hand of Faith; patient, and praierfull waiting for the returne of Gods pleased face, &c. is as pleasing and deare, if not ccAridus & spiritualis dulce dinis vacuus, attamen pro devotione lahorans, & id quod in se est faciens; licet corde quasi frigido & spiritu repido debitum suum Deo solvens cumsui ipsius vilificatione, & divinae miserationis magnificatione, poterit propter sui humiliationem Deo multò fore acceptior. Gers. Trac. de Remed. cont pusillan. Saepenumerò sit ut Deo magis placeat & homini utilius sit, velle esse contritum, aut devotum, quàm se…tire contritionem aut devotionem, quia velle habere, & non habere generat afflictionem cordis. —Haec contritio tametsi sensibilis non sit, licèt interim cor patiaris durum, aridum & siccum sussicit ad salutem. Ego enim (inquit Deus) vestram attendo miseriam, vestram imbecillitatem, vestram paupertatem, nec ullo modo bonae voluntati desperandum est, quantumlibet cordis sentiat ariditatem seu frigiditatem, quando vellet se non peccâsse, stat uítque propter me, posthac nolle peccare. Lansper. apud Blos. de consolat. pusillan.more, to our mercifull Father, as either of the other p. 525two. Doe you not thinke, that the Fathers of our flesh are as lovingly affected, and meltingly mooved, to heare the obedient Child sigh and sob, cry out and complaine, because they looke not kindly upon him; but for triall of his affection, have hid for a time, the much desired beames of their fatherly favour, under some affected angry frownes; as when things are carried more currently, and comfortably betwixt them, without any great distast, and discontentment, or occasion to discover the mutuall impatiency of their loves one unto another? And shall not the**Ioh. 17.26.John 17:26 Father of our Spirits, who loves us with the ddDilectio, quâ nos prosequitur Deus, propriè loquendo non alia est; quàm quâ Filium suum ab initio dilexit, ut in eo nos quoque gratos sibi & amabiles redderet. —Inaestimabile fidei privilegium, quòd scimus dilectum fuisse Christum à Patre nostrâ causâ, ut eiusdem amoris essemus consortes, & perpetuò simus. Calv. in Loc.same love, with which he loves the Lord Iesus himselfe, surpasse as farre in affectionate compassion towards us, in the like Case, as an Almighty God doth a mortall Man? He cannot chuse; because the word is already gone out of his mouth; Like as a Father pittieth his Childe: so the Lord pittieth them that feare him. Psa. 103.13. I am perswaded, Gods bowels of compassionate tender-heartednesse and love, did yearne within him towards Iob, with more dearenesse and delight, at that cry, eeIob 13.15.Job 13:15Tho he slay mee, yet will I trust in him; then at any time else, even in the Spring of his spirituall prosperity, or fullest tide of most heavenly feelings. Here then is comfort, more then thy heart can hold, if thou wilt bee counselled by the Prophets, that thou maist prosper. For when thou thinkest, that all is gone, that thou art a lost man, and utterly forsaken; even in the depth of thy spirituall darkenesse, (thou being so spiritually disposed, as I have said, and which thou canst not deny) I say, even then, (and thou oughtest so to apprehend and believe) the love of God is, as it were, doubled towards thee, much more endeared, by reason of thy distresse; and cannot hold, but breakes out many times into extraordinary pangs, and expressions thereof: As wee may see, Isa. 54.11. Oh! thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, &c. And into profession of resolution; and waiting to p. 526do us good; which he will super-abundantly performe, in the best time. Behold, I will lay thy stones with faire colours, and lay thy foundations with Saphires. Ibid. And therefore will the Lord waite, that hee may bee gracious unto you; and therefore will hee bee exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: For the LORD is a God of iudgment. Blessed are all they that wait for him, Isa. 30.18. Retiring the effects, and exercise of our love, from him whom wee love dearely, makes it returne with redoubled fervour into our owne bosomes; and there growes into a more vehement flame, which never rests, untill it breake out againe with dearer pangs upon the beloved Party. Even as when the Sunne suffers an Eclipse, and it's beames are driven backe, and reflected from the face of the Moone, interposed directly betweene it and our sight, so that they shine not upon us; then is the **Or at least, vertuall power of heating.heate, and light thereof, multiplied, and much intended toward the Fountaine; which afterwards is shed downe upon us againe more amiably and acceptably, when the darkenesse is done. And let us further take notice, that Christ, our eldest Brother, blessed for ever, deales with us in such Cases, as Ioseph, a type of him in many eeAt first, Ioseph was strange, and rough unto his Brethren, to make them remember their fault: But in the meane time hee gave them foode without money, & afterwards comforted them, Gen. 42. So at the first doth Christ, by touch of Conscience, without feeling of assurance of mercy, at an instant humble us: But in the meane time, bee in love gives us secret grace freely, that wee despaire not, till wee get the feeling of sol…d comfor…. 2. Cor. 1.3 Moses unvailed. 12. Ioseph.Gen 422 Cor 1:3respects, dealt with his brethren: hee frown'd upon them, handled them roughly, and frighted them extremely; onelyonly, to humble them thorowly; but in the meane time, and midst of his menacing carriage, his heart was so full of naturall affection, that hee was enforced, by the excesse thereof, to turne aside and weepe, and so returne to them againe. And hee turned himselfe about from them and wept, and returned to them again, Gen. 42.24. So the Sonne of God, as well as God the Father thorow him, tho sometimes in a little wrath hee hide his face from us; yet as hee will certainely, after a small moment, gather us with great mercies; so in the meane time, Hee is afflicted, and most tenderly affected towards us in all our afflictions. See Isa. 63.9.

p. 5277. Seventhly, Thinke it not strange, that thou art fallen into this kinde of spirituall affliction, as tho some strange thing, or that which doth, or may not befall the dearest servants of God, had happened unto thee. For herein thou becomes conformable to as holy Men, as ever the world had; Iob, David, Heman, ffLutherus vir sanctus Anno 1527. in hu…us tentationis paroxys…o constitutus sudavit, & animo & corpore tristissime decubuit. Qui postea dicere solitus e…: Se malle in profundissimo carcere captivum …eneri, per totam vitam suam; quàm ad horam cruciatus istos denuò sustinere. Casm. Tent. Sch. 3. Cap. 2.Luther, &c. Nay, to the Sonne of God himselfe; From whose example and precedency, let the Christian, even in the darkest horror of a spirituall desertion, when hee is afraid, lest God hath forsaken him, fetch abundance of comfort, and support out of such considerations as these:

1. Christ himselfe was in the same Case: Besides a numberlesse variety of most barbarous cruelties, inflicted upon his blessed body, by the mercilesse, and implacable malice, of the Iewes; and, by consequent, sympathy upon his glorious soule; Hee suffered also ggNos non tantùm poenas corporeas eramus commeriti: Syllogismus. Omnes poenae à nobis commeritae, toleratae sunt à Christo: At poenae animae erant à nobis commeritae: Ergo, poenae animae Christus toleravit: Certè, antequam corpus pateretur, Christus ipse testabatur suam animam esse perturbatam, & quidem usque ad mortem. Chamier, that great glory of France, and the Whole Christian World; in whose hands, Bellarmine, that Goliah of Rome, is but a very Childe. Tom. 2. Lib. 5. Cap. 12. Quis tam caecus, ut nunc saltem non videat huius argumenti certitudinem? Si Christus, naturali illo sensu magis horruit mortem▪ quàm ullus unquam hominum: Tum vel mollior fuit reliquis omnibus: vel in morte apprehendit aliquid praeter mortem: At ille vehementius horruit: & tamen non fuit mollior reliquis, imò verò constantier: ergò apprehendit in morte suâ aliquid gravius morte corpored. Idem & Ibid. Cap. 13.in soule immediately, intolerable, and (save by himselfe) unconquerable torments and paine. Hee grapled with the fiercest wrath of his Father for our sins; and sweat blood, under the sense of his angry countenance: Nay, this Crosse upon his soule, infinitely more waighty, then that which hee carried upon his shoulders toward Calvarie, did not onelyonly cause streames of great bloody drops to fall downe to the ground; but also prest from him, that heavy groane, Mat. 26.38. My soule is exceeding sorrowfull, even unto death: and that last rufull bitter cry: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken mee, cap. 27.46. If Christ Iesus himselfe then, blessed for ever, the **foreign, Col. 1.13.Col 1:13Son of the Fathers love, the Prince of glory; Nay, the glory of heaven and earth, the brightnesse of everlasting light, &c. In whom hee professeth himselfe to p. 528bee well-pleased, and for whose sake onelyonly hee loves all the sonnes of Men, which shall be saved; was thus plunged into a matchlesse Depth of unknowne sorrowes, and most grievous desertion; Let no Christian cry out in the like spirituall desolation (but ever immeasurably short of his) and in his feare of being forsaken, that his Case is singular, desperate, irrecoverable: For the onelyonly, deare, innocent Sonne of God, was farre worse in this respect, and in greater extremity, then hee is, can, or ever shall bee.

2. Secondly, Amongst other ends, for which the Lord Iesus drunke so deepe, and the very dregs of that bitterest Cup of his dearest Fathers heaviest indignation, this was one: That by a particular, and personall passing thorow that infinite Sea, those extremest dreadfull horrours of divine wrath for hhIram in silium ne nos quidem dicimus; nisi per accidens: sed iram inpeccata, pro quibus se pati Christus sentiebat. Iram quidem non meruit Christus, perfectè iustus, proindéque innocens: sed effecta tamen eius irae sensit, ut vadem peccatorum oportuit. Ibid. cap. 14.our sinnes; which we all most justly deserved; and would have caused any meere Creature to have sunke downe under it, into the bottome of hell; and by an experimentall **Here was an amazed feare; for millions of Men to despaire, was not so much, as for him to feare.—Never Man was so afraid of the torments of Hell, as Christ (standing in our roome) of His Fathers wrath. Hall in his Passion Sermon, pag. 45.feare, and feeling of that bitter and bloody Agony, which melted, as it were, his blessed soule into that mournefull Cry: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken mee! (The comfortable influence of the Deity, being for the time in iiChrist was not forsaken any of these foure wayes: First, The essence of the God-head was never severed, or excluded from Christ the Man, but it dwelt in him at all times fully, Coloss. 2.9. Secondly, the personall union of the two Natures was never dissolved: and so the person of the Sonne never forsooke the humanity of Christ. Thirdly, the power of the God-head also was alwayes present with him, enabling him to beare the full viall of Gods wrath. Fourthly, The gracious assistance of Gods Spirit was never wanting, inabling Christ without the least impatiency, distrust, &c. to beare, whatsoever was inflicted upon him for our sinnes: But hee was forsaken, First, Positively; In that God the Father poured upon him the infinite Sea of his wrath, which hee now felt. Secondly, Privatively: In that hee was berest, and forsaken of all comfortable presence; the God-head for a season, shadowing it selfe under the Cloud of Gods wrath, that the Man-hood of Christ might feele the intolerable burden thereof: And thus Christ being destitute of consolation, complaineth that hee was forsaken. But Christ being thus forsaken, hee sustained the wrath of God, strived with it, and subdued it; that is, He delivered both himself and us from it, and so perfectly finished the worke of our Redemption. The bright Morning Starre, pag. 51, &c.Col 2:9some sort restrained, and retired from the humane p. 529nature; that it might bee capable, and sensible of that anger and angvish, which would have holden both Men and Angels, and all created Natures under everlasting calamity and woe). I say, that by his owne sense, and experience of such painefull passages, hee might learne, and know with a more fellow-feeling, and pittifull heart, to commiserate his poore afflicted Ones in their spirituall desertions; and with a softer, and more compassionate hand, to bind up their bleeding soules, with his sweetest Balme of tender-heartednesse and love; when in such horrible kk1. Deus existimatur à nob… recessisse nósque deserüisse, &c. 2. Hinc proiecti sumus in abyssum irae & iudicij divini, quam sentientes terremur, quasi planè simus irae & iustitiae divinae fluctibus atque procellis demergend▪ & horribili velut voragine absorbendi. 3. Ex hac abysso praecipitamur in profunditatem dolorum conscientiae, quae propter peccata & irae divinae sensum nos contra testatur, accusat, flagel…at, torquet, & damnat mole poenarum obruta. Causas habet conscientia dolorū multas: prospiciens aeternas poenas doloribus certè excru…iatur. Inde ipsi abyssus & vorago formidabilis. 4. Ex hac demùm profunditale in aliam diabolicam abyssum dilabimur, telis sugati, & vulnerati Diaboli ignitis; quibus solicitamur ad Deum blasphemandum, fugiendum, abnegandum. Inde prosiliunt ab quàm profandae & in imis animi sedibus latitantes cogitationes, quas Satan instillat, ut impellat miseros homines ad blasphemiam & desperationem, ad odium Dei, ad fremitum adversus Deum. Casm. Schol. 2. cap. 2. pag 51.56.depths, they shall thirst, and long, and gaspe for drops of mercy, and his Fathers pleased face. For in that hee himselfe hath suffered, being tempted; hee is able to succour them, that are tempted, Heb. 2.18. A woman, which hath her selfe with extraordinary torture, tasted the exquisite paines of Childe-birth, is woont to bee a great deale more tenderly, and mercifully affected to an other in like case; then she, that never tried, what it is to be terrified with the suddennesse, un-avoidablenes, and terrible pangs of a womans travaile; and is more skilfull, ready, and forward to relieve in such distresse. And so also all others, who have been most afflicted, either with outward troubles, or inward terrours, or both; are ever most fit, and feeling, to speake unto the heart; to put to their helping hand; and make much of comfortlesse and miserable men, troubled, and tempted, as they have been. And such was the Case of our blessed Saviour in his sufferings for our sakes. Hee was exercised all his life long with variety, and extremitie of cruelties, indignities, and all manner of vexations, beyond measure, grievous, p. 530bitter, and intolerable. Hee drunke full deepe of the Worlds disgrace; the Divels malice; the rage of great Ones; the contempt, and contumelies of the vilest; the scornefull insultations of his enemies; sorest sufferings, from all things in Heaven, Earth, and Hell: Of those pinching passions, hunger, thirst, wearinesse; of bodily tortures, hideous temptations, agonies of Spirit; llCould hee indure the scorching flames of the wrath of his Father, the curse of our sinnes, those tortures of Body, those horrours of Soule; and doth hee now shrinke at his thirst? No, no, &c. The now Bishop of Exe…er in his Passion-Sermon, pag. 12even of the full Cup of his Fathers fiery wrath, and mmHee saw the burden of all particular sinnes to bee laid upon him: every dram of his Fathers wrath was measured out unto him, ere he toucht this Potion: this Cup was full; and he knew that it must bee wring'd▪ not a drop left. Idem. Ibid. pag. 51.horrors of soule, for our sinnes, to the very last drop; which went as farre beyond his other outward extremities, as the Soule goes beyond the body; Gods utmost anger, the malice of men: Whereby hee is now blessedly fitted, and enabled excellently to succour them that are tempted. Consciousnesse of his owne Case in the daies of his flesh, is a keene incentive to his holy, and heavenly soule, more sensibly and soone, to take pitty upon, and ease the severall necessities, troubles, sorrowes, and soule-afflictions of all his Children.

3. Thirdly, As this ever-blessed Redeemer of ours, was in himselfe more then infinitely free, and more then farre enough from all sinne; so by consequent, from any inherent cause of the least crosse; or any shadow in the World, of his dearest Fathers displeased countenance. For originally, He was of a most pure, harmelesse, and holy nature; all his life long, kinde, sweet, and gracious to every Creature; offending none, doing good unto all; In his death, incomparably patient, brought as an innocent Lambe to that bloody slaughter; not opening his mouth, for all those base, and barbarous provocations of the cruell, and mercilesse Miscreants about him; swimming in blood, burning in zeale, wrastling in prayer, even for the salvation of his enemies. So that his guiltlesse, and unspotted soule had no neede at all of any passion, or expiation. All his sorrowes and sufferings, were voluntarily under-gone, onelyonly for our sakes, and sinnes. Had not the pretious hearts-blood of the only, deare, naturall, eternall Sonne of God, been p. 531poured out as water upon the ground; where at the whole Creation was astonished; the Earth trembled and shooke, her Rocks clave asunder, her Graves opened; the Heavens with-drew their light, as not daring to behold this sad and fearefull spectacle; never had the soule of any sonne or daughter of Adam been saved. It was not the glory and treasures of the whole Earth, not any streaming sacrifices of purest Gold, not the life of Men and Angels; no not the power, and prostration of all the Creatures in Heaven and Earth, or of ten thousand Worlds besides, could have prevail'd, satisfied, and served the turne in this Case. Either the Heire of all things must die, or we had all been damned. Is the heart then of any Mourner in Zion heavy, and ready to breake for sorrow; because hee hath lost the light of Gods face, feeling of his love, and consolations of grace? So that the darknesse of his Spirit thereupon, frights him with re-possession of his pardoned sinnes, temptations to despaire, and feares, lest hee bee forsaken: O then let him hie, and have speedy recourse unto this heavenly Cordiall: when our Lord, and our Love felt the curse of our sinnes, and his Fathers hottest wrath comming upon him in the Garden; without any outward violence at all, onelyonly out of the paine of his owne thoughts; bled thorow the flesh and skinne, not some faint deaw, but even solid drops of blood; and afterwards in the bitternesse of his soule, cried out upon the crosse, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken mee? And none of all this for himselfe; For no staine at all did cleave to his sacred soule; But all this, (the least of nnThat, what the infinite sinnes of almost infinite men, committed against an infinite Majesty, deserved in infinite continuance; all this in the short time of his Passion did hee sustaine. Ibid p. 43.which, wee can no more expresse, then wee could undergoe) for thy sake and salvation, alone, who loves our Lord Iesus Christ, in syncerity. And therefore ground upon it as upon the surest Rocke, even in the height of thy heavie-heartednesse, and depth of a spirituall desertion; that those depths of sorrow, whereof our conceits can finde no bottome; thorow which hee waded in his p. 532bloody sweat, cry upon the Crosse, and painfull sufferings in soule, did most certainly ooNon est ergò indignum redemptori nostro quòd tentari voluit, qui venerat occîdi: Iustum quippe erat ut sic tentationes nostras suis tentationibus vinceret, sicut mortem nostram venerat suâ morte superare. Greg. Hom. 16. in Evangel.free thee everlastingly from the guilt, venome, and endlesse vengeance of all terrours of conscience, Agonies of Spirit, temptations to despaire, and damnations of Hell. The righteous Iudge of all the World will never expect, or exact at the hands of any of his Creatures double paiment, a double punishment. Our dearest Saviour hath satisfied to the utmost, with his owne blood, the rigour and extremity of his Fathers Iustice in thy behalfe; and therefore it is utterly impossible, that thou shouldest ever finally perish. Inward Afflictions, and troubles of minde, may for a time presse thee so sore, that thou maist bee ready to sinke; for ¹ chastisement, ² triall, ³ prevention of sinne, ⁴ perfecting the pangs of the New-birth, ⁵ example to others, &c. But in despite of the united rage, and policy of all infernall Powers; Thou shalt in due time be raised again, by that victorious, and triumphant hand; which bruised the Serpents ppMetaphorica est descriptio victoriae Christi de Satana. In capite Serpentis est virus, robur & vita. Ergò caput serpentis notat dia…oli potentiam, saevitiam, & regnum, &c. Par. in Locum.head, and burst the heart of Hell; even **Psal. 40.2.Ps 40:2out of an horrible pit, bee set upon a Rocke, farre above the reach of all hellish hurt, or sting of horrour. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee, for a moment, but with everlasting kindnesse wil I have mercy upon thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer, Isa. 54.8.

5. There is another terrible fierie dart, dipt full deep in the very rankest poyson of the infernall pit; which, though it bee not much talked of abroad, nor taken notice of by the World; yet is secretly suggested, and managed with extremest malice and cruelty, in the silent bosomes of Gods blessed Ones. qqQuantò districtiùs non exhibet membra sua, arma iniquitatis peccato, tantò strictius buiusmodi spiritu quatitur & pulsatur. Bern. Lib. de conse. De multip. variet. cogitat.The most holy hearts are many times most haunted with this foulest fiend. Strangers to the wayes of God, bee not much troubled in this kinde, nor ordinarily vexed with such horrours. Satan, as I said before, makes as much of his in this World, as hee can possibly; knowing, that hee hath time enough, even eternity, to torment them in p. 533the World to come: And therefore hee is not woont, to weld this terrifying weapon against them, save only at some dead lift, or upon some speciall advantage; as under some extraordinary misery, or in excesse of melancholy; to drive them thereby to distraction, selfe-destruction, or despaire. Or, it may bee, God may suffer him to afflict thus hideously, some grievous sinner, which hee is about to bring in; to prepare him thereby (though the Divell himselfe meaneth not so) for the pangs of the New-birth, deeper humiliations, and more vehement desires to get under the wings of Christ from that hellish Kyte. Or, hee may sometimes mingle these horrible stings, with the terrours of spirituall travell; upon purpose to qqHuius nequissimi hostis est illa vel prima caelliditas, & ars doli plena, …atigare cogitationibus rudes animas, & novellis in proposito mentibus de ipsâ interdum conversatione afferre moerorem, ut facilè ab huius rei profectu deterreatur animus▪ cuius initia amara cognoverit. Itáque solet tam sordidas nonnunquam & impias cogitationes inferere menti; ut, qui tentatur, dum suum illud putat esse quod cogitat, deteriorē se per spiritum immundum proposito suo arbitretur effectum: multó que puriorem animam habuisse se credat, cùm adhuc res seculi amaret: vult enim ijs, quibus invidet callidissimus inimicus, horrorem propositi ex desperatione sacere sanctitatis: ut eos obsidente tristitiâ, et si à proposito non revocat, certè retineat à profectu. August. Epist. 142.hinder conversion, by a diversion into By-wayes, or frighting backe againe to folly and former courses. But sure I am, the ordinary object, and speciall aime of Satans malice in this Point, are only those, who have happily escaped out of his clutches already; and are fully, and for ever freed from his damming fury, and all-deadly hurt. And I know not, whether there bee any of these, which doth not lesse, or more, at one time, or other, suffer under this horrour. And yet every one of them thinks himselfe singular in this suffering; and that it is not usuall for Gods Children, to have such prodigiously foule and fearefull thoughts put into their heads; which they dare not mention for their abhorred monstrousnesse, neither remember without trembling. Now by this dreadfull engine of the Divell, which I thus talk of, before I tell you what it is; (and no marvaile, for what heart would not willingly retire, or can chuse but tremble, intreating upō such a Theame!) I meane, hideous iniections, **Cogitat homo plerumque terribilia de fide, horribilia de divinitate, & per phantasmata corporearum imaginum transrotatus, illa sentit, quae vel in confessione evomere peccator on…ratus exhorret. Bernar. loco suprà citato.horrible thoughts, blasphemous Suggestions, monstrous conceits of p. 534the most holy pure and ever-glorious God, His Word, divine Truths, the Lord Iesus, blessed for ever; or some way, or other, about spirituall and heavenly things; framed immediately by Satan himselfe, and with furious violence throwne into our minds, infinitely against our wills; at the grieselinesse whereof, not only Religion, but also reason; Nay, even corrupted nature, and common sense, stand astonisht; shrug and shrink backe at the horrour, and abhorre them extremely. Some of Gods dearest Children, and those that love him best, (Would you thinke it? yet it is too true) are sometimes so pestred with their irkesome intrusions; that whatsoever they speake, doe, heare, reade, or think upon, is wrested, perverted, and hellishly empoisoned with this temptation of blasphemy. And they are ordinarily prest upon them with most importunity and impetuousnesse, when they are best busied, and exercised in the holiest duties; as in praier, hearing, or reading the Word, singing of Psalmes, dayes of humiliation, &c.

In the first place: For a comfortable support in such a Case, peruse, ponder well upon, and apply such considerations and counsels as these:

1. In this terrible temptation also, thou becomes but conformable to thy Lord and Master, which bought thee with his dearest blood, and to many of his blessed Saints. Was there ever suggestion in conceit, or word, or any possibilitie of being like unto this in execrablenesse and horrour:Revel. 15.3. Coloss. 2.9.Rev 15:3Col 2:9 That the King of Saints, in whom dwelleth all the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily, should fall downe and worship the Prince of Hell, and vilest of Creatures? And yet this most horrible blasphemie, was injected into the most holy imagination of Iesus Christ; with which it was infinitely more impossible to be any waies tainted, or stained, then the fairest Sunne-beame with the foulest Dirt. But hee endured it, and conquered: And that for our sakes only, and safety, even for p. 535such excellent endes as these; first, That when wee are …et upon by Satan in the same kinde, and so hideously assaulted, that upon the first sense, we are ready to sinke under the suddaine fright; and to thinke, that none in the world are so but wee; yet in cold blood, wee may comfortably recover our selves, and presently conceive, that our Case is not singular, and incompatible with a saving state; for even the Sonne of God himselfe surpassed us in the same suffering. Secondly, That hee might take the venome, sting, and guilt from this hatefull, and horrible temptation, for all His, to the Worlds end. Thirdly, That having himselfe tasted the Divels malice herein, hee might out of His owne feeling and experience, more tenderly take to heart our troubles, and terrours that way; more mightily fortifie, and free our spirits, against the invasion, and surprise of all such prodigious injections, and flashes of Hell.

2. It is the concurrent judgement of rrBlasphemous thoughts not consented to by us, are not our sinnes, but the Divels. Men must not feare those kinde of thoughts over much — Because, though indeed they bee their crosses, yet are they not their personall sinnes, for which they shall incurre the wrath and displeasure of God. Perkins Cases of Conscience, Lib. 1. Cap. 10. Sect. 2. Wee are to know and consider, that they are not our owne thoughts, but Satans suggestions; and therefore they shall not bee laid to our charge, as being our sinnes; but shall bee set upon Satans score, unto whom of right they doe appertaine, together with the punishment due unto them. —If wee withstand and abhorre them as wicked, and Diabolicall, shewing no kinde of liking of them, they shall never bee imputed to us, as our sinnes, but unto Satan, who is the Authour of them. Downam. Christ. Wars. Lib. 3. Cap. 11. This may comfort those, that being vexed with fearefull suggestions of Satan, as to thinke amisse of God himselfe, &c. doe therefore thinke amisse of themselves, as if they were therefore most vile wretches. But they must remember, that this is no more their sinne, if they presently beate it backe, then if a man like them, should wish them to the like. Satan must answer for this himselfe. Daniel Dyke in his Michael and the Dragon, at his Doct. All temptations are not sinnes in the tempted. The true believer detests so the Divels motions, upon the sudden injection sometimes, that hee is without taint of sinne by them; yet it is an affliction with victory, as it was with our Saviour tempted by the Divell, to whom God sent Angels for his comfort; yet our corruption considered, it is a rare thing. Wilson in his helpes to faith, pag. 150. In illis cogitationibus, quae repugnanti & invito animo suggeruntur, quibus mens cum horrore quodam renititur ac resistit—Non est peccatum sine consensu mentis. August. Epist. 142. Cùm ille insatiabilis homicida ab exteriore sensualitate se videt exclusum, interiora collectis viribus aggreditur. Sed spiritualis homo, qui omnia iudicat, illius astutias non ignorat. Reprimit quod potest: quod autem non potest reprimere, tolerat: quia…t silatratum canis sustinet, morsum non timet. Latrat enim cum s…ggerit: tunc verò mord…t, cùm ad consensum pertrahit: sed cùm non …ngerit, quod suggessit, tunc non vulnerat, sed coronat: quia eisi sentientem crucial, nonobligat no… consentientem. Bernard. Lib. de Consc. Cap. De multip. variet. Cogitat. Huiusmodi cog…ationes exe…r…ndae blasphemiae non sunt ho…inis, sed Di…boli eas suggerentis, unde nec imputabuntur homini ad demeritum, &c. quic quid nempe homine af…fligit con…ra suā vol…ntatem, et non placet, nec de…ectat, non facilè in talibus tentator nocere potest. Gers. Tract. de Remed. contra pusilan. Placuítne unquam tibi ista turpis cogitatio? Absit, inquit ille: nam maximè mihi semper displicuit. Et ait sanctus pater: Manifestum est ergò, quòd tu eam non agis, sed pateris, antiqu… hoste procurante, & te ut decipere tandem, pe… desperationem pusset, itafatigante. Idem de modo se habendi contra malas minis. Quòd si externis h…s…e & adven …ijs cogitationibus non assentiamur, nonsunt nostra peccata reputanda, sed Diaboli, qui illas suggerit. Alsted. Theolog. Caf. cap. 24. A pious Soule is no more guilty of them, then Bentamin of Iosephs Cup, put into His Sacke. Doctor Sibbes, Bruised Reede, pag 125.learned, p. 536and holy Divines, that these monstrously blasphemous thoughts, and satanicall suggestions, resisted, and not consented unto, are not our sinnes, but our crosses. Or suppose, there should be any tainture on our parts; yet, condemning them in our judgements, and abhorring them with our heartes; wee may bee most assured, that the blood of Iesus Christ is infinitely more mighty and soveraigne, to take away the venome, and vilenesse of them; then the Divell malicious, and subtil… to inject. I will imagine, that some bloody Popish Powder-Traytor, had prest upon thee at that time, and suggested thus: Wee are plotting, and purpose to blow up the Parliament with Gun-powder: To destroy at one blow the King, Queene, Prince, Nobility, &c. And afterward, to cut the throats of all the Protestants in the Kingdome; to roote the Gospell out of it for ever, &c. And then to lay the fault upon the ssIn the Powder treason it was the Papists plot and purpose, after the stroke, to lay the fault (if Gods mercy had not prevented their malice) upon the Puritanes, (as now they have gotten a tricke for their advantage, to Nicke-name even good Protestants), and accordingly they had drawne a Proclamation to that effect, ready for the Presse. Wherein they charged the Puritanes (meaning hereby, all honest men, that are not like them) with that odious and execrable fact; and with this draught they were found, and taken in the manner, beyond retracting, or shadowing. Digit. D. pag. 27. I heard a Professour in the Vniversitie avou…b from the Chaire; that he saw with his owne eyes a Spanish booke, which reported; that the Puritanes were the contrivers of the Powder-plot.Puritanes. These, and the like, were injections of much horrour, and monstrous nature: For thus, men learned both in the mystery of Christ, and depths of State, spoke of that plot at that time: ttDoctor White in his Sermon at P.C. p. 31.Remember but the Powder-Treason, the uttermost point of all villany; beyond which it is terra incognita; no man can devise, what should bee betweene Hell and p. 537it. uuDoctor Tynley in his Sermon at P.C. pag. 67.Consider but this day, the Birth-day, as I may tearme it, of our Countrey; in which, both Prince and People came, as it were, anew into the World; delivered from the fearefull Powder-Vault, the very belly of Hell and confusion, as Ionah sometime did from the Belly of the Whale. xxDoctor King in his Sermon at White-Hall, pag. 16.Behold, that which so many millions of eies, since those windowes were first opened in the head of man, to behold the light of Heaven; I say, so many millions of eyes in their severall generations, now sunke downe into their holes, and consumed within their Tabernacles, never saw: never those glorious and constant Lights of the Firmament; those cleare and Crystalline eies of nature, which walke through the Whole World, and give no rest to their temples; the Sunne that wandereth by day, and the Moone that waketh by night, they never saw the like, &c. It yySir Edward Philips, In the proceedings against the late Traytors.was of such prodigious immanity, that before now, the tongue of Man never delivered; the eare of Man never heard; the heart of Man never conceited; nor the malice of hellish, or earthly Divell ever practised. zzSir Edward Coke. Ibid.It is beyond all example, whether in fact, or fiction; even of the tragicke Poets, who did beat their wits, to represent the most fearefull, and horrible Murders. aaThe Earle of Northampton. Ibid. At sas est odisse viros facinúsque nesandum, Immane, horrendum, quo non crudelius unquam ulla tulit tellus, nec par ausuve secundum, quodque attentatum vix aetas postera credat. — Non hanc Sabrina lituram, non hanc Oceanus, quo toti claudimur orbi, abstulerint nobis. In quò perduxerit Anglos, paucorum rabies, scelerísque iniuria tanti! In homines nefarios, qui scelere ausúque immani Parliamenti jampridem habendi domum, pulvere Bombardico evertere sunt machinati s…il. quinto Novembris, 1605. pag. 4.5. Facinus tam tetrum, tam foedum, tam dirum, & diris omnibus devovendum; ut superet penè fidem nostram, qui tamen ipsi vidin …s: Posteritas quidem certè (credo) vix fidem adhibebit, fuisse unquam in specie humanâ tales ex infimâ usque abysso locustas, qui tam in fanda cogitarent. Winton. Opus…. posthu. pag. 64.The Plot, whereof Livie speakes, of dispatching the whole Senate of Rome in an houre: the devise at Carthage, to cut off one whole faction, by one enterprise: the conspiring of Brutus and Cassius, to kill Caesar in the Senate; the proiect of destroying in one Conclave, the greatest part of the Cardinals: the Sicilian Even-song, and the Parisian Mattins: nay, the wish of Nero, that Rome had but one Head, which hee might cut off at one blow, came farre short of this invention, which spared neither age, sexe, nor degree. Well then, if thou shouldest have approved, p. 538and consented unto the suggestion of this most execrable, and unheard-of villany; for which, Hell hath not a fit Name, nor the World a sufficient punishment; thou hadst made thy selfe the most prodigious Beast that ever breathed, an abhorred Monster of Mankinde; and justly merited to have passed presently, from most exquisite tortures here, to endelesse torments in another World. But now, if all the while the motion was making, thy heart had risen against it, with indignation and loathing; thou protested'st to the Party, thy abominating any thought that way, from the heart roote, to the pit of hell; and immediately running to the King, shouldest have discovered, and disclaimed it, as a most detestable and hellish plot; I say then, what Man could have justly blamed thee, or wherein could thy conscience any way accuse thee? It is so in the present Point. As that other incarnat Divell in his kinde, so the Divell himselfe throwes into thine imagination, most hideous thoughts, and horrible blasphemies, even against the dreadfull Majesty of Heaven, the thrice blessed and ever-glorious Trinity, the holy Humanity of the Lord Iesus, &c. To which, if thou shouldest understandingly assent, and approve indeed; thou mightest expect most worthily, to become ten times fouler, then the ougliest Fiend in Hell. But sith thou knowest in thine owne conscience, that thy heart trembles with horrour and amazednesse, when they are offered; nay, violently thrust into thy minde; That thou resists, and rejects, them, with all the power and prayer thou canst possibly; canst not chuse, but out of a pang of infinite detestation, and heart-rising, turne thus, or in the like manner upon the Tempter:bbThese very words were forced, by fury of temptation, from One tempted in this kinde. Most malicious enemie to the glory of my God, and good of my Soule; thou troubles thy selfe and mee in vaine. I doe infinitely acknowledge my blessed Creatour, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, to bee one incomprehensibly glorious, wise, gracious God: Heaven to be wholly filled, embroidered, impaled with nothing but holinesse p. 539and happines: All the Creatures to be good, as they issued out of the hands of God; and Remembrancers to us of his power, wisedome, and goodnesse: Gods blessed Booke to be all most holy, most true, a rich treasury of heavenly wisdome, and sweetest knowledge, &c. And thy cursed self to be the onelyonly Authour, and Brocher of all sinne, hurt, and uncom…linesse▪ And to thee, and thine, alone they belong. Mingle not thou thy malice with my lowliest, most deare, and reverend thoughts of my Father, my Saviour, my Comforter, &c. And thou art also woont presently to presse in private, into Gods glorious presence, and prostrate thy selfe before his righteous Throne; there to discover this hellish malice; to complain how villanously the Divell deales with thee; to protest thine innocency, and infinite hatred of those horrible blasphemies; to cry heartily for pardon, patience, and power against them. And therefore it being thus with thee, thou maist, upon good ground, bee more then infinitely assured, that they are not imputed unto thee at all; but wholly set upon Satans score. Hence it is, and from this ground, that I have many times told some, thus tempted: That when they have passed a day, prest upon violently, and pestred, with the furious intrusion of such un-utterably foule, and fearefull injections; they have, in all likelyhood spent that day, with farre lesse sinne in their thoughts; and more freedome from guilt, and provocation of divine anger, then if they had been free: Because they being so earnestly, and vehemently deprecated; withstood with such aversion and loathing; protested against unfainedly, and that upon such termes, that they would rather bee torne in pieces with wild Horses; die ten thousand deathes; doe, or suffer any thing; then yeeld the least assent, or approbation thereunto: they are then, I say, not theirccNonnun quam alicuius mentem plurimum conturbat hostis, in illam magnam foedarum ac turpium cogitationum multitudinem immittendo, ut hic se continuò peccare credat. Dicet enim horrendum essèscelus; cùm legendo & Deo obsequendo hae cogitationes adveniunt. —At qui non cùm impiae mentem cogitationes tangunt, peccamus; —sed duntaxat, cum eis consentimus: idest, quando illis voluntas nostra favet; quando eas ipsa cum delectatione complectitur; quando eas adesse gaudet: Quamdiù verò hae si…i displicent, sibique sunt horrori ac odio, nullum est noxaeperi…ulum. Gerson de diver. Tempt. transgressions, but afflictions; p. 540Not their iniquities, but miseries; Not their sinnes, but crosses. Nay, and further for their comfort, If they should bee haunted by them, untill their ending houre (which God forbid, and beat backe such accursed, and hatefull spight from every humble soule); yet cleaving close unto the Lord Iesus, hating all sinne, and having respect to all Gods commandements; they are not able at all, neither can any whit hinder, hurt, or any way prejudice their spirituall state, and everlasting salvation.

3. ddTransitorio hic verbere affliguntur electi, ut á pravitate flagella corrigant, quos paterna pietas ad haereditatem servat. Nunc etenim flagellatur iustus, & verbere disciplinae corrigitur, quià adaeternae haereditatis patrimonium praeparatur. In suis autem voluptatibus relaxatur iniustus, quia tantò ei temporalia bona suppetunt, quantò aeterna denegantur. Iniustus ad debitam mortem currens, effraenatis voluptatibus utitur, quià & vituli qui mactandi sunt in liber is pastibꝰ relinquuntur. At contrà iustus à delectationis transitoriae i…cunditate restringitur, quià & nimirùm vitulus ad laboris usum vitae deputatus sub iugo retinetur. Negantur electis in hac vitâ bona terrena; quia & aegris quibus spes vivendi est, nequaquam à medico cuncta quae appetunt conceduntur. Dantur autem reprobis bona, quae in hac vità appetunt; quia & desperatis aegris omne quod desiderant, non… negatur. Gregor. in 31. cap. Iob, cap. 4.Every servant of Christ hath his share in some affliction, or other; and is ever made, in some good measure, conformable to him in his sufferings. Those, who have the raines laide, and left upon their neckes, without curbe or correction, are Bastards, and not Sonnes. They may, as the holy Ghost tells us, prosper in this World, and passe peaceably out of it, and have no bands in their eeQuietè …oriuntur. Transigunt in voluptate & suavitate dies suos, vitam agunt, & traducunt suavem & iucundam ad mortem usque. At ubi mors advenit, feliciter etiam & suaviter moriuntur, ut vixerant. Ad felicitatem emmetiam mortis conditio requiritur. — Sic de illis di…it, Psalm. 73. Neque enim sunt vincula morti …orum, &c. Merc. in Iob cap. 21.Ps 73Job 21death, like other men: they may **Iob 21.Job 21live, and become old, and bee mighty in power: Their seede may bee established in their sight with them, and their off-spring before their eyes: their houses may be safe from feare, neither may the rod of God bee upon them: Their Bull may gender, and faile not, their Cow may calve, and not cast her Calfe: they may send forth their little Ones like a flocke, and their Children dance: They may take the Timbrell and Harpe, and reioyce at the sound of the Organ: they may spend their dayes in wealth, and in a moment go downe to the Grave: At last die even ffId simpliciter hoc loco significat, non quod alij volunt, & momento ad inferna descendunt, quasi in locum supplicij. Nihilenim de futurâ vitâ hîc Iob dicere voluit, sed omni ex parte felicitatem impiorum adversum socios ostendere, quibus ad cumulum solicitatis, quâ vitam totam transegerunt, hoc insuper accedit, quòd suavissimè moriuntur. Idem. Ibid. Interim improbi exultant, robusti sunt, & pleni vigoris: quando verò ad mortem veniunt, quasi ex vot… videntur illam obire, tum quasi cubitumire. Calvin. in Loc.like a Lambe, as p. 541they say. But when all is done, they are utterly undone, and everlastingly; By reason of the horrour, and angvish, that shall come upon their soules; the affliction, the worme-wood, and the gall: for horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation: they are immediately throwne downe from the top of their imaginary felicity, and untroubled bed of seeming peace, to the depth of extremest misery, and bottome of the burning Lake. But it is not so with the servants of God.**Heb. 12.6.Heb 12:6 He scourgeth every sonne, whom hee receiveth. Hee ggDeus unicum habet silium sine peccato, nullum sine flagello. Aug. Symbolum fidelibus datum: Sivis regnare mecúm, crucem meam porta tecum. Gers.hath onelyonly one Sonne with out sinne, none without suffering ▪ saith an ancient Father. But here take notice, that in this dispensation of fatherly corrections amongst his Children, He ever out of his unsearchable mercifull wisedome, singles out, and makes choise of those, which are most punctuall, and simply the fittest for their spirituall good. And therefore both for the kinde, and particular; let us ever humbly, and thankfully submit, and wholly referre our selves, to the sweet and wise disposing of our most loving, and dearest Father: Who ever knowes best, what is best for us in such Cases; both in regard of his service, and our sufferings; his glory and our gaine; what wee are able to beare; How hee hath furnished us before-hand with spirituall strength, to goe through temptations and troubles; what spirituall Physicke is most quicke, and operative, and apted to the prevention, cure, and recovery of our soule-sickenesses, distempers, and declinations; How wisely to proportion, and mercifully moderate, in respect of measure, time, and working; and when His hand is heavie upon us in one kinde, tenderly to take care, that wee bee not opprest with other extremities also: As appeares by that sweet observation of Master Foxe, in the **Pag. 1886.story of the two Glovers: God in his holy providence, seeing his old and trusty servant so many yeeres, with so extreme, and many torments, broken and dried up; would in no wise heape too many sorrowes upon one poore silly wretch; neither would p. 542commit him to the flames of fire; who had been already baked, and scorched with the sharpe fires of inward affliction; and had sustained so many burning darts, and conflicts of Satan so many yeeres. God therefore of his divine providence, thinking it too much, that one man should bee so much over-charged, with so many plagves and torments, did graciously provide; that Robert his brother, being both stronger of body, and also better furnished with helpes of learning to answer the Adversaries, should sustaine the conflict. It may bee, our onelyonly wise God, purposeth to exercise us extraordinarily with spirituall conflicts, and troubles of conscience; and therefore doth mercifully give us more prosperity, and comfort in our outward state: Or perhaps, to afflict us with variety of worldly crosses; and therefore doth sweetly, and compassionately, give us more peace and comfort at home in our owne hearts: Or it may bee, Hee meanes to make us ominent Objects of disgrace, reproach, and slander in the World; and even from those, who sit in the gate, for our forwardnesse and excellency of zeale; and therefore out of a gracious tender-heartednesse, gives us both more calmenesse in conscience, and contentment in outward things: Or, perhaps, Hee may lay all these upon us; suffer us to bee tried with ill tongues, with troubles without, and terrours within; why then undoubtedly, his grace shall bee sufficient for us. So wise, and so mercifull is our blessed God. Only, first, let us take heed (tho in our owne apprehensions and misdeeming, wee may pretend, and except never so plausibly) that wee never prescribe unto him; How, in what kind, or measure hee should afflict us. Secondly, That wee never ward, or put off any blow from his owne heavenly hand, Men, or Creatures, with the wound of Conscience; never decline any ill, by ill meanes. Thirdly, That wee learne, and labour to profit by, and make the right use of all his corrections. Fourthly, And ever magnifie the glory of his mercy, and wisdome, in sparing p. 543us any way; his tender-hearted taking notice, where wee are weakest, and not so able to beare his severer visitations; but specially, that hee ever, pitches upon that affliction, which doth our soules most good; and serves most punctually to procure, protect, and promote the soundnesse, safety, and flourishing of our spirituall state. Well then, for my purpose, and thy support: sith our most holy God deales thus with all, that are not damned; to wit, sorts out unto them, those severall crosses and corrections; which, out of his unsearchable wisdome, and spirituall necessity of their soules, hee sees most fit to keepe them humble, obedient, and in awe; Take thou up, and in good part, this crosse of thine, while it pleaseth God to exercise thee with it, as thy portion. Others, tho free from this, yet have their proportion and proper Potion; and that, perhaps, in a bitterer Cup, and from a more smarting Rod. It may bee, it goes well with thee, in eeAnd yet I know some horribly afflicted in this kinde, and yet in some respects, as outwardly miserable, as can bee imagined: but then know, that the mercifull power of God is mightily improoved for extraordinary support.other respects; in which, were thou yet crossed, the physicke would not take, nor work so kindlily. Our all-wise heavenly Physition knowes, this dreadfull dart will onelyonly doe it. Who knowes whether, if thou wert not haunted with these foule Furies, I meane, furious injections of the Divels owne Forge, thou mightest grow worldly, lukewarme; too passionate, proude, secure; or something which God would not have thee, and would bee infinitely for thy hurt. Be Thou therefore patient under them, humbled by them, make a holy and profitable use of them; comfort thy selfe in them, by these considerations commended unto thee for that purpose; and learne, how to behave thy selfe about them, by the following counsels.

4. As at their first approach, and offer, thou oughtest to stirre up, and steele thy heart; to improve the strength and stoutnesse of all the powers of thy soule, to make a mighty and forcible resistance; lifting up at the same instant thy heart, in a bitter complaint, against the cruelty p. 544and malice of the adversary; a strong cry for the rebuking of him, and restraint of his hellish spight, with extreme detestation of all such divellish filth; so take heede, that thou never revolve in thy mind, or muse upon those his blasphemous temptations. But say with Luther, a Kite, or Cormorant may fly over my house, but sure, shall never rooust, or nestle there. Or, as another; a ravenous and hatefull Bird may begin to build in mine Arbour, I cannot hinder it; but I will never faile to pull it downe, as often as shee beginnes. The Divell will inject, whether thou ffOnerosas cogitationes in animá iusti ill as accipe, quibus resistere vult, & tamen non potest, sed velit, nolit irruit in oculos mentis muscarum Aegyptipestilentia, & prestrep…nt ran…e in penetralibus cordis eius. Bern. lib. de Consc. de multip. variet. cogit.wilt or no: But resolve to suffer them by no meanes, to have any rest, or residence in thine imagination. If thou bee a Minister (and the holiest men are Satans speciall marke, that hee would gladliest hit with his fierie darts), take advise, which hath proved soveraigne and helpefull, to beat backe, and banish these temptations of blasphemie. The minde of every man of God, instructed to the Kingdome of heaven, is, as I suppose, still digging into the rich Mines of divine truth; diving into the great mystery of Christ: ever discoursing in it selfe for, or doing something for the advancement of the worke of the Lord, their Ministeriall affaires, and welfare of Soules. Temporizers indeed, seldome and selfe-Preachers, are not much troubled this way, neither take these things so to heart. They seeke more to advance themselves, then save soules; their chiefe study is, if they be not downeright ggLet none take this terme ill; For our Church hath set this brand upon such Alehouse haunting companions in these words: If wee lacke Christ; that is to say, the Saviour of our soules and bodies, wee shall not finde him in the Market-place, or in the Guild-hall; much lesse in the Ale-house, or Taverne, amongst Good-fellowes, as they call them, &c. Hom. Of the right use of the Church▪ p. 1. pag. uli.Good fellowes (as they call them), either to grow rich, or rise; and so they are still negotiating industriously about the one, or plotting ambitiously for the other. But were they of Pauls minds; **1. Cor. 9.16.1 Cor 9:16Woe is unto mee, if I preach not the Gospell: of Chrysostom's temper, hhVitâ verò de…un…iis quemnam quaeso in modumea à nobis forentur, quae tum ferenda erunt, quum nos videlicèt pro…ijs sigillatìm omnibus, qui nobis concrediti fuerint, rationem reddere cogemur? Neque enim dedecoris tantùm, atque ignominiae poena, sed etiam aeterni supplicij mul…ta nos illic expectat? Illud enim; parete ijs qui praesunt vobis & concedite: nam illi vigilant pro animis vestris, tame…si priùs iam à me dictum est, tamen ne nunc quidem reticebo, Huius enim comminationis terror animum mihi concutit. De Sacerdotio, Lib. 6. princ.who p. 545was woont to tremble, when hee tooke into consideration, those words, Hebr. 13.17. For they watch over your soules, as they that must give account: Of Austins resolution, for not meddling in worldly matters; wherein to deale, he iiRogatus quoque à nonnullis in corum temporalibus causis epistolas ad diversos dabat. Sed hanc suam occupatio. nem tanquam angariam deputabat, svavem semper habens de ijs, quae Dei sunt, vel allocutionem, vel collocutionem fraternae & domesticae familiaritatis. Possidonius de vitâ Augustini.deemed a very tiring, and tedious vexation; and was never wel, but when he was wading in the depths of Christian Religion, and busied about the things of God. I say, if they were thus affected, they would bee such as they ought, and as I now suppose; to wit, have many webs, as it were, of their holy work in their heads all at once; many in Misteriall Taskes in agitation, and on foote still: Some part of the day, they would, perhaps, search, and pierce into the pith, and marrow of some Scripture-text; at another time, wraflle with the difficulties, and knotty distinctions of some Popish, or Neo-pelagian controversie; At another, discusse, and drive unto a resolution, some perplexed, and intricate Case of Conscience, &c. Well then, for my purpose, this supposed; VponUpon the very first Proposall of these monstrous, and hideous thoughts, presently kkTentatio illa gravis & turpis blasphemiae seu quaecunque alia, quae in solà cogitatione adhuc versatur, vincitur ut communiter meliùs eam contemnendo, oblivioni tradendo, & se de eâ excutiendo, et ad alia sortiter me… tem retrahendo; quàm multùm cum ipsâ litigando, repugnando & disputando. Gers. de modo hab. contr. Mal. immiss.divert, and resort to the hardest of all those irons, thou hast in the fire, if I may so speake; and that which hath neede of most hammering; I meane, to the most difficult and waighty Points, of all those severall spirituall businesses, thou hadst last in thy braine; and single out that particular, which did most puzzle, and put thy understanding to it. Where-abouts, when the strength, heat, and intension of thy whole soule is spent, and improoved: not onelyonly other impertinent wandrings, and vagaries, but these idle and irkesome injections also, will more easily vanish, and bee gone. Let others also proportionably upon such occasions, besides other helpes; have recourse to the most troublesome and over-mastering part of their honest imploiments; to the chiefest, and needefullest affaire of their lawfull Callings.

5. In temptations of this nature, never set thy selfe p. 546to llRatio efficax est huius. De quanto enim nititur, quis suffiando fortitèr extinguere magnum ignem ampli…ùs: De tanto ignis instam mescit vehementiùs, & augetur citius, &c.— Nihil ergò consultius, nisi ut transeatur sacilitèr in his, & non nimis immobil…tèr, & quasi ex directo eis repugnotur, sed quasi ex adversoper indirecturm, alia videlicèt in cogitatu fortiter apprehende…do. Idem. Ibid.dispute with the Divell; hee is an old Sophister of above five thousand yeares standing, in the Schoole of hideous temptations, and hellish policies, and thou art but a Novice. Hee hath many Methods, Devices, and Depths, which thy shallow fore-cast cannot possibly fathome. Direct opposition by reasons, and replies, stirreth up the out-ragious Blasphemour to grow more furious: And hereby we give him greater advantage; more matter of molestation and mischiefe; and may so plunge our selves further into an intricate maze of horrour, and confused distractions. Our blessed Captaine, Christ Iesus, may bee a patterne for us in this Point. When hee was tempted, to fall downe and worship Satan; hee reasoneth not the Case, but repells him with vehement extraordinary detestation and disdaine: Avoid Satan. It will therefore bee our best wisedome, at such a time, to turne from him; and as Hezekiah spread his blasphemous letter, so to lay open his fury before the Lord: crying mightily unto him, and intreating him, even for his owne honours sake, to vindicate the purity of his great Majesty, and excellency of his unspotted glory, from this hellish filth, and horrible villany of his damned vilest Creature; That he would cast it, as dung, upon the Tempters face: and in the Passion and Blood of Christ, free fully, and for ever, our poore soules trembling under the hideousnesse of his malice and cruelty, from the guilt, staine, terrour, and assault of all such abhorred, and p…odigeous blasphemie. In that other terrible temptation also, to Selfe-murther, many much wrong themselves this way. In managing this fierie dart, the Adversary deales by way of argument too, and presses reasons, such as they are, upon the temted; sometimes extremely absurd, especially, if the party bee something more simple and ignorant; sometimes, exceedingly suttle, if hee bee of better understanding and capacity. As thus: It is soone done, and the paine quickely past: Thou art like thus to languish, and lie in p. 547misery all thy life long: The longer thou livest, the larger will bee the score of thy sinnes, and so thy torments in hell more horrible hereafter: If it be once done, it will appeare to have bin Gods decree; and I hope thou wilt not oppose the accomplishment of that: mmHere, if thou answer: Yea, but in the meane time it is better to spend the remainder of my few and evill dayes, upon earth, then in Hell; he will reply: But so thou shalt increase thy sinnes here, and by consequent thy hellish paines hereafter; to which if thou rejoyne: But the hainousnesse of selfe-murder, and horriblenesse of despaire may appeare more vile and execrable in the eyes of God, then all the other sinnes I may commit to the last period of my naturall course: He may then hideously roare: But so thou mayst both go on to increase thy sinnes, and make away thy selfe at last; and where art thou then? &c. I know him to have thus throwne his fiery darts into trembling hearts, one after another, with extreme subtilnesse and cruelty. And therefore in these Cases, doe not admit of any dispute, or conference with him; But upon the very first assault (for who would heare him talke, that will tell never a true word, and is thy sworne bloody enemy?) bee ever sure presently to lay hold upon the Word of God, that weapon of proofe; which serves like a sword, not only for defence, as all the other pieces of armour, but also for offence. Beate backe with undaunted resolution and confidence this Divelish da…t; and stop for ever the mouth of the Tempter with the contrary charge of the most holy, and all-powerfull God: Thou shalt not kill.Do what thou canst, thou wilt bee damned, when all is done, &c. Now in this Case, if thou debate the matter with the Divell, and begin to confer; thou art like enough to be more and more confounded, and intangled with inextricable astonishments, and danger to bee utterly undone, and suddenly blowne up by the mine of his soule-murdering sophistry. But if according to the precedency, and practise of thy Lord & Master, who hath begun unto thee in this bitter Cup, is afflicted in all thy afflictions; and ever stands by thee as a victorious commander, and conquerour in all such assaults; first, abominate, and beate backe, this base and bloody motion, with infinite indignation and loathing; Avant Satan: And then immediately lay hold on the sword of the Spirit, and keepe him at the point of it; and then assuredly, all the Divells in Hell cannot hurt thee. Tell him, that against his vile and villanous suggestion, and all the subtilties, and sophistry with which hee seconds it; this is thy onelyonly answere, even the precise, holy and everlasting countermand of his, and thy Creatour, the mighty Lord of heaven and earth: Thou shalt not kill. Now if it bee a crimson, and crying sinne; the most deadly opposite, and desperate cut-throate of charity, to kill an other; and fastneth such a deepe, and inexpiable staine p. 548upon the face of a whole Kingdome; that it cannot bee razed out,Numb. 35.33.Num 35:33 but by the blood of him that shed it; How execrable, and hainous then is this; and what depth of Hell, and height of horrour, doth that abhorred Miscreant deserve, and may expect; who makes away himselfe? For the Rule of charity, whereby wee love one another, is proportioned by that charity, whereby a man loues himselfe. If the Divell bee able to dissolve, and disanull the most absolute, perfect, and just Law of the most High; who, tho all other things besides, are something in possibilitie, which as yet they are not in act; yet himselfe, is actually, and everlastingly, whatsoever hee may bee; and cannot hereafter be that, which now hee is not; and so by consequent, is with out all variablenesse, or shadow of turning: I say, if the Prince of darkenesse can reverse this Law of the Father of Lights; Thou shalt not murder; thou maist well say, thou wilt then thinke of an other answer. But, till that bee, which is more, then infinitely impossible ever to come to passe; thou wilt rather lie in the miseries of Hell upon earth (which indeed were incomparably better), then breaking Gods blessed Law, goe downe into the grave in a bloody coffin, made by thy owne hands, onelyonly at the Divels bidding. Can this madnesse ever bee matched; for a man, besides Selfe-severing the soule from his body before the time, by a more hainous and un-naturall villany, then murthering of his owne father, (for every man is naturally next unto himself); and sending it suddenly, all goare-blood, by becomming his owne Butcher and hangman, unto the dreadfull Tribunall, of the all-powerfull God; the most certaine, and severe Revenger of all bloodshed: to bring also abundance of unnecessary shame, griefe and hopelesse mourning upon Friends, Kindred, Husband, Childrē, Parents; a reproachfull staine and brand, upon House, Name, Buriall, Posterity, &c. And that meerely at the instance, and upon the most absurd, ridiculous, and senselesse suggestion p. 549of the Arch-murtherer, thy mortall, and immortall enemy; against sense, reason, nature, religion, Scripture, Gods direct command to the contrary, even Heathen Philosophy, Heaven and Earth!

6. Avoid idlenesse, solitarinesse, and too much secrecy; three maine advantages for the adversary, which he watchfully apprehending, and plying industriously, workes a world of mischiefe upon afflicted soules, in their spirituall miseries. Idlenesse laies a man open to all hellish snares and temptations; makes the heart, like unmanured ground, fit for nothing, but the wildest, and rankest weedes of lust, luxury, lewd company, the universall inordinatenes of Originall corruption, to domineere, rage, and doe what it will: Like standing Pooles, naturally prepared, and pregnant to breed, and feed the vermine, and venome of vilest thoughts, and un-naturall filth: Like Thorow-faires, for Satans most hideous, ooNon est aliqua cogitatio tam turpis, tam abominabilis, mala, & execranda, quam non inveniat otiositas. Nam cor vacantis otio est ad inst…r Molendini, quod cum non habet ad molendum bonum frumen…u▪ quia…n continuo motu est, molit & consumit seipsum, etiam ad totalem sui consumptionem & destructionem, nisi prohibeatur alicuius diligentiâ. Et aequè citò molit advolantes foedas muscas sicut granorum electorum adipes: praesertì…, cum suum sit continuo molere & non qui…scere; nequaquam verò quod molat, sive bonum, sive malum discernere & eligore potest, nisi regentis providentia alitèr curet disponere. Gers. De modo habendi se contrà mal. immiss.and horrible injections, to wander and walke up and downe in, without restraint, or remedy. Solitarinesse, besides it's native propertie and power, to make sad, increase melancholy, and aggravate feares, doth in this Case, more then any, bring an heavie Woe; **Eccles. 4.10.Eccl 4:10Woe to him, that is alone: For if the weake Christian fall, hee hath not another to help him up. He may there be surprised, yeeld, and foil'd, before he get into such company, which might happily have prevented it, or supported him in the temptation. Too much secrecy and concealement, may cause the wound of a terrified conscience, to bleed inward, rankle, fester, and grow desperate; whereas seasonable discovery▪ might have cured, and comforted it: Horrour arising from the apprehension, of such uncouth and monstrous thoughts, kept close, and dam'd up in the mans owne brest, may swell so high, that the poore soule may bee in great danger to bee p. 550wofully drowned, and over-whelmed by it; which had it had vent be time; eased, and emptied it selfe into some holy and faithfull bosome; might, by divine and discreete counsell, by little and little dried up quite. I have knowne him, who did bite in, and keepe close in his bosome, this temptation of blasphemie the space of about twenty yeares. All which while, the Divell did tyrannize extremely, and keep him almost in continuall terrour. Hee thought there was never man had such vile, and prodigious thoughts, as hee: And if the World knew what they were, hee should bee abhorr'd as a monster of men, and the loathsommest creature upon earth▪ most worthy to bee utterly exterminated, and rooted out of the society, and confines of Mankinde. And hereupon many and many a time, when hee apprehended any opportunity, or had any meanes offered to make himself a way, he was tempted there unto; principally upon this ground, that it was pitty, such an horrible Blasphemer (for so he supposed) should any longer breathe. But at last, hearing the nature, manner, and remedy, of these hideous injections discovered by the Ministery; afterward privately informing himselfe further, and more fully from Gods Messenger, was happily, taken of the racke for the time to come, and most wonderfully refreshed. And therefore take heede of keeping the Divels counsell. The tempted in this kinde may doe well, to bee still conversant in religious duties, honest workes of their lawfull Callings, company of skillfull experienced Soule▪ physitions, or one or other comfortable imploiment.

7. Settle in thy heart, a peremptory, impregnable resolution, never to entertaine any conceit of that great Majes…y and glory above; of the most holy and everblessed Trinity▪ or any thing there-about; but such onelyonly as is revealed▪ and represented unto thee in Gods Booke. Whatsoever is objected by carnall reason to the contrary; or injected by the Divell, any wayes to p. 551deprave the divinenesse of that glorious Truth, ought to bee rejected as cursed, false, and execrable. And therefore, when that hellish Nimrod shall at any time hunt, and chase thine affrighted soule, with these blasphemous Hell-hounds; bee sure ever to take Sanctuary in the Oracles of God, and keepe thee close and safe under this Covert. Whatsoever is not comprehended within the Confines of that sacred Pale; warranted by holy Writ, the soveraigne Touch-stone of all heavenly Truth; let it bee abhorred, and retorted as dung upon the face of the Tempter. That sense and apprehension of the Deity, and divine things, which is not suckt from the brests of the two Testaments, is in this regard to bee reputed ranke poyson; repelled, and abominated with infinite indignation and disdaine. And for further helpe herein, when thou findest thy selfe thus followed with the violent, and incessant incursions of this furious folly; call often, and seriously to minde, that accursed brand, which the Booke of God hath set upon the Adversary,Ioh. 8.44.John 8:44 that hee is the Father of lies; and let that still continue a more resolute rejection and contempt, of whatsoever comes from him. Suppose a raging Bedlam should follow thee up and downe, all the day long, and tell thee, that thy father, or speciall friend, were a Stone, a Bird, a Tree, a Toade, or whatsoever is viler, or more absurd: would'st thou hereupon entertaine, and harbour in thy minde, any mis impression, or monstrous perswasion of the party? I trow not: (onelyonly his senselesse clamour, and restlesse raving would be very …kesome, troublesome, and un-welcome) especially sith thou art furnished with a cleare demonstrative light out of naturall Philosophy, that hee is a reasonable Creature; and thy selfe sees in him, the face and favour, the shape and proportion of a Man. Proportionably, Satan, that bloody Bedlam of Hell, out of that madnes, at which Heaven and Earth may stand amazed, solicites thee to admit such, and such horrible and p. 552hideous conceits of thy dearest Lord, his Sonne, and sacred Word. (Ah cursed Fiend, that ever thou shouldest discover such prodigious malice against thy glorious Maker!) Now God infinitely forbid, that this should cause the least alteration, or any diminution at all, of thy lowliest, most reverent, adoring, and divinest thoughts of so great a God. For have but recourse to the holy Records of all sound, supernaturall, and saving knowledge; I meane, the Word of life, with which thou oughtest to consult; and to which onelyonly thou art confind in this Case; and thou shalt finde him to bee, aaArticles of Religion, Art. 1.OnelyOnly, bbExod. 2….3. Deut. 6.4. Psal. 18.3…. Mal. 2.10. 1. Cor. 8.4.Exod 2:3Deut 6:4Ps 18:3Mal 2:101 Cor 8:4one ccPsalm. 84.2. 2. Cor. 6.16.Ps 84:22 Cor 6:16living and dd2. Chro. 15.3. Ier. 10 10. Ioh. 17.3. 1. Thes. 1.9.2 Chr 15:3Jer 10:10John 17:31 Thess 1:9true God, eePsalm. 102.24.26.27. Da…. 6▪26.Ps 102:24Ps 102:26Ps 102:27everlasting, ffPsal. 104.1, &c. Ioh. 4.24. 2. Cor. 3.17. 1. Sam. 15.29. Hos. 11.9.Ps 104:1John 4:242 Cor 3:171 Sam 15:29Hos 11:9without body, parts or passions; ggEzeck. 10.5. 2. Cor. 6.18. Revel. 11.17.2 Cor 6:18Rev 11:17of infinite power, hh1. Tim. 1.17. Rom. 16.27. Psal. 147 5.1 Tim 1:17Rom 16:27Ps 147:5wisdome and iiPsal. 106.1. & 107.1.Ps 106:1Ps 107:1goodn…sse; the maker and preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unitie of this Godhead there to bee three persons, of one substance, power and eternity, the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost: And besides, thou kkBy his owne Word, and by this visible World, is God perceived of men; which is also the vnderstood langvage of the Allmighty, vouchsafed to all his Creatures; whose Hieroglyphicall Characters, are the un-numbred Starres, the Sun and Moone, written on these large Volumes of the Firmament: written also on the Earth and the Seas, by the letters of all those living Creatures, and Plants, which inhabit, and …eside therein. Raw▪ Hist. of the World, Lib. 1. cap. 1.mayst graspe, as it were, and feele betweene thy fingers, as they say, even in every Creature, His greatnesse and goodnesse, Majesty and might, power and providence. In the glorious Lights of heaven, saith a noble Writer, wee perceive a shaddow of his divine countenance; in his provision for all that live, his manifold goodnesse: And lastly, in creating, and making existent the World universall, by the absolute Art of his owne Word, his power, and Almightiness…; which Power, Light, Vertue, Wisdome, and Goodnesse▪ being al… but Attributes of one simple Essence, and one God, wee in all admire, and in part discerne per speculum creaturarum, that is in the disposition, order, and variety of Celestiall and Terrestriall bodies: Terrestriall in their strange, and manifold diversities; Celestiall in their beauty and magnitude; which in their continuall, and contrary motions, are neither repugnant, intermixt, or confounded. By p. 553these potent effects, wee approach to the knowledge of the Omnipotent cause, and by these motions, their Almighty mover. Whensoever therefore that most implacable, and everlasting enemy to Gods glory, and the good of his Children, shal go about to pervert, and crosse by his blasphemous injections, these sober and sacred conceptions of the thrice glorious, & ever-blessed Deity; planted in thy minde, by his owne Word, and this visible World; bid him, by the example of thy Lord and Master, avoide and avant; trample upon his hellish spite; appeale unto Gods righteous Throne, with protestation of thine innocency; damning them unto the Pit of Hell in thy Iudgement; and hating them, not without horrour, from the very heart-roote; and so truly resisting them, crying mightily unto God for pardon, wherein soever thou shalt faile about them; and for power against them; and then possesse thy humble soule in patience and peace.

8. Being humbled by them, making an holy use of them; perusing, and applying the considerations and counsels in hand, for comfort in them, and conquest over them; doe not by any meanes continue to afflict and torture thy spirit about them. aaIntendant quoque pusillanimes scrupulosi, quòd inimicus humani generis, cùm impugnat hominem stercoribus turpissimarum cogitationum, veluti in obsidione urbium vel castrorum fieri consuevit cum stercoribus cloacarum; aut …ùm terret repentino strepitu quempiam, vel horrorem immitt…t, quasi inopinatè, prout similitor Bombardarum to…ruo impugnatores munitionum agere consuever…nt: & quemadmodum ioculatores & tr…fatores pueris horrorem inus…at is suis gestibus incutere novêrunt: Intendant inquam, quòd talia non curent, neque mul…um, cum his litigent, sed potiùs irrideant; dicentes cum illo Patre in vitis Patrum, in talibus experto: Immunditia tua super te Daemon: Dominus mihi adi…tor, non te tim…bo. Quia enim, immundus spiritus es, immundi…ia opus tuum est. Item terrores tuos non timeo, qu…a …um, qui ventur…s est iudicare vivos & mortuos, & seculumper ignem, Defensorem hab…o. G…rs. Remed. …ontr. pusill. Si autem nec sic, infernales tales mus…ae pungitivae pacem permiserint; optimum remedium est, ut homo nihil de eis ampliùs curet, sed sub divina confiden…iâ patie…iam habeat, & sit securus, quòd non ei nocebunt. Idem de modo se h…ben. Cont. Mal. … Frequentèr hae cogitationes meliùs vincuntur, si eas nihili pendimus, aut cu…amus, sed alijs in rebus occupamus animum, quàm si eas vinitamur propellere. Idem de diver. Tentat.Let them now passe away, and bee packing; abandon them with an holy p. 554detestation, contempt, and slighting, without any such dismayednesse and terrour; as most unworthy of any longer taking to heart, or notice of: much lesse of that carking and trouble, as to terrifie, in-dispose, & dis-able thee for a chearefull discharge of either of thy Callings, particular, or generall; Divines hold even godly sorrow unseasonable, when it unfitteth the body or minde to good duties; or to a good, and chearefull manner of doing them; how much more would they not have these hellish distractions and intrusions to dishearten thee in this kinde? But least of all, of that pestilent prevailing, as to fill thine heart with extraordinary astonishment, horrour and doubting; whether such monstrous injections bee incident to sanctified soules, a saving state, and habitation of the holy-Ghost; and so to put thee into a habit of heavy walking, and secret sadnesse, by reason of continuall questioning the soundnesse of thy conversion; the constancy of Gods love unto thee; former assurance of an immortall Crowne; and whether it bee possible, that Iesus Christ should dwell in a soule hanted with such horrible thoughts. Procurement of which miseries & molestations, is the Adversaries only aime. For so immesurably malicious is He, that if he cannot plunge thee into the pit of hell▪ and everlasting flames in the World to come; ppEst autem h…ec sors sanctorum, ut no… is in singula mom…nta tentatto…ibus exerceant…r: neque illis i…ducias long…s permittit Satan, qui ex nostra perditione maximum vul…ptatem capere …nsu… vit. Et quamvis non ign…r…t, …cclorum finem omninò everti non pusse, iucundum …amen illi est, si …os aliquá ex parte t…rreri & labascere videat. Gvalt. in Luc. cap. 8 hom. 84.Luke 8yet will be labour might and maine, to keep thee upon the Rack; and in as much terrour, as hee can possibly, all thy life long, in this vale of teares. Suffer then this advise to sinke seriously into thy heart: Being illightned, rightly informed, and directed about them, let them no longer astonish thy spirit; detaine thee in horrour; hurt thy heart, or hinder thee in any duty to God or man; or in an humble, comfortable, and confident walking with thy God, as thou art woont; or of thy former sweet communion with Iesus Christ. And the rather because; First, It is the Tempters earnest end, only out of pure spite, to put this imposture, and unnecessary vexing perplexities upon p. 555thee. Secondly, The more thou art troubled with them, and takes them to heart (for that is it hee would have), the more violently and villanously, will he presse them upon thee, and terrifie. Thirdly, They are not thine, but his fearefull sinnes; Hee alone must answer for them, at that great and last Day, and thou goe free. It is his malicious madnesse, of such a prodigious nature, and notoriousnesse, as is beyond conceit, and above all admiration: onelyonly fit for a Divell: That Hee may trouble thee temporally, Hee mightily aggravates his owne eternall torment!

In a second place, let mee tender unto thee an Antidote; which hath been found soveraigne, and succesfull this way.

The summe of it is this: Let the tempted Christian labour to worke, and extract, by the blessings of God, some spirituall good, out of the horrible hell of these most hatefull, abominable, blasphemous suggestions. And if Satan once see, that thou s…cks honey out of his poyson; comfort out of his cruelty; medicine out of his malice: hee will have no heart, or hope to goe on; no courage or contentment to continue the temptation.

Take it in the sense, if not in the same wordes, without any variation, or enlargement, as it was applied and prosper'd:

Spitefull and malicious Fiend; cursed enemie to heaven and earth; by the mercies of God (hough thy purpose be most pestilent) yet thou shalt not hurt, or have any advantage against mee hereby: Thy base and dunghill injections tending to the dishonour of my God, and my Christ, &c. shall make mee:

1. More hate thine infinitely hatefull, and revengefull malice, against that thrice-glorious, and ever-blessed Majesty above.

2. With more feeling and dearenesse, to adore, and love the glory and sweetnesse of my God, and my Redeemer. For the more excessive and endlesse, I feele p. 556thy spite against Him▪ the more, I know, is his incomprehensible excellency and worth.

3. To pray oftner, and more fervently, that my God would rebuke thee, and cast this extreme malice of thine, as dung, upon thine owne face.

4. To bee still more humbled under the hand of my mighty Lord; because I cannot bee more humbled, and with more resolution and abhorrence, abominate, and abandon such prodigiously-senselesse, and hellish blasphemies of His (for I am sure they are none of mine) into the bottomlesse bottome of that darkest Dungeon: In the blackest horrour whereof, they were most maliciously, and monstrously hatched.

5. To take up a strong argument, and answer, against an other of thy cursed injections, tending to Atheisme, and the not Being of those endlesse joies above. Because I most plainely and palpably, feele thee, an invisible spirit, casting into my imagination such horrid, absurd, and ridiculously impious thoughts; which cannot possibly spring ordinarily, or naturally from any power, or possibilitie of mine own soule: I know qqIf your Atheist will not believe his owne eyes, beholding the strange judgements of God in others; but will rather give his owne senses the lie, then acknowledge the truth of the Godhead: let him but by some injurious deed, or contumelious word, provoke some Witch of Endor; that hath the temporary power over some Spirit, upon condition, that hee shall have eternall power over her; and it is like enough (hee being voyd of all faith, and sense of God, and so out of his protection) that hee shall feele to his cost, and conf…sse to his shame, that there is a power over, and besides the ordinary course of nature. Gent. Indeed these Atheists that deny God doe also deny, that there is either Divell or Angell; and I thinke will confosse them all, as soone, as any one. Morton of the nature of God, cap 1 pag. 34. I quote this onelyonly, to inferre, that when Satan doth thus clea…ly …s…over himselfely accident and consequent, hee banishes all thoughts of Atheisme: or offers at least, to any understanding Man, an evident argument against it.thereby, and assure my self, that there is also an infinite, most wise, and glorious Spirit, which created both me and thee: And will in due time chaine Thee up for ever, in the Pit of Hell; and bring mee at length, by the blessed merit of his only dearest Sonnes bloodshed, into the bosome of his owne glory, and everlasting blisse.

6. To confirme mine owne heart, with stronger rrCum cogitatio huiusmodi mala, horrenda, grossa, t…pis & nefaria importune occurrerit; non terreatur, nec triftetur persona devota proptereà nimiùm; neque credat se propter talem à Deo derelictum — sed maiorem siduciam se pertinendi ad Deum, inde accipiat. Gers. de mod. se habendi contr. mal. immis. Quidam putant se esse desertos à Deo, quia non dat eis quietem à tentationibus: quùm potiùs tentatio signum divini amoris sit. Multiplicatio tentationum signum est, quòd aliquis de manibus Daemonum evaserit. Dum aliquit est in carcere, unicum habet custodem, vel duos: si verò evaserit, omnes eum insequuntur. Sic dum aliquis captus est à Diabolo, non tantùm eum daemones per sequuntur, quantùm, quum ovaserit. Gregor. Quis pertinens ad Christum non varijs tentationibus agitatur, & quotidiè agit cum illo Diabolus & Angeli eius, ut pervertatur qualibet cupiditate, qualibet suggestione; aut promissione lucri, vel terrore damni vel promissione vitae, vel terrore morti…, aut alicuius Potentis inimicitijs, aut alicuìus Potentis amicitijs? Omnibus modis instat Diabolus, quemadmodum deijciat. August. in Psal. 62. Hostis noster adhuc in hac vitâ nos positos, quantò magis nos sibi rebellare conspicit, tantò amplius expugnare contendit. Eos enim pulsare negligit, quos quieto iure possiderese sentit. Contra nos verò eò vehementiùs incitatur, quò ex corde nostro qu…si exiure propriae habitationis expellitur. Hoc enim Dominus sub quadam dispensatione sig… guravit, qui Diabolum non nifi post Baptisma se tentare permisit: ut signum nobis quoddam futurae conversionis innueret, quòd mombra eius post quam ad Deum proficerent, tunc àcriores tentationū insidias toleranent. Post primā igitur vicem moeroris at que laetitiae, quam unusquisque per studium conversionis agnoscit, haec secunda suboritur: quia ne securitatis negligentiâ dissolvatur, impulsu tentationis efficitur. Et quidem quisque in ipso conversionis init…o magnâ plerùnque excipitur dulcedine consolationis, sed durum laborem post modùm experitur probationis Gregor. in cap. 33. Iob. Ex quâ re nobis factus est adversarius Diabolus, nisi ex hac, quia videt hiberos, quos tenebat antè captivos: quia videt sanos, quos suis iaculis prostraverat valneratos; qui videt vestiri dennò immortalitate, quos nudaverat propinando iniquitatem, quia Muscipulâ eius comminutâ & nos eruti sumus? August. De symb. ad Catechum. lib. 2. cap. 1.Ps 62assurance, p. 557(which is no meane benefit) that I undoubtedly belong unto God, and am in a gracious state. For thou well knowest, and so doth mine owne Soule; that thou never troubledst me (to any purpose) with these ougly blasphemous thoughts, while I yet lay starke dead in sinnes and trespasses; and drown'd full deepe in vanity and lust; in carnall loosenesse, and sensuall courses. Then thou being the strong Man, possessedst mee wholly, and all was quiet; because all was thine: But being now happily rescued out of thy clutches, by a mightier then Thou; and having blessedly broke the Prison by the helpe of the holy Ghost; Thou followes mee with this fierie malice, and the most prodigious yellings of that infernall pit. And I am perswaded, it is a pestilent peece of thy deepest cunning; very rarely to vexe civill worldlings; those that lie in any grosse sinne; or any, which thou keepest fast, and secure in thy snares, with such affrighting and greisely temptations. For thou craftily feares, lest striking that horror into the heart of a naturall man, which is woont to arise from such hellish fogs, and blasphemous filth; thou shouldest thereby p. 558give him occasion, to renounce, detest, and drive him out of thine accursed slavery, and cause him to cast about for a new Master.

7. To take notice of some speciall corruption, lust, passion, or spirituall distemper in one kinde or other; over which I have not holden that hand, hatred, wakefull eie, as it were meete. For I am perswaded, my God out of his mercifull goodnesse, aimes at, and intends some such good unto my soule, by enlarging thy chaine; and suffering thee at this time to afflict mee in this vncouth manner, with this hell-empoison'd dart, somthing extraordinarily. I have not been so sensible of thy other temptations, farre more ensnaring in sinne, tho not so terrifying; and therefore my gracious Lord may suffer thee at this time, thus to thrust out thy hornes, as they say, in this most horrible, and outragious encounter; that I may bee throughly advertised, what an Adversary I have; and so, more minde, and marke him, for feare of much secret and suddaine mischiefe, by my security and neglect; and more quickned to an universall watchfulnesse against all his Methods, Devises, and Depths; as well his subtile, and slie insinuations in the glory of an Angell; as his impetuous, and furious assaults in the shape of a foule Fiend. Some trouble, crosse, heavie accident, disgrace, discontentment; some great and waighty affaire on foote, vnseasonable entertainements, sad newes from abroad, or something hath too often stolne my heart from that full and fruitfull attention to holy duties, which was due, and that even vponupon the Lords day: And I can now remember, and my conscience tells mee, vponupon this occasion, that I have not watched over the many idle, impertinent wandrings, and vagaries of my imagination, as I ought; but given so farre way vntounto them, that they have justly brought upon mee an uncomfortable deadnesse of affection, barrennesse and indisposition, in the use of the ordinances; and conversing with God by Meditation, p. 559Prayer, hearing of the Word, singing of Psalmes, examination of the Conscience, and other religious Exercises; and I know not, into what further spirituall miserie they may leade mee; and therefore in great mercy the most wise God goes now graciously about, to correct, and mortifie the vanity, worldlinesse, distractions, and mis-imploiment of my thoughts; even by the terrours of these thy most horrible, and hellish injections. And by the helpe of God, I will follow the meaning, and conduct of his holy Hand for a right use of them, and attaining that happy end, which hee doth so mercifully intend.

8. To gather skill, experience, and dexterity, for the raising, and reviving of others hereafter, hanging down the head, heavie-hearted, and maliciously haunted in the same kinde. By discovering unto them thy bootelesse malice, the soveraigne medicines I have met with in the Ministry of the Word; and the good I gained to my soule hereby; By the helpe of that Almighty hand, which can turne the darkest mid-night into the brightest morning, and produce a Medicinable Potion out of the rankest poison.

Me thinks this heaven, which by divine blessing, I extract out of thy hell; this healing vertue, which I draw from thy vilest venome; this spirituall good, which I gather from thy divelish spite, should make thee weary of this way, and pull in thy hornes. I trust in my God, it will shortly cause thee to cast away this weapon, and quit the field quite. For thou ever infinitely hatest, and hinders all thou canst, the glory of God, all exercise and increase of grace, and the welfare of my poore soule; which by accident, and his sanctifying power, who ever turnes all things to the best, to them that love Him, are all happily advanced, furthered, and enlarged by this raging, and pestilent rancour of thine.

And who would not thinke,Quod ad Sanctorum gloriam proficit, malignis spiritibus crescit in damnationis augmentum. —De omni quidem malitia suâ Daemones in aternâ poenâ …unientur. In congressione quidem occulti certaminis, quando electi vincunt mala, quae repellunt, suis hostibus tribuunt: Quia isti tanquam aurum in fornace probantur, illi verò pro reprobâ suggestione puniuntur. Greg. in 1. Reg. cap. 9.1 Kgs 9 were not the incredible depth of thy malice and madnesse, equally unfathomable p. 560by the wit of Man; But that thou shouldest the rather surcease; because these Satanicall suggestions, to mee, that resists, are but crosses and corrections; but in thee, most outragious and execrable blasphemies; which will mightily hereafter adde to the heavinesse and horrour of thine everlasting chaines of darkenesse and damnation, at the iudgement of the great Day.

FINIS.

End of the text · Robert Bolton, Comforting Afflicted Consciences (1631)