The Cause and Cure of a Wounded Conscience, Dialogue 2
II. Dialogue. What use they are to make thereof, who neither hitherto were (nor haply hereafter spall be) visited with a wounded Conscience.
Tim.
ARe all Gods Children, either in their life or at their death, visited with a wounded Conscience?
Phil.
O no: God inviteth many, with his Golden Scepter, whom he never bruiseth with his r…d of iron. Many, neither in their conversion, nor in the sequell of their lives, have ever felt that paine in such a manner and measure, as amounteth to a wounded conscience.
Tim.
Must not the pangs in their Travell of the new-birth be painfull unto them?
Phil.
Painfull, but in different degrees. The Blessed Virgin Mary (most hold) was deliver'd without any paine; `as well may that child be borne without sorrow, which is conceived without sin. The women of Israel were sprightfull and lively, unlike the Egyptians. *Exod. 1. 19.The former favour none can have, in their spirituall travell; the latter some receive, who though other whiles tasting of legall frights and fears, yet God so *Psal. 21. 3.preventeth them with his blessings of goodnesse, that they smart not so deeply therein as other men.
Tim.
Who are those which commo…ly have such gentle usage in their conversion?
Phil.
Generally such, who never were notoriously profane, and have had the benefit of godly education from pious parents. In some Corporations, the sons of Free-men, bred under their Fathers in their Profession, may set up and exercise their Fathers Trade, without ever being bound Apprentices thereunto. Such children whose parents have been Citizens of new *Gal. 4. 26.Jerusalem, and have been bred in the mysterieEph. 2. 19. of godlinesse, oftentimes areHeb. 12. 22▪ entred into Religion without any spirit of bondage seizing upon them, a great benefit and rare blessing, where God in his goodnesse is pleased to bestow it.
Tim.
What may be the reason of Gods so different dealing with his owne Servants, that some of them are so deeply, and others not at all afflicted with a wounded conscience?
Phil.
Even so Father, because it pleaseth thee. Yet in humility these Reasons may be assigned, 1. To shew himselfe a free Agent, not confined to follow the same precedent, and to deal with all as he doth with some. 2. To render the prospect of his proceedings the more pleasant to their fight, who judiciously survey it, when they meet with so much diversity and variety therein. 3. That men being both ingorant when, and uncertaine whether or not, God will vi…it them with wounded Conciences, may wait on him with humble hearts, in the worke of their salvation, looking as the Eyes of the *Psa. 123. 2▪servants to receive Orders from the hand of their Master, but what, when, and how they know not, which quickens their daily expectations, and diligent dependance on his pleasure.
Tim.
I am one of those, whom God hitherto hath humbled with a wounded Conscience: give me some instruction for my behaviour.
Phil.
First be heartily thankfull to Gods infinite goodnesse, who hath not dealt thus with every one. Now because Repentance hath two parts, Mourning, and mending, or Humiliation, and Reformation, the more God hath abated thee, in the former, out of his Gentlenesse, the more must thou increase in the latter, out of thy Gratitude. What thy Humiliation hath wanted of other men, in the depth thereof, let thy Reformation make up in the Bredth thereof, spreading into an universall Obedience unto all Gods Commandements. Well may he expect more work to be done by thy Hands, who hath laid lesse Weight to be borne on thy Shoulders.
Tim.
What other use must I make of Gods kindnesse unto me?
Phil.
You are bound the more patiently to beare all Gods rods, poverty, sicknesse, disgrace, captivity, &c. seeing God hath freed thee from the stinging scorpion of a wounded conscience.
Tim.
How shall I demeane my selfe for the time to come?
Phil.
Be not high minded, but feare; for thou canst not infallibly inferre, That because thou hast not hitherto, hereafter thou shalt not taste of a wounded conscience.
Tim.
I will therefore for the future with continuall feare, wait for the comming thereof.
Phil.
Wait not for it with servile feare, but watch against it with constant carefulnes. There is a slavish feare to be visited with a wounded conscience, which feare is to be avoided, for it is opposite to the free spirit of Grace, derogatory to the goodnesse of God in his Gospel, destructive to spiritull joy, which we ought alwayes to have, and dangerous to the soule wrecking it with anxieties, and unworthy suspitions. Thus to feare a wounded conscience, is in part to feele it, antidating ones misery, and tormenting himselfe before the time, seeking for that he would be loth to finde: like the wicked in the *Luke 21. 26.Gospel, of whom it is said, Mens hearts failing them for feare, and looking for those things which are comming. Far be such a feare from thee, and all good Christians.
Tim.
What feare then is it, that you so lately recommended unto me?
Phil.
One consisting in the cautions avoiding of all causes and occasions of a wounded conscience, conjoyned with a confidence in Gods goodnesse, that he will either preserve us from, or protect us in the torture thereof; and if he ever sends it, will sanctifie it in us, to his Glory, and our Good. May I, you, and all Gods servants, ever have this noble feare (as I may terme it) in our hearts.