The Cause and Cure of a Wounded Conscience, Dialogue 5
V. Dialogue. Soveraign uses to be made of the torment of a wounded conscience.
Tim.
SEeing the torture of a wounded conscience is so great, what use is to be made thereof?
Phil.
Very much. And first, it may make men sensible of the intollerable paine in Hell fire. If the mouth of the fiery Fornace into which the children were cast, was so hot, that it burnt those which approached it, how hot was the Fornace it selfe? If a wounded conscience, the suburbs of Hell, be so painfull, oh how extreame is that place, where the worme never dyeth, and the fire is never quenched?
Tim.
Did our roaring Boyes (as they call them) but seriously consider this, they would not wish GOD DAMNE THEM, and GOD CONFOUND THEM so frequently as they doe.
Phil.
No verily: I read in Theodoret of the ancient Donatists, that they were so ambitious of Martyrdome, (as they accounted it) that many of them meeting with a young Gentleman requested of him, that he would be pleased to kill them. He, to confute their folly, condescended to their desire, on condition, that first they would be contented, to be all fast bound: which being done, accordingly he took order that they were all soundly whipt, but saved their lives. In application: When I heare such Riotous youths wish that God would Damne or Confound them, I hope God will be more mercifull, then to take them at their words, and to grant them their wish; only I heartily desire that he would be pleased, sharply to scourge them, and soundly to lash them with the frights & terrours of a wounded conscience. And I doubt not, but that they would so ill like the paine thereof, that they would revoke their wishes, as having little list, and lesse delight to taste of hell hereafter.
Tim.
What other use is to be made of the paine of a wounded Conscience?
Phil.
To teach us seasonably to prevent, what we cannot possibly endure. Let us shunne the smallest sinne, lest if we slight and neglect it, it by degrees fester and gangrene into a wounded conscience. One of the bravest*Sir Tho. Norris, President of Munster, ex levi vul…ere neglecto sublatus. Cambdens Elizab. An. 1641. spirits that ever England bred, or Ireland buried, lost his life by a light hurt neglected; as if it had beene beneath his high minde to stoop to the dressing thereof, till it was too late. Let us take heed the stoutest of us be not so served in our Soules. If we repent not presently of our sinnes committed, but carelesly contemne them, a scratch may quickly prove an Ulcer; the rather, because the flesh of our minde, if I may so use the Metaphor, is hard to heale full of cholerick & corrupt humors, and very ready to rancle.
Tim.
What else may we gather for our instruction from the torture of a troubled mind?
Phil.
To confute their cruelty, who out of sport or spight, willingly and wittingly wound weak consciences; like those uncharitable*1 Cor. 8. 12. Corinthians, who so far improve their liberty in things indifferent, as thereby to wound the consciences of their weake brethren.
Tim.
Are not those Ministers too blame, who, mistaking their message, instead of bringing the Gospell of Peace, fright people with Legall terrours into despaire?
Phil.
I cannot commend their discretion, yet will not condemn their intention herein. No doubt their d…sire and designe is pious, though they erre in the pursuite and prosecution thereof, casting down them whom they cannot raise, and conjuring up the Spirit of Bondage which they cannot allay againe: Wherefore it is our wisest way, to interweave promises with threatnings, and not to leave open a pit of despaire, but to cover it again with comfort.
Tim.
Remaineth there not as yet, another use of this poi…t?
Phil.
Y…s, to teach us to pitty and pray for those that have afflicted Consciences, not like the wicked,*…sa'. 69. 26. who persecute those whom God hath smitten, and talke to the griefe of such whom he hath wounded.
Tim.
Yet Eli was a good man, who notwithstanding censured *1 Sam. 1. 13. 14.Hannah, a woman of a sorrowfull spirit, to be drunke with Wine.
Phil.
Imitate not Eli in committing, but amending his fault. Indeed his dimme eyes could see drunkennes in Hannah where it was not, & could not see Sacriledge & Adultery in his own Sonnes, where they were. Thus those who are most indulgent to their owne, are most censorious of others. But Eli afterwards perceiving his Errour, turned tho condemning of Ha…nah into praying for her. In like manner, if in our passion we have prejudiced, or injur'd any wounded Consciences, in cold blood let us make them the best amends and reparation.