Comfort and Counsel for Dejected Souls, Section 2 · Chapter 16
CHAP. 16.
Cure for Soules caſt downe by falls into ſinne.
THe ſecond cauſe of Spirituall dejection was (as I mentioned) falls into ſinne: This caſts down the ſoule, that the remainders of corruption doe not only worke, but that ſometimes they prevaile; ſometimes the ſoule is actually overtaken with ſinne, and falls it may be, into ſome foule fact; now this cauſeth caſting downe: to cure which,Cauſe. I ſhall ſpeake ſomething in particular, when I have premiſed this one thing in generall, viz.
It muſt be confeſſed it is ſad to fall into ſinne; Sadneſſe.After the ſoule hath been in Chriſts armes, to fall into the pits of Satan (for ſo ſins are) muſt needs goe to its heart; indeed it goes to Chriſts: He is offended really, and mightily, that any ſoules who have taſted his grace, in pardoning paſt ſins, and knowen that ſuch a pardon coſt his bloud; I ſay, he is offended, that ſuch ſhould afterward commit, or fall into any ſinne, but yet, all things weighed, there may be much, yea and enough ſaid to cure and comfort a ſoule dejected, becauſe of falls into ſin after grace. As,
Firſt, Such a thing (as this) is conſiſtent with grace. This is that which cauſeth the dejection of ſuch ſoules as fall into ſinne,Cure. that they are thereby drawne to doubt the truth of their grace; for ſay they, ſurely had we been ever really and ſtrongly wrought upon, wee could never have failen into ſuch and ſuch ſins.
But yet, theſe ſoules ſhould doe well to remember, that Sampſon fell againe, and againe into the ſame ſinne of wantouneſſe, See Judg. 14.3. & 15.20. & 16.1.and yet he is in the Catalogue of the children of Abraham, and reckoned up amongſt the worthy beleevers (Heb. 11.) Its the opinion of many holy, and wiſe perſons, that David fell more then once into the ſinne of lying; and that therefore he prayed to be kept from the way of it, Pſal. 119.29. I mention not this to countenance (much leſſe to incourage) preſumptuous deſperate ſinners, but only to cure perplexed and dejected Saints; ye are deceived (O ye dejected ſoules!) if you thinke your falls into ſinne be inconſiſtent with grace.
Secondly, Conſider, falls into ſinne are not falls from ſalvation; The Covenant of Grace is not made null by thy fall (O caſt-downe ſoule!) though Iſrael have played the Harlot, yet Chriſt remaines a Husband. Jer. 3.1.1.14.God did expreſly ſay, though thy children ſinne, and though I viſite their ſinnes with a rod, yet my Covenant will I not breake, Pſal. 89. Peradventure (O ſoule) thou art caſt downe, as thinking thy fall into ſinne hath cut off the band of the Covenant, but thou art miſtaken. Yea,
Thirdly, There is a ſpeciall ſalve prepared for this ſore, a particular cure for this cauſe of dejection, viz. Promiſes of pardon after falls into ſinne; ILE HEALE BACK-SLIDINGS, Hoſ. 14.3. Surely that ſuppoſeth falls into ſinne after grace (for what elſe is backſliding?) and that directly propoſeth pardon, and healing to ſuch ſoules. Returne yee backſliding children, and I will heale your backſlidings, Jer. 3.22. Marke (O dejected ſoule) Chriſt calleth thee to returne, and he ſpeakes to thee as to a Childe ſtill (notwithſtanding thy falls into ſinne) therefore be thou adviſed to ariſe, and to goe to him, urge him with his promiſe, and hee'l make it good: Neither is this my advice, but the advice of the Lord. Heare him in Hoſ. 14. O Iſrael, returne unto the Lord thy God (marke it, thy God ſtill) for thou haſt fallen (ſee ſoule how he points at thy ſtate) by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turne to the Lord, and ſay unto him; Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciouſly.
Riſe up therefore and obey this command, and counſell, and certainly in this caſe thou wilt finde cure and comfort.