A treatise on comforting afflicted consciences - The Digital Puritan

AFFLICTED CONSCIENCES. 337even his own glorious, merciful, and almighty self. Seethis in the beginning of the third chapter of the Canticles.At the latter end of chap, ii, the Christian soul is sweetlycrowned with a glorious overflowing confluence of allspiritual consolations, rapt extraordinarily with unutterableand joyful ravishment of spirit upon the nearer embracementof her dearest spouse, and more sensible graspingof refreshing graces. She lies so peacefully in his armsof mercy, and under the banner of his love, that shesweetly sings unto herself, " My beloved is mine, and I amhis." But in the beginning of the third (for the days ofGod's child, after conversion, are like the days of theyear; some fair and shining, some tempestuous and cloudy ;some happy with heavenly honey dews, as it were, of unspeakablejoy and inconceivable peace, others more dismaland disastrous, if I may so speak, for want of an amiableaspect from the throne of grace); I say, a little after, {thecase is fearfully altered with her : for she lies strugglingand distressed in the irksome and comfortless desolations ofa spiritual desertion. Her spouse is gone, the very heartand life, all her lightsomeness in this world and in the worldto come No sense now of the "savour of his good ointments;" no feeling of the assurance of his favour ; nothingleft of all that former heaven, but only a sad and wofulheart, which had been happy. In this rueful case, shecasts about for recovery of her wonted comfort ; assaysthose means which were accustomed to convey unto herwith joy fresh streams and strength from time to time "outof the wells of salvation."First. She seeks her spouse and former refreshings ofspirit by secret prayer, meditation, experimental considerations,calling to mind former assurances of his love, reflectingupon the footsteps of a saving work, unfeigned changeand sweet communion with him aforetime, and other silent«elf-inquisitions and inward exercises of the heart. " Butshe found him not." (ver. 1.)Secondly. She inquires abroad, and hath recourse untogodly Christians, especially such as have been most exercisedand best acquainted with trials, temptations, andmysteries of the holy way ; to see if she can get any comfort,any new hold and hope by their counsel, prayers, instructionsout of their own experience (for in such casesGod's children may and ought to confess their sins andGod's dealing with them one unto another, and pray onefor another). But she finds none (ver. 2).Thirdly. She addresses herself and resorts to faithfulministers, God's public agents in the church, about the2 G