great and grievous, that he is like the Israelites* in Egypt, who hearkened not to Moses, for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. Now as those who have meat before them, and will not eat, deserve to starve without pity: so such are much to be bemoaned, who through some impediment in their mouth, throat, or stomach, cannot chew, swallow, or digest comfort presented unto them. TIM. Such is my condition, what then is to be done unto me? PHIL. I must change my precepts to thee into prayers for thee, that God would satisfy thee early with his mercy, that thou mayst rejoice. + Ministers may endeavour it in vain: whilst they quell one scruple, they start another; whilst they fill one corner of a wounded conscience with comfort, another is empty. Only God can so satisfy the soul, that each chink and cranny therein shall be filled with spiritual joy. TIM. What is the difference betwixt God's and man's speaking peace to a troubled spirit? PHIL. Man can neither make him to whom he speaks, to hear what he says, or believe what he hears. God speaks with authority, and doth both. His words give hearing to the deaf, and faith to the infidel. When, not the mother of Christ, but Christ himself, shall salute a sick soul with Peace be unto thee, it will leap for joy, as John the babe sprang, though imprisoned in the dark womb of his mother. Thus the offender is not comforted, though many of the spectators, and under officers tell him he shall be pardoned, until he hears the same from the mouth of the judge himself who hath power and place to forgive him; and then his heart revives with comfort. TIM. God send me such comfort: in the mean time, I am thankful unto you for the answers you have given me. PHIL. All that I will add is this. The Lacedemonians had a law, that if a bad man, or one disesteemed of the people, chanced to give good counsel, he was to stand by, and another, against whose person the people had no prejudice, was to speak over the same words, which the former had uttered. I am most sensible to myself of my own wickedness, and how justly I am subject to exception. Only my prayer shall be, that whilst I stand by, and am silent, God's Spirit, which is free from any fault, and full of all perfection, would be pleased to repeat in thy heart, the self-same answers I have given to your objections: and then, what was weak, shallow, and unsatisfying, as it came from my mouth, shall and will be full, powerful, and satisfactory, as re-inforced in thee by God's Spirit. DIALOGUE XII. Means to be used by wounded Consciences, for the recovering of Comfort. A TIMOTHEUS. RE there any useful means to be prescribed, whereby wounded consciences may recover comfort the sooner? PHIL. Yes, there are. TIM. But now in the present day, some condemn all using of means. Let grace alone (say they) fully and freely do its own work: and thereby man's mind will in due time return to a good temper of its own accord: this is the most spiritual serving of God, whilst using of means makes but dunces and truants in Christ's school. PHIL. What they pretend spiritual will prove airy and empty, making lewd and lazy Christians : means may and must be used with these cautions. 1. That they be of God's appointment in his word, and not of man's mere invention. 2. That we still remember they are but means, and not the main. For to account of helps more than helps is the highway to make them hinderances. Lastly, that none rely barely on the deed done; which conceit will undo him that did it, especially if any opinion of merit be affixed therein. TIM. What is the first means I must use; for I re-assume to personate a wounded conscience? PHIL. Constantly pray to God, that in his due time he would speak peace unto thee. TIм. My prayers are better omitted than performed: they are so weak they will but bring the greater punishment upon me, and involve me within the prophet's curse, to those that do the work of the Lord negligently. * PHIL. Prayers negligently performed draw a curse, but not prayers weakly performed. The former is when one can do better, and will not; the latter is, when one would do better, but alas he cannot and such failings as they are his sins, so they are his sorrows also: pray therefore faintly, that thou mayest pray fervently; pray weakly, that thou mayest pray strongly. TIM. But in the law they were forbidden to offer to God any lame † sacrifice, and such are my prayers. PHIL. 1. Observe a great difference betwixt the material sacrifice under the law and spiritual sacrifices (the calves of the lips) under the Gospel. The former were to be free from all blemish, because they did typify and resemble Christ himself. The latter (not figuratively representing Christ, but heartily presented unto him) must be as good as may be gotten, though many imperfections will cleave to our best performances, which by God's mercy are forgiven. 2. Know that, that in Scripture is accounted lame which is counterfeit, and dissembling, (in which sense hypocrites are properly called halters) and therefore if thy prayer though never so weak, be sound, and sincere, it is acceptable with God. * Jer. xlviii..10. Deut. xv. 21. 1 Kings xviii. 21. TIM. What other counsel do you prescribe me? PHIL. Be diligent in reading the word of God, wherein all comfort is contained; say not that thou art dumpish and indisposed to read, but remember how travellers must eat against their stomach; their journey will digest it; and though their palate find no pleasure for the present, their whole body will feel strength for the future. Thou hast a great journey to go, a wounded conscience has far to travel to find comfort, (and though weary, shall be welcome at his journey's end) and therefore must feed on God's word, even against his own dull disposition, and shall afterwards reap benefit thereby. TIM. Proceed in your appointing of wholesome diet for my wounded conscience to observe. PHIL. Avoid solitariness, and associate thyself with pious and godly company: O the blessed fruits thereof! Such as want skill or boldness to begin or set a psalm, may competently follow tune in concert with others: many houses in London have such weak walls, and are so slightly and slenderly built, that were they set alone in the fields, probably they would not stand an hour: which now ranged in streets, receive support in themselves, and mutually return it to others: so mayest thou in good society, not only be reserved from much mischief, but also be strengthened and confirmed in many godly exercises, which solely thoucouldst not perform. TIM. What else must I do? PHIL. Be industrious in thy calling: I press this the more, because some erroneously conceive |