The government of the thoughts a prefatory discourse to The government of the tongue / by the author of The whole duty of man.

CHAP. XXVII. What things principally wound the Con∣science. (Book 27)

THERE are some things which Princi∣pally afflict and wound the Consci∣ence, and comes up, as the Prophet mentions, 1 Sam. 13.17. like those Philistim Spoilers, in three Companies, to destroy and drive Men into Despair: And the first Apparition and Assault, is the apprehension of God's Wrath, for some Hainous Sin committed: An In∣stance we have in Cain, having Murdered his Brother, cryed out, My Sin, or Punish∣ment is greater than I can bear, Gen. 4.13. And Judas having betray'd his Lord and Master, durst not approach to him to beg Mercy, by reason he apprehended an impla∣cable Anger in Christ.

2. IT is certain, according to the Apo∣stles saying, That the Wrath of God cometh on the Children of Disobedience, Col. 3.6. And that his Wrath is revealed from Heaven against all Vngodliness and Vnrighteousness of Men, Rom. 1.18. And that the Impenitent by their hardness of Heart, treasure up to themselves Wrath against the day of Wrath; That the••e shall be Indignation and Wrath to them that obey not the Truth, Rom. 2.5, 8. But when thou, who art of a wounded Spirit, and broken Heart, hast well considered, perhaps thou wilt find that these things are of no Con∣cernment to thee, but to those who live in Sin.

3. THE second Obstacle in wounding the Conscience, is sense of Spiritual Wants, as Hope, Faith, assurance of Salvation, the Spirit of Sanctification and Prayer. These being the Graces of the Almighty, and the Presence of his Holy Spirit in the Regenerate, may yet for the time be an hidden Treasure, an Immortal Seed under the frozen Clods, without any appearance of Life. And the truly Devout may weep and complain, like the Pe∣nitent Magdalen in the Garden, for the loss of Christ, when at the same season he is dis∣coursing with them; but they are ignorant of his Presence, John 20.14.

4. THE third Obstacle, is fear of some strong Temptations and Tryals, at which the afflicted and affrighted Conscience is Amazed, as the Disciples were when Jesus slept in the Storm, and the Ship was Over∣mastered with Waves, and ready to Travel to the bottom of the Sea, upon Death's Er∣rand, Matt. 8.24, 25. Or like St. Peter on the Water, when he beheld the rough Bil∣lows come Plowing before him, cryeth out, Save Master, we Perish, Matt. 14.30. When it evidently appears, they cannot Perish who are with Christ; nor they cannot be Safe who are without him.