The case and cure of a deserted soule, or, A treatise concerning the nature, kindes, degrees, symptomes, causes, cure of, and mistakes about spirituall desertions by Jos. Symonds ...

CHAP. XXXV. Of the state and degrees of this sad condition.

NOw I come to the sad state of the soule wanting the comforts of the Holy Ghost, God withdrawing him∣selfe in respect of that gracious effusion of his mercy, and manifestation of his love to the soule, shutting up those sweet streames of refreshment which were wont to flow.

Here I will speake of

• 1 The Case,
• 2 The Cure.

The state of a deserted and disconso∣late soule requires to consider of

• 1 The nature, of it.
• 2 Degrees, of it.
• 3 Effects, of it.
• 4 Cause, of it.

First then let us see what it is; It is an eminent and abiding uncomfortablenesse of heart towards God, or a losse of that comfort which the soule was

wont to have in God.

[unspec 1] 1 It is a losse of comfort in God: A man may have much unquietnesse,* 1.1 and yet not be in this case we speake of; dis∣comfort, except the object of it bee Gods displeasure, or departure, makes not a deserted case: A man may be af∣flicted in his spirit many waies, yet Gods wonted presence may continue: As the conscience of some sinne may cause much sadnesse, and mourning, eyther some sinne stirring, or some sinne acted may much afflict; but trouble of reluctance, or sorrow of repentance are there, and will be there where God is most pre∣sent; Paul is a patterne in the first, Romanes 7. and David in the other, Psal. 51.

The sinnes of others may disquiet: Rivers of teares runne downe mine eyes, because men keepe not thy lawes, Psal. 119. Lot, Ezra, all that have most of God, have most of these sorrowes, and these sorrowes are no miseries, but mer∣cies; there is much sweetnesse in this temper.

The troubles of the Churches, may in a

way of compassion and sympathy af∣flict, yea outward afflictions may in a naturall way paine the spirit for a time, and the soule may mourne because of its deficiencies, and poverty, wanting that compleatnesse of holinesse which it de∣sirethb 1.2, though present degrees of grace are sweet, yea, because sweete, the soule is not contented, being in a state of want, it will be in motion till it attaine the fulnesse, Philip. 3.12. but desertion imports a losse of comfort in God.

[unspec 2] 2 It is a losse of usuall comfort; as the former kinde of desertions is a losse of usuall quicknings,* 1.3 so this is a losse of u∣suall quietnesse. And as there are seasons in which God gives more of himselfe in way of quickning, then he will con∣stantly continue, so he gives comfort sometimes in such fulnesse as shall not alwaies abide;* 1.4 every day is not a feast∣ing day: Paul was taken up into the third heavens, but he came downe againe; the Sunne doth not alwaies shine in an e∣quall lustre. God sometimes gives coruscations of glory, but like lightnings

they shut in againe. As a father some∣times sends for his sonnes from schoole and makes merry with them at home, but these play times come not every day, they must to schoole againe, and live under tutors and governours till they come to full age: God opens him∣selfe much at some times.

1 In speciall approaches of the soule to him, then a man seeth and tasteth such things that hee is loth to depart, but these comforts though they come from Heaven, yet like plants that are carried out of their native soyle and climat, keepe not their sweetnesse in a constant height; a man warmeth himselfe at the fire and is refreshed, but this refresh∣ment weares off againe.

2. In times of great afflictions: the greatest comforts are usually found in sufferings, then God opens himselfe. 2 Cor. 1.4, 5. The Martyres did shine like starres in the night of persecution, and abounded most in comfort, when filled most with troubles.

3. In the Ordinances lively admini∣stred; here so much is found, that a man

saith as the Apostle, it is good to be here, yea as Iacob, This is none other but the house of God, this is the gate of Heaven, Gen. 28.17.* 1.5

4 In times of abundant sorrow and melting of heart, God often in such cases breaks in with sweet effusions of peace, as to Ephraim, Ier. 31.18, 19, 20.

5 At the time of Conversion, God often comes with extraordinary com∣fort, many (as one observeth) came to Christ in their sins and went away re∣newed; afflicted, and went away com∣forted; coming with an hell in their soules, and going away with Heaven; having a fulnesse of joy, instead of a fulnesse of feares.

I need not make farther instances, the case is cleare that comfort may fule, yet except a man lose that com∣fort which he ordinarily did enjoy, hee is not deserted.

3. It is an eminent losse:* 1.6 it is not eve∣ry cloud that makes night, but when the ayre is full of darknesse,* 1.7 when the Sun is set.

4. It is not a fit of uncomfortablenesse,

but a state; an eclipse of the Sun makes not night; hee is not a poore man that hath a present want, but hee that lives in want; every cold blast makes not winter.

Secondly,* 1.8 the degrees of this uncom∣fortable state follow to be considered: there are some nights darker than o∣thers, and some winters colder than o∣ther, and there are degrees of Gods withdrawing from the soule.

[unspec 1] 1. Degree, when his quieting pre∣sence is much abated:* 1.9

1. Not so full as hath beene;* 1.10 God seemes not so friendly, but lookes some∣what more strangely, so that the soule complaines as Iacob, I see your Father countenance that it is not towards me a before, Gen. 31.5. When the soule come to God, it findes not those enliveni•• and refreshing visions and tasts; the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of consolation that was wont to b•• filled is now but empty; the heavens a•••• not so cleere, his hopes are not so full his knowledge of his happinesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more obscured, and feares begin to ov•••• flow; the light of Gods face is darle∣ned,

and the soule is troubled.

2. Not so frequent:* 1.11 the visits of the comforting Spirit are more sel∣dome; God holds off as if hee were about to breake off from the soule; it is a griefe when a friend goeth often by us, and seldome owneth us; so it is hea∣vinesse when the soule complaines, (to use the words of Iob in another sense) Lo hee goeth by me and I see him not, he passeth on also, but I perceive him not, Iob. 9.11. Time was when the soule had good newes from Heaven every day, but now she is like the wife, who when her husband is gone far from her, heares but seldome from him: returnes are not so quick at a great distance; God is so sparing in manifestations of kindnesse, that the soule thinks it long; How long wilt thou forget me oh Lord, for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? Psal. 13.1. Is his mercy cleane gone for ever? doth his promise faile for evermore? will the Lord cast off for ever? and will hee be favourable no more? Hath GOD forgotten to bee gracious? hath hee in anger shut up

his tender mercies? Psal. 77.7, 8, 9. My soule fainteth for thy salvation, I hope in thy word, mine eyes faile for thy word, when wilt thou comfort me? Ps. 119.81, 82.

3. Not so permanent;* 1.12 God comes and goes: the day of their peace is often overcast, the comforts which did flow, ebb againe; the soule is grieved as much with Gods sudden departure, as delighted in his gracious presence; it hath not so constant health, but is well onely by fits; the soule that was as a dwelling-place to her friend, is but as an Inne now; Hee whom shee loves comes rather as a stranger and as a pas∣senger than an inhabitant, so that here you may heare the Prophets com∣plaint, Oh the hope of Israel, the Saviour therof in the time of trouble, why should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thou be as a stranger in the land, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 way faring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? Jer. 14.8. Comfort come like thin clouds that yeeld sweet show∣ers, but are soone gone; the gourd whose shade was sweet, soone withers; th•• heart is become like a cracked vessel,

which though it receive much, yet holds but little; the waters of life run out as fast as they come in.

[unspec 2] The second degree of desertion, and uncomfortablenesse,* 1.13 is when there is much quicknesse, but no quietnesse: grace lives, but peace dies; the soule is so farre happie, that it seekes what it hath lost, but herein unhappie that it finds not what it seekes; it thirsts but drinkes not, it runnes but obtaines not; holiness is in flourish, but it is the winter of comfort. David was full of holy affections, even when he was empty of consolation; when is the heart in better case then when it cals, inquires, runneth, weepeth, sigheth, cryes after God? yet in such a case a man may want all comfort: the richest ships may wander in the darke and be tossed in the storme: sometimes a father will frowne upon the best and dearest childe; the most living Christi∣an may lay himselfe out for dead, Ps. 88. Grace and peace are not linked in in∣dissoluble society, these lovers may shake hands and part. And the more a man abounds in grace, the more grievous it

is to want the comfortable presence of God; a fathers frowne and such a fa∣thers frowne, is bitter to so filiall a spirit; strangenesse to strangers is not strange, but to lovers it is grievous. But it is a lesse evill in it selfe when God is with the soule quickning it, though he doe not comfort it, then when God leaveth it in uncomfortable deadnesse; though it be more bitter to sense, yet in reason it is worse, when comfort cea∣seth, and grace sleepeth at once.

[unspec 3] 3. * 1.14 Degree: When neither comfort nor livelinesse, but a night of darknesse and wofull deadnesse covers the soule, when hope and love are both in a damp, so that a man is as farre from a holy and living state of heart, as from comfort, neither joying nor desiring, but being fallen from the height of living and joyfull converse with God; he is like the prodigall brought to another life, to feed upon huskes with swine, instead of bread in his Fathers house. Many such there are who had reviving tasts of Iesus Christ, and did rejoyce to see the streames of the well of Life sweetly

flowing, and with overflowing abun∣dantly filling the Saints and themselves with comfort, but now the tree in the midst of their paradise, is to them like the withered fig-tree, the shadow and fruit of it ceaseth, and they are misera∣ble in the losse of that which is the happinesse of those that have it, and herein their misery is so much the greater by how much they count it less. Is it not a sad thing to see a man so degenerated, that he can live without his life, and rest out of his place? that place where hee hath had such peace and such contentment? Oh here is an heavie spectacle; a man hath lost his estate and he grieves; hee hath lost his name, or health, or &c. and he grieves, but hee hath lost his God, and yet hee mournes not: he saith it is well, alas, hee is not himselfe; when the day breakes, and the Sun sends, out her beames into this darke region; when a spirit of truth and life shall brings this wandring crea∣ture home againe, and cause him to bee himselfe, then you shall see the man acting another part, alas, what amaze∣ment

will ceaze upon him? how will he melt, that is now frozen? how will hee bee afflicted to see himselfe and his case, in which, now he lieth as quiet, as Peter in his chaines? Acts 12.

[unspec 4] 4. * 1.15 Degree; when God not onely suspends his comforts, but afflicteth the soule; not only not continuing the staffe of living bread, but feeding them with the bread of sorrow and affliction, which he doth diverse waies.

1.* 1.16 By rebukes of spirit: the Spirit of God comes sometimes in a way of dis∣pleasure and chides and rebukes the soule; this David found which maketh him often cry and mourne, as the child whom his Father rebuketh; this chi∣ding is,

[unspec 1] 1. A conviction of sin, not onely of the fact, but of the sinfulnesse; God sometimes comes to set out a sin unto man, and then it is very dreadful; such a terror and astonishment ceazeth upon him by a full sight and sense of sinne, as that if there bee not a supporting hand of grace and mercy extended to him, he cannot stand under it. Sin is a strange

thing, and if God should pull off the visage of this monster, and discover ful∣ly the fearefull nature of it, it would be a but then too heavie to be borne; now then when God conceales his love and reveales guilt, it must needs be bitter: when a man seeth his inditement, but hath not his pardon, it must needs bee grievous.

[unspec 2] 2. Opening the desert of sin, and shew∣ing a man into what a gulfe he hath cast himselfe, that now in justice and in sen∣tence of Law, he stands condemned to eternall death; when the grace of the promise is obscured, and the justice of the Law lively presented, it must needs cause a man to feare much. Now saith God, see what I may doe, I may cause all thy welfare to passe away like a cloud, and bring in a deluge of woes upon thee; I might shut thee by a de∣creed banishment from my presence, and cast thee as a stone that is hurled from a sling, into hell for ever. Such words as these are heavier than moun∣taines; when the soule seeth that vast∣nesse of eternity filled with death and

sufferings, and seeth not the refuge in the Gospel, this is a great shaking to the soule.

[unspec 3] 3 By holding the eye upon these sad things, so that whithersoever a man turnes, his sinne is with him, and hell before him; the cry of sinne, and the curse of the law is ever in his eares; My sinne is ever before me, Psal. 51.3. It was also Iobs sad case, that the sinnes which he thought he had beene rid of long agoe, returned upon him, and did so cleave to him, as if they had been his possession, Thou writest bitter things a∣gainst me, and makest me to possesse the iniquities of my youth; thou puttest my feete also into the stockes, &c. Job. 13.26, 27. this is an heavy thing, when God continueth in this way of dis∣pleasure, breaking the spirit with these grievous charges.

[unspec 4] 4 By menacing outward or inward troubles, as he did to David when hee had sinned greatly against him, he told him what he would doe, how he would follow him with evills for ever, and that his posterity should rue his folly;

and when he had numbred the people, what a severe way did God take? now temporary evills, especially spirituall, are often very grievous; when God shall say I will shut up my peace, and my comforts from thee; thou rebell and ungratefull wretch, thou shalt no more see my face as thou hast done; others shall drinke but thou shalt thirst, others shall rejoyce but thou shalt mourne, I will no more meete thee as I have done, I will spare thy life, but I will not shew thee my favour all thy dayes, thou shalt live dubiously, and dye anxiously; I say, when these words are heard, what an heavy case is this? how did David even wast himselfe with grieving, when God did estrange him∣selfe? Psal. 32. Psal. 51.

But when God shall menace not one∣ly this, but hell and eternall death, this is farre more grievous; but this God doth even to his owne, and sets it on so strongly, that hee makes often their spirits to waste, and their strength to consume. David and Heman were drenched in these deepes; and how

grievous were their complaints?

2.* 1.17 By tradition of the soule.

1. Into its owne hands: the heart of a man is the greatest tyrant, and cruel∣lest monster against it selfe; it is more a divell than the divell: he needs no furies to fulfill his troubles, who is given up unto an accusing spirit;e 1.18 it hath cries, clamors, stripes, stings, wounds, deaths; it will be law, witnesse, plaintife, judge, executioner; chaines, rackes, gibbets, what not? hee hath a hell within him that is in such a case; For consider

[unspec 1] 1. The temper and nature of the soule, it is receptive of much evill and misery, and very active, and this activity is im∣proved to selfe affliction. 1. Byguilt, which is as powder to the flames, or as the windes to seas, which makes them to rage and boyle. 2. By the weapons, which the heart disquieted hath a∣gainst it selfe; an eternall God, and a just Law. 3. By unbeleefe; by which the soule is made naked to her owne blowes; a guilty conscience strikes the promise out of a mans hand, and drawes the sword and sheathes it in the

soule; it undermines all forts, and bat∣ters downe all comforts in former evi∣dences, as wals of paper; it cuts off all reliefe, and presents God unwilling to hearken to any reconcilement; and it hath also many abettors, which con∣tribute strength to make this man more bloody; as temper of body, which powers in abundance of darke and black thoughts and passions, and the Censures of others, who by their cloudy aspects, and rejecting carriages, do sharpen the sword in the hands of an unbeleeving and accusing conscience, that it may make more gastly wounds, and draw out fuller streames of blood: Thus the soule, like the man that fell into the hands of Theeves, is left halfe dead; distracting and accusing thoughts, are worse than robbers; a man may say of them, what David said of Goliahs sword, There is none like that, 1 Sam. 21.9. Here is a soare battell, when the soule like Saul, fals upon its owne sword, 1 Sam. 31.4.

[unspec 2] 2. The power of God; God hath gi∣ven to Conscience a commission to af∣flict;

God hath a hand in all things, working and ordering; hee can send Hornets into the soule, even stinging thoughts, and piercing feares. He ruleth much in mens spirits, and in these seas raiseth stormes at pleasure; though hee worke not despairing thoughts in his, yet he ordereth that unbeliefe which is in them; and as he orders the finfulnesse of mens hearts this way or that way, not being a cause of it, so hee doth in this case; yea hee doth present sin and wrath so, that the heart being left to its owne darkenesse and unbeliefe, cannot but be a cruell and active enemie against it selfe; and now as the Prophet said in that case, so it may be said to a man in this case, Oh thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thy selfe into thy scabbard, rest and be still; how can it be quiet, seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Askelon, and against the sea shoare? there hath he appointed it. Jer. 47.6, 7.

2.* 1.19 Into Satans hands: God may leave his people much to the will of Satan, as he did Iob, and he out of envie

at our happinesse, enmity against God, hatred of us, is willing to improve all his skill and power to afflict the Saints; so that a man may here take up that complaint; His troupes come together, and raise up their way against mee, and encampe round about my Tabernacle, Iob 19.12.

[unspec 5] 5. Degree: * 1.20 when to all this he adds an accumulation of other miseries; as, [unspec 1] 1. the disfavour of the Saints, this is a great cutting to an holy heart, for hee con∣strueth their favour and disfavour to be the reflexion of Gods; and inded, oftentimes God sets on his Children against such as hee is displeased with, as a Master of a family saith to his houshold, concerning a child which hee will correct for much stubborn∣nesse, shew him no countenance, eate not with him, keepe not with him; so here God saith, with such a one have no amity, no fellowship, no familiarity: it was a great griefe to Iob, and he com∣plaineth of it; Hee hath put my brethren farre from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me, my kins∣folke

have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me, they that dwell in mine house, and my maids count me for a stran∣ger, I am an aliant in their sight; I called my servant, and he gave mee no answer, I intreated him with my mouth; my breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the childrens sake of mine owne body; yea young children despised me, I arose and they spake against me; all my inward friends abhorred me, and they whom I loved are turned against me, &c. Job 19.13.20. You see sometimes, how even the nearest friends fall off with God, and when divine grace is clouded, nature it selfe is also clouded: Heman also found this evill to all his evils, Thou hast put away mine acquain∣tance farre from me, thou hast made mee an abomination to them, Psal. 88.6.

[unspec 2] 2. The losse of worldly comforts, as peace, liberty, estate, &c. this was Iobs case. Now when the soule is bereft of all comforts from heaven and from earth, it is an heavie case.

[unspec 3] 3. The losse of the meanes of grace: God may remove his Candlestick and

take away the Shew-bread, the doores of his house may be shut, or a man may bee imprisoned by sicknesse, so that the clouds above, and the springs be∣neath failing, breed sore distresse.

[unspec 6] 6. Degree: * 1.21 When all this is exten∣ded and continued, so that a man com∣plaines not of dayes, but yeares of affli∣ction; a man may lie long in this mise∣rable plight, like Paul and his company, to whom neither Sun nor Stars appeared for many daies,a 1.22 Acts 27.20. Hence come those mournefull sighings, Lord how long! will the Lord cast off for ever? will he be favourable no more, &c. How many are the dayes of thy servant, Psal. 119.84. I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up, Psal. 88.15.

There may bee much praying that God would breake these darke clouds, and shine upon the soule, a man may cry with Iob, Oh that I knew where I might finde him, that I might come even to his seat, cap. 23.3. and with the Church may call after him, yet may complaine, Behold I goe forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I can∣not

not perceive him; on the left hand, but I cannot behold him, he hideth himselfe on the right hand that I cannot see him, Job•• 23.8, 9. I sought him but I could not finde him, I called him but hee gave me no an∣swer, Cant. 5.5. Thou hast covered thy selfe with a cloud, that our prayer shall not passe through: when I cry and shout, hee shutteth out my prayer, Lament. 3.8.44.

A man may seeke him in the Ordi∣nances yet not finde him, yea his sor∣row may increase; God may seem angry with his prayer, Oh Lord God of hoast how long wilt thou be angry with the prayer of thy people? Ps. 80.4. And the Word may seeme to bee against him, and may make his wounds sorer, so that those words may well be taken u•• by this afflicted soule; If I goe into the field, then behold the slain with the swor•••• and if I enter into the City, then behold them that are sick with famine; hast th•••• utterly rejected Iudah? hath thy soule l••••∣thed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there is no healing for us? wee looked fo•• peace and there is no good, and for the ti•• of healing, and behold trouble, Jor. 14.18.19.

Notes

• * 1.1

  It is a losse of comfort towards God.
• b 1.2

  Non per∣fecte de ali∣quo gaudet cui non suf∣ficit. Aquin
• * 1.3

  A losse of usuall comfort.
• * 1.4

  Not of ex∣traordina∣ry comfort.
• * 1.5

  Tertul. l. de fugat. Putat Ia∣cobum hic vidisse Christum: apud Cornel a lap. in loc.
• * 1.6

  3. An emi∣nent losse.
• * 1.7

  4. Not a fit, but a state of uncomfor∣tablenesse.
• * 1.8

  The De∣grees.
• * 1.9

  When quickning is abated.
• * 1.10

  1. Not so full.
• * 1.11

  2. Not so frequent.
• * 1.12

  3. Not so permanēt.
• * 1.13

  Degree: Much quickness, but no quietness.
• * 1.14

  Degree when both are gone.
• * 1.15

  Degree: When not onely losse of comfort but affli∣ction of soule.
• * 1.16

  1. By re∣bukes of spirit: 4. waies.
• * 1.17

  2. By tra∣dition of the soule. 1. Into its own hands
• e 1.18

  Nihil est miserius quam ani∣mus homi∣nis conscius. Plaut. This is grievous.
• * 1.19

  2. Into Sa∣tans hands
• * 1.20

  Degree: When to all this, o∣ther evils are added.
• * 1.21

  Degree: When all this is continued.
• a 1.22

  Nec mihi dant stellae lucem, nec Cynthia lu∣men, Cau∣sin. aenigm 8.