Comfort & counsell for dejected soules.: Or a treatise concerning spirituall dejection. In which is handled, 1 the nature 2 the working 3 the grounds 4 the remedies of spiritual dejection. And in which is held forth, satisfaction to some particular cases, and generall advice for any soule who is cast downe. Being the heads and sum of divers sermons preached to a particular congregation from Psalm 42. last. By John Durant, preacher of the Gospel, and pastour of a church of Christ in Canterbury.

CHAP. 7.

An addition of some other feares which ap∣peare as the workings of spirituall de∣jection in some soules.

IT being my purpose to treate of spiritual de∣jections at large, and also to satisfie the soule in those doubts and fears, which discover themselves in the soul, when and while its cast down: I shall adde some other feares unto the former. As

First, Some there be who (being dejected and cast downe) are much disquieted with fears and doubts about Prayer. As now, whether ever they prayed in all their lives. And if they did, whether ever God did heare or regard any of their prayers. Oh! saith some souls who are cast downe: Prayer is a choice imployment, a precious priviledge, but alas! we never injoy∣ed it, something wee have done, sometime like prayer; but we doubt whether it were pray∣er, For

We feare our own hearts and spirits were never in it: Prayer only in the lip is without life: and prayer if it be no more then words, is of no worth: God regards the prayer which comes from the spirit, and heart: But we doubt, though wee have sometimes drawn neare him with our lips, our hearts have been far from him. Our prayers have been rather the fruit of our heads, and babbling of our lips, then the breath of our hearts and panting of our spirits. And yet (say some soules) Suppose our spirits were in prayer: We feare Gods spirit was not. The father seeketh such to worship him, as do it in the spirit: and the Apostle calls for praying in the Holy Ghost. Now though our own spirit was in our prayers, we feare Christs spirit was not. It may be wee have prayed in the gifts of the spirit: But what are they without the spirit himselfe? Againe (say the same dejected soules) although wee should thinke, and hope, that we have prayed both in the sincerity of our own spirit, and in the strength of Christs spirit: yet we feare whether ever God hath regarded. Surely, he hath been alway angry with (for as yet he never answered any of) our prayers. And to call and not bee heard: to pray and not be answered, is a threat∣ned judgement. This, oh this! is our feare, that we are those at whose calamitie God will laugh, as it is, Pro. 1.26.

Secondly, There are others who in their de∣jection vent other feares. As now, about the word: whether ever it came to them as the word of God: and as good seed upon good ground. Alas!

cryeth one poore dejected soule: I have heard the word often preached, but I fear to no pur∣pose, for I thinke I never heard God in it. It was the praise of the Thessalonians, that they heard the word; not as the word of men, but as the word of God. But its my shame and sorrow, I have rather heard men, then God. I read (saith the soule) the Parable of the Sower, and I remem∣ber there was but one good ground, which recei∣ved the seed aright; and I fear I am none of that, I doubt I am the high-way-ground, or the sto∣ny, or the thorny, but sure I am not the good ground, i. e. one who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, doth keep it: for sure I bring not forth the fruit with patience. Thus the fears of some dejected soules work a∣bout the word. But

Thirdly, Other dejected souls breathe forth feares about the Promises: As whether they have right to them, or did ever in the spi∣rit close with them. Oh say some soules! the Promises are indeede exceeding great and precious: But are they ours? wee doubt it, my soule doubts (saith one) when I reade the Promises, I doe rather read the riches of others then my owne. Alas! I feare, they are none of mine, and I dare not (indeed cannot) close with them. Sometimes I have climbed the outside of the Promise, I have read the letter; but alas! I never was in the inside, in the spirit of a Pro∣mise. Its likely many hung upon Noahs Arke without: But none were saved but

those within. And I feare I was never within the Arke of any Promise.

Fourthly, Some soules when cast downe, feare their very abstinence from sinne. As now, whether they did or doe abstaine from sinne, in a slavish way, for feare; or in a Sonne-like way, for love. I feare (saith the soule) I have, and I do abstaine from sin, rather from rationall then from pious principles. I doubt, I dread the coale of corruption rather for the fire of it, which will burne mee, then the filib of it, which will blacke mee. I doubt its the cudgell of wrath that drives me backe, ra∣ther then the coard of love which keepes mee in, from sinne. Good soules abstaine from sin from heavenly principles as love of God, desire of holinesse, and I feare my principles are hel∣lish, as feare of damnation; and, or at best, but earthly, as shame of men, and the like.

Fiftly, Some soules when cast down cry out, Oh the sinne against the Holy Ghost. I feare (saith a dejected soul) I have sinned unto death. I have sinned against such strong light, and such sweet love, that I feare my sinne is now the unpardonable sinne, which shall not, cannot bee forgiven. I may well bee cast downe, if that bee my case which was Judas his: and I feare it is. Christ saith, all sinne and blasphemy shall bee forgiven, but that which is against the Holy Ghost. Alas here is my fear! that I am guilty of that sin.

Sixtly, The feares of some when cast downe, doe not worke thus high, yet they

vent themselves thus: Oh we feare we shall fall away. Angells fell, Adam fell, others fall, and are we surer then they? Surely we are not so strong, and therefore not so sure. Many have gone beyond me in the spirit, and yet (saith the soule) have ended in the flesh: and I feare I shall doe so too. I goe but softly, I fall often, I looke backe many times; and I doubt, I shall never persevere unto the death: what is it to begin well, and end ill? what is it to have Ephraims righteousnesse? A morning dew. A∣las! mine is no better (if so good.) This is my case; and I may well be cast downe, for I fear I shall fall. The promise of the Crown is to perseverance. Hee that is faithfull to the death, shall have the crowne of life: But I feare, I doubt, I shall not hold out neare unto death, for my heart misgives me, and I feare I shall fall away ere long, and loose all at last.

Notes

• See the se∣cond Se∣ction.
• Pro. 1.28.