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. I.

Satisfaction to soules cast downe, and discovering their feares about the truth of the worke of grace.

HAving in the former Section hin∣ted at severall fears, which ap∣peare in soules cast downe, I shall now apply my selfe to sa∣tisfie dejected soules, with re∣ference to those particular feares. And I shall proceed in that order which I mentioned them in, and beginne with the feare of a soule cast downe, and venting it selfe about the work of grace.

Oh say some soules! the worke of grace is pre∣cious, but I feare in me its not perfect. Satan hath had his workings in me, but I feare whe∣ther Christ hath wrought the good worke in me. I have found the Devill powerfully working in me: But I feare Christ hath not as yet be∣gun

to worke upon me, &c.

In order to the raising of a soul cast down, and fearing this, I shall offer briefly.

Some

• 1 Cautions, and
• 2 Considerations.

First, Some Cautions, we had need be wa∣ry in our conclusions which we make about our soules state.

'Tis easie, but 'tis dangerous, to conclude a∣misse here. Its as well (I will not say as much) a fault to conclude against our soules, as hav∣ing no worke of grace; as 'tis to cousen our soules, as if we had. Be cautious therefore O soule! who sayest, thou fearest Christ hath not yet wrought upon thee. Take heed how thou judgest, even thy selfe, in this case, and for this end, take with thee these 3 Cautions.

viz.

• 1 Of binding your selves to particular examples.
• 2 Of confining Christ to any methods or wayes.
• 3 Of concluding any thing from present sence.

First, Take heed of binding your selves to par∣ticular examples. Oh say some, Christ hath not wrought upon us,

Quest. Why, Oh soules, not upon you?

Ans. Why? Hee hoth not wrought upon us, as upon such and such.

Reply. But consider (O soules) Gods workes are not alway alike: Though the worke of grace

be the same in all, in regard of the matter, yet it is not the same alwayes in regard of the man∣ner. The manner of Christs working is divers, Its bad eyeing (in order to the judgement of our worke of grace) examples. Christ comes to Mat∣thew at the receit of custome: and speakes to his heart so home; that Matthew leaves all, and followes him, and of a Publican becomes a Preacher. But he rides after Paul (as I may say) and overtakes him in the way to Damas∣cus, and throwes him downe, invirons him with a Pillar of light, appears to him from heaven: speakes to him, reasons with him; directs him whether to go, what to do, &c. These exam∣ples are not alike. Should you bind the work of grace to Pauls example, you would condemn Matthew: or should you make the example of Matthew the pattern of the worke of grace, you would, or might question Paul. Be cautious therefore O soule of what you say. Do not fear that God hath not wrought upon you, because not after the example of such an one: exam∣ples are not here strictly to be eyed, this is the first caution.

The second is this, Take heed of confining Christ to methods. I wish some Preachers were in this particular faultlesse: they confine Christ (as I may say) to such and such wayes, and methods, as if the spirit were not as free as the wind, to blow where, and when, and how he listeth. You have some so punctuall in their antecedents, concomitants, and consequents (words which many poore soules scarce under∣stand:)

And so precise, and strict in pressing soules with them, that many gracious soules feare, whether they have any worke of grace wrought, because not in such a way and method. Now I beseech you, beware of this, Christ walkes not alwayes the same way to many soules; Some soules he overtakes ere ever they are a∣ware of him, as is hinted Cant. 6.12. and makes them as the chariots of Aminidab; i. e. a willing people. Others indeed he deales with all in a more violent way: and is faine to make it a day of power, that they may be a willing people. In the same story Act. 1.6. you have Christ as it were, Softly comming into Lydia's he art (as if he did but lift up the Hatch and enter) and you have him loudly knocking at the Jaylers doore, making (as I may say) an earthquake in his soul, to make way for himselfe. So various are Christs wayes in working: Some Christ makes sicke of love, and winnes upon their hearts by the mercies of the Gospell: Others he makes sore with wrath; and frights them to himselfe by the terrours of the Law. Mind this, oh poore soule; It may be thou fearest Christ hath not wrought on thee, because it was not in such or such a way: your feare (if so) is groundlesse; and you must take heed, lest you confine Christ unto methods. He will worke, and who shall let it, and to whom hath he made knowne all his wayes of working. This is the second Caution. Now the

Third is this, Beware how you conclude any thing upon present sence. The worke of grace

at first is but little, as a grain of mustard seed; And tis not at first so visible: Its like leaven [hid] in meale, as tis Matth. 13.33. Now that which is little, and hidden too; that is not seen straite. Naturall conceptions are not at first perceived; no more are supernaturall. The worke of grace may be begun in thy soule, al∣though thou doe not perceive it. Be therefore cautious how thou concludes because of present visible ineffectualnesse. The leaven of the King∣dom, may lye hid in the heart And if thou judge by present sence, thou mayest condemne the gene∣ration of the righteous. Indeed Christ in the soul is as Isaack in Abrahams loynes (at first) that is, as dead: And looke as there, even of one, and him as good as dead, sprang as many as the stars of the skie: So likewise here, viz. in the soule of one graine of grace, and that even as dead to sence, there springs up the great tree which reacheth as high as heaven. Let this therefore be minded as the third caution, that you con∣clude not positively any thing upon present sence.

Now having hinted these Cautions, I shall offer three Considerations, unto such as feare and doubt, the true worke of grace in their hearts.

First, This fear may peradventure be a fruit of the worke of grace. Sinners as they never desire the worke, so they trouble not themselves with doubts about the work: Solomon tels us, Blessed is the man that feareth alway: yea, we know he also said, the way of a foole is right in his owne eyes.

Thou poore soule, who are dejected, and dost much doubt whether ever as yet, God hath wrought upon thy heart: why, this feare of thine, may bee a good signe that hee hath. But

Secondly, This fear may argue a beginning of the worke. Certain this fear is of God: and how dost thou know, but that now God is be∣ginning, (at lest) to worke upon thee. Its a stand∣ing truth, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdome: Now the meaning hereof may be, that the first thing (for so the word signifieth) which is wrought in the soule, in the worke of wisdom, (i.e. of grace and bolinesse (for so wisdom signifies) is feare. Thy feare therefore may hint, that the worke is in sieri, i. e. begin∣ing, if it be not in factu, i. e. begun already. However God may make use of it to that end. What canst thou tell, but now that thy soule is troubled with doubtings about the worke of grace: God may make use of this feare to drive thee out of thy state of nature, and to draw thee into the state of grace. How many poore souls have cryed out; I have no true grace: God hath not at all wrought upon my heart: woe is me what shall I doe; Ile run after him, Ile cry for him, &c. And while the soul hath been in this feare, God hath begunne (making use ther∣of) to worke really upon their soule. Thus it hath been with some, consider it may be with thee so, And therefore,

Thirdly, Suppose it be as you feare; Sup∣pose God hath as yet never effectually wrought

the worke of grace in your Soule. Consider, bee may doe it now. Why may not free grace worke the worke now? I say (O soule) why not now?

Quest. Say (O sad soule) what reason can you given that Christ should not now worke upon you, if he hath not heretofore?

Ans. Why, Ile give a reason (will the soule say) I am not fitted for such a worke. The worke of preparation bath not passed on me.

Reply, Suppose I should grant it; yet this feare and doubt may be that work. All the prepa∣ration that can be, it tends but to this, to make you willing, and art not willing soul?

Qu: Yes, O yes, I am willing; but alas, what though I will, if God will not.

Reply, Why, God is willing (O soule) this is the will of God, even your sanctification. He wills it: and if God will, and thou wilt too, what should hinder?

Qu: Nay, but what should move God to work on me: Alas, I am a poor polluted sinner, and will the Lord take pleasure in such a soule as I am, and bestow paines to worke on me?

Ans. In Answer to this, know (O soul) free grace shall move God, For of grace we are saved, and not of our selves: its the gift of God, we are his worke-man-ship, Ephes. 2.8, 10. And know (O soule) as God doth worke in thee the will, so also he will worke in thee the deed, and that of his good pleasure (as tis Phil. 2.13.) though he cannot take pleasure in thee, yet he can, and will in his worke.

Wherefore bear up, O thou dejected soule; Be not so cast down. Suppose the work of grace be not yet wrought, the Lord can, (and doe thou beleeve it) hee will worke it now. Ere long thou shalt see Christ formed in thee, and though now thou art in paine, and feare (as a soule in travell) yet then thou shalt rejoyce for joy, that grace is come into thy heart.

Notes

• Case.
• Eph. 2.2. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Satisfacti∣on.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• See Lu. 13.19.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉