Rule XI.
[Consider where lies the hluJex'ance to peace.]
As a close unto these general rules, I shall only add this last di- rection : — Consider in particular luhere the stress and hinderance lies that keeps you off from peace, through an established persuasion of an interest in evangelical pardon. Do not always fluctuate up and down in generals and uncertainties; but drive things unto a particular issue, that it may be tried whether it be of sufficient effi- cacy to keep you in j'our present entanglements and despondencies. Search out your wound, that it may be tried whether it be curable or no.
Now, in this case, we cannot expect that persons should suggest their own particular concerns, that so they might be considered and
Ver.4.] CAUSES of spiritual disquietment. 575
be brought unto the rule ; but we must ourselves reduce such dis- tresses as may or do in this matter befall the minds of men unto some general heads, and give a judgment concerning them accord- mg to the word of truth. Indeed, particular cases, as varied by cir- cumstances, are endless, nor can they be spoken unto in this way of instruction and direction ; but they must be left to occasional con- siderations of them, as they are represented unto them who are in- trusted to dispense the mysteries of God. Besides, many have laboured already in this matter, and their endeavours are in and of general use ; although it must be said, as was before observed, that special cases are so varied by their circumstances, that it is very rare that any resolutions of them are every way adequate and suited unto the apprehensions of them that are exercised with them. I shall therefore call things unto some general heads, whereunto most of the objections that distressed sinners make against their own peace may be reduced, and leave the light of them to be applied in particular unto the relief of the souls of men, as God shall be pleased to make them effectual.
Second general head of the application of the truth insisted on — Grounds of spi- ritual disquietments considered — The first, afflictions — Ways and means of the aggravation of afflictions — Rules about them.
That which now lieth before us is the second part of the second general use educed from the truth insisted on. Our aim is, to lead on souls toYv^ards peace with God, through a gracious persuasion of their interest in that forgiveness which is with him ; and it consists, as was declared, in a consideration of some of those disquietments luhich befall the minds of men, and keep them off from establish- ment in this matter.
And, FIRST, such disquietments and objections against the peace of .-. the soul and its acceptance with God will arise from afflictions; tliey have done so of old, they do so in many at this day. Afflic- tions, I say, greatened unto the mind from their nature or by their concomitants, do ofttimes variously affect it, and sometimes prevail to darken it so far as to ingenerate thoughts that they are all mes- sengers of WTath, all tokens of displeasure, and so, consequently, evidences that we are not pardoned or accepted with God.
NoAv, this is a time of great afflictions unto many, and those, some of them, such as have innumerable aggravating circumstances accom- panying of them. Some have come with a dreadful surprisal in
576 AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM cxxx. [Ver.4.
things not looked for, such as falls not out in the providence of God in many generations. Such is the condition of them who are re- duced to the iitmost extremity by the late consuming fire ; some have had their whole fcimilies, all tlieir posterity, taken from them. In a few days they have been suddenly bereaved, as in the plague. Some in their own persons, or in their relations, have had sore, long, and grievous trials from oppressions and persecutions. And these thino's have various effects on the minds of men. Some we find crying, with that wicked king, " This evil is of the Lord ; why should we wait any longer for him?" and give up themselves to seek relief from their own lusts; — some bear up under their troubles with a na- tural stoutness of spirit; — some have received a sanctified use and im- provement of their trials with joy in the Lord: but many we find to go heavily under their burdens, having their minds darkened with many misapprehensions of the love of God and of their own personal interest in his grace. It is not, therefore, unseasonable to speak a little to this head of trouble in our entrance. Outward troubles, I say, are oftentimes occasions, if not the causes, of great inward distresses. You know how the saints of old expressed their sense of them and conflicts with them. The complaints of David are familiar to all who attend unto any communion with God in these things; so are those of Job, Heman, Jonah, Jeremiah, and others: neither do they com- plain only of their troubles, but of the sense which they had of God's displeasure in and under them,. and of his hiding of his face from them whilst they wore so exercised.
It is not otherwise at present, as is known inito such as converse with many who are either surprised with unexpected troubles, or worn out with trials and disappointments of an expected end. They consider themselves both absolutely and with respect unto others, and upon both accounts are filled with dark thoughts antl despondencies. Saith one, " I am rolled from one trial unto another. The clouds with me return still after the rain. All the billows and water-spouts of God go over me. In my person, it may be, pressed with sickness, pains, troubles; in my relations, with their sins, mis- carriages, or death ; in my outward state, in want, losses, disreputa- tion. I am even as a withered branch. Surely if God had any espe- cial regard unto my soul, it would not be thus with me, or some timely end would have been put unto these dispensations." On the other hand, they take a view of some other professors; they see that their tables are spread day by day, that the candle of the Lord shines continually on their tabernacle, and that in all things they have their hearts' desire, setting aside the common attendancies of human nature, and nothing befalls them grievous in the world. " Thus it is Avith them. And surely, had I an interest in his grace, in pai'don,