DIALOGUE XI.

God alone can satisfy all Objections of a wounded Conscience.

TIMOTHEUS.

BUT, sir, these your answers are no whit satisfactory unto me.

PHIL. An answer may be satisfactory to the objection, both in itself and in the judgment of all unprejudiced hearers, and yet not satisfactory to the objector, and that in two cases: First, when he is possessed with the spirit of peevishness and perverseness. It is lost labour to seek to feed and fill those who have a greedy horseleech of cavilling in their heart, crying, Give, give.

TIM. What is the second case?

PHIL. When the bitterness of his soul is so great and grievous, that he is like the Israelites in Egypt, who hearkened not to Moses, for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. [Exod vi. 9.] Now as those who have meat before them, and will not eat, deserve to starve without pity; so such are much to be bemoaned, who through some impediment in their mouth, throat, or stomach, cannot chew, swallow, or digest comfort presented unto them.

TIM. Such is my condition; what then is to be done unto me?

PHIL. I must change my precepts to thee into prayers for thee, that God would satisfy thee early with his mercy, that thou mayest rejoice. [Psalm xc.] Ministers may endeavour it in vain: whilst they quell one scruple, they start another; whilst they fill one corner of a wounded conscience with comfort, another is empty. Only God can so satisfy the soul, that each chink and cranny therein shall be filled with spiritual joy.

TIM. What is the difference betwixt God’s and man’s speaking peace to a troubled spirit?

PHIL. Man can neither make him to whom he speaks to hear what he says, or believe what he hears. God speaks with authority, and doth both. His words give hearing to the deaf, and faith to the infidel. When, not the mother of Christ, but Christ himself, shall salute a sick soul with Peace be unto thee, it will leap for joy, as John the babe sprang, though imprisoned in the dark womb of his mother. Thus the offender is not comforted, though many of the spectators and under officers tell him he shall be pardoned, until he hears the same from the mouth of the judge himself who hath power and place to forgive him; and then his heart revives with comfort.

TIM. God send me such comfort: in the mean time, I am thankful unto you for the answers you have given me.

PHIL. All that I will add is this. The Lacedemonians had a law, that if a bad man, or one disesteemed of the people, chanced to give good counsel, he was to stand by, and another, against whose person the people had no prejudice, was to speak over the same words which the former had uttered. I am most sensible to myself of my own wickedness and how justly I am subject to exception. Only my prayer shall be, that whilst I stand by, and am silent, God’s Spirit, which is free from any fault, and full of all perfection, would be pleased to repeat in thy heart the self-same answers I have given to your objections: and then, what was weak, shallow, and unsatisfying, as it came from my mouth, shall and will be full, powerful, and satisfactory, as re-inforced in thee by God’s Spirit.