The Soul's Conflict with Itself

1. Answ. First, A natural conscience is troubled for sins against the light of nature only, but David for inward and secret corruptions, as discouragement and disquietness arising from faint trusting in God.

1. Answ. First, A naturall conscience is troubled for sins against the light of nature onely, but David for inward and secret corruptions, as discouragement and disquietnesse arising from faint trusting in God.

Davids conflict was not only with the sensual lower part of his soul, ⟨p. 84⟩which is carried to ease and quiet, and love of present things, but he was troubled with a mutiny in his understanding, between faith and distrust; and therefore he was forced to rouse up his soul so oft to trust in God; which shows that carnal reason did solicit him to discontent, and had many colourable reasons for it.

Davids conflict was not onely with the sensuall lower part of his soule, ⟨p. 84⟩which is carried to ease and quiet, and love of present things, but hee was troubled with a mutiny in his understanding, betweene faith and distrust; and therefore hee was forced to rouze up his soule so oft to trust in God; which shews that carnall reason did solicite him to discontent, and had many colourable reasons for it.

Secondly, a man endued with common ¹grace, is rather a patient then an agent in conflicts; the light troubles him against his will, as discovering and reproving him, and hindering his sinful contentments; his heart is more biased another way if the light would let him; but a godly man labours to help the light, and to work his heart to an opposition against sin; he is an agent as well as a patient. As David here doth not suffer disquieting, but is disquieted with himself for being so. A godly man is an agent in opposing his corruption, and a patient in enduring of it: whereas a natural man is a secret agent in and for his corruptions, and a patient in regard of any help against