The Soul's Conflict with Itself

§. 5.

4. We see likewise here a further use of Soliloquies or speeches to our own hearts; ¹when the soul by entering into it self sees it self put out of order, then it enjoins this duty of trusting in God upon it: if we look only on our selves and not turn to God, the work of the soul is imperfect: then the soul worketh as it should, when as by reflecting on it self, it gathers some profitable conclusion, and leaveth it self with God. David upon reflecting on himself found nothing but discouragement, but when he looks upward to GOD, there he finds rest. This is one end, why God suffers the soul to tire and beat it self, that finding no rest in it self, it might seek to him. David yields not so much to his passion as that it should keep him from God. Therefore let no man truly religious pretend (for an excuse) his temper or provoking occasions, &c. for grace doth raise the soul above nature; Grace doth not only stop the soul in an evil way, but carries ⟨p. 252⟩it to a contrary good, and raiseth it up to God. Though holy men be subject to like passions with others (as it is said ²of Elijah) yet they are not so enthralled to them, as that they carry them wholly away from their God, but they hear a voice of the spirit within them, calling them back again to their former communion with God; and so grace takes occasion, (even from sin) to exercise it self.

4. We see likewise here a further use of Soliloquies or speeches to our own hearts; ¹when the soule by entring into it selfe sees it selfe put out of order, then it injoynes this duty of trusting in God upon it: if wee looke onely on our selves and not turne to God, the worke of the soule is imperfect: then the soule worketh as it should, when as by reflecting on it selfe, it gathers some profitable conclusion, and leaveth it selfe with God. David upon reflecting on himselfe found nothing but discouragement, but when he lookes upward to GOD, there hee findes rest. This is one end, why God suffers the soule to tire and beat it selfe, that finding no rest in it selfe, it might seeke to him. David yeelds not so much to his passion as that it should keepe him from God. Therefore let no man truly religious pretend (for an excuse) his temper or provoking occasions, &c. for grace doth raise the soule above nature; Grace doth not only stop the soule in an evill way, but carries