A12198:587
The Soul's Conflict with Itself
The souls conflict with it self, and victory over it self by faith a treatise of the inward disquietments of distressed spirits, with comfortable remedies to establish them / by R. Sibbs ...The soules conflict with it selfe, and victory over it self by faith a treatise of the inward disquietments of distressed spirits, with comfortable remedies to establish them / by R. Sibbs ...
London: printed by M.F. for R. Dawlman, 1635
THE SOULS CONFLICT with it self. › Chapter 21THE SOVLES CONFLICT with it selfe. › Chapter 21
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
In this estate, comforts themselves are uncomfortable to the soul; i• ⟨p. 349⟩quarrels with every thing, the better things it hears of, the more it is vexed. Oh what is this to me, what have I to •e with these comforts, the more happiness may be had, the more is my grief; As for comforts from Gods inferior blessings, as friends, children, estate, &c. the soul is ready to misconstrue Gods end in all, as not intending any good to him thereby.
In this estate, comforts themselves are uncomfortable to the soule; i• ⟨p. 349⟩quarrels with every thing, the better things it heares of, the more it is vexed. Oh what is this to mee, what have I to •e with these comforts, the more happinesse may be had, the more is my griefe; As for comforts from Gods inferiour blessings, as friends, children, estate, &c. the soule is ready to misconstrue Gods end in all, as not intending any good to him thereby.
In this condition God doth not appear in his own shape to the soul, but in the shape of an enemy; and when God seems against us, who shall stand for us? Our blessed Saviour in his agony had the Angels to comfort him; but had he been a mere man, and not assisted by the Godhead, it was not the comfort (no not) of Angels that could have upheld him, in the sense of his fathers 1withdrawing his countenance from him. Alas then what will become of us in such a case if we be not supported by a spirit of power, and the power of •n almighty spirit?
In this condition God doth not appeare in his owne shape to the soul, but in the shape of an enemy; and when God seemes against us, who shall stand for us? Our blessed Saviour in his agony had the Angels to comfort him; but had he beene a meere man, and not assisted by the Godhead, it was not the comfort (no not) of Angels that could have upheld him, in the sense of his fathers