A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

Thirdly, The troubled conscience discovereth its natural pollution. By the §IIIproneness and readiness in it, to receive all the impressions and impulses of the Devil. That as in the secure conscience the Devil kept all quiet, and would by no means molest; So on the contrary, in the troubled conscience, there be endeavours ⟨p. 240⟩to heighten the trouble, to increase the flame; and he that before tempted thee to presumption, that God was ready to pardon, that sin would easily be forgiven, now he useth contrary engines, provoketh to despair, represents God as severe, and one, who will never forgive such transgressions, that there is no hope for him, that he is shut out of the Ark, and so must necessarily perish: Thus you see he wrought upon the troubled conscience of Judas, and of Cain, one goeth trembling up and down, and cannot cast off the terrors and horrors which were upon him; The other is so greatly tormented with anguish of soul, that he hangeth himself: In what whirlpools of despair, In what self-murders, and other sad events hath a troubled conscience agitated and moved by the Devil cast many into? Now all this ariseth, because the wounded conscience being not as yet regenerated, doth hearken more unto the Devil, then unto Gods Spirit; The Spirit of God through the Word of the Gospel, speaks peace to the broken in heart, offereth oil to be poured into such wounds, holdeth out the sceptre of grace; but the troubled conscience heareth not this, believeth not this, but what the Devil, that soul-murderer, and Prince of darkness doth suggest, and dart into the thoughts, that is received and followed; Hence it is that so many have been under troubles of conscience, under terrors of spirit for sins for a season, but all this pain in travel was only to bring forth wind and emptiness, all hath either ended in tragical and unbelieving actions, or in a bold and more hardened obstinacy; and the great cause of this hath been the Devils moving in these troubled waters, he hath presently interposed to mar this vessel, while upon the wheel. Know then, that when thy conscience is awakened and grieved, then is the Devil very busy, then he tempteth, he suggesteth, but keep close to the Word, see what the Spirit of God calleth upon thee to do;

Thirdly, The troubled conscience discovereth its natural pollution. By the §III