A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

There are also other ways whereby sinful souls destroy themselves by false reliefs. Diversions from their perplexing thoughtfulness pleaseth them. They will fix on something or other, that cannot cure their disease, but shall only make them forget that they are sick. As Cain under the terror of his guilt, departed from the presence of the Lord, and sought inward rest in outward labour and employment; he went and built a City, Gen. 4. 6. Such courses Soul fixed on; first Music, then a Witch. Nothing more ordinary than for men thus to deal with their convictions. They see their sickness, feel their wound, ⟨p. 34⟩and go to the Assyrian, Hos. 5. 13. And this insensibly leads men into Atheism. Frequent Applications of Creature diversions unto convictions of sin, are a notable means of bringing on final impenitency. Some Drunkards had it may be never been so, had they not been first convinced of other sins. They strive to stifle the guilt of one sin, with another. They fly from themselves, unto themselves, from their consciences unto their lusts; and seek for relief from sin by sinning. This is so far from Believers, that they will not allow lawful things to be a diversion of their distress. Use lawful things they may and will, but not to divert their thoughts from their distresses. These they know must be issued between God and them. Wear off they will not, but must be taken away. These rocks, and the like whereof there are innumerable, I say, a gracious soul takes care to avoid. He knows it is God alone who is the Lord of his Conscience, where his depths lye; God alone against whom he hath sinned; God alone who can pardon his sin. From dealing with him he will be neither enticed, nor diverted. To thee O Lord, saith he, do I come; thy word concerning me must stand; upon thee will I wait; if thou hast no delight in me I must perish. Other remedies I know are vain. I intend not to spend my strength for that which is not bread. Unto thee do I cry. Here a sin-entangled soul is to fix its self. Trouble excites it to look for relief. Many things without it present themselves as a diversion; many things within it, offer themselves for a remedy. Forget thy sorrow say the former; ease thy self of it by us, say the latter; the soul refuseth both, as Physicians of no value; and to God alone, makes its Application. He hath wounded, and he alone can heal.