Works (Vol 1) - Sibbes - IX - Soul's conflict continued

Required reading
The Works Volume 1 by Richard Sibbes (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Sibbes Works Vol 1 by continuing 'The soul's conflict with itself' by reading Chapters 3 (Of discouragements from within), 4 (Of casting down ourselves, and specially by sorrow - evils thereof), 5 (Remedies of casting down), 6 (Other observations of the same nature) and 7 (Difference between good men and others in conflicts with sin).

My summary
We continue Sibbes' exposition of Psalm 42:11, 'Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God'.

Firstly we see causes of discouragement in ourselves:
(i) want of knowledge;
(ii) forgetfulness;
(iii) want of setting due price upon comforts;
(iv) a childish kind of peevishness;
(v) false reasoning;
(vi) a false method and order in judging estates;
(vii) seeking comfort too much in sanctification;
(viii) neglect of keeping a clear conscience;
(ix) ignorance of Christian liberty;
(x) want of employment;
(xi) omission of duties and offices of love;
(xii) want of firm resolution in good things.;
(xiii) comforting too much by outward things;
(xiv) depending too much upon the opinions of other men;
(xv) looking too much upon the ill in ourselves and abroad;
(xvi) poring too much upon our afflictions.

Then Sibbes returns to the verse and makes some observations about the words 'Why art thou cast down, O my soul?':
(i) we are prone to cast down ourselves;
(ii) it is the nature of sorrow to cast down;
(iii) casting down breeds disquieting.

Next Sibbes gives us some remedies of casting down:
(i) cite the soul before itself and reason the case;
(ii) press the soul to give an account;
(iii) cast a restraint upon ourselves;
(iv) make good use of privacy;
(v) govern yourself;
(vi) reflect upon the soul and judge whatsoever comes from it;
(vii) frame our complaints as David did;
(viii) carry ourselves as David did;
(ix) recognise that we may be sinfully disquieted for that which is not a sin to be disquieted for.

What grabbed me
I think Sibbes made a good point about the need to seek comfort in our justification before seeking it in our sanctification: 'Another cause of disquiet is, that men by a natural kind of popery seek for their comfort too much sanctification, neglecting justification, relying too much upon their own performances. St Paul was of another mind, accounting all but dung and dross, compared to the righteousness of Christ, Philip, iii. 8, 9. This is that garment, wherewith being decked, we please our husband, and wherein we get the blessing. This giveth satisfaction to the conscience, as satisfying God himself, being performed by God the Son, and approved therefore by God the Father. Hereupon the soul is quieted, and faith holdeth out this as a shield against the displeasure of God and temptations of Satan. Why did the apostles in their prefaces join grace and peace together, but that we should seek for our peace in the free grace and favour of God in Christ ? '

The first thing we should do when seeking comfort is to remember our justification in Christ - nothing beats that!

Next week's reading
Continue Sibbes Works Vol 1 by continuing 'The soul's conflict with itself' by reading Chapters 8 (Of unfitting dejection), 9 (Of the soul's disquiets), 10 (Means not to be overcharged with sorrow) and 11 (Signs of victory over ourselves).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.