The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

Now to those that find that Melancholy is the Cause of their Troubles I would give this advice. 1. Expect not that Rational, Spiritual Remedies should suffice for this Cure: For you may as well expect that a good Sermon or comfortable words should cure the falling Sickness, or Palsy, or a broken head, as to be a sufficient Cure to your Melancholy fears. For this is as real a bodily disease as the other: Only because it works on the spirits and fantasy, on which words of advice do also work, therefore such words, and Scripture, and Reason, may somewhat resist it, and may palliate or allay some of the effects at the present: but as soon as time hath worn off the force and effects of these Reasons, the distemper presently returns.

Now to those that finde that Melancholy is the Cause of their Troubles I would give this advice. 1. Expect not that Rational, Spiritual Remedies should suffice for this Cure: For you may as well expect that a good Sermon or comfortable words should cure the falling Sickness, or Palsie, or a broken head, as to be a sufficient Cure to your Melancholy fears. For this is as reall a bodily disease as the other: Only because it works on the spirits and phantasie, on which words of advice do also work, therefore such words, and Scripture, and Reason, may somewhat resist it, and may palliate or allay some of the effects at the present: but as soon as time hath worn off the force and effects of these Reasons, the distemper presently returns.

For the Humour hath the advantage 1. Of continual presence, 2. Of a more necessary, natural and sensible way of working. As if a man be in an easy Lethargy; you may awake him so long as you are calling on him aloud, but as soon as you cease, he is asleep ⟨p. 10⟩again: Such is the case of the Melancholy in their sorrows: For it is as natural for Melancholy to cause fears and disquietness of mind, as for Phlegm in a Lethargy to cause sleep.

For the Humour hath the advantage 1. Of continuall presence, 2. Of a more necessary, naturall and sensible way of working. As if a man be in an easie Lethargy; you may awake him so long as you are calling on him aloud, but as soon as you cease, he is asleep