A27009:625
The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…
The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32 directions : written for the use of a troubled friend / and now published by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed for T. Underhil, 1653
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.
TO be Tempted is no sign of Gracelessness, but to yield to the Temptation: nor every yielding neither; but to be overcome of the Temptation! Most Melancholy people, especially that have any knowledge in Religion, are frequently haunted with Blasphemous Temptations. I have oft wondered that the Devil should have such a power and advantage in the predominancy ⟨p. 477⟩of that distemper. Scarce one person of ten, who ever was with me in deep Melancholy, either for the Cure of body or mind, but hath been haunted with these Blasphemous thoughts; and that so impetuously and violently set on and followed, that it might appear to be from the Devil; yea even many that never seemed Godly, or to mind any such thing before. I confess it hath been a strengthening to my own faith, to see the Devil such an Enemy to the Christian faith, yea to the Godhead it self.
TO be Tempted is no sign of Gracelesness, but to yield to the Temptation: nor every yielding neither; but to be overcome of the Temptation! Most Melancholy people, especially that have any knowledge in Religion, are frequently haunted with Blasphemous Temptations. I have oft wondred that the Devil should have such a power and advantage in the predominancy ⟨p. 477⟩of that distemper. Scarce one person of ten, who ever was with me in deep Melancholy, either for the Cure of body or mind, but hath been haunted with these Blasphemous thoughts; and that so impetuously and violently set on and followed, that it might appear to be from the Devil; yea even many that never seemed Godly, or to mind any such thing before. I confess it hath been a strengthening to my own faith, to see the Devil such an Enemy to the Christian faith, yea to the Godhead it self.
But perhaps you will say, It is not mere Temptation from Satan that I complain of; but it takes too much with my sinful heart: I am ready to doubt oft-times whether there be a God, or whether his Providence determine of the things here below? or whether Scripture be true, or the Soul immortal? &c.