A27009:63
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.
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 ⟨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 minde, as for Phlegme in a Lethargy to cause sleep.
Do not therefore lay the blame on your Books, Friends, Counsels, Instructions (no nor all on your Soul,) if these Troubles be not cured by words. But labour to discern truly how much of your Trouble comes this way, and then fix it in your mind in all your Enquiries, Reading and Hearing, that it is the other part of your Trouble which is truly Rational, and not this part of it which is from Melancholy, that these means were ordained to remove (though God may also bless them extraordinarily to do both.) Only constant importunate Prayer, is a fit and special means for the Curing of all.
Do not therefore lay the blame on your Books, Friends, Counsels, Instructions (no nor all on your Soul,) if these Troubles be not cured by words. But labour to discern truly how much of your Trouble comes this way, and then fix it in your minde in all your Enquiries, Reading and Hearing, that it is the other part of your Trouble which is truly Rational, and not this part of it which is from Melancholy, that these means were ordained to remove (though God may also bless them extraordinarily to do both.) Only constant importunate Prayer, is a fit and special means for the Curing of all.