The Evil of Evils

Fifthly, A principal Difference above all that hath been named is this, Melancholy doth mightily dull the spirit of any man or woman wheresoever it prevails it makes them heavy, and dull, and unapt: But now, trouble of Conscience for Sin, it puts a mighty quickness in men, it puts an activity, another manner of activity and stirring in the spirit than ever was before. You shall have many men and women sit dully under a Minister many years, under the word, and never act; but when God comes to stir, and awaken Conscience for Sin, their Spirits be active and stirring then, in another manner than they were before. Whereas poor people, overwhelmed with melancholy, they sit moping, and heavy, and dull, and lumpish, and no activity of spirit at all; but trouble of Conscience for sin, is as fire in his bones. As Jeremiah said, He would speak no more in the Name of the Lord; but the word of God was as fire in his bones, and made him active and stirring, so trouble in Conscience makes them active and stirring; now they can pray, they could not pray ⟨p. 420⟩before; now they be active, and working; As Acts 9. When God troubled Paul, the text saith, Behold, Paul Prays: Go saith the Lord to Ananias to Saul, Behold he prays: as if Paul never prayed in all his life before. Certainly you that cannot pray, that never prayed, but read a prayer, or prayers your mothers taught you; you cannot Pray: but if ever God troubles your Consciences for sin, then you will Pray, as if you were in heaven, Oh mighty Prayers then, Oh for Christ, Oh Pardon of Sin, and Peace; then there is another manner of acting, and stirring of his spirit, in Prayer; than ever was before. But melancholiness, will not do it; but makes a man heavy, and dull, in the very act of Prayer. There is a notable example of the actings of Spirit in troubles that come from Sin, whereas the other makes them dull: 'tis that in the Book of Ezra, Chap. 9. vers. 3. and 5. Verse 3. And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head, and of my beard, and sate down astonied. This you will say made him dull; mark what follows: Verse. 5.

Fifthly, A principal Difference above all that hath been named is this, Melancholly doth mightily dull the spirit of any man or woman wheresoever it prevails it makes them heavie, and dull, and unapt: But now, trouble of Conscience for Sin, it puts a mighty quickness in men, it puts an activity, another manner of activity and stirring in the spirit than ever was before. You shall have many men and women sit dully under a Minister many years, under the word, and never act; but when God comes to stir, and awaken Conscience for Sin, their Spirits be active and stirring then, in another manner than they were before. Whereas poor people, overwhelm'd with melancholly, they sit moping, and heavie, and dull, and lumpish, and no activity of spirit at all; but trouble of Conscience for sin, is as fire in his bones. As Jeremiah said, He would speak no more in the Name of the Lord; but the word of God was as fire in his bones, and made him active and stirring, so trouble in Conscience makes them active and stirring; now they can pray, they could not pray