From every wanton Glance, every vain Imagination, and every idle Thought.

WE

CHA P. IX.

E are now come to the laft kind of evil Thoughts, which I fhall more particularly handle in this Treatise, viz. Sad, Melancholy, or Despairing Thoughts. And in order to our taking a true Obfervation of these, and applying proper Remedies against them, we are to take Notice, That the Occafion of thefe Thoughts is partly in the Habit and Conftitution of the Body. This is undeniable to any Perfon that hath made but the leaft Obfervation in Things of this Nature: For those Perfons, who are most of all troubled with this kind of Evil Thoughts (for fuch they are to be reckon'd) are Hypochondriacal and Hyfterical People, and whofe Conftitution is impaired by fome bodily Difeafe: And therefore the Remedies against them, must be partly Natural, and partly Spiritual. But yet I hope I fhall not be thought to trefpafs, if I happen to speak a Word or two of the foomer.

Dea bona valetudo Health, is the greatest of Temporal Mercies; and that without which we can but weakly profe

cute

cute our Spiritual Concerns. "Tis the Soul of Life; and as we can never be too thankful to God for it, fo every Act of Excefs, whereby it is impair'd, is a greater Sin than Men are aware. Because 'tis the great Advantage of Health and Vigour of Body, that it renders us capable of serving God, and of duly preparing ourselves for the eternal Enjoyment of him. Every Difcafe hath an Influence upon the Soul; and the Indifpofitions of the Body, do and will affect the Mind, notwithstanding all the Dreams of the Stoicks. But of all the Diseases incident to Humane Bodies, that of Melancholy deferves moft to be pitied. It fhould not be flighted with the reproachful Names of Whimfey, and mere Fancy. 'Tis a great Injury done to Perfons who are affected with it, to difregard their Complaints, and laugh at their Miferies. Though they fhould not indulge them, yet fome Pity is due to them. Did they but know the Woe and Anguish, the Terror and Amazement, that they endure; could they but be fenfible of half their, Mifery, they could not chufe but pity them. An Hypochondrical or Hyfterical Perfon, that is deeply affected with the Disease, is an Object that as well deferves Compaffion, as any other whatsoever. And if I fhould endeavour to give you an adequate

quate Defcription of that Malady, 'twould fill a Volume. What an infinite Variety of evil Thoughts of all kinds, are the Effects of it? Which being in a great meafure owing to the Disease, the Hurry of the Imagination following that of the Animal Spirits, there are fome Natural Remedies to be made ufe of: For which I muft leave you to the Learned in Nature, who will tell you, that very much depends upon Obfervation and Exercife. That to be morigerous and moderate in Eating and Drinking, and to be much in bodily Exercife, but not Violent, is moft proper Advice. If a Perfon hath but the Vertue to be regular in his Way of Living, and the Patience to continue in bodily Exercife, he doth a great deal towards making his Life more eafy, and his. Thoughts more comfortable. For every thing that tends to make the Blood and Spirits lively, regular, and vigorous, tends to dispel the Blackness and Heavinefs of the Thoughts. Which therefore whoever is fo unhappy as to be afflicted with Melancholy, must study; he muft (I fay) apply himself to the Ufe of fuch Things as tend to cherish his Blood, and exalt his Spirits: To which all vicious Extremes are directly contrary. The Learned Phyficians will also tell you, That none are more voracious of Medicines

Medicines, than Melancholy Perfons; but that their Defire in that is no more to be indulg'd, than in many other Things; and that there may be too much, as well as too little But I am gone too far this Way. I would only have it obferv'd, That Sad, Melancholy, and even defpairing Thoughts, are fometimes the Confequences of this Disease: For fuck it is, as much as a Fever, or any other. therefore the Phyfician must be confulted.

And

But although the Infirmities of the Body do very much conduce to fuch Thoughts as thefe, yet we fhould be mindful, that there is the Hand of God in them too. And not fo to lay the Blame upon Natural Indifpofition, as to have no other Thoughts about it. We may not think that this Cafe is purely Phyfical, and that therefore there is no need of any Spiritual Remedies: For

there is.

I. The first of which that I conceive to be proper, is a ftrict and faithful Examination of our ownselves. We must call ourselves to an Account, fearch into our own Hearts and Lives, and fee what we have been, and done. And perhaps we may find fome great and wilful Sin, that we have been guilty of; or fome Wrong, or Injustice, that we continue in: Which hap

pens

Pens to be the Caufe of all our Blacknefs, and Sadnefs. And thefe difmal Thoughts which fo affright us, are no other than the Checks of our own Confcience, which is a faithful Monitor, and Advifer, and impartially cenfures and judges all our Actions. The Good that we do it approves of, commends, and applauds in us: But no wilful Sin can efcape its Lafhes, and bitter Reproaches. Its Authority is an Emblem of the Almighty's Power, and Omniscience; and its Sentence Prejudicium ultimi judicii. It will in fpight of the Sinner, fet his Sins in order before him; and fill him with Horror, and Trembling, and fearful Thoughts: Which if they arife from hence, there is no Remedy but Repentance. Nothing but the Tears of a Godly Sorrow can cafe his heavy Heart: And renewed Refolutions of Watchfulnefs, and a more diligent Obedience for the time to come, are the best Expedient to remove the Blackness and Sadness that is upon his Soul. And when the Sinner hath truly repented, and there is an entire Change wrought upon him, then he may hope for the Light of God's Countenance to fhine upon him: And that he will comfort him now after the time that he bath plagued him, and for the Years wherein he bath fuffered Adversity. But if upon a seri

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