Baxter - BT785 B39 1657

3 66 Vireíiionsforgetting andkeeping C hr líz, and Scripture, and the Lift to come, that I doubt Ihave nofaith. ANSWER. O be Tempted is no fign of Gracelefnefs. but to yield to the Temptation : nor every yield- ingneither; but to be overcomeof the Temptati- on : Moll Melancholypeople, efpecially that have any knowledge in Religion, are frequently haunted with Blafphemous Temptations. I have oft won- dred that the Devil Ibould have filch a power and advantage in the predominancy of that diflemper. `cRrce one perfon of ten, who ever was with me in deep Melancholy, either for the Cure of bodyor mind, but harh been haunted with thefe Blafphemous thoughts; and that fo impetuoufly and violently fer on and followed that it might appear to be from theDevil yea even many that never feemed Godly, or tomind any fuch thing before. I confefs it hath been a flrengthening to my own faith, to fee the De- vil filch an Enemy to the Chriílian Faith, yea to the Coclhead it (elf. But perhaps you will fay, It is not meer Temptation from Satin. that I complain of; but it takes too much Wit&myfrnfs 1, heart : I am ready to doubtoft-times whether there be a God, or whether his 'Providence deter;vine of the things here below ? or Whether Scrip- turebe true, or the Soul Immortal ? &c. !!- nftn. This is a very great fin, andyou ought to bewail and abhor it, and in the Name of God make n ìt fi t of it but look to it betime: But yet let me tell you, that forne degreeof this Blafphe-

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