jud.. 6. I 2, I;. xod. 17.7. 29. Job 7.17, . Prov. I. 32,. Pfal. 73. S. Ecclef. 9. I, 2. Pfal. 88. Job 33.10. It is an oldlfaying that Melanchclia eft whicalurn Deononum. In the Gerrnan proverb, Luther fates it goesfor currant, caio Velansho- licum diaboliBal- neuru,The rnelan. eholy head is the Devils bathing place. fore thole Chriflians are milerably miflaken that take them for (eflimonies of his wrair, and effects of his disfavour. .0 -Sirs ! what can be more abfurd, difpleafing, and provoking, than for a Chriftiati to make that an Argument of Gods ha- tred, that he intends for an inflance of his love ? and yet Chriaians are apt thus to la. It is obfervable the Apoille reckons affii&ion amongft Gods honoraries and tokens of refpe&, For to you tis given (faith he) not only to believe, but al fo to Neer. Which (faith Father Latymer) is the greatefi promotion that God gives in this world. Job (when he was himfelf ) could not but admire at it, that,God ihould make fuck an account of man_ , and that he fhould fo magnify him, and dignify him, as to think him worthy of a rod, a whiping; as to think him worth a melting, and trying wry morning, yea, every moment. Tis certain that great profperitY and worldly glory are no cure tokens of Gods love, and tis as certain that great troubles and affliolions are no fure marks of Gods hatred, and yet many poor C iriflians, when the wa- ters of affliolion rife high, and are ready to overflow them, - 0,hovv apt are they to conclude that God hates them, and will revenge himfelf upon them, and that they have nothing of God or Chrill, or the Spirit, or Grace in them ? Or, 5. When the Spirit the Comforter flands afar off, and witholds thole fpecial influences, without which, in a com- mon ordinary way, a Chriflian cannot divinely, candidly, clearly and impartially tranfael with God in order to his own peace, comfort and fettlerrent. Or, 6. When either a Chrictians evidences are not at hand, or elfe they are fo foileMarkned, blotted and obicured, as that he is not able to read them. Or, 7., When a Chriflian is extreamly op- preft with melancholy. Melancholy is a'dark and dusky hu- mor, which dinurbs both Soil and body, and the cure of ',it belongs rather to the Phyfitian than to the Divine. It is a molt peflilent humor where it abounds, one calls it Bal neaps Diaboli, the Devils Bath ; tis a humor that unfits a man for all forts of fervices,but efpecially thole that concern his foul, his fpiritual eflate, his everlafling condition. The Melan- choly perfon tyres the Phyfitian,grieves the Minifler,wounds Rela-
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