266 . On the ~ativity. pariions of t11elancholy; and it is hard for fervants and friends to pleafe thcn1 in any thing who are·· accufton1ed to fadnefs and difcon:tent. But this is not all: TJ1ere is a gr_eater mifchief in the matter; for they who are {hangers to religion, and obferve them who pretend to it to be always fad and n1dancholy,- are thereby deterred fro1n the fl:udy of piety, as tha.t which \Vould · imbitter tl1eir lives, and deprive them of all their con1forts; and they are apt to ima- · ginc, that if once they fhould undertake a_ · courfe of godlinefs, t~ey ihould never after enjoy a pleafant hour, but, by a melancho- · ly humour, and aufiere behaviour, become " ' a burden to themfelves, and a burden to .all about thetp. Then they will think de-. votion a comfortlefs enjoyn1ent, when they fee n1en cotne fron1 retirements with fad ·anJ heavy looks, n1orofe and untowardly, , dep0rtment; whereas really the fpirit of religion is injtfelf mofi. an1iable and ·mofl: lovely, mofl: ehearful, free and ingenuous ; aud it is only mens weaknefs; and nbt their piety, that ought to be blamed for ahy fuch diforder in their minds. -; · ·Again; Melancholy and. fadnefs is pr~-t , judicial to ourfelves, being an enemy to na– ture, and hurtful to bodily confi:itut.ion$, · efpecially
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