534 PREFACE. I hadsome thoughts of adding a few pages at the end of this book con - cerning a melancholy temper of mind, whether it arises from the disorders of animal nature, or from an uneasy set of thoughts relating to this world or the next. But when I came to review what Mr. Timothy Rogers had written on that subject, and the little discourse that Mr. Clifford had collected out of the writings of the late eminent Mr. Richard Baxter, which was recommend- edby several ministers, I found it needless for me to attempt any thing fur- ther. In those treatises the reader will meet with so particular an account of the nature of this affliction, of the causesof it, and of those methods of re- lief as may be rendered very serviceable through the blessing of heaven to those who are thus afflicted, or to their friends about them who are concerned for their welfare. And may these methods prove happily successful for their relief! That by thedivine aids of providence and grace they may be preserved from sodismal and mournful adeath, wherein survivingfriends can find little comfort or hope, but what arisesfrom the former religious life of those uti- happy creatures, and the apparent symptoms of present distraction. Though such themes as these are not a very delightful entertainment either to him that writes or reads, yet the calamitous and wretched circum- stances both of flesh and spirit in this feeble and dangerous state of frailty, sinand temptation, make such discourses necessary at some seasons topre- vent the ruin of mankind. O blessed state of souls in the upper worldwho are released from this body ofsin anddeath, andenjoy a glorious and sublime security from all the mischievous influencesof the tempter: Though we dare not cutthethread of ourown lives, nor fly from our present state of trial till our Creator appoint the day of our deliverance, it is yet our duty and our interest to get our souls weaned daily from all the scenes of this lower world, since we knowwe must shortly leave them. Let us labour cheerfully here on earth in the various services of God and men, but with our spirits so attempered to the business and the blessedness of heaven, that we mayas cheerfully obey the divine summons, and pass the important hour of death with holy serenity and triumph. Amen. LONDON, JANUARY 28, 1725-6.
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