The Cases and Cure of Sad Disconsolate Thoughts in Christians, Frontispiece – Dedication
Lord heare my Cry—
LONDON. Printed for Ben: Harris
I.D. ſc
OF THE Cauſes and Cure OF SAD Diſconſolate Thoughts IN CHRISTIANS.
BY One of their Sympathizing Fellow-Members, W. Traughton.
LONDON, Printed for Benjamin Harris, and are to be ſold at his Shop, at the Stationers-Armes in Sweetings-Rents in Corn-hill, near the Royal Exchange, 1677.
EPISTLE. To a Penſive Diſconſolate SOƲL.
My dear Friend,
HAving taken theſe Notes on a ſubject of great concern (which may be much more inlarged) I did conſider with my ſelf that they might be very ſeaſonable and ſuitable to your caſe and condition; for you have been an afflicted ſoul for a long time, often complaining to God and Man of the darkneſs of your ſpirit, and the ſad and diſmal thoughts wherewith you have been haunted and exceedingly diſquieted, as if no Mans condition were ſo ſad and dark and diſconſolate as yours: But yet there is no Temptation (as you may aſſure your ſelf) which hath ſeized on you, but other Chriſtians have had experience thereof; and God, who is Faithful, will with the Temptation alſo make a way to eſcape, that you may be able to bear it, 1 Cor. 10.13.
Bleſſed be God, you have a tender and gratious High Prieſt that undertakes for you; in that he himſelf hath ſuffered, being tempted, he is able to ſuccour them that are tempted, Heb. 2.18. We have not (ſaith the Apoſtle) a High Prieſt which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without Sin; let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in time of need, Heb. 4.15, 16. He it is that gathers the weak Lambs with his Arm, and carryes them in his Boſom, and gently leads thoſe that are with Young, Iſa. 40.11. He will not break the bruiſed Reed, nor quench the ſmoaking Flax, but will ſend forth Judgment unto Victory, Math 12.20.
This Merciful and Compaſſionate Jeſus never rejected any that came to him; and will he caſt you off if you come to Him with the burthen of your Sins, Sorrows, Temptations, Melancholick diſtempers? No, he will not; he hath promiſed he will not, Joh. 6.37. There's an Emphaſis in the Original, two Negatives, He will not in any wiſe, by any means caſt ye out: The doubled Negatives ſerve to make the Aſſertion ſo much the ſtronger, and to raiſe our Faith above all doubts and fears.
O then poor Soul, be not diſcouraged, draw not back from …he living God, through an evil heart of unbelief: Give not way to groundleſs Jealouſies and carnal Reaſonings; but believe, and you ſhall ſee the Glory of God in giving you ſpeedily a gracious Iſſue out of all your Temptations, and a comfortable deliverance from the ſad diſconſolate perplexing thoughts of your own heart, which indeed is your greateſt Enemy; for the heart is deceitful above all things, and deſperately wicked, who can know it? Jer. 17.9.
Read over theſe Notes ſeriouſly, and beg of God earneſtly to give you Grace to improve the ſeaſonable directions therein mentioned, and to teach you effectually by his Spirit; for who Teacheth like him? Job 36.22. When he giveth Quietneſs, who then can cauſe Trouble? And when he hideth his Face, who then can behold Him? Whether it be done againſt a Nation, or againſt a Man only, Job 34.29.
If ye think the publiſhing of theſe Notes may tend to the Edification and comfort of ſome other tempted afflicted ſouls, who are in the like condition with your ſelf, it is left to your Freedom to get them publiſhed, otherwiſe you may make a private uſe of them for your ſelf and near Relations, as God ſhall direct and enable you; to whoſe Gracious Protection I commend you and yours.