The Cure for Melancholy

Chapter 1

I. When sorrow, even for sin, may be excessive.

It is too well-known that excessive sorrow for sin is not the ordinary case of the world. A stupid, blackish disposition is the common cause of men’s perdition. The plague of a hard heart and seared conscience, keeps mos

Chapter 2

1. Sorrow is excessive when it is fed by a mistaken cause. All

sorrow is too much where none is due, and great sorrow is too much when the cause only requires less. If a man thinks that something is a duty, which is not a duty, and then sorrows for omitting it, such -- 7 of 66 --

Chapter 3

2. Sorrow is excessive when it hurts and overwhelms

nature itself, and destroys bodily health or understanding. Grace is the due qualification of nature, and duty is the right employment of it; but neither of them must destroy it. As civil, ecclesiastic, and domestic gove

Chapter 4

1. The passions of grief and trouble of mind often overthrow the

sober and sound use of reason, so that a man’s judgment is corrupted and perverted by it. In that case, it is not to be trusted. Like a man in raging anger, so is someone in fear or great trouble of mind. He doesn’t thin

Chapter 5

2. Excessive sorrow disables a man from governing his thoughts. And

ungoverned thoughts must be both sinful and very troublesome. Grief carries them away as in a torrent. You may almost as easily keep the leaves of trees in stillness and order in a blustering wind, as to so keep the thou

Chapter 6

3. Excessive sorrow would swallow up faith itself, and greatly hinder

its exercise. The gospel calls us to believe matters of unspeakable joy. And it is amazingly hard for a grieved, troubled soul to believe anything that is a matter of joy, much less of so great a joy as pardon and salvat

Chapter 7

4. Excessive sorrow hinders hope even more, when men think that

they believe God’s word, and that His promises are all true for others, yet they cannot hope that the promised blessings are true for themselves. Hope is that grace by which a soul who believes the gospel to be true, com

Chapter 8

5. Excessive sorrow swallows up all comfortable sense of the infinite

goodness and love of God, and thereby it hinders the soul from loving Him. And in this it is an adversary to the very life of holiness. It is exceedingly hard for such a troubled soul to apprehend the goodness of God at

Chapter 9

6. And then it must follow that this disorder 3 is a false and injurious

judge of all the word and works of God, and of all His mercies and corrections. Whatever such a person reads or hears, he thinks it is all against him. He thinks every sad word and threatening in Scripture is meant for h

Chapter 10

8. And by this you may see that this disorder is quite contrary to the

joy in the Holy Spirit; yes, and to the peace in which God’s kingdom largely consists; nothing seems joyful to such distressed souls. Delighting in God, and in His word and ways, is the flower and life of true religion.

Chapter 11

9. All of this shows us that this disease is greatly contrary to the very

tenor of the gospel. Christ came as a deliverer of the captives, a Savior to reconcile us to God, and to bring us glad tidings of pardon and everlasting joy. Where the gospel was received, it was with great rejoicing, an

Chapter 12

10. It is a disorder that greatly advantages Satan to cast in

blasphemous thoughts of God — as if He were bad, and a hater and destroyer even of those who would gladly please Him. The design of the devil is to describe God to us as being like him — a malicious enemy who delights to

Chapter 13

11. This excessive sorrow unfits men for all profitable meditation. It

confounds their thoughts and turns them to hurtful distractions 4 and temptations; so that the more they muse, the more they are overwhelmed. It turns prayer into mere complaint, instead of child-like- believing supplica

Chapter 14

12. It is a disorder which makes all sufferings heavier, as falling upon

a poor diseased soul who has no comfort to set against it. And it makes death exceedingly terrible, because they think death will be the gate of hell. So that life seems burdensome to them, and death terrible. They are w

Chapter 15

III. What are its causes.

Quest. What are the causes and cure of it? Ans. With very many, most of the cause is found in a disorder, weakness, and disease of the body. The soul is greatly disabled by this, from having any sense of comfort. But the

Chapter 16

2. A naturally passionate nature, and a weakness of that reason

which should quiet that passion. It is too frequently the case with aged persons, who are greatly debilitated, to be apt to offence and passion; and children cannot help but cry when they are hurt. But it is most trouble

Chapter 17

3. But when the brain and imagination are crazed, and reason is

partly overthrown by the disease called melancholy, this makes the cure still more difficult. For commonly it is the aforesaid persons, whose natural temper is timorous 5 and passionate and apt to discontent and grief, w

Chapter 18

1. The trouble and disquiet of the mind that then becomes a settled

habit; they can see nothing but matters of fear and trouble. All that they hear or do feeds it; danger is fixed before their eyes. All that they read and hear seems against them. They can delight in nothing. Fearful drea

Chapter 19

2. If you convince them that they have some evidences of sincerity,

and that their fears are baseless and injurious to themselves, and to God, they have nothing to say against it. Yet either it takes away none of their trouble, or else it returns the next day; for the cause remains in th

Chapter 20

3. Their misery is that what they think, they cannot help but think.

You may as well try to persuade a man not to shake in a fever, or not to feel when he is pained, as to persuade them to cast away their self- troubling thoughts, or not to think all the enormous and confounding thoughts

Chapter 21

4. When they have gotten to this point, they usually seem to feel

something speak in them, as it were, besides themselves, saying this and that to them, and bidding them to do this or that. And they will tell you that now it says this or that, and will tell you when and what it has sai

Chapter 22

5. In this case, they are exceedingly prone to think they have

revelations; whatever comes into their minds, they think some revelation brought it there. They say, this text of Scripture at such a time was set upon my mind, and at another time, that text was set on my mind. Often th

Chapter 23

7. Most of them are violently haunted with blasphemous

interjections, at which they tremble, and yet cannot keep them out of their mind. They are tempted and haunted to doubt the Scripture, or Christianity, or the life to come, or to think some ill of God. Oftentimes they ar

Chapter 24

12. When it becomes extreme, they weary of their lives, strongly

followed by temptations to do away with themselves, as if something within them were urging them either to drown themselves, cut their own throats, hang themselves, or cast themselves headlong [off some height] — which,

Chapter 25

13. And if they escape all this, when the disease is ripe, they become

quite agitated. These are the doleful symptoms and effects of melancholy. And therefore, how desirable it is to prevent them, or to be cured while it is only beginning, before they fall into so sad a state. _____________

Chapter 26

1. Possession by the Devil

Here it is necessary that I answer the question whether such persons are possessed with the devil, or not? And how much of all this aforesaid is from him? I must tell the melancholy person who is sincere, that the knowle

Chapter 27

3. As a tempter, he is the cause of the sinful and troublesome

thoughts, and doubts, and fears, and passions, which the disease of melancholy causes. The devil cannot do what he will with us, only what we give him advantage to do. He cannot break open our doors; but he can enter if

Chapter 28

2. But usually other causes go before this disease of melancholy

(except in some bodies that are naturally prone to it). And therefore, before I speak of its cure, I will briefly touch on them. One of the most common causes is sinful impatience, discontents, and cares. These proceed f

Chapter 29

3. Another great cause of such trouble of mind is the guilt of some

great and willful sin. When conscience is convicted, and yet the soul is not converted, sin is beloved, and yet feared. God’s wrath terrifies them, and yet not enough to overcome their sin. Some live in secret fraud and

Chapter 30

4. But among people fearing God, there is yet another cause of

melancholy, and of excessive sorrowing, and that is ignorance and mistakes in matters concerning their peace and comfort. I will name some particulars. (1.) One is ignorance of the tenor of the gospel or covenant of grac

Chapter 31

IV. I have told you the causes of distracted sorrows. I will now tell

you what their cure is. But, alas! it is sooner told than done. I will begin where the disease begins, and tell you both what the patient himself must do, and what must be done by his friends and teachers. 1st. Don’t loo

Chapter 32

I. Many are perplexed about DOCTRINAL CONTROVERSIES in religion.

Every contending party is confident and has a great deal to say, which to the ignorant seems like truth, and which the hearer cannot answer. Each party tells them that their way is the only way, and threatens damnation t

Chapter 33

1. As to God’s NATURAL REVELATION, see that you are true to the light

and law of nature, which all mankind is obliged to observe. If you had no Scripture nor Christianity, nature (that is, the works of God) will tell you that there is a God, Rom 1.20 and that he is the rewarder of those wh

Chapter 34

2. As to God’s SUPERNATURAL REVELATION, hold to God's word, the

sacred bible, written by the special inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as the sufficient records of it. It is not divine faith if it does not rest on divine revelation; nor is it divine obedience if it is not given to divi

Chapter 35

3. Yet use with thankfulness the help of men, for understanding and

obeying the word of God. Though lawyers, as such, have none of the legislative power, you need their help to rightly understand the use of the law. And though no men have power to make laws for the church universal, yet

Chapter 36

4. Take nothing as necessary to Christianity and to salvation, which

is not recorded in Scripture, and has not been held necessary by all true Christians in every age and place. It is not that we must first know men to be true Christians, in order to know by them what Christian truth is.

Chapter 37

5. Maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace with all true

Christians as such, Eph 4.3 and live in love in the communion of saints — that is, with those who live in the belief of, and in holy obedience to, the Christian faith and law. By their fruits you shall know them. Mat 7.1

Chapter 38

6. In your learning or communion, do not prefer any odd or singular

sect above the universal consent of the faithful, so far as the judgment of men is to be regarded. Though we do not take our faith from the number of believers, and though most are usually none of the best, and a few are

Chapter 39

7. Never set a doubtful opinion against a certain truth or duty. And

do not reduce certain things to uncertain things; but on the contrary, make uncertain things certain. For instance, it is certain that you ought to live in love and peace with all who are true Christians, and to do good

Chapter 40

9. Remember that all men on earth are ignorant, and know but as in

a mirror darkly, and in part. 1Cor 13.12 And therefore the best have many errors. No man knows the smallest grass or worm with an adequate, perfect knowledge. If God bears with multitudes of errors in us all, then we mus

Chapter 41

10. Yet do not stint yourselves in knowledge, nor say ‘We have

learned enough.’ But continue as Christ’s scholars in learning more and more till death; even the wisest know little, and may still increase. There is a great difference in excellence, usefulness, and comfort, between me

Chapter 42

4. The condition of pardon and life is not that we sin no more, nor

that we purchase it from God at any price, or benefit Him by our own works, or buy his grace — but only that we believe him, and willingly accept the mercy which He freely gives us, according to the nature of the gift. T

Chapter 43

7. The day of grace has never so passed by for any sinner, that he may

not still have Christ and pardon if he wills it; if he does not have it, it is because he will not have it. The day of grace is so far from having passed by, that it savingly comes to all who are so willing; and grace is

Chapter 44

8. The will is the man in God’s account; Joh 1.13 and what a man truly

would be and have, he is, and he shall have. Consent to the baptismal covenant is true grace and conversion, and such men have a right to Christ and life. Joh 1.12 -- 39 of 66 --

Chapter 45

10. Repentance is true, even if tears and passionate sorrow are

defective, when a man would rather leave his sin than keep it, and he sincerely, even if imperfectly, endeavors to fully overcome it. No sin shall damn a man, which he more hates than he loves, and would truly rather lea

Chapter 46

11. The best man has much evil, and the worst have some good. But it

is that evil which is preferred and predominant in the will, which distinguishes the godly and the wicked. The man who in his estimation, choice, and life, prefers God, and heaven, and holiness, above the world and the p

Chapter 47

13. Even sin against knowledge and conscience are too often

committed by regenerate men. For they know more than others do, and their consciences are more active. They would be happy indeed if they could be as good as they know they should be, and if they loved God as much as the

Chapter 48

15. The thoughts, and fears, and troubles, which melancholy and

natural weakness and disorder irresistibly cause, has much more of bodily disease than of sin, and therefore it is of the least of sins. Indeed, it is no more of a sin than to burn up or be thirsty in a fever -- 40 of 6

Chapter 49

16. Certainty of our faith and sincerity, is not necessary to salvation;

but sincerity of faith itself is necessary. The one who gives himself to Christ shall be saved, even if he doesn’t know that he is sincere in doing it. Christ knows his own grace, when those who have it don’t know that i

Chapter 50

17. Probability of sincerity and trust in Christ may justly cause a man

to live and die in peace and comfort, without proper certainty. Otherwise, few Christians would live and die in peace; and yet we see by experience that many do so. The common opinion of most church-writers for four hund

Chapter 51

18. Even if faith is so weak as to assault us with doubts whether the

gospel is true and there is any life to come, and even if our trust in Christ is not strong enough to banish our fears and troubles, yet this faith will save us if we see so much evidence of credibility in the gospel, an

Chapter 52

20. If any man doubts his salvation because of the greatness of his

sins, the way to quietness is to be willing to quickly forsake them. Either the one who complains is willing to be holy and forsake his sins, or he is not. If you are not willing to leave them, but love them and would ke

Chapter 53

21. If you doubt the sincerity of your faith and other graces, and all

your examination leaves you uncertain, then the way to quickly end your doubt is by actually giving yourself to Christ. If you don’t know whether you have been a true believer up to now, you may know that Christ is now o

Chapter 54

22. Bare examining is not always the way to gain assurance; but

labor to excite and exercise the grace that you would be assured of. The way to be sure that you believe and love God, is to study the promises and goodness of God till active faith assures you that you believe, and to l

Chapter 55

24. Though we cry out that we cannot believe, and we cannot love

God, and we cannot pray rightly, Christ can help us. Without his grace, we can do nothing; but his grace is sufficient for us. He does not deny his further help once he has made us willing; rather, he has bid us to ask f

Chapter 56

25. This sin called the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, is the sin of no

one who believes Jesus is the Christ, nor of anyone who fears it, nor the sin of every infidel, but only of a few obstinate, unbelieving enemies. For it is only this: when men see such miracles of Christ and his Spirit a

Chapter 57

26. Though sinful fear is very troublesome, and not to be cherished,

God often permits and uses it for good: to keep us from being bold with sin, and from those sinful pleasures and love of the world, and presumption, and security, which are far more dangerous; and to reduce pride; and to

Chapter 58

28. When Christ was in his agony for our sins, and he cried out, “My

God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He was then nevertheless beloved by his father. And he was tempted so that he might succor those who are tempted; and he suffered such derision so that he might be a compassionate

Chapter 59

31. A delight in God and goodness, and a joyful, praising frame of

soul from the belief of the love of God through Christ, is far more to be desired than grief and tears (which only sweep away some dirt), so -- 43 of 66 -- that love, joy, and thankfulness may enter, which are the true

Chapter 60

III. But if melancholy has already gotten hold of them, there must be

(besides what has been said) some other proper remedies used. The difficulty is great, because the disease makes them self-conceited, unreasonable, willful, and unruly. They will hardly be persuaded that the disease is i

Chapter 61

1. Consider that it should be easy for you in your confounding,

troubling thoughts, to perceive that your understanding is not now as sound and strong as other men’s. And therefore do not be willful and self-conceited, and think that your thoughts are righter than theirs; but believe

Chapter 62

2. Do you find that your troubles do you more good or hurt? Do they

make you more fit or less fit to believe and love God, and rejoice in him, and praise him? If you feel that they are against all that is good, then you may be sure that they are from the devil’s temptations, and are plea

Chapter 63

3. Avoid your musings, and for now, don’t exercise your thoughts too

deeply or too much. Long meditation is a duty to some, but not to you — no more than it is a man’s duty to go to church, who has his leg broken, or his foot out of joint. He must rest and ease it till it is set again, an

Chapter 64

5. Let those thoughts which you have, be laid out on the most

excellent things: do not focus them all on yourself and on your disordered heart; the best of us may find much troubling matter there. As millstones wear themselves out if they grind when they have no corn, so do the tho

Chapter 65

7. Especially, when you pray, resolve to spend most of your time in

thanksgiving and praise to God. If you cannot do it with the joy that you should, do it as best you can. You don’t have power over your comforts; but don’t you have power over your tongue? Don’t say that unless you had a

Chapter 66

8. When vexatious or blasphemous thoughts are thrust into your

mind by Satan, do not entertain them, or be excessively troubled by them. First, use that reason and power which you have left, to resolutely cast them out, and then turn your thoughts to something else. Don’t say, ‘I ca

Chapter 67

9. Again, still remember what a comfortable evidence you carry

about with you, that your sin is not damning while you feel that you do not love it, but hate it, and are weary of it. Scarcely any sort of sinners have so little pleasure in their sin as the melancholy do, nor so little

Chapter 68

IV. But I am not yet done with the duty of those who take care of

distressed, melancholy persons, especially husbands’ duty to their wives (for it is much more frequently the disease of women than of men). When the disease disables them from helping themselves, most of their helps, und

Chapter 69

1. A great part of their cure lies in pleasing them, and avoiding all

displeasing things, as far as this can be done lawfully. Displeasedness is much of the disease; and a husband who has such a wife, is obliged to do his best to cure her, both in charity, and by his relative bond, and for

Chapter 70

2. As much as you can, divert them from the thoughts which are their

trouble; keep them on some other talks and business; break in upon them and interrupt their musings; rouse them out of it, but with loving importunity; don’t suffer them to be alone for long; get fit company to them, or

Chapter 71

4. Choose a skillful, prudent minister of Christ for them, both for

their secret counsel and public audience; one who is skilled in such cases; one who is peaceable and not contentious, erroneous, or fond of odd opinions; one who is judicious in his preaching and praying, rather than pas

Chapter 72

5. Labor frequently to convince them how great a wrong it is to the

God of infinite love and mercy, and to a Savior who has so wonderfully expressed his love, to think less of Him than they would think of a friend, or even of a moderate enemy, and so be less persuaded of that love which

Chapter 73

7. It is a useful way, if you can, to engage them in comforting others

who are in deeper distresses than they. For this will tell them that their case is not singular, and they will speak to themselves while they speak to others. One of the chief means which cured my fears of -- 50 of 66 -

Chapter 74

8. If other means will not do, do not neglect medicine. And though

they will be averse to it, believing that the disease is only in the mind, they must be persuaded or forced to take it. I have known a lady deep in melancholy, who for a long time would neither speak, nor take medicine,