Advice for Spiritual Melancholy - 1640
Samuel Rutherford, persecuted Presbyterian preacher.
Introduction
King Charles I of England exiled Samuel Rutherford, the Presbyterian minister of Ainsworth, Scotland, because he had published an attack on some views of Church of England Archbishop William Laud, to whom Charles deferred on most religious questions. During his exile Rutherford wrote letters to encourage his flock in Ainsworth. Letter CCXCIV, written January 8, 1640, was to James Wilson who was troubled with doubts regarding his salvation. Rutherford pointed him to Christ.
Quote
“‘Oh,’ say ye, ‘I am slain with hardness of heart, and troubled with confused and melancholious thoughts.’
“Answer—My dear brother, what would you conclude thence? Down in Christ’s hospital, where sick and distempered souls are under cure, it is not worth a straw. Give Christ time to end His work in your heart. I charge you to make psalms of Christ’s praises for His begun work of grace. Make Christ your music and your song; for complaining and feeling of want does often swallow up your praises. Borrow joy and comfort from the Comforter. Bid the Spirit do His office in you; and remember that faith is one thing and the feeling and notice of faith another.”
Rutherford, Samuel. Letters of Samuel Rutherford, ed. by Andrew A. Bonar. Edinburgh & London: Oliphant Anderson & Ferrier, 1891.