ome words from Richard Baxter on holiness and passion. These words were intended to encourage those suffering from melancholy (depression) who found it difficult to feel as they thought they should–rather than to castigate those who are too passionate!

Passionate feelings depend much upon nature. Some persons are more sensible than others; a little thing goes deep with some: the wisest and weightiest persons are usually least passionate; and the weakest hardly moderate their passions.

God is not an object of sense, and therefore more fit for the understanding and will, than the passions, to work upon. That is the holiest soul which is most inclined to God, and resolved for him, and conformed to his will; and not that which is affected with the deepest griefs, and fears, and joys, and other such transporting passions; though it were best, if even holy passions could be raised at the will’s command…

I had rather be that christian that loathes himself for sin, resolves against it, and forsakes it, though he cannot weep for it; than one of those that can weep today, and sin again tomorrow, and whose sinful passions are quickly stirred, as well as their better passions.

– Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory