Encouragement for Depression

These thirteen sermons on Psalm 42:11, preached in Stepney (London) in 1648, are the work of a true physician of souls. In treating believers suffering from spiritual depression, Bridge demonstrates a clear perception of the things that cause discouragement in saints, such as great sins, weak grace, neglect of spiritual disciplines, lack of assurance, temptation, abandonment, and affliction. A correct diagnosis represents more than half the cure, but Bridge does not leave his readers there. He offers guidelines for applying the remedy. For example, when discussing "great sins," he says: "If you truly want to humble yourself without becoming discouraged, then seek the source of all your sins in unbelief and cast the full weight of your sorrow upon this sin." The general causes of spiritual depression are the same in all ages. Depressed Christians of the 21st century can find help here just as surely as past generations.