o this effect writes Arist. _3. Ethic._ Lipsius _Manuduc.
ad Stoicam Philosophiaem lib. 3. dissertat. 23._ but it needs no
confutation. This only let me add, that in some cases, those [2784]hard
censures of such as offer violence to their own persons, or in some
desperate fit to others, which sometimes they do, by stabbing, slashing,
&c. are to be mitigated, as in such as are mad, beside themselves for the
time, or found to have been long melancholy, and that in extremity, they
know not what they do, deprived of reason, judgment, all, [2785]as a ship
that is void of a pilot, must needs impinge upon the next rock or sands,
and suffer shipwreck. [2786]P. Forestus hath a story of two melancholy
brethren, that made away themselves, and for so foul a fact, were
accordingly censured to be infamously buried, as in such cases they use: to
terrify others, as it did the Milesian virgins of old; but upon farther
examination of their misery and madness, the censure was [2787]revoked, and
they were solemnly interred, as Saul was by David, 2 Sam. ii. 4. and Seneca
well adviseth, _Irascere interfectori, sed miserere interfecti_; be justly
offended with him as he was a murderer, but pity him now as a dead man.
Thus of their goods and bodies we can dispose; but what shall become of
their souls, God alone can tell; his mercy may come _inter pontem et
fontem, inter gladium et jugulum_, betwixt the bridge and the brook, the
knife and the throat. _Quod cuiquam contigit, quivis potest_: Who knows how
he may be tempted? It is his case, it may be thine: [2788]_Quae sua sors
hodie est, eras fore vestra potest._ We ought not to be so rash and
rigorous in our censures, as some are; charity will judge and hope the
best: God be merciful unto us all.

THE SYNOPSIS OF THE SECOND PARTITION.

Cure of melancholy is either

_Sect 1._ General to all, which contains

Unlawful means forbidden,

_Memb. 1._ From the devil, magicians, witches, &c., by charms,
spells, incantations, &c.

_Quest. 1._ Whether they can cure this, or other such like
diseases?
_Quest. 2._ Whether, if they can so cure, it be lawful to
seek to them for help?

or Lawful means, which are

_Memb. 2._ Immediately from God, _a Jove principium_ by prayer
&c.
_Memb. 3. Quest. 1._ Whether saints and their relics can help
this infirm