10 This grief in it self is indifferent, in us good or bad, according to the cause of it. If God would not have us grieved at all, why did he not frame our hearts of brass? or why were not we hewed out of marble? Indeed to be sorrowful, where we should not, or to laugh where we should weep, this beseems not wise men, much less Christian men to do. Simply to be grieved is not reprovable, but to be grieved out of Time, measure, or1 place, is fault worthy. When the light of the world began to be darkened by Eclipse, when the life of the world began to go to the shadow of death, women somewhat well affected, followed him bewailing him: But Christ told them, these tears wasted on him, might be better spent on themselves. For (saith he) the time will come when mothers shall think them most happy that are no mothers, and in this case* Tears shall be the only vent to ease your hearts, keep them therefore against those days. So that grief in some sort is sweet and allowable in the sight of God. Now that we may discern the better between3 sorrows, let us note there is a grief of passion, and a grief of compassion; the first we sustain in our selves, either upon some evil present, or upon some good thing absent: the other works in us upon the estate of others, when we shall see the Sword of the profane sheathed in the bowels of our own brethren, who can make a doubt, that a good man might say with the Apostle, Rom. 9. I speak the truth, my conscience bearing me witness in the holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness, and continual sorrow. And if for others, shall we not4 much more be grieved for things in our own persons? Yes, for be it that a man were free from the grief of indignation, wherewith David so laboured; be it that a man were free5 from the grief of emulation, wherewith he also was tried; be it that a man were free from the grief of contrition, wherewith even David was exercised; be it, I say, that a man were6 free from all these: yet from the grief of a longing expectation in their prayers, how free or unfree rather Gods children are, their sighs and sobs do show. We cry for aide, we7 seek for help, and yet it is deferred, this is a great grief, and this is an holy grief. But mark how in our best affections, Satan takes occasion by these things (most good) to draw us to things most evil.
10 This griefe in it selfe is indifferent, in vs good or bad, according to the cause of it. If God would not haue vs grieued at all, why did he not frame our hearts of brasse? or why were not wee hewed out of marble? Indeede to be sorrowfull, where we should not, or to laugh where wee should weepe, this beseemes not wise men, much lesse Christian men to doe. Simplie to be grieued is not reproueable, but to be grieued out of Time, measure, or1 place, is fault worthy. When the light of the world began to be darkened by Eclipse, when the life of the world began to goe to the shadowe of death, women somwhat well affected, followed him bewailing him: But Christ told them, these teares wasted on him, might bee better spent on themselues. For (saith hee) the time will come when mothers shall thinke them most happy that are no mothers, and in this case* Teares shall bee the onely vent to ease your hearts, keepe them therefore against those dayes. So that griefe in some sort is sweete and allowable in the sight of God. Now that wee may discerne the better betweene3 sorrowes, let vs note there is a griefe of passion, and a griefe of compassion; the first we sustaine in our selues, either vpon some euill present, or vpon some good thing absent: the other workes in vs vpon the estate of others, when we shall see the Sword of the prophane sheathed in the bowels of our owne brethren, who can make a doubt, that a good man might say with the Apostle, Rom. 9. I speake the truth, my conscience bearing me witnes in the holy Ghost, that I haue great heauines, and continuall sorrow. And if for others, shall we not4 much more be grieued for things in our owne persons? Yes, for be it that a man were free from the griefe of indignation, wherewith Dauid so laboured; be it that a man were free5 from the griefe of emulation, wherewith he also was tried; be it that a man were free from the griefe of contrition, wherewith euen Dauid was exercised; be it, I say, that a man were6 free from all these: yet from the griefe of a longing expectation in their prayers, how free or vnfree rather Gods children are, their sighes and sobs doe shew. We crie for aide, we7
- 1An evil grief.An euill griefe.
- *Egeritur lachrymis dolour.Egeritur lachrymis dolor.
- 3Grief of passion, and of compassion.Griefe of passion, and of compassion.
- 4Grief of indignation.Griefe of indignation.
- 5Grief of emulation.Griefe of emulation.
- 6Grief of contrition.Griefe of contrition.
- 7Grief of a longing expectation in prayers.Griefe of a longing expectation in prayers.
