The third thing to be avoided in mourning for our dead, or when any cross is laid upon us, is immoderate weeping & howling. This God reproved in Samuel, sorrowing for king Saul, though he were not dead, but cast off from God, saying: How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have cast him away from reigning over Israel? This was folly in old Jacob, who thus grievously mourning for Joseph (whom he thought had been dead) utterly refused to be comforted of his children, and so continued weeping. And David was greatly to be blamed, who though he mourned not when his infant was dead, yet outrageously he lamented and tormented himself for the death of the traitor Absalom, that sought to depose him from his kingdom. 2. Sam. 18.33. This too too woeful lamenting for the dead, Almighty God forbade in the time of the Law, and under the holy Gospel it is not to be used. The Lord saith: You shall not cut your flesh for the dead, neither make any print of a mark upon you: I ⟨p. 179⟩am the Lord. Levit. 12.28. This some come very near unto, that pull themselves, and tear their flesh, as howling in infidelity. From which the holy Apostle counselleth: Chrysostom dissuadeth, which Cyril greatly disliketh: S. Ambrose reproveth, and S. Augustine sharply condemneth. So then hypocrisy, superstition, and excessive sorrow avoided, faith and charity observed: Funerals and mourning, are commendable over the dead, and may lawfully be used, after the examples of the Patriarchs, Prophets, holy men, Christ, his Apostles, and other the Saints of God. Therefore well saith Jesus Sirach, Let not them that weep be without comfort, but mourn with them that mourn: Eccles. 7.34. For there is a time for all things. Eccles. 3.1. But make small weeping for the dead, for he is at rest. Yet use lamentation as he is worthy, and that a day or two, least thou be evil spoken of, and then comfort thy self for thy heaviness. For of heaviness cometh death, and the heaviness of the heart breaketh the strength, and dryeth up the bones. Eccles. 38.17.18.
The third thing to bee auoyded in mourning for our dead, or when any crosse is laid vpon vs, is immoderate weeping & howling. This God reproued in Samuel, sorrowing for king Saul, though he were not dead, but cast off from God, saying: How long wilt thou mourne for Saul, seeing I haue cast him away from raigning ouer Israel? This was folly in old Iacob, who thus grieuously mourning for Ioseph (whom he thought had bene dead) vtterly refused to bee comforted of his children, and so continued weeping. And Dauid was greatly to be blamed, who though he mourned not when his infant was dead, yet outragiously he lamented and tormented himselfe for the death of the traitor Absolon, that sought to depose him frō his kingdome. 2. Sam. 18.33. This too too wofull lamenting for the dead, Almightie God fo•bad in the time of the Lawe, and vnder the holy Gospell it is not to be vsed. The Lord saith: You shall not cut your flesh for the dead, neither make any print of a marke vpon you: I ⟨p. 179⟩am the Lord. Leuit. 12.28. This some come very neare vnto, that pull themselues, and teare their flesh, as howling in infidelitie. From which the holy Apostle counselleth: Chrysostome disswadeth, which Cyril greatly disliketh: S. Ambrose reproueth, and S. Augustine sharply condemneth. So then hypocrisie, superstition, and excessiue sorrow auoyded, faith and charitie obserued: Funeralls and mourning, are commendable ouer the dead, and may lawfully be vsed, after the examples of the Patriarkes, Prophets, holy men, Christ, his Apostles, and other the Saints of God. Therefore well saith Iesus Syrach, Let not them that weepe be without comfort, but mourne with them that mourne: Eccles. 7.34. For there is a time for all things. Eccles. 3.1. But make small weeping for the dead, for he is at rest. Yet vse lamentation as he is worthy, and that a day or two, least thou be euil spoken of, and then comfort thy selfe for thy heauinesse. For of heauinesse commeth death, and the heauinesse of the heart breaketh the strength, and dryeth vp the bones. Eccles. 38.17.18.
