The sixth affection is sorrow, which in the unregenerate is a worldly sorrow, and the effects of it are death; so the Apostle, The sorrow of the world worketh death, 2 Cor. 7.10. 1In this kind how endless are the sorrows of men for their losses, or crosses, that sometimes may befall them? And howsoever some may endeavour to comfort them in Christ, they are so dead-hearted that nothing can persuade, nothing relish with them that concerns heaven, or salvation. But in the regenerate, sorrow looks up to Godwards, not that the beholding of God in himself can bring sorrow to a man, for he is a most comfortable object, which made David say, The light of thy countenance — is gladness to my heart: 2but the beholding of sin, which hindereth from the clear sight of that object, this is it which breeds sorrow, and this the Apostle calls godly sorrow, working repentance to salvation, not to be repented of, 2 Cor. 7.10. It is not every sorrow, but godly sorrow, 3I rejoice (saith the Apostle) not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: And would you know who sorrows to repentance? it is he, and only he that groans and sighs under the heavy weight and burden of his sins, that is of a broken and contrite heart, that trembles at Gods word, that is grieved at his ⟨p. 20⟩enormities, that forsakes all sins, and that resigns up himself in all holy obedience to Gods blessed will; this sorrow is a blessed sorrow that brings forth joy and immortality: Therefore comfort ye, comfort ye all that mourn in Zion, what though for a night (in pangs of the new birth) you lye sorrowing and weeping for your sins? mark a while, and the day will dawn, ride on, because of the word of truth, and a day star will arise in your hearts that will never set; nay weep & weep again, till you can say with David, 4All the night make I my bed to swim with my tears, & presently the Sun of righteousness will appear, and he will dry away your tears, and shine upon you with everlasting light. Certainly thus is it with every regenerate man, he loves, and hates, and hopes, and fears, and joys, and sorrows, and all these passions are renewed in him: To give instance in one, David for all the regenerate, his love appears Psal. 5119.47. My delight shall be in thy commandments which I have loved: his hatred appears Psal. 130.22. I hate thy enemies with a perfect hatred. His hope appears Psal. 62.5.
The sixth affection is sorrow, which in the unregenerate is a worldly sorrow, and the effects of it are death; so the Apostle, The sorrow of the world worketh death, 2 Cor. 7.10. 1In this kinde how endless are the sorrows of men for their losses, or crosses, that sometimes may befall them? And howsoever some may endeavor to comfort them in Christ, they are so dead-hearted that nothing can perswade, nothing rellish with them that concerns heaven, or salvation. But in the regenerate, sorrow looks up to Godwards, not that the beholding of God in himself can bring sorrow to a man, for he is a most comfortable object, which made David say, The light of thy countenance — is gladness to my heart: 2but the beholding of sin, which hindreth from the cleer sight of that object, this is it which breeds sorrow, and this the Apostle calls godly sorrow, working repentance to salvation, not to be repented of, 2 Cor. 7.10. It is not every sorrow, but godly sorrow, 3I rejoyce (saith the Apostle) not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: And would you know who sorrows to repentance? it is he, and onely he that groans and sighs under the heavy weight and burthen of his sins, that is of a broken and contrite heart, that trembles at Gods word, that is grieved at his ⟨p. 20⟩enormities, that forsakes all sins, and that resigns up himself in all holy obedience to Gods blessed will; this sorrow is a blessed sorrow that brings forth joy and immortality: Therefore comfort ye, comfort ye all that mourn in Sion, what though for a night (in pangs of the new birth) you lye sorrowing and weeping for your sins? mark a while, and the day will dawn, ride on, because of the word of truth, and a day star will arise in your hearts that will never set; nay weep & weep again, till you can say with David, 4All the night make I my bed to swim with my tears, & presently the Sun of righteousness will appear, and he will dry away your tears, and shine upon you with everlasting light. Certainly thus is it with every regenerate man, he loves, and hates, and hopes, and fears, and joyes, and sorrows, and all these passions are renewed in him: To give instance in one, David for all the regenerate, his love appears
- 12 Cor. 7.10.
- 2Psal. 4.6, 7.
- 32 Cor. 7.10. V. 9.
- 4Psal. 6.6.
- 5Psal. 119.47.130.22.62 5.
