A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

And because a hardened Heart is so great a part of the Malady and Misery of the unregenerate, and a soft and tender Heart is much of the New Nature promised by Christ, many awakened Souls under the work of Conversion, think they can never have Sorrow enough, and that their danger lies in hard-heartedness, and they never fear overmuch sorrow till it hath swallowed them up; yea though there be too much of other Causes in it, yet if any of it be for sin, they then cherish it as a necessary Duty, or at least perceive not the danger of Excess; and some think those to be the best Christians who are most in doubts, and fears, and sorrows, and speak almost nothing but uncomfortable Complaints; but this is a great mistake.

And because a hardned Heart is so great a part of the Malady and Misery of the unregenerate, and a soft and tender Heart is much of the New Nature promised by Christ, many awakened Souls under the work of Conversion, think they can never have Sorrow enough, and that their danger lies in hard-heartedness, and they never fear overmuch sorrow till it hath swallowed them up; yea though there be too much of other Causes in it, yet if any of it be for sin, they then cherish it as a necessary Duty, or at least perceive not the danger of Excess; and some think those to be the best Christians who are most in doubts, and fears, and sorrows, and speak almost nothing but uncomfortable Complaints; but this is a great mistake.

1. Sorrow is overmuch, when it is fed by a mistaken Cause: All is too much where none is due; and great sorrow is too much when the Cause requireth but less.

If a man thinketh that somewhat is a Duty, which is no Duty, and then sorrow for omitting it, such sorrow is all too much, because it is undue, and caused by error. Many I have known that have been greatly troubled, because they could not bring themselves to that length or order of meditation, for which they had neither Ability nor Time. And many because they could not reprove sin in others, when prudent instruction and intimation was more suitable than reproof. And many are troubled because in their Shops and Callings they think of any thing but God; as if our outward Business must have no thoughts.