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

What shall we say to a Life of Sorrow and Pensiveness? to live […] Recluse from the flattering Vanities of the World?^a I said of Laughter it is mad; and of Mirth what doth it? What Music is the giggling Mirth of the World to a serious Soul? Those that the Frothy part of the World count Melancholy, the sober part of the World count them Wise.

What shall we say to a Life of Sorrow and Pensiveness? to live 〈…〉 Recluse from the flattering Vanities of the World?^a I said of Laughter it is mad; and of Mirth what doth it? What Musick is the gigling Mirth of the World to a serious Soul? Those that the Frothy part of the World count Melancholy, the sober part of the World count them Wise.

1. aEccles. 2.2.•

But yet to give way to Sorrow, dispirits us for any considerable service either to God or Man; it unfits us for every thing;^b the Sorrow of the World worketh Death. Such are burdensome to themselves and others; they are weary of themselves, and every body else is weary of them. If a Melancholy mopish temper be not checked, 'twill lead to hard thoughts of God, to blasphemy, infidelity. In short, a Life of Sorrow is a degree of Hell upon Earth, and such Persons torment themselves before their time. But what can Religion do in this case?

But yet to give way to Sorrow, disspirits us for any considerable service either to God or Man; it unfits us for every thing;