The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

8. Take heed of healing the souls of sick persons slightly, this we are very apt to. 1. From the sick mans greedy desire of comfort. 2. From the expectation and desire of carnal friends. 3. From our own careless hearts, that love not to put our selves to any trouble or reproach (which we shall meet with, if we be faithful in this case) however take heed of it. Jer. 8.11. They have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace. This is the case: A soul (whether in sickness or in health) must first be wounded, then healed. There must be sorrow and travel ere the Man child be brought forth. There must be true repentance and godly sorrow— deep sorrow (They daub, that tell you otherwise, and make God a lyar••) Great heaviness of heart, &c. Repentance is neither a short, nor a superficial work.—Persuade them to wait Gods leisure, and in Gods way for the cure, not to precipitate your work: Persuade them not to be afraid of sorrows, troubles, &c. but rather to fear the want of it; for here is a common and a fatal mistake, most men are afraid of sorrow, and labour to drive away sorrow: Whereas indeed sorrow is the midwife of all true joy. Tears of penitential sorrow, are the streams that lead us to the Rivers of pleasure, which are at Gods right hand: It is none other then the gate of heaven, the fountain of comfort: And on the contrary, to be a stranger to godly sorrow, is one of the dreadfullest signs of a lost soul. The laughter of such a person, is a Risus sardonicus, a deadly joy. Labour more to work a solid, than a sudden cure.

8. Take heed of healing the souls of sick persons slightly, this we are very apt to. 1. From the sick mans greedy desire of comfort. 2. From the expectation and desire of carnall friends. 3. From our own carelesse hearts, that love not to put our selves to any trouble or reproach (which we shall meet with, if we be faithfull in this case) however take heed of it. Ier. 8.11. They have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace. This is the case: A soul (whether in sicknesse or in health) must first be wounded, then healed. There must be sorrow and travel ere the Man child be brought forth. There must be true repentance and godly sorrow— deep sorrow (They dawb, that tell you otherwise, and make God a lyar) Great heavinesse of heart, &c. Repentance is neither a short, nor a superficiall work.—Perswade them to wait Gods leasure, and in Gods way for the cure, not to precipitate your work: Perswade them not to be afraid of sorrows, troubles, &c. but rather to fear the want of it; for here is a common and a fatall mistake, most men are afraid of sorrow, and labour to drive away sorrow: Wheeas indeed sorrow is the midwife of all true joy. Tears of penitential sorrow, are the streams that lead us to the Rivers of pleasure, which are at Gods right hand: It is none other then the gate of heaven, the fountain of comfort: And on the contrary, to be a stranger to godly sorrow, is one of the dreadfullest signes of a lost soul. The laughter of such a person, is a Risus sardonicus, a deadly joy. Labour more to work a solid, than a sudden cure.