The mourner directory, guiding him to the middle way betwixt the two extremes, defect,…The mourner directory, guiding him to the middle way betwixt the two extreams, defect,…

That in some it is Defective, especially in Spiritual Respects, hath been already showed, and wherein it doth come short of what it ought to be; that it is excessive and immoderate in others, the Practice of many deprived of their Relations by Death, is a visible Proof, and the Caution and Charge given in the Text, doth suppose that some do exceed the bounds, and that their Tears do overflow the Banks of Moderation, and make a Landflood in their Families.

That in some it is Defective, especially in Spiritual Respects, hath been already shewed, and wherein it doth come short of what it ought to be; that it is excessive and immoderate in others, the Practice of many deprived of their Relations by Death, is a visible Proof, and the Caution and Charge given in the Text, doth suppose that some do exceed the bounds, and that their Tears do overflow the Banks of Moderation, and make a Landstood in their Families.

So far as it hath already been discovered to be turbulent, it is excessive; which here should be reviewed; to which some more might be added.

The Apostle's Golden Rule should be our Christian Directory, for the moderating of our Joy and Sorrow, in having or losing the outward Enjoyments of this Life. 1 Cor. 7.29. But this I say, Brethren, the time is short; it remaineth that both they that have wives, be as though they had none. 33. And those that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. In which Rule we might note these things. (1.) Some have their Wives, Husbands, Parents, Children yet continuing with them: Others have none, because by death taken from them. 2. Those that have them, are apt to ver-joy in them; those that have lost them, are prone to over-sorrow for them. (3.) Those that have them, shall shortly be in the same circumstances as those that are by death deprived of them: Ours are dead, and yours shortly will be so. Life is so short, and the end of all so near and sure, that there is little and no long difference betwixt the state of one and of the other. (4.) Those that have Wives and other Relations, should sometimes suppose themselves to be in the Circumstances of those that have none; that the thoughts that shortly they