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,…

it is but the fashion of this world, an accidental and External Figure without substance, the surface and outside. What is all that is in this world, that is of the world, but a mere surface, ⟨p. 119⟩and vain outside? why then do we joy so much, or sorrow so much, whether we have them, or be without them? (3.) They are in continual change; like Water in the River, is continually, every moment passing away. What! are these things neither substantial, nor continual, and shall we be over-affected with the having, or the losing of them? Christians should do as to Temporals, as Worldings do in Spirituals; these pray as if they prayed not; they can confess sin, and neither weep without, nor sorrow within: they are under the loss of the favour of God, and yet are as contented as if they were not; they can ask for an interest in Christ, pardon of sin, and eternal Salvation, and yet not be much troubled for the present, though they go without them for ever: they can sit and hear the threatenings of God, and never fear nor grieve; can sit and hear the glad tidings of the Gospel, and never rejoice; hear all as if they heard them not; or if they have some movings of Affections, they are not deep, they reach not the heart: they do not break their hearts for sin against God, nor for the loss of God, so much as some do for the loss of a Creature.

it is but the fashion of this world, an accidental and External Figure without substance, the surface and outside. What is all that is in this world, that is of the world, but a meer surface, ⟨p. 119⟩and vain outside? why then do we joy so much, or sorrow so much, whether we have them, or be without them? (3.) They are in continual change; like Water in the River, is continually, every moment passing away. What! are these things neither substantial, nor continual, and shall we be over-affected with the having, or the losing of them? Christians should do as to Temporals, as Worldings do in Spirituals; these pray as if they prayed not; they can confess sin, and neith•r weep without, nor sorrow within: they are under the loss of the favour of God, and yet are as contented as if they were not; they can ask for an interest in Christ, pardon of sin, and eternal Salvation, and yet not be much troubled for the present, though they go without them for ever: they can sit and hear the threatnings of God, and never fear nor grieve; can sit and hear the glad tidings of the Gospel, and never rejoice; hear all as if they heard them not; or if they have some movings of Affections, they are not deep, they reach not the heart: they do not break their hearts for sin against God, nor for the loss of God, so much as some do for the loss of a Creature.