A39690:112
A token for mourners, or, The advice of Christ to a distressed mother bewailing…
A token for mourners, or, The advice of Christ to a distressed mother bewailing the death of her dear and only son wherein the boundaries of sorrow are duly fixed, excesses restrained, the common pleas answered, and divers rules for the support of Gods afflicted ones prescribed / by J.F.
London: printed for Robert Boulter, 1674
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Many a mans Soul is to his Body, as a sharp knife to a thin sheath, which easily cuts it through; and what do we by poring and pondering upon our troubles, but whet the knife that it may cut the deeper and quicker? Of all the Creatures that ever God made (Devils only excepted) man is the most able and apt to be his own tormentor.
Many a mans Soul is to his Body, as a sharp knife to a thin sheath, which easily cuts it through; and what do we by poreing and pondering upon our troubles, but whet the knife that it may cut the deeper and quicker? Of all the Creatures that ever God made (Devils only excepted) man is the most able and apt to be his own tormentor.
How unmercifully do we load them in times of affliction? How do we not only waste their strength by sorrow, but deny relief and necessary refreshment? They must carry the load, but be allowed no refreshment: If they can eat the bread of affliction, and drink tears, they may feed at full; but no pleasant bread, no quiet sleep is permitted them. Surely you would not burden a beast, as you do your own bodies; you would pity and relieve a brute beast groaning and sinking under an heavy burden, but you will not pity not relieve your own bodies.
How unmercifully do we load them in times of affliction? How do we not only waste their strength by sorrow, but deny relief and necessary refreshment? They must carry the load, but be allowed no refreshment: If they can eat the bread of affliction, and drink tears, they may feed at full; but no pleasant bread, no quiet sleep is permitted them. Surely you would not burden a beast, as you do your own bodies; you would pitty and relieve a bruit beast groaning and sinking under an heavy burden, but you will noc pitty not relieve your own bodies.
Some mens souls have given such deep wounds to their bodies, that they are never like to enjoy many easy or comfortable days more whilst they dwell in them.