A39690:215
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.
It was doubtless the most fit and seasonable time for them that ever they could dye in; and as it is a fit time for them, so for you also. Had it lived longer, it might either have engaged you more, and so your parting would have been harder; or else have puzzled and stumbled you more by discovering its natural corruption: And then what a stinging aggravation of your sorrow would that have been?
It was doubtless the most fit and seasonable time for them that ever they could dye in; and as it is a fit time for them, so for you also. Had it lived longer, it might either have engaged you more, and so your parting would have been harder; or else have puzled and stumbled you more by discovering its natural corruption: And then what a stinging aggravation of your sorrow would that have been?
Surely the Lord of time, is the best Judge of time; and in nothing do we more discover our folly, and rashness, ⟨p. 70⟩then in presuming to fix the times either of our comforts or troubles: as to our comforts, we never think they can come to soon, we would have them presently, whether the season be fit or not, as Numb. 12. 13. Heal her now Lord. O let it be done speedily; we are in post hast for our comforts; and as for our afflictions, we never think they come late enough; not at this time Lord, rather at any other time than now.
But its good to leave the timing both of the one and other to him, whose works are all beautiful in their seasons, and never doth any thing in an improper time.