A39690:329
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.
Such a smarting rod as this came not before there was need enough of it, and possibly you saw the need of some awaking providence your selves; but if not, the Lord did; he took not up the rod to smite you, till his faithfulness, and tender love to your souls called upon him to correct you.
You now sit pensive under the rod, ⟨p. 108⟩sadly lamenting and deploring the loss of some earthly comfort, your heart is surcharged with sorrow, your eyes run down upon every mention and remembrance of your dear friend. Why, if there were no more, this alone may discover the need you had of this rod; for doth not all this sorrow at parting, plainly speak how much your heart was set upon, how fast your heart was glued to this earthly comfort?
You now sit pensive under the rod, ⟨p. 108⟩sadly lamenting and deploring the loss of some earthly comfort, your heart is surcharged with sorrow, your eyes run down upon every mention and remembrance of your dear friend. Why, if there were no more, this alone may discover the need you had of this rod; for doth not all this sorrow at parting, plainly speak how much your heart was set upon, how fast your heart was glewed to this earthly comfort?
Now you see that your affections were sunk many degrees deeper into the creature than you were aware of: and what should God do in this case by you? Should he suffer you to cleave to the creature more and more? Should he permit it to purloin and exhaust your love and delight, and steal away your heart from himself? This he could not do and love you. The more impatient you are under this affliction, the more need you had of it.