A token for mourners, or, The advice of Christ to a distressed mother bewailing…

And what if by this stroke the Lord will awaken your drowsy soul, and recover you out of that pleasant, but dangerous spiritual slumber you were fallen into, whilst you had pillowed your head upon this pleasant, sensible creature-enjoyment? Is not this really better for you, ⟨p. 109⟩than if he should say, sleep on? He is joined to Idols, let him alone, he is departing from me the fountain, to a broken Cistern, let him go?

And what if by this stroke the Lord will awaken your drowzy soul, and recover you out of that pleasant, but dangerous spiritual slumber you were fallen into, whilst you had pillowed your head upon this pleasant, sensible creature-enjoyment? Is not this really better for you, ⟨p. 109⟩than if he should say, sleep on? He is joyned to Idols, let him alone, he is departing from me the fountain, to a broken Cistern, let him go?

Yea, What if by this stroke upon one of the pleasantest things you had in this world, God will discover to you, more sensibly and effectually than ever, the vanity both of that, and all other earthly comforts, so as that you shall from henceforth never let forth your heart, your hope, your love and delight to any of them as you did before? you could talk before of the creatures vanity; but I question whether ever you had so clear and convincing a sight of its vanity as you have this day: And is not this a considerable mercy in your eyes?

Now, if ever, God is weaning you from all fond opinions, and vain expectations from this world; by this your Judgment of the creatures is rectified, and your affections to all other enjoyments on earth moderated: And is this nothing? O doubtless it's a greater mercy to you, than to have your friend alive again.