A39690:414
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.
7. Plea.
You press me to moderation of sorrows, and I know I ought to show it; but you don't know how the case stands with me, there's a sting in this affliction, that none feels but my self; And oh how intolerable is it now! I neglected proper means in season to preserve life, or miscarried in the use of means. I now see such a neglect or such a mistake about the means, as I cannot but judge greatly to contribute to that sad loss which I now (too late) lament.
You press me to moderation of sorrows, and I know I ought to shew it; but you don't know how the case stands with me, there's a sting in this affliction, that none feels but my self; And oh how intollerable is it now! I neglected proper means in season to preserve life, or miscarried in the use of means. I now see such a neglect or such a mistake about the means, as I cannot but judge greatly to contribute to that sad loss which I now (too late) lament.
O my negligence, O my rashness and inconsiderateness! How doth my Conscience now smite me for my folly! and by this aggravate my burden beyond what is usually felt by others. Had I seasonably applied my self to the use of proper means, and kept strictly to such courses and counsels as those that are able and skilful might have prescribed. I might have now had a living Husband, Wife, or Child: whereas I am now not only bereaved, but am apt to think I have bereaved my self of them. Surely, there is no sorrow, like unto my sorrow.
O my negligence, O my rashness and inconsiderateness! How doth my Conscience now smite me for my folly! and by this aggravate my burthen beyond what is usually felt by others. Had I seasonably apply'd my self to the use of proper means, and kept strictly to such courses and counsels as those that are able and skilful might have prescribed. I might have now had a living Husband, Wife, or Child: whereas I am now not only bereaved, but am apt to think I have bereaved my self of them. Surely, there is no sorrow, like unto my sorrow.