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

Now though there be somewhat in this case extraordinary and peculiar; for few or none that carry their dear children to the grave, may expect to receive them again from the dead immediately by a special resurrection, as she did: I say this is not to be expected by any that now loose their Relations; the occasion and reasons of such miraculous special resurrections being removed, by a sufficient and full evidence and confirmation of Christs divine power and Godhead: Yet those that now bury their Relations, if they be such as dye in Christ, have as good and sufficient reason to moderate their passions, as this mourner had, and do as truly come within the reach and compass ⟨p. 10⟩of this Christs comfortable and supporting counsel, Weep not, as the did; For do but consider, what of support or comfort, can a particular and present Resurrection from the dead give us, more than that it is, and as it is a Specimen, handsel, or pledge of the general Resurrection? It is not the returning of the soul to its body, to live an Animal life again in this world of sin and sorrow, and shortly after to undergo the agonies and pains of death again, that is in it self any such privilege, as may afford much comfort to the person raised, or his Relations: It is no privilege to the person raised; for it returns him from rest to trouble, from the harbour back again into the Ocean. It is matter of trouble to many dying Saints, to hear of the likelihood of their returning again, when they are got so nigh to Heaven.

Now though there be somewhat in this case extraordinary and peculiar; for few or none that carry their dear children to the grave, may expect to receive them again from the dead immediately by a special resurrection, as she did: I say this is not to be expected by any that now loose their Relations; the occasion and reasons of such miraculous special resurrections being removed, by a sufficient and full evidence and confirmation of Christs divine power and Godhead: Yet those that now bury their Relations, if they be such as dye in Christ, have as good and sufficient reason to moderate their passions, as this mourner had, and do as truly come within the reach and compass ⟨p. 10⟩of this Christs comfortable and supporting councel, Weep not, as the did; For do but consider, what of support or comfort, can a particular and present Resurrection from the dead give us, more than that it is, and as it is a Specimen, hansell, or pledge of the general Resurrection? It is not the returning of the soul to its body, to live an Animal life again in this world of sin and sorrow, and shortly after to undergo the agonies and pains of death again, that is in it self any such priviledge, as may afford much comfort to the person raised, or his Relations: It is no priviledge to the person raised; for it returns him from rest to trouble, from the harbour back again into the Ocean. It is matter of trouble to many dying Saints, to hear of the likelyhood of their returning again, when they are got so nigh to Heaven.