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

And happy were it if every afflicted soul would choose this way to express his sorrows. Did we complain more to God, God would complain less of us, and quickly abate the matters of our complaint. O you cannot think how moving, ⟨p. 19⟩how melting, how prevailing it is with God, when his poor burdened and afflicted people, in a day of distress and despondency, when deep calleth unto deep, and one wave drives on another, then for the oppressed soul with humility, filial confidence, and faith, to turn it self to the Lord and thus bespeak him,

And happy were it if every afflicted soul would chuse this way to express his sorrows. Did we complain more to God, God would complain less of us, and quickly abate the matters of our complaint. O you cannot think how moving, ⟨p. 19⟩how melting, how prevailing it is with God, when his poor burdened and afflicted people, in a day of distress and despondency, when deep calleth unto deep, and one wave drives on another, then for the oppressed soul with humility, filial confidence, and faith, to turn it self to the Lord and thus bespeak him,

Father, What shall I do? My soul is greatly bowed down by trouble, I am full to the brim, my vain heart hath looked for relief this way and that way but none comes, every door of comfort is shut up against me: Thou hast multiplied my sorrows, and renewed thy witnesses against me: Comfort is removed from my outward, and peace from my inner man: Sharp afflictions without, and bitter reflections within. O Lord I am oppressed, undertake for me. Fathers of the flesh pity their distressed children when they complain to them, and wilt not thou O Lord, whose compassions as far exceed creature-compassions, as the Sea exceeds a drop. O my Father pity me, support me, deliver me.

Father, What shall I do? My soul is greatly bowed down by trouble, I am full to the brim, my vain heart hath looked for relief this way and that way but none comes, every door of comfort is shut up against me: Thou hast multiplyed my sorrows, and renewed thy witnesses against me: Comfort is removed from my outward, and peace from my inner man: Sharp afflictions without, and bitter reflections within. O Lord I am oppressed, undertake for me. Fathers of the flesh pitty their disstressed children when they complain to them, and wilt not thou O Lord, whose compassions as far exceed creature-compassions, as the Sea exceeds a drop. O my Father pitty me, support me, deliver me.