A50157:77
Right thoughts in sad hours representing the comforts and the duties of good men…
Right thoughts in sad hours representing the comforts and the duties of good men under all their afflictions; and particularly, that one, the untimely death of children: in a sermon delivered at Charles-town, New England; under a fresh experience of that calamity.Right thoughts in sad hours representing the comforts and the duties of good men under all their afflictions; and particularly, that one, the untimely death of children: in a sermon delivered at Charls-town, New England; under a fresh experience of that calamity.
London: printed by James Astwood, 1689
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.
§. But where shall I stop? About the advancements of Sight procured by Affliction, I may say as about the Instances of Faith, it is said by the Apostle, The time would fail me to mention them: Yet let me briefly add; By the Afflictions whereof you complain, God will bring you to Know what SIN is. You that formerly counted Stolen Waters are Sweet, shall now see Sin in a truer uglier dress; you shall see that it is as in Jer. 44. 4. The abominable thing, which I hate, saith the Lord. God will also bring you to Know what RELIGION is: You that sometimes have said, It is in vain to serve the Lord, shall now be reduced unto better Sentiments; you will soon believe ⟨p. 32⟩that in Psal. 111. 10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. Finally, God will bring you to Know what all Sublunary things are. You have had your too high Thoughts in your good Times; then your Song was, My Mountain is made strong. God will now show you what Creatures are, and give you cause to say of them, They are all Physicians of no value, and They are broken Cisterns that can hold no Water. Well then; say not, All these things are against me: It is a matchless Privilege to be thus Taught of God. We are told in Eccl. 1. 18. He that increaseth Knowledge, increaseth Sorrow: Behold, we may Invert the Words, and not Injure the Truth, Increase of Sorrow brings increase of Knowledge with it.
§. But where shall I stop? About the advancements of Sight procured by Affliction, I may say as about the Instances of Faith, it is said by the Apostle, The time would fail me to mention them: Yet let me briefly add; By the Afflictions whereof you complain, God will bring you to Know what SIN is. You that formerly counted Stollen Waters are Sweet, shall now see Sin in a truer uglier dress; you shall see that it is as in Ier. 44. 4. The abominable thing, which I hate, saith the Lord. God will also bring you to Know what RELIGION is: You that sometimes have said, It is in vain to serve the Lord, shall now be reduced unto better Sentiments; you will soon believe ⟨p. 32⟩