A51833:135
Advice to mourners under the loss of dear relations in a funeral sermon long…
Advice to mourners under the loss of dear relations in a funeral sermon long since preached / by the late Reverend Dr. Thomas Manton ... And now occasionally published on the much lamented death of Mrs. Ann Terry, who died the 9th of November, 1693. With a short account of some passages of her life, and papers left under her own hand.Advice to mourners under the loss of dear relations in a funeral sermon long since preach'd / by the late Reverand Dr. Thomas Manton ... And now occasionally published on the much lamented death of Mrs. Ann Terry, who died the 9th of November, 1693. With a short account of some passages of her life, and papers left under her own hand.
London: printed by J.D. for Jonathon Robinson, 1694
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.
PAPER V.
When my Spirit is overwhelmed, lead me, O Lord, to the Rock that is higher than my self! If I had no Supports now to fly to, more than this vain World affords, I were a miserable Creature; but God hath been pleased, in some measure, to bless me with the Knowledge of himself, whom to know, to love, and to enjoy, is Life Eternal. I cannot express the Comfort that the Word of God doth yield me, even now in my Distress; so that I can say with the Psalmist, that thy Word is better to me than thousands of Gold and Silver. What though the Figtree should not blossom, neither should there be any Fruit in the Vine: If the Labour of the Olive shall fail; if the Fields shall yield no Meat; if the Flock shall be cut off from the Fold; if there be no Herd in the Stalls; if dear Relations and Friends die; if Husband and Children are taken away; yet if thou canst rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of thy Salvation; if thou canst but say, that the Lord God is thy Strength, thy ⟨p. 54⟩Portion, thy Refuge, and thy Deliverer, thou mayst be happy, whatever thy Condition be in this World. If thy good God will but say, as unto Israel of old, in Isa. 43. 1. But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, and he that formed thee, Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy Name, thou art mine. Lord, I know I am thine by Creation, it was thou alone that formed me; I beg that I may be thine by Redemption; let me be effectually called. O blessed Lord, assure me that I am thine; and let me know that thou lovest me, though thou afflictest me; that thou art not angry with me, though thou chastisest me sorely. There is much Bitterness, let there be no Wrath in this Cup: Give me some Hopes thou wilt be with me when I pass through the Water, and through the Fire. Lord, if thou wilt be but with me, I will fear no Evil: Lift thou up the Light of thy Countenance upon me, and then it will put more Gladness into my Heart than if I were possessed of all the good things in the World. Deal with me as thou usest to do to those that love thy Name. Lord, I hope I love thee! Lord, I desire to love thee, and to be beloved by thy blessed Majesty; and then all the Afflictions that I meet with, will make no Breach between thy self and my poor Soul. Thou