N00460:204
The mourners cordial against excessive sorrow discovering what grounds of hope Gods people have…
The mourners cordial against excessive sorrow discovering what grounds of hope Gods people have concerning their dead friends / by Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston. ; [Five lines from II Corinthians]
Boston: printed by Benjamin Harris, 1691
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
4. It may be no little relief and support to the spirits of Gods Children even at such a time as this is, to be able to say that they have been faithful in doing of their duty to such. If whilst they were with us, and we had the opportunity, we prayed earnestly for them, carefully endeavoured to set before them a pious example in all the duties of Religion, and godly conversation; if we have taken unwearied pains ⟨p. 116⟩with them in counselling, reproving, restraining them, according to our best discretion, and as we have had opportunity; it will be a great relief unto us; for God will acknowledge our sincerity, and our labour shall not be lost, nor our prayers return empty.
5. We do not know what God may have done for them by a secret work in the interim. This is not to be doubted of▪ but that he can do his work suddenly; though woe to them who will boldly run the risk of such a thing. But he may have had mercy upon them, inter pon•em & fon•em, it is not impossible but that his spirit may have wrought in them effectually; though if he have, it is not fitting that it should be known by us, lest the•e should be a shameful abuse made of it; yet the thing is not in it self an impossibility: and though it can be but a very languishing one, yet where there remaineth a who knows? hope is not without all relief.
5. We do not know what God may have done for them by a secret work in the interim. This is not to be doubted of▪ but that he can do his work suddenly; though woe to them who will boldly run the risque of such a thing. But he may have had mercy upon them, inter pon•em & fon•em, it is not impossible but that his spirit may have wrought in them effectually; though if he have, it is not fitting that it should be known by us, lest thee should be a shameful abuse made of it; yet the thing is not in it self an impossibility: and though it can be but a very languishing one, yet where there remaineth a who knows? hope is not without all relief.