The mourners cordial against excessive sorrow discovering what grounds of hope Gods people have…

4. Hence mourning upon such an occasion is but a rational improvement of a natural affection. All the Affections were put into men by God when he Created them, and so they belong to the very nature of Humanity; now there was an use and serviceableness that these were put into man for; and that was to help him to carry himself suitably to all the occasions of his life. Sin indeed hath put these much out of order, and made them very unruly: but still there is a rational use to be made of them, which is in it self lawful for men, yea and a moral duty; ⟨p. 36⟩and by such an application or improvement, the Affection doth attain the moral end which it was placed in the man for: the thing it self therefore is warrantable; tho' the corrupt heart of sinful man, always spoils his lawful actions, and they, being unsanctified, are not pleasing to God, nor can be: yet the things themselves are justifiable: and hither belongs this of mourning over our dead Friends.

4. Hence mourning upon such an occasion is but a rational improvement of a natural aff•ction. All the Affections were put into men by God when he Created them, and so they belong to the very nature of Humanity; now there was an use and serviceableness that these were put into man for; and that was to help him to carry himself suitably to all the occasions of his life. Sin indeed hath put these much out of order, and made them very unruly: but still there is a rational use to be made of them, which is in it self lawful for men, yea and a moral duty; ⟨p. 36⟩and by such an application or improvement, the Affection doth attain the moral end which it was placed in the man for: the thing it self therefore is warrantable; tho' the corrupt heart of sinful man, alwayes spoils his lawful actions, and they, being unsanct•fied, are not pleasing to God, nor can be: yet the things themselves are justifiable: and hither belongs this of mourning over our dead Friends.