The truly blessed man

6. And you grieve the Children of God. As the Spirit is grieved by it, so are his people; it grieves them for the sake of Religion it self, which is reflected on by your means; and it grieves them on your account, to see how you stand in your own light, and hinder your selves of the comfort which God hath made your portion: they mourn for you, and be you ashamed and humbled. But possibly you think you have something to say for your selves in excuse, as if it were not to be rebuked: give me leave then to obviate three comprehensive cavils.

1. How can I rejoice who am so burdened with sin? I would be glad if I could, but my sins are so many, so great; my corruption, so strong and active; I have so many vain and blasphemous thoughts, so much deadness in duty, am so unprofitable in every thing, that I can take comfort in nothing; and if any in the world are called to spend their time in mourning, then am I.

1. How can I rejoyce who am so burdened with sin? I would be glad if I could, but my sins are so many, so great; my corruption, so strong and active; I have so many vain and blasphemous thoughts, so much deadness in duty, am so unprofitable in every thing, that I can take comfort in nothing; and if any in the world are called to spend their time in mourning, then am I.

A. 1. Godly sorrow is not forbidden, but enjoyed you. Gods Children ought to mourn for sin, as long as they dwell with a body of death, Paul himself doth so, Rom. 7. And all the sense we have of the burden of sin, may well make us to groa•• and cry out: doubtless he that doth not mourn for sin, borders upon one that makes a mock of it.