Immoderate mourning for the dead, prov'd unreasonable and unchristian. Or, Some considerations of general use to allay our sorrow for deceased friends and relations but more especially intended for comfort to parents upon the death of their children. By John Owen, chaplain to the right honourable Henry Lord Grey of Ruthen.
         Owen, John, chaplain to Lord Grey of Ruthin.
      
       
         
           1680
        
      
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             Immoderate mourning for the dead, prov'd unreasonable and unchristian. Or, Some considerations of general use to allay our sorrow for deceased friends and relations but more especially intended for comfort to parents upon the death of their children. By John Owen, chaplain to the right honourable Henry Lord Grey of Ruthen.
             Owen, John, chaplain to Lord Grey of Ruthin.
          
           [20], 132 p.
           
             printed by J. Macock, for John Williams at the Crown in St Paul's Church-yard,
             London :
             1680.
          
           
             Running title: Comfort for parents upon the death of their children.
             Reproduction of original in the Folger Shakespeare Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Death -- Religious aspects -- Early works to 1800.
           Grief -- Early works to 1800.
           Children -- Death -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           Immoderate
           MOURNING
           FOR
           THE
           DEAD
           ,
           Prov'd
           Unreasonable
           and
           Unchristian
           .
        
         
           OR
           ,
           Some
           Considerations
           of
           general
           use
           to
           allay
           our
           sorrow
           for
           Deceased
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ;
        
         
           But
           more
           especially
           intended
           for
           Comfort
           to
           PARENTS
           upon
           the
           Death
           of
           their
           CHILDREN
           .
        
         
           By
           
             JOHN
             OWEN
          
           ,
           Chaplain
           to
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           Henry
           Lord
           Grey
           of
           Ruthen
           .
        
         
           
             2
             Cor.
             6.
             8.
             
          
           
             As
             sorrowful
             ,
             yet
             always
             rejoycing
             .
          
        
         
           
             Detestandae
             sunt
             illae
             lachrymae
             ,
             plenae
             Sacrilegio
             ,
             Infidelitate
             plenissimae
             ,
             quae
             non
             habent
             modum
             .
          
           
             Hieron
             .
             Epist
             .
             ad
             Paulam
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             J.
             Macock
          
           ,
           for
           
             John
             Williams
          
           at
           the
           Crown
           in
           S
           t
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           ,
           1680.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           Excellent
           and
           Virtuous
           Lady
           ,
           the
           LADY
           
             JANE
             MUSTERS
          
           ,
           of
           the
           Parish
           of
           Harnsey
           in
           the
           County
           of
           Middlesex
           .
        
         
           
             MADAM
             ,
          
        
         
           WHen
           I
           first
           heard
           of
           the
           Death
           of
           your
           Dear
           Child
           ,
           and
           only
           Son
           ,
           I
           much
           deplored
           your
           Loss
           ,
           and
           was
           greatly
           concern'd
           to
           think
           how
           you
           would
           bear
           it
           ,
           as
           considering
           that
           your
           affections
           towards
           him
           were
           exceeding
           great
           ,
           and
           surpassing
           the
           common
           and
           ordinary
           Love
           of
           Women
           ;
           and
           that
           your
           Heart
           was
           set
           so
           much
           upon
           him
           ,
           that
           your
           Life
           seem'd
           to
           be
           wrapt
           up
           in
           
           his
           ;
           so
           that
           he
           could
           hardly
           die
           ,
           but
           his
           Death
           must
           go
           near
           to
           kill
           you
           too
           .
        
         
           I
           knew
           indeed
           your
           Prudence
           and
           Religion
           to
           be
           very
           great
           ,
           yet
           I
           much
           feared
           that
           upon
           so
           severe
           a
           tryal
           ,
           your
           Passion
           might
           get
           the
           start
           of
           your
           Reason
           ,
           and
           so
           far
           over
           come
           it
           ,
           as
           to
           prove
           a
           great
           prejudice
           to
           all
           wise
           Considerations
           :
           And
           as
           I
           feared
           ,
           so
           I
           was
           credibly
           inform'd
           by
           some
           that
           were
           Spectators
           of
           your
           sorrows
           ,
           that
           you
           laid
           the
           Death
           of
           your
           Son
           so
           much
           to
           Heart
           ,
           and
           was
           so
           deeply
           ingulph'd
           in
           sorrows
           ,
           that
           like
           Rachel
           you
           refused
           to
           be
           comforted
           :
           And
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           you
           had
           a
           singular
           loss
           ,
           and
           therefore
           might
           very
           well
           be
           afforded
           some
           grains
           of
           allowance
           in
           sorrowing
           more
           than
           ordinary
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           
           your
           only
           Son
           ;
           the
           most
           intense
           sorrow
           being
           described
           and
           represented
           in
           Scripture
           by
           
             Mourning
             as
             for
             an
             only
             Son.
             
          
        
         
           And
           therefore
           when
           I
           understood
           that
           you
           took
           on
           so
           heavily
           ,
           and
           continued
           mourning
           and
           afflicting
           your self
           at
           such
           a
           great
           rate
           ,
           I
           thought
           it
           my
           duty
           to
           do
           my
           best
           endeavours
           (
           as
           having
           received
           so
           many
           Obligations
           from
           your
           Family
           )
           to
           support
           part
           of
           the
           foundation
           when
           it
           was
           sinking
           with
           the
           weight
           of
           overmuch
           sorrow
           .
           And
           whilst
           I
           was
           studying
           for
           some
           Counsels
           that
           might
           be
           proper
           for
           one
           in
           your
           case
           ,
           it
           was
           my
           misfortune
           to
           meet
           with
           the
           like
           sad
           Providence
           in
           the
           death
           of
           one
           of
           my
           own
           Children
           ,
           which
           made
           me
           more
           sensible
           of
           the
           greatness
           of
           your
           loss
           ,
           who
           was
           bereav'd
           of
           your
           
           only
           Child
           ;
           so
           that
           I
           had
           now
           a
           new
           work
           to
           do
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           master
           my
           own
           Grief
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           those
           sorrows
           within
           compass
           ,
           which
           naturally
           arise
           upon
           the
           loss
           of
           our
           nearest
           and
           dearest
           Relations
           :
           whereupon
           immediately
           I
           consulted
           not
           with
           flesh
           and
           blood
           ,
           which
           I
           knew
           would
           lean
           more
           to
           the
           side
           of
           Passion
           than
           Reason
           ,
           but
           begg'd
           of
           God
           that
           he
           would
           endue
           me
           with
           wisdom
           from
           above
           ,
           and
           that
           whilst
           I
           shewed
           the
           resentments
           of
           a
           man
           ,
           I
           might
           behave
           my self
           like
           a
           Christian
           ,
           and
           
             not
             sorrow
             like
             others
             without
             hope
             .
          
           And
           being
           by
           the
           Divine
           Assistance
           supply'd
           with
           the
           Considerations
           in
           the
           following
           Discourse
           ,
           which
           wrought
           effectually
           upon
           me
           towards
           the
           mitigating
           of
           my
           sorrows
           ;
           I
           thought
           that
           the
           same
           remedy
           which
           I
           found
           from
           
           them
           might
           very
           rationally
           be
           propounded
           to
           another
           ,
           and
           probably
           work
           the
           same
           Cure
           upon
           your
           Ladyship
           ,
           which
           they
           had
           done
           upon
           my self
           .
           And
           so
           Cicero
           relates
           of
           himself
           ,
           that
           being
           in
           great
           affliction
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           Dear
           Daughter
           Tullia
           ,
           he
           was
           forc'd
           to
           fly
           to
           the
           Precepts
           and
           Arguments
           of
           some
           famous
           Philosophers
           for
           comfort
           and
           relief
           ,
           and
           to
           propound
           to
           himself
           the
           Examples
           of
           some
           Eminent
           Persons
           who
           had
           behaved
           themselves
           with
           great
           temper
           and
           moderation
           under
           the
           like
           sorrowful
           circumstances
           .
           And
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           wise
           Precepts
           &
           brave
           Examples
           of
           others
           ,
           he
           found
           it
           so
           hard
           to
           be
           reconciled
           to
           Providence
           ,
           and
           to
           conquer
           his
           Grief
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           such
           an
           Excellent
           and
           Virtuous
           Daughter
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           fain
           
           to
           set
           upon
           writing
           his
           Book
           
             of
             Consolation
          
           ,
           on
           purpose
           to
           divert
           his
           Melancholy
           ,
           and
           to
           beguile
           the
           tediousness
           of
           his
           Sorrows
           .
           And
           praised
           be
           God
           ,
           I
           have
           had
           the
           happiness
           to
           find
           the
           same
           benefit
           by
           Consideration
           ,
           which
           Cicero
           did
           .
           And
           hope
           that
           having
           experimented
           the
           benefit
           of
           my
           own
           Counsels
           ,
           I
           *
           may
           be
           better
           qualifi'd
           to
           win
           both
           upon
           your
           Ladyships
           Reason
           and
           Judgment
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           your
           Ladyship
           has
           had
           somewhat
           the
           greater
           tryal
           ,
           as
           losing
           a
           Son
           ,
           and
           an
           only
           Son
           ,
           
             Quid
             enim
             utilius
             filio
             ?
             quid
             jucundius
             unico
             ?
          
           Sayes
           
             Cicero
             de
             Consolatione
          
           :
           What
           is
           more
           comfortable
           and
           useful
           than
           a
           Son
           ?
           and
           what
           is
           more
           pleasant
           and
           dearer
           
           to
           us
           than
           an
           only
           Son
           ?
           And
           yet
           he
           tells
           us
           of
           *
           
             Q.
             Fabius
          
           ,
           who
           lost
           his
           only
           Son
           ,
           one
           that
           was
           in
           a
           place
           of
           great
           Dignity
           and
           Honour
           in
           the
           Common-wealth
           ,
           and
           had
           got
           a
           great
           reputation
           by
           doing
           brave
           and
           excellent
           things
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           been
           more
           famous
           if
           he
           had
           liv'd
           ;
           That
           he
           was
           so
           well
           reconcil'd
           to
           the
           Death
           of
           his
           only
           Son
           ,
           and
           bore
           it
           so
           bravely
           ,
           that
           he
           stood
           up
           and
           made
           a
           large
           speech
           ,
           and
           a
           very
           trim
           ,
           solid
           ,
           and
           even
           Oration
           in
           Commendation
           of
           his
           Son
           ,
           and
           recited
           his
           great
           Vertues
           without
           lamenting
           his
           Death
           .
        
         
           And
           he
           makes
           further
           mention
           of
           
           one
           
             Q.
             Martius
          
           ,
           a
           King
           ,
           who
           lost
           his
           only
           Son
           and
           Heir
           Apparent
           to
           the
           Crown
           ,
           and
           of
           many
           others
           ,
           as
           
             Xenophon
             ,
             Cassius
             ,
             Pericles
          
           ,
           who
           had
           the
           misfortune
           to
           bury
           and
           lose
           their
           Sons
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           come
           to
           be
           men
           ,
           and
           were
           persons
           of
           great
           worth
           ,
           of
           singular
           prudence
           and
           piety
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           growing
           fame
           and
           reputation
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           who
           carried
           it
           with
           great
           prudence
           and
           moderation
           ,
           and
           shewed
           themselves
           great
           Masters
           of
           their
           Passion
           upon
           these
           sad
           occasions
           .
        
         
           But
           perhaps
           these
           Examples
           of
           a
           Masculine
           patience
           may
           seem
           not
           to
           suit
           with
           the
           softness
           of
           your
           Ladyships
           temper
           ,
           nor
           agreeable
           to
           the
           natural
           tenderness
           of
           your
           Sex
           ;
           Men
           being
           always
           accounted
           the
           more
           hardy
           and
           invulnerable
           ,
           and
           less
           liable
           
           to
           the
           impressions
           of
           sorrow
           than
           Women
           ,
           whose
           very
           constitution
           does
           give
           a
           lift
           and
           advantage
           to
           their
           Passions
           ;
           for
           being
           the
           weaker
           Vessels
           they
           cannot
           so
           well
           contain
           their
           resentments
           ,
           and
           support
           their
           spirits
           in
           affliction
           ,
           as
           those
           that
           are
           stronger
           .
           And
           although
           the
           Poets
           feign
           that
           Niobe
           was
           turn'd
           into
           a
           Statue
           ,
           because
           of
           her
           weeping
           so
           stifly
           for
           the
           death
           and
           slaughter
           of
           her
           Children
           ;
           yet
           they
           make
           no
           mention
           of
           her
           Husband
           Amphion
           ,
           that
           the
           he
           was
           any
           ways
           concern'd
           at
           loss
           of
           them
           .
           And
           therefore
           some
           instances
           of
           the
           like
           patience
           and
           moderation
           in
           some
           of
           your
           own
           Sex
           ,
           are
           more
           likely
           to
           prevail
           with
           your
           Ladyship
           ,
           and
           to
           excite
           you
           to
           their
           imitation
           .
           I
           crave
           leave
           therefore
           to
           produce
           the
           same
           Examples
           which
           Seneca
           
           did
           to
           Marcia
           upon
           the
           very
           same
           account
           .
           Now
           the
           Examples
           which
           he
           produces
           are
           Octavia
           and
           Livia
           :
           Each
           of
           which
           had
           the
           misfortune
           to
           lose
           a
           Son
           ,
           and
           they
           were
           a
           pair
           of
           very
           hopeful
           and
           pregnant
           Youths
           ,
           and
           of
           great
           expectations
           in
           the
           World.
           Octavia
           ,
           she
           laid
           so
           much
           to
           heart
           the
           death
           of
           her
           Marcellus
           ,
           that
           she
           could
           not
           endure
           the
           least
           mention
           of
           his
           name
           ,
           but
           was
           ready
           to
           sink
           whenever
           she
           heard
           it
           ,
           and
           would
           not
           admit
           that
           the
           least
           word
           of
           comfort
           should
           be
           spoken
           unto
           her
           .
           Talis
           (
           sayes
           
             Seneca
             )
             per
             omnem
             vitam
             fuit
             ,
             qualis
             in
             funere
             ,
          
           she
           mourn'd
           and
           took
           on
           at
           the
           same
           rate
           all
           her
           life-time
           as
           she
           did
           at
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Funeral
           .
           But
           Livia
           she
           behaved
           her self
           quite
           otherwise
           ,
           and
           though
           
           she
           lost
           her
           Drusus
           ,
           who
           was
           a
           great
           man
           at
           present
           ,
           and
           rising
           to
           be
           a
           Prince
           ;
           yet
           she
           beheld
           the
           pompous
           Funeral
           that
           was
           made
           for
           him
           ,
           and
           how
           his
           Death
           was
           lamented
           by
           the
           whole
           Nation
           as
           a
           publick
           and
           general
           loss
           ,
           without
           falling
           into
           any
           great
           fit
           of
           Passion
           ,
           and
           as
           Seneca
           phrases
           it
           ,
           
             ut
             primum
             intulit
             tumulo
             ,
             simul
             &
             illum
             &
             dolorem
             suum
             posuit
             ,
          
           she
           buried
           all
           her
           sorrow
           in
           his
           Grave
           ,
           and
           laid
           aside
           her
           grief
           as
           soon
           as
           he
           was
           laid
           in
           the
           ground
           .
           And
           having
           propounded
           these
           Examples
           to
           Marcia
           ,
           he
           refers
           it
           to
           her
           wisdom
           and
           discretion
           which
           of
           them
           she
           would
           chuse
           to
           follow
           .
           But
           I
           dare
           not
           make
           any
           such
           proposition
           to
           your
           Ladyship
           ,
           or
           make
           the
           least
           question
           which
           way
           your
           choice
           is
           determined
           ,
           
           being
           well
           assured
           that
           you
           steer
           all
           the
           actions
           of
           your
           life
           by
           the
           compass
           of
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           .
           So
           that
           I
           need
           not
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           Moderation
           is
           the
           Christians
           Motto
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           
             quaedam
             &
             dolendi
             modestia
          
           ,
           A
           Rule
           of
           Decency
           to
           be
           observ'd
           in
           our
           very
           Mourning
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           if
           your
           Ladyship
           will
           be
           pleased
           to
           pardon
           the
           trouble
           and
           presumption
           of
           this
           Dedication
           ,
           I
           shall
           add
           little
           more
           ,
           but
           only
           to
           make
           some
           Apology
           ,
           and
           to
           acquaint
           you
           with
           the
           reason
           why
           this
           Discourse
           was
           presented
           no
           sooner
           to
           your
           hands
           .
           And
           truly
           I
           can
           give
           you
           no
           other
           reason
           but
           what
           the
           Excellent
           Cicero
           and
           Seneca
           have
           given
           long
           before
           to
           excuse
           their
           writing
           their
           Tracts
           of
           Consolation
           
           so
           late
           to
           their
           Friends
           ,
           *
           viz.
           that
           I
           thought
           a
           Comforter
           would
           hardly
           be
           admitted
           ,
           or
           very
           welcome
           to
           you
           when
           you
           were
           in
           the
           Zenith
           of
           your
           sorrows
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           was
           improper
           ,
           as
           Physicians
           think
           it
           in
           other
           Cases
           ,
           to
           apply
           a
           Remedy
           ,
           or
           administer
           Physick
           till
           the
           Fit
           was
           over
           .
           But
           now
           that
           your
           sorrows
           have
           had
           a
           considerable
           time
           to
           spend
           themselves
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           flood
           of
           your
           tears
           ,
           as
           may
           be
           presum'd
           ,
           is
           pretty
           well
           abated
           ,
           I
           thought
           that
           this
           Discourse
           would
           come
           at
           the
           most
           
           opportune
           and
           convenient
           time
           to
           have
           your
           Consideration
           ,
           and
           to
           put
           a
           full
           stop
           to
           your
           Mourning
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           that
           I
           have
           given
           your
           Ladyship
           the
           reason
           why
           this
           Discourse
           came
           so
           late
           ,
           perhaps
           others
           may
           require
           a
           reason
           why
           it
           came
           so
           soon
           ,
           and
           why
           I
           would
           venture
           to
           expose
           it
           to
           publick
           ,
           especially
           in
           such
           a
           Critical
           Age
           ,
           wherein
           the
           most
           Correct
           Discourses
           can
           hardly
           pass
           muster
           with
           some
           captious
           Wits
           ,
           and
           escape
           their
           censure
           and
           reflection
           .
           But
           the
           most
           that
           I
           can
           say
           for
           my self
           why
           I
           have
           publisht
           such
           a
           slender
           Discourse
           is
           this
           ,
           That
           although
           there
           is
           a
           great
           plenty
           of
           Authors
           who
           have
           written
           excellently
           well
           upon
           this
           subject
           of
           the
           great
           unreasonableness
           of
           intemperate
           Mourning
           for
           the
           Dead
           ;
           yet
           
           few
           have
           so
           confined
           themselves
           as
           to
           handle
           it
           with
           a
           particular
           respect
           to
           the
           loss
           and
           Death
           of
           Children
           ;
           which
           being
           a
           common
           and
           daily
           Calamity
           ,
           and
           the
           sorrows
           thereupon
           so
           mightily
           prevailing
           ,
           and
           judged
           to
           be
           not
           only
           natural
           but
           highly
           reasonable
           ,
           I
           thought
           with
           my self
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           not
           be
           amiss
           to
           endeavour
           to
           obviate
           this
           vulgar
           Error
           ,
           and
           to
           lay
           down
           such
           Arguments
           as
           might
           be
           a
           perpetual
           fence
           against
           all
           inordinate
           sorrowings
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           Children
           .
           And
           I
           hope
           that
           my
           good
           intentions
           herein
           will
           make
           some
           Atonement
           for
           the
           failings
           of
           my
           Pen.
           And
           that
           it
           will
           be
           a
           great
           Provocation
           to
           some
           able
           and
           judicious
           Divines
           to
           set
           upon
           providing
           and
           furnishing
           the
           World
           with
           better
           and
           more
           substantial
           Arguments
           
           against
           this
           sort
           of
           Passion
           ,
           which
           is
           often
           so
           violent
           and
           outragious
           ,
           both
           in
           Parents
           and
           others
           ,
           upon
           the
           loss
           of
           their
           Children
           and
           Relations
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           scandal
           both
           of
           their
           reason
           and
           their
           Christian
           Belief
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           ,
           as
           your
           Ladyship
           may
           easily
           see
           ,
           avoided
           all
           flowery
           Expressions
           ,
           or
           to
           deck
           up
           this
           Discourse
           with
           the
           paint
           and
           varnish
           of
           Oratory
           ,
           as
           considering
           ,
           that
           the
           plainer
           it
           was
           ,
           the
           more
           suitable
           to
           wait
           upon
           a
           Lady
           in
           Mourning
           .
        
         
           But
           after
           all
           it
           must
           be
           confess'd
           ,
           that
           you
           have
           had
           a
           great
           affliction
           and
           a
           deplorable
           loss
           in
           the
           Death
           of
           your
           only
           Child
           ,
           and
           only
           Son
           :
           But
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           God
           will
           give
           you
           a
           better
           Name
           than
           that
           of
           Sons
           and
           Daughters
           ;
           and
           that
           by
           your
           eminent
           
           Example
           and
           practice
           of
           true
           Virtue
           and
           Piety
           ,
           you
           will
           entail
           a
           greater
           blessing
           upon
           your
           Family
           ,
           than
           if
           you
           left
           behind
           you
           a
           large
           and
           numerous
           Progeny
           .
           Now
           that
           you
           and
           your
           Relations
           may
           live
           long
           to
           bless
           the
           World
           with
           your
           Excellent
           and
           Pious
           Examples
           ,
           and
           when
           you
           leave
           this
           troublesome
           Place
           ,
           may
           be
           translated
           to
           a
           Kingdom
           of
           Joy
           and
           Peace
           ,
           and
           rest
           Eternally
           in
           a
           Bosom
           of
           Blessedness
           ,
           is
           ,
           and
           shall
           ever
           be
           the
           Ardent
           Prayer
           of
        
         
           
             Your
             Ladyships
             Most
             humble
             and
             devoted
             Servant
             ,
             
               JOHN
               OWEN
            
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           COMFORT
           FOR
           PARENTS
           UPON
           THE
           DEATH
           OF
           THEIR
           CHILDREN
           .
        
         
           
             
               2
               Sam.
               xii
               .
               21
               ,
               22
               ,
               23.
               
            
             
               21.
               
            
             
               Then
               said
               his
               servants
               unto
               him
               ,
               What
               thing
               is
               this
               that
               thou
               hast
               done
               ?
               Thou
               didst
               fast
               and
               weep
               for
               the
               Child
               while
               it
               was
               alive
               ,
               but
               when
               the
               Child
               was
               dead
               ,
               thou
               didst
               rise
               and
               eat
               bread
               .
            
             
               22.
               
            
             
               And
               he
               said
               ,
               While
               the
               Child
               was
               yet
               alive
               ,
               I
               fasted
               and
               wept
               ;
               for
               I
               said
               ,
               Who
               can
               tell
               whether
               
               God
               will
               be
               gracious
               to
               me
               ,
               that
               the
               Child
               may
               live
               ?
            
             
               23.
               
            
             
               But
               now
               he
               is
               dead
               ,
               wherefore
               should
               I
               fast
               ?
               can
               I
               bring
               him
               back
               again
               ?
               I
               shall
               go
               to
               him
               ,
               but
               he
               shall
               not
               return
               to
               me
               .
            
          
        
         
           BEfore
           I
           fall
           directly
           upon
           the
           words
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           convenient
           and
           necessary
           to
           give
           you
           some
           previous
           account
           of
           the
           occasion
           of
           the
           Death
           of
           the
           Child
           which
           David
           had
           by
           Bathsheba
           ,
           in
           the
           time
           of
           whose
           sickness
           David
           mourn'd
           exceedingly
           ,
           and
           was
           much
           cast
           down
           ,
           and
           took
           on
           heavily
           ,
           and
           after
           whose
           Death
           he
           seem'd
           to
           be
           comforted
           ,
           and
           to
           take
           heart
           ;
           which
           occasion'd
           these
           words
           that
           I
           have
           now
           read
           unto
           you
           .
           Now
           in
           the
           Chapter
           immediately
           before
           this
           ,
           we
           have
           a
           sad
           story
           and
           relation
           of
           Davids
           Adultery
           and
           Murder
           ;
           how
           that
           from
           the
           temptation
           of
           his
           own
           idleness
           ,
           and
           
           Bathsheba's
           Beauty
           ,
           he
           committed
           Folly
           with
           
           her
           ,
           and
           drew
           aside
           the
           Curtains
           of
           her
           Husbands
           Retirements
           ;
           and
           when
           he
           had
           overcome
           and
           corrupted
           the
           Wife
           ,
           there
           is
           mention
           of
           the
           great
           Artifices
           which
           he
           used
           to
           bring
           Vriah
           the
           Husband
           to
           cloak
           and
           cover
           this
           foul
           and
           shameful
           sin
           of
           his
           ;
           and
           when
           Vriah
           out
           of
           pure
           Loyalty
           and
           a
           hearty
           Zeal
           for
           his
           service
           ,
           refus'd
           to
           take
           that
           ease
           and
           pleasure
           which
           David
           under
           a
           colour
           of
           love
           and
           friendship
           advis'd
           him
           to
           ,
           and
           when
           all
           those
           little
           arts
           and
           ignoble
           devices
           of
           entertaining
           him
           in
           his
           Palace
           ,
           and
           at
           his
           Table
           ,
           and
           making
           him
           drunk
           ,
           would
           not
           bring
           Vriah
           to
           his
           purpose
           ,
           then
           how
           basely
           and
           unworthily
           does
           he
           plot
           and
           contrive
           his
           Murder
           ,
           by
           giving
           Orders
           to
           his
           General
           to
           set
           him
           in
           the
           most
           dangerous
           place
           ,
           in
           the
           Front
           of
           the
           Battel
           ?
           which
           poor
           Innocent
           Vriah
           might
           possibly
           take
           for
           an
           Honour
           ,
           and
           interpret
           it
           an
           Argument
           and
           esteem
           of
           his
           greater
           Courage
           ,
           when
           in
           
           truth
           ,
           he
           was
           onely
           plac'd
           there
           as
           a
           mark
           to
           be
           shot
           at
           ,
           and
           to
           fall
           a
           Sacrifice
           to
           his
           Sovereigns
           Lust
           .
           Which
           accordingly
           hapned
           ,
           Vriah
           being
           slain
           upon
           the
           spot
           ,
           and
           dying
           in
           that
           station
           where
           it
           was
           not
           likely
           he
           should
           live
           .
           And
           when
           David
           had
           thus
           secretly
           in
           his
           heart
           designed
           Vriahs
           Death
           ;
           yet
           when
           news
           was
           brought
           to
           him
           that
           Vriah
           was
           dead
           ,
           he
           cunningly
           and
           slily
           pretends
           to
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           no
           other
           than
           a
           Casualty
           ,
           the
           misfortune
           of
           War
           ,
           saying
           with
           himself
           ,
           that
           such
           chances
           will
           come
           ;
           and
           bid
           the
           Messenger
           tell
           Joab
           that
           there
           was
           no
           reason
           why
           he
           should
           be
           troubled
           or
           concern'd
           at
           the
           Death
           of
           Vriah
           ;
           for
           there
           was
           no
           saving
           any
           mans
           life
           in
           Battel
           ,
           none
           could
           be
           priviledg'd
           from
           Death
           in
           Warlike
           Encounters
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Arrows
           or
           Bullets
           made
           no
           distinction
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           are
           alike
           liable
           to
           destruction
           ,
           and
           that
           Vriah
           might
           
           as
           well
           fall
           and
           be
           slain
           as
           any
           other
           in
           the
           Army
           ;
           which
           is
           the
           sence
           of
           those
           very
           words
           which
           David
           caus'd
           to
           be
           return'd
           to
           Joab
           ,
           in
           the
           25.
           ver
           .
           of
           the
           foregoing
           Chapter
           .
           
             Then
             David
             said
             unto
             the
             Messenger
             ,
             Thus
             shalt
             thou
             say
             unto
          
           Joab
           ,
           
             Let
             not
             this
             thing
             displease
             thee
             :
             For
             the
             Sword
             devoureth
             one
             as
             well
             as
             another
             .
          
           And
           lastly
           ,
           When
           David
           had
           thus
           dispatcht
           and
           caus'd
           the
           Innocent
           Husband
           to
           be
           made
           away
           ,
           he
           then
           takes
           the
           guilty
           Wife
           into
           his
           possession
           and
           marries
           her
           ,
           and
           expects
           to
           live
           many
           happy
           and
           pleasant
           days
           in
           mutual
           endearments
           .
           But
           though
           David
           thought
           that
           the
           marrying
           her
           would
           legitimate
           their
           love
           ,
           and
           take
           off
           the
           old
           scandal
           of
           their
           former
           Embraces
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           an
           act
           highly
           offensive
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           is
           so
           exprest
           in
           the
           last
           v.
           of
           the
           Chapter
           ,
           
             And
             when
             the
             mourning
             was
             past
             ,
          
           David
           
             sent
             and
             fet
             her
             to
             his
             House
             and
             she
             became
             his
             Wife
             ,
             and
             bare
             him
             a
             Son
             ;
             but
             the
             thing
             which
             
             David
             had
             done
             displeased
             the
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
           But
           then
           notwithstanding
           that
           David
           had
           committed
           those
           two
           horid
           sins
           of
           Adultery
           and
           Murder
           ,
           yet
           he
           had
           not
           any
           true
           sense
           and
           feeling
           of
           his
           guilt
           ,
           nor
           that
           remorse
           of
           Conscience
           which
           he
           should
           have
           had
           for
           sins
           of
           that
           Crimson
           die
           ;
           but
           he
           rubs
           on
           a
           considerable
           time
           ,
           without
           any
           regret
           or
           sign
           of
           repentance
           :
           which
           insensibility
           and
           hardness
           of
           heart
           we
           may
           justly
           ascribe
           to
           his
           living
           in
           ease
           ,
           and
           enjoying
           the
           Charms
           of
           
           Bathsheba's
           Beauty
           ,
           which
           at
           first
           inticed
           him
           to
           sin
           and
           afterwards
           made
           him
           forget
           it
           ,
           whilst
           his
           Soul
           was
           steep'd
           in
           pleasure
           and
           triumphing
           in
           the
           injoyment
           of
           his
           new
           Spouse
           .
           But
           whilst
           David
           was
           in
           his
           Nuptial
           jollity
           ,
           and
           swallowed
           up
           in
           fond
           Caresses
           and
           doting
           upon
           that
           Beauty
           which
           had
           formerly
           bewitcht
           him
           ,
           God
           stirs
           up
           his
           Prophet
           Nathan
           to
           give
           him
           some
           check
           and
           interruption
           in
           his
           solaces
           ,
           by
           
           propounding
           something
           that
           might
           bring
           his
           late
           horrid
           sins
           to
           his
           remembrance
           .
        
         
           And
           accordingly
           the
           Prophet
           does
           his
           office
           ,
           and
           propounds
           to
           him
           the
           Parable
           of
           the
           poor
           man
           with
           his
           little
           Ewe-Lamb
           .
           How
           that
           this
           was
           his
           only
           Companion
           ,
           his
           only
           Darling
           ,
           his
           Bosom
           Friend
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           nothing
           else
           to
           love
           and
           delight
           in
           ,
           nor
           that
           he
           could
           call
           his
           own
           ,
           but
           this
           one
           poor
           Innocent
           Creature
           ;
           and
           yet
           there
           was
           a
           rich
           man
           which
           had
           a
           numerous
           Flock
           ,
           and
           enough
           to
           make
           a
           Feast
           for
           any
           Friend
           or
           Stranger
           whatsoever
           ,
           and
           yet
           was
           guilty
           of
           so
           much
           incivility
           and
           injustice
           ,
           as
           to
           take
           away
           this
           single
           Lamb
           from
           a
           poor
           man
           ,
           with
           a
           pretence
           that
           he
           needed
           it
           to
           make
           an
           Entertainment
           ,
           which
           he
           might
           have
           done
           without
           the
           least
           wrong
           or
           detriment
           to
           himself
           ,
           as
           having
           such
           a
           number
           of
           his
           own
           ,
           and
           so
           many
           which
           he
           might
           well
           have
           spar'd
           .
        
         
           Which
           Parable
           was
           no
           sooner
           
           propounded
           to
           David
           ,
           but
           he
           resents
           the
           Act
           with
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           indignation
           ,
           and
           delivers
           his
           opinion
           against
           him
           that
           should
           do
           such
           a
           fact
           ,
           as
           an
           unpardonable
           offender
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           was
           guilty
           of
           such
           a
           high
           piece
           of
           injustice
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           not
           fit
           to
           live
           .
           For
           him
           that
           had
           enough
           of
           his
           own
           ,
           and
           yet
           to
           invade
           the
           right
           and
           property
           of
           a
           poor
           man
           ,
           and
           to
           rob
           him
           of
           his
           little
           All
           ,
           was
           in
           Davids
           Judgment
           an
           unsufferable
           wrong
           and
           injury
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           that
           did
           it
           ,
           deserv'd
           nothing
           less
           than
           Death
           ;
           for
           so
           are
           the
           words
           in
           the
           fifth
           ver
           .
           of
           this
           Chapter
           :
           
             And
             Davids
             anger
             was
             greatly
             kindled
             against
             the
             man.
             And
             he
             said
             to
             Nathan
             ,
             As
             the
             Lord
             liveth
             ,
             the
             man
             that
             hath
             done
             this
             thing
             shall
             surely
             die
             .
             And
             he
             shall
             restore
             the
             Lamb
             fourfold
             because
             he
             did
             this
             thing
             ,
             and
             because
             he
             had
             no
             pity
             :
          
           So
           just
           and
           severe
           was
           David
           in
           condemning
           the
           robbing
           of
           a
           poor
           man
           ,
           and
           taking
           away
           the
           small
           substance
           he
           had
           .
        
         
         
           But
           then
           when
           the
           Prophet
           took
           upon
           him
           to
           make
           a
           nearer
           Representation
           of
           the
           case
           ,
           and
           to
           bring
           it
           home
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           point-blank
           to
           charge
           him
           with
           the
           like
           injustice
           which
           he
           had
           so
           severely
           condemned
           in
           another
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             Thou
             art
             the
             man
          
           :
           We
           must
           needs
           think
           that
           David
           was
           much
           startled
           when
           the
           guilt
           recoil'd
           upon
           himself
           ,
           and
           that
           his
           own
           Conscience
           made
           the
           rebound
           .
           But
           then
           when
           it
           was
           brought
           so
           close
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           there
           was
           no
           avoiding
           his
           own
           self-Condemnation
           ,
           David
           presently
           makes
           an
           ingenuous
           Confession
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             I
             have
             sinned
             against
             the
             Lord.
          
           And
           such
           we
           may
           observe
           are
           the
           mercies
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           his
           pardon
           follows
           immediately
           upon
           his
           Confession
           .
           
             And
             Nathan
             said
             unto
             David
             ,
             The
             Lord
             hath
             also
             put
             away
             thy
             sin
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             not
             die
             ,
          
           in
           the
           13.
           v.
           Howbeit
           ,
           in
           the
           next
           v.
           says
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           
             Because
             thou
             hast
             by
             this
             deed
             given
             great
             occasion
             to
             the
             Enemies
             of
             the
             Lord
             
             to
             blaspheme
             ,
             the
             Child
             also
             that
             is
             born
             unto
             thee
             shall
             surely
             dy
             .
          
           Where
           we
           may
           observe
           ,
           that
           although
           God
           was
           pleased
           to
           grant
           him
           the
           greatest
           pardon
           of
           his
           life
           ;
           yet
           he
           does
           not
           give
           him
           a
           general
           pardon
           from
           other
           Punishments
           ,
           but
           assures
           him
           at
           the
           same
           time
           that
           he
           granted
           him
           his
           life
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           have
           such
           a
           punishment
           wherein
           he
           might
           read
           the
           nature
           and
           deserts
           of
           his
           sins
           .
           
             The
             Child
             that
             is
             born
             unto
             thee
             shall
             surely
             die
             .
          
           From
           whence
           it
           may
           not
           be
           unuseful
           to
           observe
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           pleased
           sometimes
           to
           lay
           the
           Punishment
           due
           to
           the
           Parents
           sin
           upon
           their
           Children
           ,
           and
           so
           here
           David
           had
           sinned
           and
           the
           Child
           must
           die
           for
           it
           ;
           which
           may
           be
           of
           great
           use
           and
           moment
           to
           make
           people
           more
           wary
           and
           deliberate
           how
           they
           enter
           into
           the
           Holy
           State
           of
           Matrimony
           :
           For
           though
           it
           be
           a
           Divine
           Institution
           ,
           and
           ordained
           of
           God
           in
           Paradise
           ,
           and
           the
           State
           of
           Mans
           Innocency
           ,
           yet
           there
           may
           be
           
           ways
           of
           unhallowing
           Marriage
           ,
           and
           turning
           that
           into
           a
           sin
           which
           was
           at
           first
           ordained
           for
           the
           greatest
           Blessing
           .
           For
           if
           only
           Interest
           ,
           or
           Humour
           ,
           or
           Lust
           ,
           be
           the
           chief
           foundation
           and
           ingredient
           of
           our
           Choice
           ;
           or
           if
           some
           sinful
           pre-ingagement
           or
           lewd
           Amours
           make
           Marriage
           necessary
           for
           the
           hiding
           our
           shame
           ;
           or
           if
           any
           of
           these
           things
           do
           cause
           a
           Contract
           ,
           or
           make
           up
           the
           match
           ,
           we
           may
           expect
           that
           God
           in
           justice
           may
           blast
           and
           curse
           the
           fruits
           of
           our
           Body
           for
           the
           sin
           of
           our
           Soul
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           sins
           of
           our
           flesh
           too
           .
           An
           instance
           whereof
           we
           have
           in
           Gods
           decreeing
           the
           death
           of
           Davids
           Child
           ;
           which
           though
           it
           was
           born
           in
           Marriage
           ,
           yet
           God
           utterly
           dislik'd
           the
           Conjunction
           ;
           the
           first
           occasion
           and
           grounds
           thereof
           being
           laid
           in
           Adulterous
           Embraces
           ;
           David
           making
           no
           scruple
           to
           murder
           the
           Husband
           that
           he
           might
           obtain
           the
           Wife
           .
        
         
           But
           when
           David
           heard
           that
           heavy
           sentence
           against
           his
           Child
           ,
           that
           
           he
           should
           surely
           die
           for
           his
           sin
           ,
           might
           not
           he
           have
           confest
           himself
           altogether
           in
           the
           fault
           ,
           and
           desired
           to
           suffer
           wholly
           himself
           ,
           and
           have
           said
           as
           in
           another
           Case
           ,
           1
           Chron.
           21.
           17.
           
           
             It
             is
             I
             have
             sinned
             ,
             and
             done
             evil
             indeed
             ,
             but
             as
             for
          
           this
           Lamb
           ,
           this
           Innocent
           Babe
           ,
           
             what
             has
             it
             done
             ?
             Let
             thy
             hand
             be
             upon
             me
             ,
             or
             my
             Fathers
             House
             ,
             and
             not
             on
          
           this
           Child
           ,
           
             that
             that
             should
             be
             plagued
          
           .
           I
           say
           ,
           one
           would
           think
           that
           David
           should
           have
           set
           himself
           to
           deprecate
           Gods
           displeasure
           against
           his
           Child
           upon
           his
           account
           ,
           and
           desired
           to
           have
           sustained
           the
           burthen
           of
           his
           own
           sin
           :
           But
           the
           sentence
           was
           gone
           out
           ,
           and
           what
           was
           written
           was
           written
           ,
           and
           there
           was
           no
           reversing
           the
           Decree
           .
           And
           therefore
           all
           they
           that
           intend
           to
           change
           their
           condition
           ,
           and
           desire
           that
           they
           may
           leave
           their
           Inheritance
           to
           their
           Children
           ,
           had
           best
           look
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           have
           a
           care
           that
           they
           do
           not
           make
           Lust
           ,
           or
           any
           sinful
           Pre-ingagement
           ,
           a
           Preamble
           and
           Introduction
           
           to
           Marriage
           ,
           for
           fear
           God
           disappoint
           them
           in
           their
           hopes
           and
           desires
           ,
           and
           either
           write
           them
           Childless
           ,
           or
           take
           away
           their
           Children
           in
           wrath
           for
           their
           folly
           and
           wickedness
           .
           For
           though
           God
           spared
           David
           ,
           and
           gave
           him
           a
           grant
           of
           his
           own
           life
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           not
           die
           ;
           yet
           there
           is
           no
           begging
           the
           life
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           the
           Prophet
           reading
           its
           Destiny
           ,
           
             the
             Child
             that
             is
             born
             shall
             surely
             die
             .
          
           So
           that
           for
           people
           to
           couple
           together
           in
           a
           scandalous
           and
           sinful
           way
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           Lust
           the
           basis
           and
           foundation
           of
           Marriage
           ,
           is
           to
           murther
           their
           Children
           in
           the
           Womb
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           manner
           to
           predestinate
           them
           to
           destruction
           .
        
         
           But
           then
           when
           David
           heard
           that
           his
           Child
           should
           not
           live
           ,
           but
           was
           under
           a
           sentence
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           that
           according
           to
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Prophet
           it
           presently
           fell
           sick
           and
           was
           desperately
           ill
           ,
           How
           then
           did
           he
           behave
           himself
           ?
           Truly
           like
           a
           very
           kind
           and
           indulgent
           Father
           ;
           for
           it
           was
           no
           
           sooner
           struck
           with
           sickness
           but
           David
           besought
           God
           for
           the
           Child
           ,
           
             And
             David
             fasted
             and
             went
             in
             and
             lay
             all
             night
             upon
             the
             Earth
             ,
             and
             the
             Elders
             of
             the
             House
             arose
             and
             went
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             raise
             him
             up
             from
             the
             Earth
             ,
             but
             he
             would
             not
             ,
             neither
             did
             he
             eat
             bread
             with
             them
             ,
          
           in
           the
           16
           ,
           and
           17.
           v.
           of
           this
           Chapter
           .
           Here
           we
           see
           David
           in
           a
           sad
           and
           mournful
           posture
           ,
           expressing
           all
           the
           symptoms
           and
           signs
           of
           a
           mighty
           sorrow
           ,
           and
           being
           earnest
           in
           Prayer
           to
           God
           for
           it
           ;
           which
           if
           all
           Parents
           would
           do
           the
           like
           upon
           the
           same
           occasion
           when
           their
           Children
           are
           sick
           ,
           or
           any
           ways
           afflicted
           ,
           they
           would
           find
           their
           Prayers
           to
           be
           a
           more
           efficacious
           way
           than
           all
           the
           Drugs
           of
           the
           Apothecary
           ,
           or
           the
           numberless
           prescriptions
           of
           the
           Physicians
           for
           the
           recovery
           of
           their
           Children
           :
           
             For
             the
             effectual
             fervent
             Prayer
             of
             the
             Righteous
             availeth
             much
             .
          
        
         
           But
           then
           we
           may
           consider
           ,
           that
           David
           had
           great
           reason
           to
           bewail
           
           the
           sickness
           of
           the
           Child
           ,
           as
           first
           ,
           being
           the
           effect
           and
           punishment
           of
           his
           sin
           ,
           and
           secondly
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           natural
           affection
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           He
           had
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           reason
           to
           grieve
           and
           be
           troubled
           at
           the
           sickness
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           it
           being
           sent
           as
           a
           punishment
           for
           his
           own
           personal
           sin
           ;
           and
           therefore
           when
           he
           saw
           it
           in
           misery
           and
           pain
           ,
           and
           great
           anguish
           ,
           and
           considered
           that
           it
           suffered
           all
           this
           principally
           for
           his
           sake
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           the
           greatest
           hand
           in
           bringing
           all
           this
           trouble
           and
           sorrow
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           was
           the
           great
           Actor
           in
           the
           Tragedy
           ,
           and
           this
           his
           sin
           occasion'd
           this
           great
           scene
           of
           sorrows
           :
           How
           could
           he
           do
           otherwise
           than
           lay
           the
           sickness
           of
           it
           to
           heart
           ,
           and
           take
           on
           bitterly
           ,
           to
           think
           that
           by
           the
           murder
           of
           Vriah
           he
           had
           caus'd
           the
           Death
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           committing
           folly
           with
           Bathsheba
           ,
           he
           had
           brought
           such
           an
           affliction
           upon
           their
           Issue
           ?
           I
           say
           ,
           such
           a
           consideration
           must
           needs
           wound
           David
           to
           the
           
           very
           heart
           ,
           and
           cause
           him
           to
           make
           great
           Lamentations
           over
           the
           Child
           .
           And
           truly
           the
           same
           sorrows
           would
           become
           even
           the
           best
           Parents
           ,
           and
           it
           might
           not
           be
           amiss
           for
           them
           to
           make
           some
           like
           Reflections
           .
           For
           the
           Parents
           are
           generally
           apt
           to
           impute
           the
           Distempers
           ,
           the
           Sickness
           ,
           the
           Death
           of
           their
           Children
           ,
           either
           to
           want
           of
           due
           care
           in
           their
           Nurses
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           badness
           of
           the
           Air
           ,
           or
           the
           unwholesomness
           of
           the
           Season
           ,
           or
           ill
           diet
           ,
           or
           the
           irregular
           course
           of
           the
           Physician
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           though
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           ascribe
           the
           sickness
           and
           Death
           of
           our
           Children
           to
           these
           outward
           and
           secondary
           Causes
           ,
           yet
           we
           should
           do
           well
           to
           suspect
           our
           sins
           as
           the
           cause
           of
           their
           misery
           and
           sufferings
           ,
           and
           to
           believe
           that
           there
           is
           something
           more
           than
           ordinary
           in
           the
           afflictions
           of
           such
           harmless
           and
           innocent
           Creatures
           .
           Surely
           the
           Parents
           have
           sin'd
           though
           these
           poor
           Lambs
           suffer
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           good
           and
           convenient
           that
           all
           Parents
           do
           examine
           themselves
           ,
           
           and
           see
           whether
           they
           need
           go
           any
           further
           than
           themselves
           to
           find
           out
           the
           true
           cause
           and
           original
           of
           those
           many
           weaknesses
           and
           distempers
           which
           they
           see
           in
           their
           Children
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           they
           seem
           so
           much
           concern'd
           and
           troubled
           .
           How
           mightily
           are
           some
           Parents
           troubled
           to
           see
           their
           Children
           grow
           crooked
           and
           deform'd
           ,
           and
           yet
           little
           consider
           that
           possibly
           their
           Children
           are
           the
           unhandsomer
           for
           their
           being
           so
           proud
           of
           themselves
           ,
           and
           glorying
           in
           their
           Beauty
           ;
           others
           are
           griev'd
           to
           see
           their
           Children
           prove
           such
           Punies
           ,
           so
           feeble
           and
           infirm
           ,
           and
           of
           such
           a
           weak
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           do
           not
           reflect
           upon
           the
           debaucheries
           of
           their
           life
           ,
           and
           how
           they
           have
           lost
           their
           strength
           in
           Dalilahs
           Lap.
           And
           it
           is
           a
           general
           complaint
           and
           observation
           that
           every
           Age
           declines
           more
           and
           more
           in
           strength
           and
           virility
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           latter
           Generation
           of
           men
           are
           dwindled
           almost
           into
           Pigmies
           in
           comparison
           of
           what
           they
           were
           formerly
           ,
           
           and
           yet
           men
           do
           little
           consider
           ,
           that
           Luxury
           and
           riotous
           Living
           may
           be
           assigned
           as
           the
           grand
           Causes
           and
           Reasons
           of
           this
           great
           Degeneracy
           .
           And
           we
           also
           see
           that
           new
           and
           strange
           Diseases
           do
           creep
           up
           daily
           and
           multiply
           and
           invade
           humane
           Bodies
           ,
           and
           yet
           we
           seldom
           impute
           these
           decays
           and
           breakings
           of
           nature
           to
           the
           vices
           of
           our
           Progenitors
           .
        
         
           Whereas
           we
           have
           just
           reason
           to
           grieve
           at
           the
           sight
           of
           those
           many
           Diseases
           which
           attend
           our
           Children
           ,
           and
           those
           great
           infirmities
           which
           they
           often
           labour
           under
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           reason
           to
           be
           humbled
           when
           we
           reflect
           upon
           our selves
           as
           the
           Authors
           of
           them
           .
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           we
           have
           laid
           a
           train
           of
           mischiefs
           in
           our
           Bodies
           by
           our
           Vices
           ,
           which
           will
           certainly
           ruine
           and
           blow
           up
           our
           Children
           ;
           we
           have
           Created
           Diseases
           in
           our
           Bodies
           by
           trespassing
           too
           much
           upon
           nature
           ,
           and
           offering
           great
           violencies
           to
           our
           Constitution
           ;
           we
           have
           broken
           and
           shattered
           our
           Bodies
           by
           
           great
           excess
           ,
           by
           hard
           and
           unseasonable
           Drinkings
           ,
           and
           that
           may
           be
           one
           reason
           why
           we
           deliver
           down
           such
           a
           weak
           and
           crasie
           Progeny
           .
           We
           have
           turn'd
           our
           Bodies
           into
           Bogs
           of
           uncleanness
           and
           putrefaction
           ,
           by
           our
           lust
           and
           wantonness
           ,
           and
           that
           may
           be
           a
           very
           proper
           reason
           why
           our
           Children
           carry
           about
           them
           such
           an
           Hospital
           of
           Diseases
           .
           We
           have
           made
           our
           Bodies
           Sepulchres
           and
           burying
           places
           of
           Wine
           ,
           and
           that
           may
           be
           another
           reason
           why
           our
           Children
           become
           Corpses
           so
           soon
           ,
           and
           go
           so
           early
           to
           their
           Graves
           ;
           we
           eat
           and
           drink
           destruction
           to
           our
           Children
           by
           our
           Gluttony
           and
           Drunkenness
           ,
           we
           dig
           their
           Graves
           as
           well
           as
           our
           own
           with
           our
           Teeth
           ,
           and
           by
           swallowing
           down
           over-much
           ,
           we
           prepare
           them
           for
           the
           devoration
           of
           the
           Worms
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           not
           any
           whit
           probable
           or
           likely
           ,
           that
           our
           Children
           should
           prove
           sound
           and
           healthful
           ,
           when
           we
           distemper
           our
           Bodies
           ,
           and
           treasure
           up
           Diseases
           .
           And
           we
           may
           consider
           ,
           
           that
           we
           do
           propagate
           Diseases
           many
           times
           as
           well
           as
           our
           nature
           ,
           and
           there
           are
           Diseases
           which
           (
           our
           Posterity
           find
           by
           woful
           experience
           )
           run
           in
           a
           blood
           ;
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           all
           Parents
           who
           desire
           the
           good
           of
           their
           Posterity
           ,
           and
           have
           a
           regard
           to
           the
           welfare
           and
           happiness
           of
           their
           Children
           ,
           to
           be
           very
           strict
           and
           punctual
           in
           observing
           the
           Rules
           of
           temperance
           and
           sobriety
           ,
           and
           in
           keeping
           their
           Bodies
           pure
           and
           undefil'd
           ;
           forasmuch
           as
           by
           a
           vicious
           and
           debaucht
           life
           we
           store
           up
           Diseases
           for
           Posterity
           ,
           and
           transmit
           great
           evils
           to
           our
           Generation
           .
           For
           't
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           by
           great
           excesses
           and
           impure
           mixtures
           we
           do
           corrupt
           our
           bloud
           ,
           and
           consequently
           must
           convey
           a
           taint
           to
           our
           Off-spring
           ,
           and
           a
           rotten
           Father
           seldom
           produces
           any
           other
           than
           a
           Consumptive
           Child
           ;
           and
           besides
           ,
           our
           Vices
           are
           as
           communicable
           to
           our
           Children
           as
           our
           Diseases
           ,
           and
           who
           knows
           but
           that
           God
           might
           determine
           to
           take
           
           away
           Davids
           Child
           for
           this
           very
           reason
           ,
           lest
           he
           should
           Patrissare
           take
           after
           his
           Father
           ,
           he
           being
           the
           Child
           of
           an
           Incontinent
           Father
           ,
           and
           the
           Issue
           of
           such
           unhallowed
           Embraces
           .
           And
           therefore
           when
           David
           was
           devoting
           his
           Enemies
           ,
           he
           makes
           this
           one
           of
           his
           dreadful
           Curses
           ,
           
             Let
             the
             iniquity
             of
             his
             Father
             be
             remembred
             with
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             let
             not
             the
             sin
             of
             his
             Mother
             be
             blotted
             out
             ,
          
           in
           the
           119.
           
           Ps
           .
           and
           14.
           v.
           And
           truly
           I
           fear
           that
           there
           are
           too
           many
           ungodly
           Fathers
           and
           Mothers
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           whose
           wickedness
           and
           folly
           is
           such
           ,
           as
           that
           their
           Children
           suffer
           for
           it
           deeply
           ,
           being
           cover'd
           with
           Sores
           and
           Boils
           ,
           and
           having
           such
           Diseases
           breaking
           forth
           as
           are
           plain
           marks
           and
           tokens
           of
           their
           Parents
           sins
           .
           God
           visiting
           
             the
             iniquities
             of
             the
             Fathers
             upon
             the
             Children
             ,
             and
             not
             suffering
             the
             iniquity
             of
             the
             Father
             to
             be
             conceal'd
             ,
             nor
             the
             sin
             of
             the
             Mother
             to
             be
             blotted
             out
             .
          
           And
           therefore
           those
           Parents
           that
           are
           conscious
           
           to
           themselves
           of
           any
           such
           great
           and
           foul
           sin
           as
           Davids
           was
           ,
           have
           very
           great
           reason
           to
           lament
           the
           Diseases
           and
           Death
           of
           their
           Children
           ,
           when
           they
           consider
           ,
           that
           they
           themselves
           were
           the
           great
           Instruments
           of
           bringing
           all
           those
           miseries
           upon
           their
           Children
           ,
           and
           that
           their
           sins
           have
           had
           the
           greatest
           hand
           in
           their
           destruction
           .
           And
           't
           is
           very
           well
           worth
           our
           observation
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           first
           Age
           of
           the
           World
           it
           was
           never
           seen
           that
           the
           Son
           died
           before
           the
           Father
           ,
           but
           the
           oldest
           always
           went
           first
           :
           But
           then
           when
           the
           wickedness
           of
           men
           grew
           great
           ,
           and
           their
           Pride
           so
           great
           that
           they
           were
           too
           high
           for
           their
           Station
           ,
           and
           would
           needs
           be
           building
           Castles
           in
           the
           Air
           ,
           and
           climbing
           up
           to
           the
           Battlements
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           it
           hapned
           presently
           afterwards
           that
           Terahs
           Son
           died
           before
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           a
           special
           note
           and
           mark
           set
           upon
           it
           as
           a
           kind
           of
           wonder
           ,
           in
           the
           9.
           of
           Genesis
           and
           28.
           
             v.
             And
             Haran
             died
             before
             his
             Father
             Terah
             in
             the
             Land
             
             of
             his
             Nativity
             .
          
           From
           whence
           we
           may
           observe
           ,
           that
           the
           wickedness
           of
           a
           Father
           is
           enough
           to
           alter
           the
           course
           of
           nature
           ,
           and
           to
           shorten
           his
           Childrens
           days
           ,
           and
           to
           accelerate
           their
           Death
           ,
           and
           bring
           them
           to
           the
           dust
           before
           their
           time
           .
           And
           thus
           I
           have
           been
           somewhat
           long
           on
           this
           Argument
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           represent
           to
           you
           the
           danger
           of
           a
           sinning
           Father
           and
           Mother
           ,
           and
           what
           a
           fatal
           mischief
           they
           do
           their
           Children
           by
           their
           wickedness
           ,
           in
           that
           they
           bring
           a
           Curse
           upon
           their
           Family
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           sin
           occasion
           the
           Death
           and
           ruin
           of
           an
           Innocent
           Child
           ;
           as
           is
           clear
           and
           manifest
           in
           this
           one
           instance
           of
           Davids
           Child
           being
           taken
           away
           for
           the
           sin
           of
           his
           Father
           .
           And
           we
           may
           also
           remember
           what
           a
           greivous
           Curse
           God
           entailed
           upon
           old
           
           Eli's
           Family
           and
           Posterity
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           die
           in
           the
           Flower
           of
           their
           Age
           ,
           and
           be
           cut
           off
           in
           their
           very
           prime
           ,
           and
           that
           chiefly
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           old
           Eli.
           And
           therefore
           Parents
           
           had
           need
           take
           a
           care
           to
           please
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           do
           commit
           no
           great
           offence
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           from
           great
           transgressions
           ,
           that
           so
           their
           Children
           may
           not
           repent
           that
           ever
           they
           were
           born
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           suffer
           sadly
           for
           their
           miscarriages
           .
           And
           indeed
           all
           Parents
           that
           desire
           it
           should
           be
           well
           with
           their
           Children
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           should
           live
           long
           and
           see
           good
           days
           ,
           are
           concern'd
           to
           live
           a
           pure
           and
           unspotted
           life
           ,
           to
           possess
           their
           Vessels
           in
           sanctification
           and
           honour
           ,
           not
           in
           the
           lust
           of
           Concupisence
           ,
           otherwise
           they
           may
           bring
           great
           miseries
           upon
           their
           Children
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           a
           sudden
           Death
           ;
           and
           if
           they
           are
           resolv'd
           to
           continue
           their
           debaucheries
           and
           lewd
           Amours
           ,
           they
           had
           even
           as
           good
           strangle
           their
           Children
           when
           they
           are
           newly
           born
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           be
           a
           mercy
           to
           tear
           them
           in
           pieces
           as
           Medea
           did
           her
           Brother
           Absyrtus
           ,
           rather
           than
           they
           should
           live
           to
           inherit
           their
           Phthisicks
           ,
           Consumptions
           ,
           and
           loathsome
           Diseases
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           
           plagu'd
           all
           their
           life
           long
           with
           the
           miserable
           effects
           of
           their
           Parents
           sins
           .
           And
           truly
           all
           vitious
           and
           ungodly
           Parents
           have
           the
           same
           grounds
           that
           David
           had
           to
           lament
           over
           their
           Children
           when
           they
           shall
           see
           them
           sick
           of
           their
           Diseases
           ,
           consuming
           with
           their
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           expiring
           under
           the
           curse
           of
           their
           sins
           .
           And
           therefore
           if
           Parents
           would
           but
           take
           care
           to
           live
           better
           ,
           and
           more
           vertuously
           ,
           possibly
           their
           Children
           would
           not
           prove
           so
           sickly
           ,
           and
           might
           live
           longer
           ;
           for
           't
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           Davids
           Child
           was
           sick
           ,
           and
           died
           so
           soon
           ,
           for
           the
           wickedness
           of
           the
           Father
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Davids
           great
           grief
           and
           mourning
           for
           his
           Child
           ,
           during
           the
           time
           of
           its
           sickness
           ,
           was
           very
           just
           and
           reasonable
           upon
           another
           account
           ,
           as
           being
           an
           expression
           of
           humanity
           ,
           and
           the
           result
           of
           a
           natural
           affection
           .
        
         
           For
           our
           Religion
           has
           not
           like
           the
           Stoick
           seal'd
           up
           the
           fountain
           of
           tears
           ,
           and
           wip'd
           them
           away
           from
           our
           eyes
           ,
           
           whilst
           we
           are
           in
           this
           bitter
           Achor
           and
           Valley
           of
           tears
           ;
           but
           has
           given
           us
           liberty
           to
           vent
           our
           sorrows
           ,
           and
           ease
           the
           inward
           griefs
           of
           our
           mind
           in
           a
           reasonable
           measure
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           proportions
           of
           humanity
           ,
           and
           so
           far
           as
           is
           consistent
           with
           ,
           and
           not
           contradictory
           to
           our
           Christian
           hope
           ;
           and
           therefore
           as
           to
           grieve
           immoderately
           is
           unlike
           a
           Christian
           ,
           so
           not
           to
           grieve
           at
           all
           is
           unlike
           a
           man
           :
           so
           that
           Davids
           sorrowing
           for
           his
           Child
           when
           he
           saw
           it
           in
           pain
           and
           anguish
           ,
           was
           but
           a
           reasonable
           passion
           ,
           becoming
           him
           as
           a
           man
           ,
           in
           sympathizing
           with
           the
           sufferings
           of
           humane
           nature
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           becoming
           him
           as
           he
           stood
           in
           the
           relation
           of
           a
           Father
           ,
           whose
           Bowels
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           any
           ,
           must
           needs
           move
           and
           yearn
           over
           a
           sick
           and
           languishing
           Child
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           was
           no
           such
           real
           matter
           of
           wonder
           ,
           as
           the
           Spectators
           of
           Davids
           sorrows
           thought
           it
           ,
           to
           see
           him
           involv'd
           in
           tears
           ,
           and
           making
           his
           Bed
           on
           the
           ground
           ,
           and
           acting
           the
           part
           
           of
           a
           true
           Mourner
           ,
           whilst
           his
           Child
           was
           alive
           ;
           for
           he
           saw
           it
           restless
           ,
           and
           tumbling
           up
           and
           down
           for
           ease
           ,
           and
           could
           find
           none
           ;
           he
           saw
           it
           in
           great
           pain
           and
           anguish
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           was
           no
           helping
           of
           it
           ;
           he
           saw
           that
           Physicians
           were
           of
           no
           value
           ,
           and
           all
           they
           could
           do
           could
           do
           no
           good
           ;
           he
           saw
           the
           Child
           lie
           panting
           and
           heaving
           ,
           and
           bemoaning
           it self
           with
           sighs
           and
           groans
           that
           were
           unutterable
           ;
           he
           saw
           it
           in
           sore
           conflicts
           and
           strugling
           for
           life
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           pangs
           and
           Agonies
           of
           Death
           ;
           and
           how
           could
           a
           Father
           forbear
           weeping
           and
           making
           great
           Lamentations
           over
           a
           Child
           in
           such
           a
           deplorable
           and
           sad
           condition
           ?
           He
           saw
           also
           the
           Mother
           wringing
           of
           her
           hands
           ,
           and
           beating
           her
           Breast
           ,
           and
           with
           floods
           of
           tears
           running
           down
           her
           Cheeks
           ,
           and
           crying
           out
           ,
           
             What
             shall
             I
             do
             for
             my
             Child
             ?
             Lord
             spare
             my
             Child
             ,
             Lord
             be
             merciful
             to
             my
             Child
             :
          
           He
           saw
           likewise
           the
           Attendants
           that
           stood
           about
           not
           well
           able
           to
           endure
           the
           room
           ,
           for
           the
           hollow
           
           sighs
           and
           sobs
           ,
           and
           the
           piercing
           groans
           of
           a
           Child
           that
           was
           drawing
           on
           ,
           and
           breathing
           out
           its
           last
           .
           And
           lastly
           ,
           he
           saw
           the
           servants
           of
           his
           House
           very
           much
           clouded
           ,
           and
           hanging
           down
           ,
           and
           going
           mourning
           and
           heavily
           ,
           
             &
             quis
             talia
             fando
             ,
             temperet
             à
             lachrymis
             ?
          
           Who
           can
           possibly
           forbear
           weeping
           almost
           at
           the
           rehearsal
           of
           such
           a
           large
           scene
           of
           sorrows
           ?
           How
           could
           a
           Father
           restrain
           his
           tears
           when
           he
           beheld
           his
           own
           flesh
           and
           blood
           ,
           and
           Bone
           of
           his
           Bone
           ,
           to
           be
           in
           such
           great
           affliction
           ?
           How
           could
           he
           endure
           to
           see
           his
           own
           Bowels
           torn
           from
           him
           without
           a
           deep
           and
           sorrowful
           resentment
           ?
           How
           could
           he
           look
           upon
           a
           Child
           ,
           an
           Innocent
           Child
           ,
           rowling
           about
           in
           so
           much
           pain
           and
           torment
           ,
           without
           being
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           heavy
           and
           sorrowful
           ,
           even
           to
           Death
           ?
           Would
           it
           not
           melt
           a
           heart
           of
           stone
           ,
           and
           draw
           tears
           from
           a
           marble
           to
           behold
           such
           a
           spectacle
           of
           pain
           and
           misery
           ?
           And
           therefore
           Davids
           taking
           on
           so
           
           heavily
           for
           his
           Child
           in
           the
           time
           of
           its
           sickness
           ,
           was
           very
           reasonable
           and
           justifiable
           too
           ;
           forasmuch
           as
           tears
           are
           the
           natural
           tribute
           which
           we
           pay
           to
           the
           sufferings
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           do
           we
           owe
           them
           to
           our
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ,
           and
           our
           dear
           Children
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           are
           part
           of
           our selves
           .
        
         
           But
           then
           ,
           if
           David
           was
           such
           a
           man
           of
           sorrows
           ,
           and
           took
           on
           so
           grievously
           for
           his
           Child
           in
           the
           time
           of
           its
           sickness
           ,
           and
           whilst
           it
           was
           yet
           alive
           ,
           surely
           we
           may
           expect
           to
           find
           him
           in
           a
           desperate
           condition
           and
           ready
           to
           sink
           into
           the
           Grave
           with
           it
           ,
           when
           he
           heard
           of
           its
           departure
           .
           Certainly
           ,
           he
           that
           was
           so
           much
           troubled
           to
           see
           his
           Child
           in
           pain
           ,
           must
           be
           in
           the
           greatest
           Agonies
           of
           sorrow
           when
           he
           hears
           it
           is
           dead
           .
           He
           that
           could
           not
           endure
           to
           see
           it
           in
           misery
           ,
           how
           will
           he
           bear
           the
           loss
           of
           it
           ?
           He
           that
           was
           ready
           to
           kill
           himself
           with
           grief
           for
           his
           Child
           when
           he
           was
           sick
           ,
           surely
           cannot
           live
           when
           he
           is
           dead
           
           and
           gone
           ,
           and
           past
           all
           recovery
           .
           This
           was
           that
           indeed
           which
           his
           Servants
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           were
           about
           him
           expected
           .
           They
           supposed
           ,
           seeing
           their
           Master
           had
           laid
           the
           sickness
           of
           the
           Child
           so
           much
           to
           heart
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           be
           in
           strange
           confusions
           ,
           and
           refuse
           to
           be
           comforted
           when
           he
           heard
           of
           its
           Death
           .
           But
           there
           was
           no
           such
           thing
           ,
           the
           Scene
           is
           much
           altered
           and
           chang'd
           ,
           and
           the
           expectation
           of
           his
           servants
           is
           much
           deceived
           :
           for
           instead
           of
           extream
           mourning
           for
           the
           Child
           when
           it
           was
           dead
           ,
           he
           begins
           to
           revive
           and
           take
           heart
           ,
           and
           falls
           to
           his
           meat
           ,
           and
           takes
           those
           refreshments
           which
           he
           had
           lately
           refus'd
           .
           Which
           action
           and
           carriage
           of
           David
           shew'd
           very
           strange
           and
           a
           wonder
           to
           his
           Servants
           in
           the
           21.
           v.
           But
           he
           presently
           removes
           the
           wonder
           ,
           and
           tells
           them
           the
           reason
           why
           he
           mourn'd
           no
           longer
           ,
           but
           rather
           rejoyced
           at
           the
           news
           of
           the
           Childs
           Death
           .
           
             And
             he
             said
             ,
             While
             the
             Child
             was
             yet
             alive
             I
             fasted
             and
             wept
             ,
             
             for
             I
             said
             ,
             Who
             can
             tell
             ,
             whether
             the
             Lord
             will
             be
             gracious
             to
             me
             that
             the
             Child
             may
             live
             ?
             but
             now
             he
             is
             dead
             ,
             wherefore
             should
             I
             fast
             ?
             can
             I
             bring
             him
             back
             again
             ?
             I
             shall
             go
             to
             him
             but
             he
             shall
             not
             return
             to
             me
             .
          
        
         
           In
           which
           expressions
           David
           does
           signify
           and
           declare
           the
           reasons
           why
           his
           carriage
           upon
           the
           Death
           of
           his
           Child
           differ'd
           so
           much
           from
           what
           it
           was
           when
           it
           was
           sick
           ,
           and
           yet
           alive
           .
           
             For
             I
             said
             ,
             who
             can
             tell
             whether
             the
             Lord
             will
             be
             gracious
             to
             me
             that
             the
             Child
             may
             live
             ?
          
           that
           is
           ,
           though
           the
           Child
           be
           desperately
           ill
           and
           past
           all
           hopes
           as
           to
           outward
           appearance
           ,
           yet
           who
           knows
           but
           God
           may
           hear
           my
           Prayers
           for
           him
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           made
           with
           true
           fervour
           and
           devotion
           ,
           with
           zeal
           and
           integrity
           ?
           Who
           can
           tell
           but
           upon
           my
           humble
           Petition
           and
           earnest
           Intercession
           for
           the
           Child
           ,
           God
           may
           spare
           him
           to
           me
           ,
           and
           give
           a
           further
           grant
           of
           his
           life
           ,
           and
           recal
           the
           
           black
           Sentence
           and
           Warrant
           for
           his
           Death
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           such
           a
           due
           application
           made
           to
           him
           ?
           For
           whilst
           there
           is
           life
           there
           is
           hopes
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           mercy
           always
           with
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           be
           feared
           and
           supplicated
           unto
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           may
           be
           expedient
           and
           useful
           to
           continue
           my
           Prayers
           and
           to
           proceed
           in
           my
           penitential
           sorrows
           .
           And
           thus
           did
           David
           argue
           the
           reasonableness
           of
           his
           sorrowing
           and
           humbling
           himself
           before
           God
           for
           the
           Child
           whilst
           it
           was
           yet
           alive
           .
        
         
           And
           truly
           it
           would
           be
           an
           excellent
           and
           laudable
           thing
           in
           all
           Parents
           to
           follow
           this
           Example
           of
           David
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           betake
           themselves
           to
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           to
           use
           the
           deepest
           humiliation
           when
           their
           Relations
           and
           Children
           happen
           to
           be
           under
           the
           rod
           and
           hand
           of
           an
           afflicting
           Providence
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           no
           such
           effectual
           means
           for
           their
           recovery
           as
           a
           hearty
           and
           sincere
           Prayer
           .
           
             For
             the
             effectual
             fervent
             Prayer
             of
             the
             righteous
             availeth
             much
             ,
          
           saith
           
           St.
           James
           in
           the
           5.
           c.
           and
           16.
           v.
           There
           is
           more
           vertue
           and
           efficacy
           in
           Prayer
           than
           we
           are
           ready
           to
           believe
           ,
           and
           they
           have
           a
           more
           soveraign
           power
           to
           cure
           all
           maladies
           than
           the
           best
           prescriptions
           :
           This
           is
           the
           Panaceavera
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           Catholicon
           ,
           surpassing
           all
           those
           of
           humane
           Art
           and
           Invention
           ,
           which
           some
           have
           so
           vainly
           boasted
           to
           find
           out
           .
           Prayer
           is
           the
           Universal
           Remedy
           ,
           and
           has
           perform'd
           greater
           Cures
           ,
           and
           greater
           Recoveries
           ,
           and
           done
           greater
           wonders
           than
           all
           the
           Elixirs
           ,
           or
           Proprietates
           ,
           or
           Nostrums
           of
           the
           most
           skilful
           and
           renown'd
           Physicians
           .
           It
           was
           Prayer
           that
           restored
           Hezekiah
           from
           a
           dangerous
           sickness
           ,
           and
           prolong'd
           his
           Days
           ;
           it
           was
           Prayer
           which
           supported
           David
           under
           all
           his
           troubles
           ,
           and
           gave
           him
           ease
           in
           his
           greatest
           extremities
           ;
           it
           was
           Prayer
           that
           opened
           the
           eyes
           of
           the
           blind
           ,
           and
           ejected
           the
           Devils
           ,
           and
           did
           the
           most
           glorious
           things
           to
           all
           Admiration
           :
           and
           therefore
           we
           must
           apply
           our selves
           
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           depend
           upon
           our
           Prayers
           as
           the
           most
           proper
           and
           specifick
           remedy
           in
           afflictions
           .
           We
           must
           be
           fervent
           ,
           and
           frequent
           ,
           and
           importunate
           in
           Prayers
           to
           God
           on
           the
           behalf
           of
           our
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ,
           and
           who
           can
           tell
           whether
           God
           will
           be
           gracious
           to
           us
           that
           our
           Friends
           may
           live
           .
        
         
           But
           then
           may
           some
           reply
           and
           say
           ,
           it
           was
           in
           vain
           for
           David
           to
           use
           Prayer
           or
           any
           other
           means
           ;
           it
           was
           to
           no
           purpose
           for
           him
           to
           expect
           the
           recovery
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           or
           that
           God
           should
           answer
           him
           though
           he
           pray'd
           never
           so
           much
           .
           For
           he
           knew
           that
           God
           had
           decreed
           the
           Death
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           and
           told
           him
           in
           as
           plain
           words
           as
           could
           be
           ,
           by
           his
           Prophet
           ,
           that
           the
           Child
           should
           surely
           die
           ;
           and
           why
           then
           should
           David
           flatter
           himself
           so
           as
           to
           imagine
           that
           he
           could
           do
           the
           Child
           any
           good
           by
           his
           Prayers
           ,
           or
           prevail
           with
           God
           for
           his
           Recovery
           ?
           Why
           should
           he
           use
           that
           dubious
           Language
           ,
           as
           ,
           
             who
             can
             tell
          
           ,
           
           't
           is
           possible
           ,
           or
           it
           may
           be
           that
           
             the
             Lord
             will
             be
             gracious
             to
             me
             that
             the
             Child
             may
             live
             ?
          
           Why
           should
           he
           stand
           doubting
           or
           supposing
           a
           possibility
           of
           a
           thing
           ,
           when
           God
           had
           positively
           declared
           the
           contrary
           ?
        
         
           To
           which
           I
           Answer
           ,
           That
           God
           declared
           by
           his
           Prophet
           Jonah
           ,
           the
           destruction
           of
           the
           Ninevites
           ,
           and
           prefixt
           the
           time
           to
           just
           forty
           days
           ,
           and
           this
           was
           declared
           with
           as
           great
           positiveness
           as
           the
           Death
           of
           Davids
           Child
           by
           the
           Prophet
           Nathan
           ,
           and
           the
           Prophet
           
             Jonah
             try'd
             and
             said
             ,
             Yet
             forty
             days
             and
             Nineveh
             shall
             be
             overthrown
             ,
          
           in
           the
           3.
           of
           Jonah
           and
           4.
           v.
           and
           yet
           after
           the
           delivery
           and
           promulgation
           of
           this
           sentence
           ,
           the
           Ninevites
           did
           not
           despond
           ,
           or
           utterly
           despair
           of
           Gods
           mercy
           ,
           but
           fell
           to
           repentance
           and
           humbling
           themselves
           ,
           and
           put
           the
           success
           to
           the
           same
           venture
           that
           David
           did
           ,
           and
           much
           in
           the
           same
           Language
           ,
           saying
           in
           the
           9.
           
             v.
             Who
             can
             tell
             if
             God
             will
             return
             and
             repent
             ,
             and
             turn
             away
             from
             his
             
             fierce
             anger
             ,
             that
             we
             perish
             not
             ?
          
           And
           what
           was
           the
           Issue
           of
           their
           Repentance
           and
           Humiliation
           ,
           and
           using
           the
           best
           means
           they
           could
           to
           divert
           Gods
           Judgments
           ?
           Why
           the
           Issue
           was
           ,
           that
           by
           their
           Repentance
           they
           stav'd
           off
           the
           judgment
           and
           put
           it
           back
           ,
           as
           we
           may
           see
           in
           the
           10.
           and
           last
           
             ver
             .
             And
             God
             saw
             their
             works
             ,
             that
             they
             turned
             from
             their
             evil
             ways
             ,
             and
             God
             repented
             of
             the
             evil
             that
             he
             had
             said
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             do
             unto
             them
             ,
             and
             did
             it
             not
             .
          
           And
           so
           in
           the
           20.
           
           Ch.
           of
           the
           2.
           of
           Kings
           ,
           God
           ordered
           the
           Prophet
           Isaiah
           to
           go
           and
           carry
           to
           Hezekiah
           the
           same
           message
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           to
           acquaint
           him
           that
           he
           must
           expect
           no
           other
           than
           Death
           .
           
             Thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             Set
             thine
             House
             in
             order
             ,
             for
             thou
             shalt
             die
             ,
             and
             not
             live
             :
          
           Could
           any
           thing
           be
           more
           absolute
           and
           positive
           than
           these
           words
           ?
           and
           yet
           Hezekiah
           instead
           of
           melancholizing
           himself
           with
           the
           thoughts
           of
           Death
           ,
           or
           expecting
           it
           every
           hour
           ,
           
             turned
             his
             
             face
             to
             the
             Wall
             ,
             and
             prayed
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             saying
             ,
             I
             beseech
             thee
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             remember
             now
             how
             I
             have
             walked
             before
             thee
             in
             truth
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             perfect
             heart
             ,
             and
             have
             done
             that
             which
             is
             good
             in
             thy
             sight
             :
             and
             Hezekiah
             wept
             sore
             ,
          
           in
           the
           3.
           ver
           .
           And
           what
           good
           ,
           will
           you
           say
           ,
           could
           
           Hezekiah's
           praying
           ,
           and
           weeping
           ,
           and
           appealing
           to
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           his
           life
           do
           him
           ?
           Could
           that
           or
           any
           thing
           else
           save
           him
           and
           prevent
           his
           dying
           ,
           when
           God
           had
           so
           solemnly
           Decreed
           ?
           yes
           truly
           his
           Prayer
           and
           Repentance
           did
           him
           so
           much
           good
           ,
           as
           to
           prevail
           with
           God
           to
           grant
           him
           a
           longer
           Lease
           of
           his
           life
           ;
           and
           ordered
           the
           same
           Prophet
           that
           had
           just
           now
           told
           him
           of
           his
           Death
           ,
           to
           return
           forthwith
           and
           acquaint
           him
           also
           that
           he
           had
           reverst
           the
           fatal
           sentence
           :
           
             Turn
             again
             ,
             and
             tell
             Hezekiah
             the
             Captain
             of
             my
             people
             ,
             Thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             the
             God
             of
             David
             thy
             Father
             ,
             I
             have
             heard
             thy
             Prayer
             ,
             I
             have
             seen
             thy
             tears
             :
             behold
             ,
             I
             
             will
             heal
             thee
             ;
             on
             the
             third
             day
             thou
             shalt
             go
             up
             unto
             the
             House
             of
             the
             Lord.
             And
             I
             will
             add
             unto
             thy
             days
             fifteen
             years
             .
          
           What
           then
           shall
           we
           say
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           any
           change
           in
           the
           Divine
           Decrees
           ,
           or
           any
           inconstancy
           in
           God
           ,
           or
           that
           he
           is
           worse
           than
           his
           word
           ,
           when
           he
           thus
           positively
           denounces
           judgment
           ,
           and
           yet
           suspends
           it
           ?
           
             God
             forbid
          
           ,
           says
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             yea
             let
             God
             be
             true
             ,
             but
             every
             man
             a
             lyar
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             written
             ,
             that
             thou
             mightest
             be
             justified
             in
             thy
             sayings
             .
          
           And
           therefore
           for
           the
           clearing
           of
           God
           from
           all
           imputation
           of
           falshood
           or
           mutability
           in
           these
           instances
           of
           his
           judgments
           denounced
           against
           sinners
           without
           any
           actual
           execution
           ,
           we
           are
           to
           understand
           that
           those
           threatnings
           of
           God
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           run
           in
           an
           absolute
           form
           ,
           have
           a
           condition
           imply'd
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           
             Nineveh
             shall
             be
             destroyed
             ,
             and
             Hezekiah
             shall
             die
             except
             they
             repent
             :
          
           So
           that
           God
           does
           still
           reserve
           a
           power
           of
           revocation
           ,
           and
           puts
           in
           a
           conditional
           
           clause
           of
           repentance
           ,
           which
           though
           it
           be
           not
           exprest
           ,
           yet
           is
           always
           to
           be
           understood
           ;
           and
           therefore
           where
           Gods
           threatnings
           of
           death
           and
           destruction
           seem
           most
           peremptory
           and
           final
           ,
           we
           are
           yet
           to
           attempt
           the
           diverting
           and
           preventing
           them
           by
           our
           Prayers
           and
           repentance
           ;
           we
           are
           to
           use
           the
           means
           ,
           and
           as
           we
           say
           ,
           leave
           the
           success
           to
           God
           :
           For
           who
           knows
           but
           the
           Lord
           may
           be
           gracious
           ?
           But
           if
           God
           will
           not
           hear
           our
           Prayers
           ,
           nor
           accept
           our
           Repentance
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           neither
           in
           the
           present
           Case
           of
           Davids
           Child
           ;
           yet
           we
           are
           to
           use
           the
           most
           proper
           means
           ,
           and
           to
           try
           all
           the
           ways
           imaginable
           to
           pacify
           Gods
           anger
           ,
           and
           to
           appease
           his
           wrath
           ,
           and
           still
           to
           go
           on
           praying
           and
           repenting
           as
           David
           did
           .
           We
           are
           not
           to
           despond
           of
           mercy
           ,
           or
           to
           despair
           of
           success
           ,
           but
           at
           the
           very
           last
           push
           ,
           and
           the
           utmost
           extremity
           of
           affliction
           ,
           to
           say
           ,
           
             who
             can
             tell
             but
             the
             Lord
             will
             be
             gracious
             ?
          
        
         
           And
           thus
           I
           have
           delivered
           to
           you
           
           the
           just
           reasons
           why
           David
           mourn'd
           so
           exceedingly
           for
           his
           Child
           when
           it
           lay
           upon
           a
           Bed
           of
           sickness
           ,
           and
           languishing
           :
           As
           first
           ,
           considering
           that
           his
           own
           sin
           was
           the
           chief
           and
           declared
           cause
           of
           his
           Child
           's
           grievous
           and
           desperate
           sickness
           ;
           and
           secondly
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           that
           natural
           affection
           which
           is
           in
           all
           Parents
           toward
           their
           Children
           ,
           which
           moves
           their
           bowels
           to
           pity
           and
           bewail
           them
           when
           they
           are
           in
           misery
           and
           distress
           .
        
         
           But
           then
           the
           great
           wonder
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           Father
           which
           was
           so
           much
           concern'd
           and
           deeply
           immerst
           in
           sorrow
           for
           the
           sickness
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           should
           give
           over
           mourning
           upon
           the
           death
           and
           loss
           of
           it
           ;
           that
           his
           sorrow
           should
           expire
           and
           be
           at
           an
           end
           as
           soon
           as
           the
           Child
           was
           departed
           ,
           and
           had
           given
           up
           the
           Ghost
           .
           
             But
             now
             he
             is
             dead
             ,
             why
             should
             I
             fast
             ?
          
           Why
           should
           I
           trouble
           and
           grieve
           my self
           any
           longer
           ?
           But
           how
           oddly
           and
           strangely
           ,
           may
           some
           say
           ,
           doth
           this
           
           look
           in
           a
           Father
           ,
           to
           dry
           his
           Eyes
           ,
           and
           clear
           up
           his
           Countenance
           presently
           upon
           the
           death
           and
           loss
           of
           his
           Child
           ?
           Is
           not
           this
           a
           thing
           out
           of
           course
           ,
           and
           a
           very
           strange
           temper
           ,
           to
           sorrow
           so
           much
           for
           the
           Child
           when
           it
           was
           sick
           ,
           and
           to
           cease
           sorrowing
           when
           it
           was
           absolutely
           dead
           and
           gone
           ?
           Surely
           ,
           this
           giving
           over
           mourning
           at
           the
           death
           of
           so
           near
           and
           dear
           a
           Relation
           as
           a
           Child
           ,
           must
           needs
           proceed
           fromhard-heartedness
           ,
           or
           the
           want
           of
           natural
           affection
           and
           of
           common
           humanity
           .
        
         
           But
           then
           we
           may
           observe
           ,
           that
           David
           both
           to
           excuse
           and
           justifie
           his
           not
           mourning
           for
           the
           Death
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           nor
           taking
           on
           so
           grievously
           as
           he
           did
           before
           ,
           alledges
           these
           good
           and
           substantial
           reasons
           ,
           as
           first
           ,
           The
           consideration
           of
           the
           necessity
           of
           his
           own
           dying
           ;
           and
           secondly
           ,
           The
           impossibility
           of
           his
           Childs
           coming
           to
           life
           again
           .
           And
           we
           may
           also
           suppose
           that
           he
           had
           some
           further
           considerations
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           which
           helpt
           
           to
           allay
           and
           silence
           his
           sorrows
           ,
           as
           namely
           First
           ,
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           Childs
           dying
           in
           its
           Age
           of
           Innocency
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           gone
           out
           of
           a
           wicked
           and
           troublesome
           World.
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           freed
           from
           those
           pains
           ,
           and
           sicknesses
           ,
           and
           diseases
           ,
           which
           are
           incident
           to
           this
           mortal
           condition
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           released
           from
           those
           pains
           and
           miseries
           which
           it
           underwent
           :
           And
           fifthly
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           the
           will
           of
           God
           it
           should
           be
           so
           .
           And
           it
           is
           but
           very
           reasonable
           to
           imagine
           ,
           that
           all
           these
           considerations
           ,
           though
           not
           verbally
           exprest
           ,
           might
           occur
           to
           Davids
           mind
           ,
           or
           any
           mans
           else
           upon
           the
           like
           emergency
           .
        
         
           I
           begin
           with
           the
           first
           consideration
           that
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           Davids
           sorrowing
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           and
           that
           was
           the
           necessity
           of
           his
           own
           dying
           .
           
             Can
             I
             bring
             him
             back
             again
             ?
             I
             shall
             go
             to
             him
             .
             David
          
           considered
           that
           Death
           was
           common
           to
           all
           ,
           and
           that
           't
           is
           appointed
           for
           all
           men
           once
           
           to
           die
           :
           
             What
             man
             is
             he
             that
             liveth
             and
             shall
             not
             see
             death
             ?
          
           in
           the
           89.
           
           Ps
           .
           and
           48.
           
             v.
             And
             I
             know
          
           ,
           says
           Job
           ,
           
             that
             thou
             wilt
             bring
             me
             to
             death
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             House
             appointed
             for
             all
             the
             living
          
           ;
           and
           so
           David
           was
           convinced
           that
           he
           must
           as
           surely
           die
           as
           he
           was
           then
           alive
           ,
           and
           that
           life
           is
           but
           a
           short
           preamble
           to
           death
           ,
           and
           why
           then
           should
           he
           grieve
           and
           torment
           himself
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           when
           nothing
           had
           hapned
           to
           that
           but
           what
           must
           also
           happen
           to
           himself
           and
           to
           all
           men
           living
           ?
           For
           he
           was
           only
           gone
           the
           way
           of
           all
           flesh
           ,
           and
           had
           paid
           that
           debt
           to
           Nature
           ,
           which
           every
           one
           must
           do
           at
           one
           time
           or
           other
           ,
           sooner
           or
           later
           .
           His
           Child
           indeed
           was
           dead
           ,
           but
           that
           was
           but
           a
           common
           ,
           natural
           and
           unavoidable
           thing
           ,
           and
           the
           beaten
           road
           to
           the
           Grave
           ,
           and
           the
           usual
           way
           of
           going
           out
           of
           the
           World.
           He
           considered
           wisely
           with
           himself
           that
           his
           Child
           was
           only
           gone
           before
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           must
           prepare
           to
           follow
           ;
           
           that
           his
           death
           indeed
           was
           somewhat
           early
           and
           immature
           and
           sooner
           than
           ordinary
           ;
           but
           the
           Father
           must
           not
           stay
           long
           behind
           .
           He
           saw
           that
           sometimes
           the
           buds
           and
           blossoms
           were
           nipt
           and
           fell
           to
           the
           ground
           ,
           and
           that
           ripe
           fruit
           would
           certainly
           drop
           off
           ;
           He
           observed
           that
           sometimes
           the
           Lambs
           went
           to
           the
           slaughter
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           was
           no
           escaping
           for
           the
           old
           Sheep
           ;
           And
           therefore
           it
           was
           in
           vain
           to
           be
           troubled
           at
           a
           thing
           which
           was
           past
           and
           gone
           and
           could
           not
           be
           helpt
           ,
           and
           which
           all
           must
           submit
           to
           ,
           young
           and
           old
           ,
           the
           Father
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Child
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           though
           it
           was
           a
           Princely
           Babe
           ,
           and
           Heir
           to
           a
           Crown
           ,
           and
           if
           it
           had
           liv'd
           might
           have
           been
           valued
           at
           as
           great
           a
           rate
           as
           his
           Father
           ,
           worth
           ten
           thousand
           of
           the
           ordinary
           sort
           of
           people
           ;
           yet
           Death
           was
           no
           respecter
           of
           persons
           ,
           makes
           no
           distinction
           ,
           and
           takes
           the
           ignoble
           and
           noble
           ,
           the
           Prince
           and
           the
           Peasant
           ,
           and
           sweeps
           away
           all
           alike
           ;
           't
           is
           not
           a
           
           Crown
           or
           a
           great
           Inheritance
           that
           will
           purchase
           life
           ,
           or
           deliver
           from
           Death
           ;
           't
           is
           not
           a
           high
           descent
           or
           being
           of
           the
           Royal
           Blood
           ,
           that
           will
           priviledge
           or
           exempt
           from
           the
           Grave
           .
           But
           David
           himself
           must
           surrender
           up
           and
           lay
           down
           his
           Scepter
           at
           the
           summons
           of
           the
           King
           of
           Terrours
           ,
           which
           had
           so
           lately
           cut
           off
           and
           prevented
           his
           Sons
           Inheriting
           the
           Fathers
           Glory
           ;
           the
           branch
           is
           now
           lopt
           off
           ,
           and
           ere
           long
           the
           root
           will
           be
           taken
           up
           and
           carried
           away
           .
           And
           therefore
           't
           is
           not
           long
           ,
           says
           David
           ,
           before
           I
           shall
           go
           to
           the
           same
           place
           ,
           and
           be
           laid
           equal
           with
           my
           Child
           in
           the
           dust
           .
           He
           has
           only
           made
           the
           first
           hancel
           of
           my
           Tomb
           ,
           and
           taken
           the
           first
           possession
           of
           my
           Grave
           .
           He
           has
           had
           the
           misfortune
           ,
           or
           rather
           priviledge
           ,
           to
           go
           before
           me
           ,
           but
           I
           am
           going
           apace
           to
           meet
           him
           .
           He
           was
           snatcht
           away
           betimes
           ,
           and
           I
           only
           wait
           Gods
           leisure
           ,
           and
           look
           when
           my
           change
           will
           come
           ,
           and
           expect
           every
           day
           to
           be
           called
           away
           ;
           and
           therefore
           I
           do
           
           not
           think
           it
           reasonable
           to
           imbitter
           this
           short
           life
           ,
           or
           to
           make
           my self
           uneasy
           and
           uncomfortable
           the
           rest
           of
           my
           days
           ,
           by
           a
           great
           and
           violent
           sorrow
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           my
           Child
           ;
           when
           I
           know
           that
           I
           have
           not
           much
           longer
           to
           live
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           days
           of
           my
           Pilgrimage
           will
           shortly
           be
           at
           an
           end
           ,
           and
           that
           his
           condition
           will
           shortly
           be
           mine
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           both
           meet
           together
           in
           the
           Grave
           ,
           and
           be
           fellow
           Lodgers
           in
           the
           Dust
           ,
           and
           sleep
           together
           in
           the
           same
           Chambers
           of
           Darkness
           ;
           and
           therefore
           ,
           says
           David
           ,
           why
           should
           I
           fast
           ?
           why
           should
           I
           macerate
           and
           wast
           my self
           ?
           why
           should
           I
           grieve
           and
           pine
           away
           ?
           why
           should
           I
           go
           and
           throw
           away
           my
           life
           in
           sorrowing
           for
           the
           Death
           of
           my
           Child
           ,
           when
           I
           know
           that
           all
           the
           sorrow
           in
           the
           World
           will
           do
           no
           good
           ?
           and
           that
           my
           Child
           has
           passed
           those
           Gates
           of
           Death
           ,
           which
           I
           my self
           must
           after
           a
           little
           while
           strive
           and
           struggle
           to
           get
           thorough
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           is
           now
           in
           his
           Grave
           out
           of
           which
           I
           cannot
           keep
           
           long
           ;
           
             and
             why
             then
             should
             I
             fast
             ?
             can
             I
             bring
             him
             back
             again
             ?
             I
             shall
             go
             to
             him
             ,
             but
             he
             shall
             not
             return
             to
             me
             .
          
        
         
           
             But
             he
             shall
             not
             return
             to
             me
             .
          
           That
           's
           another
           Consideration
           which
           might
           well
           serve
           to
           pacify
           Davids
           sorrow
           and
           discontent
           at
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           Child
           ;
           namely
           ,
           the
           impossibility
           of
           its
           coming
           to
           life
           again
           ,
           or
           returning
           to
           the
           same
           condition
           as
           formerly
           .
           
             I
             shall
             go
             to
             him
             ,
             but
             he
             shall
             not
             return
             to
             me
             .
          
        
         
           Death
           is
           that
           which
           puts
           a
           perfect
           and
           absolute
           end
           to
           this
           present
           life
           ,
           and
           when
           we
           are
           committed
           to
           the
           Dust
           and
           laid
           up
           in
           the
           Grave
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           breaking
           forth
           ,
           no
           expecting
           our
           liberty
           or
           enlargement
           till
           the
           day
           of
           the
           general
           Resurrection
           .
           
             We
             are
             Prisoners
             of
             hope
          
           ,
           sayes
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           though
           we
           have
           a
           Promise
           and
           assurance
           of
           our
           rising
           again
           ,
           and
           being
           delivered
           from
           the
           Grave
           ,
           yet
           still
           we
           are
           Prisoners
           till
           the
           time
           of
           our
           Redemption
           comes
           ,
           
           and
           consequently
           must
           remain
           in
           hold
           ,
           and
           under
           the
           strict
           custody
           and
           durance
           of
           the
           Grave
           .
           Death
           is
           a
           total
           privation
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           
             à
             totali
             Privatione
             ad
             habitum
             non
             datur
             regressus
             ,
          
           our
           Philosophy
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           possible
           to
           recover
           the
           sight
           when
           the
           Organ
           of
           the
           Eye
           is
           only
           inflam'd
           or
           distemper'd
           ,
           or
           grown
           over
           with
           a
           film
           ;
           yet
           when
           a
           man
           is
           stark
           blind
           ,
           and
           his
           Eyes
           are
           dropt
           out
           of
           his
           Head
           ,
           then
           such
           a
           recovery
           is
           utterly
           impossible
           :
           and
           so
           Death
           being
           a
           total
           privation
           of
           motion
           ,
           sensation
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           acts
           of
           the
           animal
           life
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           returning
           after
           that
           has
           once
           pass'd
           upon
           us
           ,
           to
           any
           such
           vital
           operations
           ,
           we
           are
           ,
           says
           the
           Prophet
           
             Samuel
             ,
             2
             Sam.
          
           14.
           and
           14.
           
             ver
             .
             as
             water
             spilt
             upon
             the
             ground
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             gathered
             up
             again
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           as
           Water
           spilt
           upon
           the
           ground
           presently
           vanishes
           out
           of
           sight
           ,
           and
           sinks
           into
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           diffluence
           of
           its
           parts
           is
           so
           
           disperst
           and
           wasted
           that
           there
           is
           no
           gathering
           it
           up
           again
           in
           the
           same
           quantity
           that
           it
           fell
           ;
           so
           Death
           causes
           such
           a
           dissolution
           of
           the
           parts
           of
           our
           Bodies
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           reuniting
           them
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           ,
           or
           forming
           them
           into
           the
           same
           orderly
           lively
           Fabrick
           by
           all
           the
           power
           and
           art
           in
           the
           World.
           
             Can
             these
             dry
             bones
             live
          
           ,
           says
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           is
           a
           Question
           that
           might
           very
           well
           be
           askt
           ,
           as
           being
           a
           thing
           almost
           incredible
           ,
           but
           that
           nothing
           is
           impossible
           with
           God.
           But
           then
           how
           is
           it
           that
           these
           dry
           bones
           will
           live
           ?
           surely
           not
           in
           the
           same
           way
           as
           formerly
           ,
           nor
           can
           they
           be
           enlivened
           by
           any
           humane
           power
           or
           Art
           ,
           but
           they
           shall
           be
           quickned
           by
           a
           miraculous
           power
           ,
           by
           the
           same
           power
           which
           raised
           Jesus
           from
           the
           Dead
           ;
           but
           at
           present
           ,
           during
           the
           time
           and
           reign
           of
           mortality
           ,
           they
           must
           remain
           rotten
           ,
           and
           shatter'd
           ,
           and
           liveless
           ,
           and
           only
           in
           a
           possibility
           to
           return
           to
           life
           by
           the
           wonderful
           power
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Morning
           of
           
           the
           Resurrection
           .
           And
           Job
           in
           the
           24.
           c.
           and
           14.
           v.
           asks
           much
           the
           same
           question
           ,
           
             If
             a
             man
             die
             ,
             shall
             he
             live
             again
             ?
          
           where
           Job
           does
           not
           so
           much
           doubt
           or
           question
           the
           truth
           of
           a
           Resurrection
           ,
           as
           puts
           it
           out
           of
           all
           doubt
           by
           so
           propounding
           it
           ;
           
             if
             a
             man
             die
             ,
             shall
             he
             live
             ?
          
           yes
           ,
           he
           shall
           ,
           but
           not
           by
           any
           power
           of
           nature
           to
           restore
           it self
           ,
           nor
           that
           there
           is
           any
           remains
           of
           spirit
           in
           man
           after
           death
           which
           can
           quicken
           into
           new
           life
           of
           its
           own
           accord
           ,
           nor
           that
           there
           is
           any
           seed
           of
           immortality
           in
           humane
           Bodies
           ,
           as
           some
           of
           the
           Jews
           did
           fondly
           conceive
           ,
           when
           they
           imputed
           the
           Resurrection
           to
           the
           vertue
           of
           a
           Worm
           in
           the
           back-bone
           which
           never
           dies
           :
           And
           therefore
           though
           we
           are
           to
           believe
           another
           life
           ,
           yet
           we
           must
           believe
           it
           in
           another
           place
           ;
           For
           when
           our
           life
           here
           is
           once
           expir'd
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           return
           of
           it
           ,
           till
           God
           breath
           into
           us
           a
           new
           spirit
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           inspire
           us
           with
           new
           vigour
           and
           motion
           .
           And
           therefore
           pray'd
           in
           another
           place
           ,
           that
           
           God
           would
           continue
           his
           life
           a
           little
           longer
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           as
           verily
           believing
           he
           should
           never
           see
           it
           any
           more
           when
           he
           had
           once
           left
           it
           ;
           
             Spare
             me
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             a
             little
             longer
             ,
             before
             I
             go
             hence
             ,
             and
             be
             no
             more
             seen
             ,
             Ps
             .
          
           39.
           and
           13.
           
             v.
             Man
          
           ,
           sayes
           
             Solomon
             ,
             goeth
             to
             his
             long
             home
             ,
             and
             the
             mourners
             go
             about
             the
             streets
             ,
          
           long
           indeed
           ,
           whence
           there
           will
           be
           no
           moving
           or
           stirring
           a
           foot
           till
           the
           great
           day
           of
           Judgment
           .
           And
           not
           improper
           to
           our
           purpose
           is
           that
           observation
           of
           the
           Fox
           in
           the
           Fable
           ,
           who
           when
           he
           was
           much
           urg'd
           and
           importun'd
           to
           go
           and
           pay
           a
           Visit
           to
           the
           Lyon
           in
           the
           time
           of
           his
           sickness
           ,
           and
           told
           ,
           that
           his
           Company
           would
           be
           more
           useful
           and
           serviceable
           to
           the
           Lyon
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           the
           helping
           him
           to
           make
           his
           will
           ,
           as
           being
           one
           famous
           for
           his
           wisdom
           and
           sagacity
           ;
           answered
           ,
           by
           no
           means
           ,
           for
           there
           was
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           danger
           in
           going
           to
           visit
           this
           King
           of
           Beasts
           ;
           For
           he
           had
           observ'd
           a
           great
           resort
           to
           the
           Lyon
           ,
           
           but
           saw
           no
           marks
           or
           footsteps
           of
           any
           that
           ever
           return'd
           from
           him
           .
           
             Vestigia
             nulla
             retrorsum
          
           ;
           and
           so
           may
           we
           say
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           known
           millions
           that
           have
           enter'd
           into
           the
           shades
           below
           ,
           but
           none
           that
           ever
           came
           back
           from
           thence
           ;
           and
           therefore
           we
           find
           ,
           that
           when
           Dives
           was
           in
           torment
           ,
           and
           made
           this
           earnest
           request
           to
           Abraham
           ,
           that
           one
           might
           rise
           from
           the
           dead
           and
           inform
           his
           Brethren
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           Hell
           torments
           ,
           and
           by
           such
           a
           wonderful
           information
           might
           scare
           them
           from
           doing
           any
           thing
           that
           might
           bring
           them
           thither
           ;
           yet
           this
           request
           was
           denied
           him
           upon
           this
           account
           ,
           Joh.
           7.
           and
           9.
           v.
           there
           being
           so
           great
           a
           publication
           of
           a
           future
           State
           by
           Moses
           and
           the
           Prophets
           and
           other
           divine
           testimonies
           ;
           and
           besides
           ,
           Abraham
           told
           him
           ,
           that
           between
           us
           and
           you
           there
           is
           a
           great
           Gulf
           fixed
           ,
           which
           place
           is
           enough
           to
           evince
           the
           impossibility
           of
           a
           return
           to
           this
           World
           after
           Death
           ;
           and
           therefore
           we
           imagin
           ,
           that
           David
           at
           
           the
           parting
           of
           his
           Child
           took
           his
           final
           leave
           of
           him
           ,
           bidding
           him
           an
           Eternal
           farewel
           ,
           and
           an
           Everlasting
           good
           night
           .
           For
           he
           considered
           that
           there
           was
           no
           hopes
           of
           seeing
           him
           again
           under
           the
           same
           circumstances
           ,
           or
           conversing
           with
           him
           in
           the
           flesh
           ;
           and
           therefore
           having
           decently
           committed
           his
           Body
           to
           the
           ground
           ,
           and
           laid
           him
           in
           the
           bosom
           of
           our
           common
           Mother
           Earth
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           dropping
           a
           tear
           or
           two
           upon
           the
           Hearse
           ,
           and
           besprinkling
           the
           Grave
           with
           tears
           ,
           as
           our
           Saviour
           did
           Lazarus
           in
           testimony
           how
           much
           he
           lov'd
           him
           ,
           he
           retires
           from
           the
           Funeral
           with
           great
           Solemnity
           we
           may
           imagine
           ,
           but
           without
           any
           further
           Lamentations
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             wherefore
             should
             I
             fast
             ?
             can
             I
             bring
             him
             back
             again
             ?
             I
             shall
             go
             to
             him
             ,
             but
             he
             shall
             not
             return
             to
             me
             .
          
        
         
           But
           then
           perhaps
           several
           may
           be
           ready
           to
           tax
           this
           Discourse
           with
           impertinency
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           what
           needs
           there
           all
           this
           stir
           and
           ado
           to
           prove
           a
           
           thing
           that
           never
           was
           gainsaid
           or
           contradicted
           ?
           as
           namely
           ,
           the
           impossibility
           of
           the
           dead
           coming
           to
           life
           again
           ,
           and
           rising
           out
           of
           their
           Graves
           to
           live
           anew
           in
           this
           World
           :
           who
           is
           so
           silly
           or
           credulous
           as
           to
           expect
           such
           a
           thing
           ?
           or
           who
           would
           desire
           to
           see
           the
           Ghosts
           ,
           or
           any
           representations
           of
           their
           Friends
           when
           they
           are
           dead
           and
           gone
           ?
        
         
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           ,
           That
           I
           believe
           there
           is
           none
           so
           silly
           ,
           or
           whimsical
           ,
           or
           deeply
           melancholy
           ,
           as
           to
           expect
           a
           return
           of
           their
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           from
           the
           Grave
           .
           But
           then
           people
           make
           a
           great
           Argument
           against
           themselves
           ,
           and
           do
           highly
           condemn
           themselves
           of
           the
           greatest
           folly
           in
           their
           inordinate
           sorrowings
           for
           the
           Dead
           .
           For
           why
           should
           they
           take
           on
           and
           weep
           so
           bitterly
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           a
           Child
           or
           Relation
           ,
           when
           they
           believe
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           a
           return
           from
           Death
           ?
           why
           do
           they
           wound
           themselves
           with
           such
           mighty
           and
           piercing
           sorrows
           for
           their
           Relations
           ,
           when
           
           they
           know
           they
           are
           dead
           and
           gone
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           no
           hopes
           of
           seeing
           them
           again
           as
           long
           as
           the
           World
           endures
           ?
           This
           indeed
           is
           their
           folly
           to
           grieve
           for
           an
           irrecoverable
           loss
           ,
           and
           to
           weep
           incessantly
           at
           the
           remembrance
           of
           deceased
           Friends
           .
           For
           t
           is
           the
           vainest
           ,
           idlest
           thing
           that
           can
           be
           ,
           to
           mourn
           when
           all
           the
           mourning
           in
           the
           World
           will
           do
           no
           good
           ,
           neither
           to
           us
           or
           our
           Friends
           ;
           and
           therefore
           this
           consideration
           ,
           that
           all
           our
           tears
           are
           in
           vain
           and
           ineffectual
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           may
           be
           spent
           as
           well
           upon
           a
           dead
           Tree
           as
           a
           dead
           Child
           ,
           and
           recover
           one
           as
           soon
           as
           the
           other
           ,
           may
           serve
           to
           suppress
           all
           the
           extravagant
           sorrowings
           of
           all
           persons
           for
           their
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           argue
           with
           themselves
           the
           unreasonableness
           of
           all
           such
           desperate
           mourning
           ,
           saying
           with
           David
           ,
           now
           they
           are
           dead
           why
           should
           we
           fast
           and
           take
           on
           so
           grievously
           ,
           and
           refuse
           to
           be
           comforted
           ,
           as
           Rachel
           ,
           because
           our
           Children
           or
           our
           Friends
           
           are
           not
           ?
           For
           to
           what
           purpose
           is
           all
           our
           weeping
           ,
           and
           mourning
           ,
           and
           casting
           down
           our selves
           ?
           can
           we
           bring
           them
           back
           again
           ?
           no
           ,
           that
           's
           utterly
           impossible
           ,
           we
           shall
           go
           to
           them
           very
           speedily
           ,
           and
           follow
           them
           close
           into
           their
           Graves
           ,
           but
           there
           is
           no
           expecting
           to
           see
           them
           any
           more
           :
           they
           shall
           not
           return
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Another
           thing
           which
           might
           well
           stop
           Davids
           sorrowing
           for
           his
           Child
           ,
           might
           be
           this
           Consideration
           ,
           That
           his
           Child
           died
           in
           its
           innocent
           time
           ,
           and
           before
           it
           came
           to
           the
           Age
           of
           sinning
           .
        
         
           For
           though
           it
           be
           a
           great
           happiness
           to
           have
           our
           Children
           live
           and
           grow
           up
           to
           be
           Men
           and
           Women
           ,
           to
           see
           them
           ripen
           to
           the
           perfect
           use
           of
           reason
           ,
           and
           to
           arrive
           at
           years
           of
           discretion
           ;
           though
           it
           be
           a
           singular
           comfort
           and
           honour
           to
           Parents
           to
           see
           their
           Children
           grow
           eminent
           for
           Piety
           and
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           to
           become
           the
           great
           Lights
           and
           Ornaments
           of
           their
           Generation
           ;
           yet
           the
           great
           unhappiness
           
           in
           breeding
           up
           Children
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           Parents
           are
           not
           sure
           of
           their
           Childrens
           Inclinations
           to
           vertue
           .
           And
           they
           are
           not
           certain
           though
           they
           give
           them
           the
           best
           Education
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           may
           make
           an
           ill
           use
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           turn
           the
           edge
           of
           their
           wits
           against
           God
           and
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           only
           prove
           more
           ingeniously
           wicked
           ,
           and
           great
           Criticks
           in
           Debauchery
           .
           For
           good
           Education
           does
           not
           always
           and
           infallibly
           make
           good
           men
           ;
           and
           though
           our
           Children
           are
           sometimes
           very
           hopeful
           when
           they
           are
           young
           ,
           and
           give
           great
           presages
           and
           specimens
           of
           virtuous
           dispositions
           ,
           yet
           their
           inclinations
           are
           as
           uncertain
           as
           wind
           ,
           and
           as
           unstable
           as
           water
           in
           that
           slippery
           Age
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           a
           thousand
           to
           one
           but
           that
           when
           they
           come
           from
           under
           the
           Discipline
           of
           the
           Rod
           and
           Ferula
           ,
           and
           are
           left
           more
           to
           their
           own
           liberty
           ,
           and
           have
           the
           reins
           laid
           loose
           upon
           their
           Necks
           ;
           't
           is
           then
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           very
           great
           odds
           ,
           but
           they
           will
           prove
           
           contrary
           to
           expectation
           ,
           and
           the
           byass
           of
           their
           inclinations
           be
           turn'd
           a
           wrong
           way
           .
           For
           whoever
           shall
           consider
           the
           flexibility
           of
           youth
           ,
           and
           how
           easily
           it
           is
           seduced
           and
           led
           aside
           by
           bad
           Examples
           and
           great
           temptations
           ,
           which
           do
           every
           where
           abound
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           cannot
           but
           think
           it
           a
           Miracle
           of
           Grace
           for
           youth
           to
           keep
           upright
           and
           unspotted
           from
           the
           World.
           It
           may
           indeed
           much
           fortify
           and
           preserve
           youth
           against
           the
           Assaults
           and
           flatteries
           of
           Vice
           ,
           to
           be
           season'd
           with
           good
           and
           vertuous
           Principles
           :
           But
           if
           they
           are
           never
           so
           carefully
           Educated
           ,
           and
           religiously
           brought
           up
           ,
           yet
           when
           they
           come
           fresh
           and
           green
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           they
           are
           ready
           to
           be
           bent
           any
           way
           ,
           and
           most
           likely
           to
           lean
           to
           the
           wrong
           side
           ,
           and
           to
           stand
           according
           to
           the
           bent
           of
           corrupt
           nature
           .
        
         
           But
           questionless
           good
           Education
           will
           go
           a
           great
           way
           in
           making
           a
           good
           man
           ,
           and
           has
           a
           great
           stroke
           and
           influence
           upon
           the
           succeeding
           part
           of
           
           our
           life
           .
           But
           yet
           't
           is
           but
           a
           common
           supposition
           ,
           that
           that
           Vertue
           which
           was
           so
           secure
           and
           flourishing
           when
           it
           was
           confin'd
           within
           Walls
           and
           out
           of
           the
           reach
           of
           temptations
           ,
           may
           be
           in
           great
           hazard
           and
           danger
           when
           it
           comes
           abroad
           ,
           and
           to
           live
           in
           the
           Air
           ,
           and
           within
           the
           breath
           of
           temptations
           .
           For
           a
           Cloyster
           may
           secure
           that
           Vertue
           which
           perhaps
           would
           be
           lost
           if
           it
           walkt
           at
           large
           ,
           and
           a
           School
           may
           send
           forth
           a
           good
           Lad
           ,
           which
           perhaps
           Liberty
           and
           Company
           may
           corrupt
           and
           spoil
           .
           So
           that
           there
           is
           no
           depending
           upon
           or
           assurance
           of
           our
           Childrens
           Vertue
           whilst
           they
           are
           young
           ,
           and
           before
           they
           come
           to
           the
           Regions
           of
           Choice
           ,
           and
           make
           some
           experiment
           of
           themselves
           ,
           how
           tenacious
           they
           are
           of
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           how
           much
           they
           can
           hold
           out
           against
           the
           great
           and
           suitable
           temptations
           that
           are
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           therefore
           we
           are
           very
           fond
           and
           foolish
           to
           promise
           to
           our selves
           great
           matters
           from
           our
           Children
           ,
           or
           to
           build
           
           over-much
           upon
           their
           future
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           to
           please
           our selves
           with
           thinking
           what
           rare
           men
           they
           will
           make
           ,
           and
           what
           great
           Comforts
           they
           will
           prove
           to
           us
           ;
           whereas
           we
           know
           not
           what
           great
           alterations
           time
           may
           produce
           ,
           and
           what
           years
           may
           bring
           forth
           .
           For
           although
           we
           may
           dote
           upon
           our
           Children
           when
           they
           are
           young
           ,
           as
           David
           did
           upon
           his
           Darling
           Adonijah
           ,
           and
           applaud
           their
           Inclinations
           ,
           yet
           they
           may
           get
           to
           head
           ,
           and
           grow
           Masterless
           ,
           and
           disobedient
           and
           incorrigible
           as
           Adonijah
           was
           ,
           they
           may
           grow
           worse
           and
           worse
           as
           they
           grow
           older
           ,
           and
           as
           Jacob
           said
           upon
           another
           account
           ,
           may
           by
           their
           great
           undutifulness
           and
           ill
           behaviour
           bring
           down
           our
           gray
           hairs
           with
           sorrow
           to
           the
           Grave
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           apt
           ,
           too
           apt
           indeed
           to
           mutter
           and
           repine
           at
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           when
           he
           takes
           away
           our
           Children
           when
           they
           are
           young
           ,
           and
           of
           great
           hopes
           as
           we
           think
           and
           presume
           ;
           but
           God
           knows
           what
           manner
           
           of
           persons
           they
           might
           have
           been
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           liv'd
           ,
           whether
           they
           might
           have
           prov'd
           good
           or
           bad
           ,
           a
           joy
           or
           grief
           unto
           us
           .
           What
           if
           these
           hopeful
           Children
           had
           liv'd
           to
           imbibe
           ill
           Principles
           ,
           to
           scoff
           at
           Virtue
           ,
           to
           deride
           the
           Being
           of
           a
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           a
           mock
           of
           sin
           ?
           what
           if
           they
           had
           liv'd
           to
           be
           profane
           and
           irreligious
           ,
           and
           to
           prove
           such
           youths
           as
           we
           have
           some
           in
           these
           days
           ,
           should
           we
           then
           have
           thought
           their
           life
           a
           Blessing
           ,
           and
           not
           rather
           a
           Curse
           unto
           us
           ?
           and
           who
           knows
           but
           there
           was
           a
           great
           mixture
           of
           mercy
           in
           Gods
           Judgment
           upon
           David
           ,
           in
           taking
           away
           and
           bereaving
           him
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           lest
           he
           should
           have
           prov'd
           one
           of
           bad
           inclinations
           ,
           as
           being
           sprung
           of
           a
           vitious
           Stock
           ,
           and
           as
           the
           vulgar
           Proverb
           says
           ,
           
             that
             which
             is
             bred
             in
             the
             bone
             will
             hardly
             ever
             out
             of
             the
             flesh
             .
          
        
         
           We
           see
           how
           ill
           his
           other
           Children
           prov'd
           ,
           Tamar
           was
           defil'd
           and
           asham'd
           of
           her self
           ;
           Amnon
           was
           
           incestuous
           and
           brought
           a
           great
           stain
           upon
           his
           Family
           :
           and
           his
           Dearest
           Absolom
           was
           both
           a
           Murderer
           and
           a
           Rebel
           ,
           and
           died
           in
           such
           a
           state
           of
           wickedness
           ,
           that
           David
           was
           exceedingly
           troubled
           at
           his
           going
           out
           of
           the
           World
           in
           such
           an
           impenitent
           condition
           ,
           mightily
           deploring
           his
           untimely
           Death
           ,
           and
           wishing
           if
           God
           had
           so
           pleas'd
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           laid
           down
           his
           life
           in
           exchange
           for
           his
           Sons
           ,
           speaking
           it
           with
           the
           greatest
           ingemination
           ,
           as
           a
           sign
           of
           the
           deepest
           sorrow
           ,
           
             O
             my
             Son
          
           Absolom
           ,
           
             my
             Son
             ,
             my
             Son
             ,
             would
             God
             I
             had
             died
             for
             thee
             ,
             O
          
           Absolom
           ,
           
             my
             Son
             ,
             my
             Son.
          
           And
           if
           these
           Children
           of
           David
           prov'd
           so
           bad
           ,
           who
           knows
           but
           the
           Child
           that
           died
           might
           have
           prov'd
           as
           bad
           as
           any
           of
           the
           rest
           in
           case
           it
           had
           liv'd
           ?
           Ah
           Beloved
           ,
           we
           know
           not
           what
           manner
           of
           persons
           our
           Children
           will
           prove
           ,
           what
           their
           qualities
           and
           conditions
           may
           be
           ,
           and
           therefore
           we
           know
           not
           well
           what
           we
           do
           when
           we
           murmur
           at
           Gods
           removing
           them
           
           from
           us
           .
           And
           if
           we
           do
           but
           look
           into
           the
           Proverbs
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           easily
           convinc't
           (
           and
           observe
           how
           we
           read
           there
           )
           that
           Children
           are
           not
           always
           such
           blessings
           that
           we
           should
           desire
           so
           much
           their
           living
           ,
           for
           they
           may
           be
           Curses
           as
           well
           as
           Blessings
           to
           us
           ,
           according
           as
           they
           shall
           prove
           .
           
             A
             wise
             Son
             maketh
             a
             glad
             Father
             ,
             but
             a
             foolish
             Son
             is
             the
             heaviness
             of
             his
             Mother
             ,
          
           Prov.
           10.
           1.
           and
           in
           the
           23.
           of
           Prov.
           and
           24.
           
             v.
             The
             Father
             of
             the
             righteous
             shall
             greatly
             rejoice
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             begetteth
             a
             wise
             Child
             shall
             have
             joy
             of
             him
          
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           17.
           ch
           .
           and
           21.
           v.
           
             He
             that
             begetteth
             a
             Fool
             doth
             it
             to
             his
             sorrow
             ,
             and
             the
             Father
             of
             a
             Fool
             hath
             no
             joy
          
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           25.
           v.
           
             A
             foolish
             Son
             is
             a
             grief
             to
             his
             Father
             ,
             and
             a
             bitterness
             to
             her
             that
             bare
             him
             .
          
           In
           all
           which
           expressions
           we
           may
           see
           ,
           that
           a
           man
           is
           much
           happier
           in
           having
           no
           Children
           than
           such
           as
           are
           foolish
           and
           vitious
           ;
           and
           that
           nothing
           can
           be
           a
           greater
           grief
           and
           dishonour
           to
           Parents
           ,
           than
           
           to
           have
           silly
           and
           wicked
           Children
           .
           What
           comfort
           is
           there
           in
           having
           such
           lewd
           and
           profane
           Sons
           as
           old
           
           Eli's
           ,
           who
           brought
           a
           scandal
           upon
           their
           Father
           ,
           and
           a
           Curse
           upon
           their
           Family
           ,
           the
           whole
           Generation
           ?
           O●
           what
           can
           be
           a
           greater
           grief
           to
           a
           Father
           than
           to
           have
           such
           a
           Son
           as
           Jeroboam
           the
           Son
           of
           Nebat
           ,
           who
           made
           Israel
           to
           sin
           ?
           that
           is
           ,
           one
           that
           shal●
           prove
           the
           pest
           of
           the
           Age
           ,
           and
           the●
           bane
           of
           Mankind
           ?
           And
           therefor●
           we
           need
           not
           be
           so
           greedy
           and
           desirous
           of
           Children
           ,
           or
           so
           loth
           to
           par●
           with
           them
           when
           we
           have
           them
           ,
           unless
           we
           could
           have
           a
           better
           prospect
           of
           their
           conditions
           ,
           and
           assuredly
           knew
           that
           they
           would
           prove
           Comforts
           and
           Ornaments
           to
           us
           ,
           by
           thei●
           wisdom
           and
           good
           conversation
           .
           An●
           therefore
           David
           might
           well
           comfor●
           himself
           ,
           and
           take
           heart
           after
           the
           lo●●
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           to
           think
           that
           though
           he
           had
           lost
           a
           Child
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           a●
           Innocent
           Child
           ,
           one
           that
           had
           n●
           great
           sin
           ,
           if
           any
           to
           answer
           for
           ,
           on●
           
           that
           had
           not
           sullied
           its
           Soul
           with
           the
           least
           tincture
           of
           any
           actual
           sin
           or
           transgression
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           went
           as
           pure
           out
           of
           the
           World
           as
           it
           came
           into
           it
           ;
           whereas
           if
           it
           had
           liv'd
           to
           maturity
           ,
           it
           might
           have
           been
           like
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           or
           died
           with
           some
           great
           sin
           upon
           it
           unrepented
           of
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           some
           of
           his
           Children
           had
           done
           .
        
         
           And
           truly
           the
           same
           consideration
           may
           well
           be
           made
           use
           of
           by
           all
           Parents
           ,
           to
           bring
           them
           quietly
           to
           sustain
           the
           loss
           of
           their
           Children
           when
           they
           die
           in
           their
           nonage
           ,
           and
           very
           young
           .
           And
           what
           can
           be
           a
           more
           comfortable
           consideration
           ,
           than
           for
           Parents
           under
           such
           losses
           ,
           to
           think
           that
           their
           Childrens
           Virtue
           if
           they
           had
           liv'd
           ,
           was
           very
           uncertain
           ,
           and
           that
           Vice
           was
           the
           most
           likely
           to
           prevail
           ?
           that
           sin
           reigned
           more
           in
           the
           World
           than
           goodness
           ,
           that
           the
           greater
           part
           of
           the
           World
           was
           stark
           naught
           ,
           and
           that
           but
           few
           continued
           in
           it
           but
           contracted
           some
           spot
           or
           stain
           ,
           and
           none
           
           that
           was
           perfectly
           Innocent
           ?
           And
           therefore
           it
           might
           be
           a
           mercy
           to
           their
           Children
           to
           be
           set
           out
           of
           the
           reach
           of
           sin
           and
           temptation
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           such
           an
           early
           translation
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           before
           they
           had
           done
           any
           thing
           to
           hazard
           their
           Salvation
           ,
           or
           to
           forfeit
           the
           love
           of
           God
           and
           title
           to
           Eternal
           Life
           and
           Happiness
           .
           Well
           may
           Parents
           pronounce
           their
           Children
           blessed
           when
           they
           die
           in
           such
           a
           state
           of
           Innocency
           .
           
             For
             of
             such
          
           ,
           says
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             is
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
          
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Another
           consideration
           which
           pacify'd
           Davids
           sorrows
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           Child
           might
           very
           well
           be
           this
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           remov'd
           from
           the
           great
           Evils
           and
           Calamity
           of
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           This
           World
           (
           God
           knows
           )
           is
           but
           a
           troublesome
           place
           at
           the
           best
           to
           live
           in
           ,
           and
           no
           man
           must
           think
           to
           go
           scot-free
           from
           troubles
           of
           one
           kind
           or
           other
           .
           The
           Thracians
           ,
           as
           Cicero
           reports
           out
           of
           Herodotus
           ,
           were
           
           wont
           to
           weep
           at
           the
           Birth
           and
           Nativity
           of
           their
           Children
           ,
           to
           think
           what
           a
           sad
           and
           troublesome
           Theatre
           they
           entered
           upon
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           were
           born
           to
           know
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           sorrow
           and
           misery
           ;
           but
           to
           rejoice
           at
           their
           departure
           and
           going
           off
           the
           Stage
           ,
           to
           think
           that
           they
           then
           retired
           from
           the
           distracting
           cares
           and
           inquietudes
           of
           a
           troublesome
           World
           ,
           and
           were
           past
           the
           reach
           and
           grievance
           of
           all
           misfortunes
           .
           This
           World
           is
           too
           low
           a
           Region
           to
           be
           free
           from
           storms
           and
           tempests
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           no
           expecting
           a
           perfect
           serenity
           but
           above
           the
           Clouds
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           no
           such
           happiness
           to
           be
           enjoy'd
           here
           as
           a
           freedom
           from
           all
           misery
           and
           trouble
           ,
           he
           being
           the
           happiest
           man
           at
           present
           that
           meets
           with
           the
           least
           trouble
           or
           perplexity
           ;
           and
           therefore
           no
           man
           of
           experience
           in
           the
           World
           needs
           to
           be
           told
           ,
           that
           all
           here
           is
           Vanity
           and
           vexation
           of
           Spirit
           ;
           and
           whoever
           shall
           consider
           the
           great
           changes
           of
           misery
           that
           are
           in
           the
           
           World
           ,
           from
           War
           to
           Pestilence
           ,
           from
           Pestilence
           to
           Fire
           ,
           from
           Fire
           to
           great
           Confusions
           which
           have
           hapned
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           the
           memory
           of
           many
           ,
           but
           in
           our
           days
           ,
           and
           within
           the
           compass
           of
           a
           few
           Years
           ;
           and
           moreover
           ,
           what
           great
           and
           terrible
           judgments
           are
           continually
           impending
           over
           our
           Heads
           ,
           and
           full
           upon
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           Earth
           because
           their
           wickedness
           is
           great
           ;
           and
           also
           the
           continual
           losses
           and
           crosses
           ,
           the
           sorrows
           and
           disappointments
           which
           come
           of
           course
           ,
           and
           happen
           according
           to
           the
           mutable
           condition
           of
           things
           below
           .
           Whoever
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           shall
           seriously
           consider
           this
           sad
           revolution
           and
           mixture
           of
           sorrows
           ,
           cannot
           judge
           it
           in
           reason
           good
           being
           here
           ,
           or
           look
           upon
           the
           World
           as
           a
           desirable
           place
           to
           live
           in
           ,
           much
           less
           think
           his
           Children
           or
           Relations
           the
           happier
           for
           being
           here
           .
           And
           therefore
           David
           might
           well
           think
           it
           unreasonable
           to
           mourn
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           consider'd
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           gone
           
           out
           of
           a
           cross
           and
           troublesome
           World
           ,
           where
           the
           highest
           and
           most
           advantageous
           condition
           (
           as
           himself
           had
           found
           by
           sad
           and
           woful
           experience
           )
           could
           not
           exempt
           a
           man
           from
           great
           Calamities
           ,
           when
           he
           who
           was
           his
           Father
           and
           a
           King
           ,
           was
           forc'd
           from
           his
           Throne
           ,
           and
           put
           to
           his
           shifts
           ,
           and
           driven
           from
           Post
           to
           Pillar
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           was
           reduc'd
           to
           such
           great
           straits
           and
           extremities
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           have
           exchang'd
           his
           condition
           with
           the
           meanest
           of
           his
           Subjects
           :
           How
           could
           he
           mourn
           for
           the
           Death
           of
           his
           Child
           when
           he
           considered
           that
           it
           was
           subject
           to
           the
           same
           Calamities
           as
           himself
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           might
           prove
           every
           whit
           as
           unfortunate
           in
           the
           World
           if
           it
           had
           liv'd
           to
           succeed
           him
           ,
           and
           might
           have
           Inherited
           his
           troubles
           as
           well
           as
           his
           Crown
           ?
           And
           therefore
           he
           lookt
           upon
           it
           as
           a
           kind
           Providence
           ,
           that
           God
           had
           so
           happily
           prevented
           the
           Childs
           seeing
           any
           of
           those
           miseries
           which
           the
           Father
           had
           felt
           ,
           and
           thought
           it
           a
           singular
           
           happiness
           and
           favour
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           that
           his
           Child
           went
           out
           of
           the
           World
           without
           knowing
           or
           being
           sensible
           what
           a
           trouble
           meant
           :
           whereas
           himself
           had
           been
           sufficiently
           tossed
           up
           and
           down
           upon
           the
           waves
           of
           affliction
           ,
           and
           miserably
           broken
           with
           the
           cares
           and
           inquietudes
           of
           a
           troublesome
           World
           ,
           and
           knew
           the
           World
           better
           than
           to
           esteem
           it
           the
           best
           or
           happiest
           place
           that
           his
           Child
           could
           be
           in
           .
           And
           truly
           all
           Parents
           would
           do
           well
           to
           consider
           how
           it
           has
           far'd
           with
           them
           ,
           what
           usages
           and
           entertainment
           they
           have
           met
           with
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           what
           reproaches
           and
           slanders
           ,
           what
           losses
           and
           vexations
           have
           faln
           to
           their
           share
           ,
           and
           how
           troublesome
           a
           passage
           they
           have
           had
           ;
           and
           I
           do
           not
           question
           ,
           but
           that
           upon
           a
           serious
           reflexion
           upon
           the
           Calamities
           in
           their
           days
           ,
           and
           their
           own
           private
           personal
           sufferings
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           ready
           to
           confess
           with
           old
           Jacob
           ,
           that
           the
           days
           of
           their
           Pilgrimage
           have
           been
           few
           and
           
           evil
           ,
           and
           conclude
           them
           happiest
           that
           are
           out
           of
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           all
           Parents
           have
           reason
           to
           cease
           mourning
           for
           the
           loss
           and
           death
           of
           their
           Children
           ,
           upon
           the
           same
           consideration
           which
           we
           may
           well
           suppose
           David
           made
           use
           of
           ,
           namely
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           past
           the
           Waves
           of
           this
           troublesome
           World
           ,
           and
           are
           taken
           away
           from
           the
           evil
           to
           come
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           Another
           thing
           which
           might
           well
           prevent
           Davids
           extream
           sorrowing
           for
           the
           Death
           of
           his
           Child
           might
           be
           this
           consideration
           ,
        
         
           That
           it
           was
           freed
           from
           those
           sicknesses
           and
           diseases
           which
           attend
           this
           mortal
           life
           .
        
         
           No
           doubt
           but
           David
           upon
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           did
           consider
           what
           innumerable
           Diseases
           do
           continually
           accost
           and
           prey
           upon
           humane
           Bodies
           ,
           as
           first
           the
           many
           weaknesses
           and
           diseases
           that
           are
           natural
           to
           and
           attend
           our
           Infancy
           and
           Childhood
           ,
           as
           the
           great
           pain
           of
           breeding
           teeth
           ,
           the
           being
           subject
           to
           the
           small
           Pox
           ,
           to
           ingender
           
           Worms
           ,
           to
           fall
           into
           the
           Rickets
           ,
           and
           many
           other
           distempers
           which
           are
           common
           and
           peculiar
           to
           Childhood
           ;
           besides
           the
           many
           dangers
           that
           Children
           are
           apt
           to
           run
           into
           ,
           and
           the
           sad
           accidents
           that
           often
           do
           befal
           them
           ,
           whereby
           they
           contract
           either
           lameness
           or
           deformity
           ,
           or
           come
           to
           an
           untimely
           end
           .
           And
           if
           we
           have
           the
           good
           fortune
           to
           get
           safe
           over
           our
           Childhood
           ,
           and
           to
           come
           to
           riper
           years
           ,
           yet
           as
           we
           grow
           strong
           ,
           so
           our
           diseases
           are
           stronger
           ,
           and
           in
           our
           youth
           our
           blood
           is
           hot
           and
           feavourish
           and
           quickly
           in
           a
           flame
           ,
           and
           our
           very
           strength
           of
           nature
           helps
           to
           augment
           our
           distempers
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           prove
           the
           more
           fatal
           to
           us
           ;
           and
           when
           we
           come
           to
           the
           perfect
           state
           of
           Manhood
           ,
           our
           very
           dependance
           and
           presumption
           upon
           the
           strength
           and
           benefit
           of
           nature
           ,
           makes
           us
           bold
           with
           those
           Vices
           which
           oftentimes
           help
           to
           cut
           us
           off
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           our
           days
           ,
           and
           then
           if
           we
           live
           to
           old
           Age
           ,
           that
           is
           a
           Disease
           of
           it self
           ,
           and
           nothing
           
           but
           sorrow
           is
           our
           Portion
           ,
           and
           the
           pains
           of
           Death
           lay
           hold
           on
           us
           :
           so
           that
           if
           we
           take
           a
           survey
           of
           our
           whole
           life
           ,
           and
           of
           our
           passage
           from
           the
           Womb
           to
           the
           Tomb
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           that
           every
           stage
           and
           period
           of
           this
           mortal
           life
           is
           way-laid
           and
           beset
           with
           Death
           .
           And
           we
           know
           that
           there
           are
           certain
           dangerous
           seasons
           in
           the
           Age
           of
           Man
           which
           we
           call
           Climacterical
           Years
           ,
           wherein
           our
           life
           is
           in
           great
           Controversy
           ,
           and
           we
           have
           a
           push
           for
           it
           whether
           we
           shall
           live
           or
           die
           :
           And
           truly
           there
           are
           so
           many
           Diseases
           that
           are
           of
           course
           ,
           and
           many
           more
           that
           are
           incidental
           and
           happen
           between
           our
           infancy
           and
           youth
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           a
           great
           wonder
           that
           we
           ever
           live
           to
           be
           men
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           that
           we
           should
           pass
           all
           those
           casualties
           and
           misfortunes
           which
           lie
           all
           along
           in
           our
           way
           to
           the
           Age
           of
           threescore
           Years
           and
           ten
           .
           And
           moreover
           it
           may
           be
           considered
           what
           a
           great
           fatality
           Gods
           Judgments
           make
           ,
           what
           a
           great
           depopulation
           and
           vast
           
           havock
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           the
           Plague
           ,
           and
           Sword
           ,
           and
           Famine
           do
           make
           ;
           and
           that
           when
           these
           come
           they
           sweep
           away
           Millions
           as
           with
           the
           Besom
           of
           Destruction
           .
        
         
           But
           then
           secondly
           ,
           If
           we
           do
           further
           observe
           how
           many
           sorts
           and
           kinds
           of
           Diseases
           there
           are
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           how
           that
           new
           Diseases
           daily
           start
           up
           ,
           and
           that
           old
           ones
           so
           vary
           and
           alter
           in
           their
           circumstances
           ,
           and
           contract
           such
           strange
           degrees
           of
           malignity
           ,
           that
           they
           become
           new
           too
           ;
           how
           also
           that
           some
           Diseases
           are
           acute
           ,
           others
           Chronical
           ,
           and
           that
           some
           are
           rackt
           with
           the
           Stone
           ,
           others
           tortured
           with
           the
           Gout
           ;
           some
           are
           drown'd
           in
           a
           Dropsie
           ,
           others
           burnt
           up
           with
           a
           Feavour
           ;
           and
           that
           there
           is
           scarce
           a
           man
           but
           has
           a
           Disease
           peculiar
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           proper
           to
           his
           constitution
           ,
           and
           dies
           something
           a
           several
           way
           from
           his
           fellow
           Mortals
           :
           I
           say
           ,
           whoever
           shall
           make
           this
           observation
           of
           the
           great
           swarm
           and
           multiplicity
           of
           Diseases
           which
           assault
           
           Mankind
           (
           and
           that
           whereas
           the
           Diseases
           now
           mention'd
           do
           kill
           their
           thousands
           ,
           so
           there
           is
           a
           Consumption
           which
           kills
           its
           ten
           thousands
           ,
           and
           deserves
           the
           Name
           of
           Apollyon
           ,
           the
           great
           Destroyer
           of
           Mankind
           )
           must
           needs
           grant
           that
           the
           life
           of
           man
           is
           in
           jeopardy
           every
           moment
           .
           And
           that
           he
           is
           obnoxious
           to
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           misery
           whilst
           he
           lives
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           my
           Courage
           or
           your
           Hearts
           would
           serve
           you
           to
           go
           into
           the
           Hospital
           ,
           and
           there
           turn
           over
           the
           great
           Volume
           of
           Diseases
           ,
           and
           see
           what
           huge
           havock
           they
           make
           ;
           to
           behold
           how
           the
           Canker
           has
           par'd
           off
           the
           side
           of
           one
           mans
           Face
           ,
           and
           rotted
           off
           anothers
           Nose
           ,
           and
           eaten
           out
           an
           Eye
           ,
           and
           carried
           away
           a
           Limb
           ;
           to
           see
           how
           the
           Palsy
           has
           mortified
           another
           ,
           and
           struck
           him
           half
           dead
           ;
           and
           how
           many
           either
           by
           natural
           or
           vitious
           Consumptions
           are
           turn'd
           into
           meer
           Skeletons
           and
           walking
           Ghosts
           ,
           and
           are
           only
           the
           shadows
           of
           men
           :
           Here
           you
           will
           say
           are
           sad
           spectacles
           of
           
           mortality
           ,
           here
           are
           such
           sights
           of
           humane
           frailty
           ,
           as
           are
           enough
           to
           make
           the
           hardest
           heart
           to
           bleed
           ,
           and
           to
           squeeze
           tears
           from
           a
           stock
           .
           Who
           can
           forbear
           weeping
           and
           lamenting
           to
           see
           Man
           that
           is
           born
           of
           a
           Woman
           become
           the
           spoils
           of
           so
           many
           Diseases
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           Anatomized
           and
           Dissected
           ,
           even
           alive
           ?
           Here
           then
           we
           may
           see
           the
           sad
           and
           dismal
           ruins
           of
           these
           fleshly
           Bodies
           ,
           and
           what
           miserable
           Creatures
           we
           are
           when
           God
           is
           pleas'd
           to
           afflict
           ,
           and
           to
           lay
           sore
           and
           grievous
           Diseases
           upon
           us
           .
           And
           truly
           we
           are
           all
           subject
           to
           various
           and
           manifold
           Diseases
           ,
           which
           issue
           forth
           in
           effects
           according
           to
           their
           several
           kinds
           and
           qualities
           ;
           the
           matter
           of
           most
           Diseases
           lies
           lodg'd
           in
           our
           nature
           and
           brooding
           within
           us
           :
           and
           we
           have
           the
           unhappiness
           to
           inherit
           some
           Diseases
           by
           traduction
           from
           our
           Parents
           ,
           and
           there
           are
           many
           more
           which
           are
           hatcht
           by
           our
           Vices
           ,
           and
           prove
           the
           most
           deadly
           and
           mortiferous
           .
           Some
           Diseases
           are
           so
           favourable
           
           as
           to
           carry
           off
           quietly
           and
           speedily
           ,
           and
           others
           are
           more
           cruel
           ,
           and
           like
           the
           Tyrant
           multiply
           our
           Deaths
           ,
           and
           kill
           us
           by
           piece-meals
           ;
           and
           nothing
           is
           a
           truer
           observation
           than
           this
           ,
           that
           we
           no
           sooner
           begin
           to
           live
           but
           we
           proceed
           to
           die
           ,
           and
           are
           every
           day
           going
           forward
           and
           stepping
           towards
           the
           Grave
           .
           But
           then
           although
           life
           be
           a
           sweet
           and
           precious
           thing
           in
           it self
           ,
           and
           it
           be
           natural
           for
           all
           men
           to
           desire
           to
           spin
           out
           the
           thread
           of
           life
           to
           the
           utmost
           length
           ;
           yet
           God
           may
           send
           those
           Diseases
           upon
           us
           which
           may
           make
           us
           weary
           of
           our
           lives
           ,
           and
           to
           wish
           for
           Death
           and
           the
           Grave
           ;
           and
           so
           we
           find
           that
           Job
           was
           so
           pester'd
           with
           Diseases
           ,
           that
           his
           Life
           was
           a
           burthen
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           does
           frequently
           and
           passionately
           beg
           of
           God
           to
           do
           him
           the
           favour
           to
           dispatch
           him
           ,
           and
           put
           an
           end
           to
           his
           days
           ,
           as
           we
           may
           see
           in
           the
           6.
           ch
           .
           of
           Job
           and
           8.
           
             v.
             O
             that
             I
             might
             have
             my
             request
             ,
             and
             that
             God
             would
             grant
             me
             the
             thing
             that
             
             I
             long
             for
             !
             even
             that
             it
             would
             please
             God
             to
             destroy
             me
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             let
             loose
             his
             hand
             ,
             and
             cut
             me
             off
          
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           3.
           ch
           .
           and
           20.
           v.
           He
           speaks
           much
           to
           the
           same
           purpose
           ,
           Saying
           ,
           
             Wherefore
             is
             light
             given
             to
             him
             that
             is
             in
             misery
             ,
             and
             life
             unto
             the
             bitter
             in
             soul
             ?
             Which
             long
             for
             death
             but
             it
             cometh
             not
             ,
             and
             dig
             for
             it
             more
             than
             for
             hid
             treasures
             :
             Which
             rejoice
             exceedingly
             ,
             and
             are
             glad
             when
             they
             can
             find
             the
             grave
          
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           7.
           ch
           .
           3
           ,
           4
           ,
           and
           5.
           vers
           .
           He
           declares
           how
           uneasy
           and
           restless
           he
           was
           through
           the
           greatness
           and
           violence
           of
           his
           Diseases
           ,
           and
           how
           severely
           he
           was
           handled
           :
           
             So
             am
             I
             made
             to
             possess
             months
             of
             vanity
             ,
             and
             wearisome
             nights
             are
             appointed
             to
             me
             .
             When
             I
             lie
             down
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             When
             shall
             I
             arise
             ,
             and
             the
             night
             be
             gone
             ?
             I
             am
             full
             of
             tossings
             to
             and
             fro
             ,
             unto
             the
             dawning
             of
             the
             day
             .
             My
             flesh
             is
             clothed
             with
             worms
             and
             clods
             of
             dust
             ;
             my
             skin
             is
             broken
             and
             become
             loathsome
             :
          
           and
           in
           
           the
           13.
           ch
           .
           and
           14.
           v.
           He
           professes
           that
           he
           had
           so
           little
           joy
           and
           comfort
           in
           his
           life
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           esteem
           it
           a
           mercy
           to
           die
           ,
           saying
           ,
           My
           Soul
           chuseth
           Death
           ,
           and
           strangling
           rather
           than
           life
           .
           Nay
           ,
           he
           goes
           further
           ,
           and
           says
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           quite
           out
           of
           conceit
           with
           living
           ,
           and
           would
           not
           be
           immortal
           on
           Earth
           for
           never
           so
           much
           ,
           they
           are
           his
           own
           words
           ,
           
             I
             loath
             it
             ,
             I
             would
             not
             live
             always
             ,
             let
             me
             alone
             for
             my
             days
             are
             vanity
          
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           10.
           ch
           .
           and
           the
           1.
           v.
           His
           afflictions
           seem
           to
           have
           been
           so
           great
           and
           lasting
           ,
           that
           they
           almost
           wore
           out
           his
           patience
           ,
           and
           he
           could
           not
           endure
           them
           any
           longer
           ;
           which
           makes
           him
           speak
           like
           a
           man
           in
           great
           extremity
           and
           a
           desperate
           condition
           :
           Saying
           ,
           
             My
             soul
             is
             weary
             of
             my
             life
          
           ;
           and
           so
           David
           in
           the
           6.
           
           Ps
           .
           and
           6.
           v.
           utters
           himself
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           ,
           Saying
           ,
           
             I
             am
             weary
             with
             my
             groanings
          
           ;
           And
           therefore
           David
           might
           well
           cease
           sorrowing
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           when
           he
           consider'd
           the
           
           manifold
           Diseases
           that
           mankind
           is
           liable
           unto
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           often
           happens
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           himself
           had
           so
           experienc'd
           it
           ,
           that
           men
           meet
           with
           such
           sorrows
           and
           afflictions
           that
           make
           them
           weary
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           exceedingly
           imbitter
           their
           lives
           ,
           and
           why
           then
           should
           he
           be
           troubled
           at
           the
           death
           of
           his
           Child
           ?
           and
           that
           it
           did
           not
           live
           to
           be
           in
           danger
           of
           enduring
           all
           the
           Diseases
           in
           the
           Bill
           of
           Mortality
           ?
           And
           how
           did
           he
           know
           but
           that
           if
           it
           had
           liv'd
           ,
           it
           might
           have
           prov'd
           of
           a
           sickly
           and
           weak
           Constitution
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           might
           bring
           those
           Infirmities
           into
           the
           World
           with
           it
           as
           were
           past
           all
           Cure
           ,
           and
           might
           be
           a
           sorrow
           to
           the
           Parents
           ,
           and
           a
           misery
           to
           their
           Child
           as
           long
           as
           it
           liv'd
           .
           And
           besides
           ,
           Children
           run
           many
           risques
           and
           hazards
           whilst
           they
           are
           young
           ,
           and
           come
           oftentimes
           to
           great
           mischances
           ;
           and
           either
           they
           contract
           a
           lameness
           by
           a
           fall
           ,
           or
           lose
           one
           Eye
           or
           both
           by
           the
           small
           Pox
           ,
           or
           are
           drown'd
           ,
           or
           burnt
           ,
           or
           kill'd
           unfortunately
           ;
           
           any
           of
           which
           would
           prove
           matter
           of
           greater
           sorrow
           to
           Parents
           than
           a
           bare
           natural
           Death
           .
           And
           therefore
           seeing
           God
           was
           pleased
           to
           take
           it
           away
           so
           very
           young
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           dropt
           off
           with
           its
           first
           sickness
           ,
           there
           was
           a
           great
           mixture
           of
           mercy
           in
           this
           sad
           Providence
           ,
           and
           little
           reason
           to
           be
           griev'd
           at
           such
           an
           early
           Death
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           so
           natural
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           prevented
           the
           meeting
           many
           sad
           mischances
           ,
           and
           a
           Troop
           of
           Diseases
           which
           are
           incident
           to
           this
           frail
           and
           perishing
           life
           .
           And
           truly
           all
           Parents
           have
           the
           same
           reason
           (
           which
           we
           suppose
           David
           had
           )
           to
           comfort
           up
           themselves
           after
           the
           loss
           of
           their
           Children
           ,
           when
           they
           die
           very
           young
           ;
           as
           considering
           that
           an
           early
           death
           may
           prevent
           a
           miserable
           life
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           is
           much
           better
           to
           die
           young
           ;
           than
           to
           live
           longer
           and
           have
           such
           Diseases
           grow
           and
           hang
           upon
           us
           as
           shall
           make
           life
           a
           burthen
           to
           us
           .
           And
           indeed
           though
           we
           are
           extreamly
           desirous
           of
           living
           ,
           and
           are
           
           sad
           and
           melancholy
           when
           we
           think
           of
           dying
           ;
           yet
           we
           may
           live
           so
           long
           as
           that
           we
           may
           have
           enough
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           may
           meet
           with
           such
           sore
           Diseases
           as
           may
           rob
           us
           of
           all
           pleasure
           and
           comfort
           in
           living
           ,
           and
           spoil
           our
           taking
           any
           contentment
           in
           the
           greatest
           injoyments
           this
           World
           does
           afford
           us
           ;
           we
           know
           how
           the
           case
           stood
           with
           Job
           ,
           and
           how
           that
           afflictions
           crowded
           in
           so
           thick
           upon
           him
           ,
           that
           as
           he
           often
           professes
           ,
           they
           made
           him
           even
           weary
           of
           his
           life
           .
           And
           there
           is
           none
           of
           us
           that
           has
           any
           priviledge
           or
           exemption
           ,
           or
           greater
           security
           from
           Diseases
           than
           Job
           ,
           nor
           have
           we
           Bodies
           of
           Brass
           ,
           or
           Sinews
           of
           Iron
           more
           than
           he
           ,
           but
           we
           have
           Bodies
           subject
           to
           the
           same
           Infirmities
           ,
           and
           liable
           to
           be
           invaded
           by
           the
           same
           Diseases
           ,
           if
           God
           to
           make
           an
           experiment
           of
           our
           patience
           shall
           think
           fit
           to
           handle
           us
           as
           severely
           as
           he
           did
           Job
           ,
           and
           to
           inflict
           the
           same
           Diseases
           upon
           us
           :
           And
           therefore
           we
           need
           not
           so
           much
           desire
           long
           life
           and
           
           length
           of
           days
           as
           commonly
           we
           do
           ;
           Because
           it
           may
           so
           happen
           ,
           that
           before
           we
           run
           out
           half
           our
           race
           ,
           or
           come
           to
           the
           middle
           of
           our
           Course
           ,
           besides
           the
           troubles
           that
           are
           from
           without
           ,
           we
           may
           meet
           with
           such
           a
           numerous
           train
           of
           bodily
           afflictions
           ,
           that
           may
           make
           us
           more
           covetous
           of
           death
           than
           ever
           we
           were
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           we
           may
           live
           to
           know
           so
           much
           sorrow
           and
           pain
           before
           we
           die
           ,
           that
           like
           Job
           we
           may
           be
           ready
           to
           curse
           our
           Birth
           Day
           ,
           and
           wish
           that
           we
           had
           never
           been
           born
           :
           And
           therefore
           we
           should
           not
           be
           so
           very
           unwilling
           to
           depart
           and
           leave
           the
           World
           at
           any
           time
           ,
           though
           never
           so
           soon
           ;
           because
           we
           may
           suppose
           ,
           that
           the
           longer
           we
           continue
           in
           it
           the
           worse
           it
           may
           be
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           although
           we
           are
           in
           health
           at
           present
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           our selves
           finely
           ,
           yet
           Diseases
           may
           within
           a
           little
           time
           overtake
           and
           grow
           upon
           us
           ,
           which
           may
           make
           our
           life
           a
           perfect
           torment
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           cause
           us
           to
           consume
           our
           days
           in
           misery
           .
           
           To
           speak
           compendiously
           ,
           all
           Parents
           and
           others
           have
           little
           reason
           to
           ingulph
           themselves
           in
           sorrows
           for
           the
           Death
           of
           their
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ,
           and
           more
           especially
           if
           it
           be
           early
           and
           natural
           ,
           because
           when
           they
           are
           taken
           away
           so
           soon
           they
           happily
           miss
           of
           those
           sore
           and
           grievous
           distempers
           which
           in
           running
           out
           the
           whole
           stage
           of
           life
           ,
           do
           seize
           upon
           oftentimes
           ,
           and
           render
           this
           present
           life
           extreamly
           bitter
           and
           unacceptable
           .
           And
           indeed
           what
           comfort
           is
           there
           to
           see
           our
           Friends
           often
           sick
           ,
           or
           roaring
           with
           the
           Stone
           or
           the
           Gout
           ,
           or
           some
           acute
           pain
           ,
           or
           to
           have
           them
           of
           an
           ill
           habit
           of
           Body
           ,
           or
           of
           a
           broken
           health
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           ever
           crazy
           and
           lingring
           with
           some
           fixt
           and
           incurable
           Disease
           ?
           What
           pleasure
           is
           it
           to
           see
           our
           Relations
           rotten
           and
           unsound
           ,
           and
           patcht
           up
           with
           Medicines
           ,
           and
           supported
           with
           the
           Arts
           of
           Physick
           ,
           and
           kept
           alive
           by
           nice
           and
           superstitious
           observations
           of
           diet
           ?
           or
           what
           delight
           can
           we
           take
           
           in
           injoying
           our
           Friends
           when
           they
           cannot
           enjoy
           themselves
           ?
           And
           what
           reason
           then
           have
           we
           to
           lay
           so
           much
           to
           heart
           the
           death
           of
           our
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ,
           and
           to
           pine
           away
           meerly
           for
           sorrow
           that
           they
           are
           gone
           ?
           whereas
           they
           are
           now
           freed
           from
           all
           the
           sorrow
           and
           contagion
           of
           bodily
           distempers
           ,
           and
           have
           escaped
           those
           sore
           burthens
           which
           we
           are
           like
           to
           feel
           and
           suffer
           if
           we
           stay
           here
           :
           Methinks
           we
           should
           rather
           comfort
           our selves
           ,
           as
           we
           may
           well
           suppose
           David
           did
           ,
           to
           think
           that
           our
           Relations
           when
           they
           are
           dead
           and
           gone
           ,
           are
           past
           the
           shock
           and
           fury
           of
           a
           Disease
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           endured
           one
           brunt
           for
           all
           ;
           that
           they
           have
           charg'd
           that
           Enemy
           home
           ,
           which
           we
           so
           much
           fear
           and
           must
           expect
           every
           day
           to
           encounter
           withal
           :
           so
           that
           considering
           how
           we
           that
           are
           left
           behind
           are
           to
           run
           the
           Gantlet
           through
           Troops
           of
           sorrow
           ,
           and
           to
           pass
           the
           Pikes
           of
           a
           thousand
           Diseases
           ,
           't
           is
           highly
           unreasonable
           to
           mourn
           
           and
           sorrow
           for
           the
           dead
           ,
           they
           being
           past
           all
           possibility
           of
           Diseases
           ,
           and
           far
           removed
           from
           this
           Climate
           of
           Sickness
           and
           Death
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           Another
           thing
           which
           might
           restrain
           Davids
           sorrowing
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           might
           be
           this
           consideration
           :
           That
           it
           was
           releas'd
           from
           the
           great
           pains
           and
           miseries
           which
           it
           lately
           felt
           and
           endured
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           certain
           and
           indubitable
           ,
           that
           the
           Soul
           does
           not
           quit
           its
           Mansion
           of
           the
           Body
           without
           great
           strivings
           and
           reluctancy
           ,
           and
           though
           it
           be
           consider'd
           that
           the
           Child
           was
           but
           in
           its
           Infancy
           ,
           and
           newly
           in
           possession
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Soul
           and
           Body
           had
           contracted
           but
           a
           late
           acquaintance
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Friendship
           was
           very
           new
           ;
           yet
           where
           there
           is
           such
           a
           strict
           Conjunction
           as
           there
           is
           between
           the
           Soul
           and
           the
           Body
           ,
           though
           but
           for
           a
           moment
           of
           time
           ,
           the
           separation
           cannot
           be
           without
           great
           grief
           and
           sorrow
           ;
           where
           there
           is
           such
           a
           
           close
           union
           and
           intimacy
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           parting
           without
           pain
           and
           trouble
           ;
           and
           consequently
           ,
           though
           the
           Soul
           of
           the
           Child
           was
           now
           just
           enter'd
           into
           its
           New
           Tenement
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           so
           firmly
           setled
           ,
           and
           had
           taken
           that
           deep
           rooting
           ,
           that
           it
           could
           not
           be
           remov'd
           or
           ejected
           out
           of
           possession
           without
           great
           disturbance
           .
           And
           therefore
           to
           see
           a
           Child
           strugling
           for
           life
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           only
           breath
           enough
           to
           intitle
           it
           to
           life
           ,
           could
           not
           but
           wonderfully
           affect
           and
           produce
           great
           Agonies
           of
           sorrows
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           Spectators
           .
           And
           we
           may
           observe
           ,
           that
           men
           have
           naturally
           that
           compassion
           as
           to
           pity
           even
           a
           Brute
           when
           it
           lies
           in
           pain
           and
           misery
           ,
           and
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           an
           act
           of
           mercy
           to
           dispatch
           it
           out
           of
           the
           way
           .
           And
           therefore
           David
           seeing
           his
           Child
           in
           that
           extream
           anguish
           and
           distress
           ,
           in
           that
           sickness
           to
           Death
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           was
           no
           way
           to
           ease
           and
           relieve
           it
           ,
           could
           not
           but
           reflect
           upon
           it
           as
           a
           singular
           mercy
           of
           God
           to
           take
           away
           
           the
           Child
           ,
           and
           to
           put
           an
           end
           to
           such
           a
           painful
           and
           miserable
           life
           .
           David
           could
           not
           forbear
           weeping
           and
           sadly
           lamenting
           over
           his
           Child
           when
           he
           saw
           it
           in
           the
           pangs
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           in
           those
           frightful
           Convulsions
           which
           were
           precedaneous
           to
           its
           dissolution
           .
           But
           when
           it
           pleas'd
           God
           to
           seal
           up
           its
           breath
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           it
           a
           happy
           Issue
           out
           of
           this
           troublesome
           World
           ,
           then
           David
           began
           to
           be
           better
           satisfied
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           somewhat
           comforted
           with
           the
           consideration
           that
           God
           had
           in
           mercy
           released
           his
           Child
           from
           that
           pain
           and
           misery
           which
           it
           lately
           underwent
           ,
           and
           the
           sight
           whereof
           would
           have
           pierc'd
           the
           hardest
           heart
           living
           .
           So
           that
           all
           those
           that
           have
           the
           sad
           opportunity
           of
           standing
           by
           their
           Relations
           and
           Friends
           when
           they
           are
           upon
           their
           sick
           Beds
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           approaches
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           there
           to
           observe
           what
           a
           tumult
           and
           commotion
           nature
           is
           in
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           and
           with
           what
           pain
           and
           trouble
           the
           Soul
           and
           Body
           take
           
           their
           leave
           one
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           must
           needs
           conclude
           their
           parting
           and
           separation
           to
           be
           a
           more
           dismal
           and
           amazing
           sight
           than
           a
           Divorce
           between
           the
           most
           desperate
           Lovers
           .
           Let
           us
           but
           be
           present
           with
           our
           Friends
           in
           the
           heat
           and
           rage
           of
           their
           Distemper
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           ultimate
           efforts
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           then
           see
           a
           tremendous
           and
           ghastly
           spectacle
           ,
           which
           is
           hardly
           to
           be
           related
           without
           tears
           ,
           and
           cannot
           be
           seen
           without
           horror
           and
           astonishment
           .
           O
           the
           hollow
           sighs
           ,
           and
           the
           deep
           sobs
           and
           pierceing
           groans
           of
           our
           dying
           Friends
           ,
           which
           are
           enough
           to
           wound
           any
           heart
           living
           ,
           and
           to
           strike
           that
           dread
           upon
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           sound
           of
           their
           cries
           and
           groans
           shall
           never
           be
           forgotten
           ,
           and
           can
           we
           pretend
           to
           pity
           them
           when
           we
           see
           them
           in
           so
           much
           anguish
           and
           distress
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           depths
           of
           misery
           ,
           and
           shall
           we
           so
           contradict
           our
           pretences
           to
           sorrow
           ,
           and
           our
           compassion
           for
           them
           in
           the
           bitterness
           of
           Death
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           troubled
           
           when
           they
           are
           out
           of
           misery
           ,
           and
           to
           deplore
           their
           going
           to
           rest
           .
           Shall
           we
           weep
           and
           mourn
           to
           see
           our
           Friends
           upon
           the
           Rack
           ,
           and
           in
           great
           torment
           ,
           and
           shall
           we
           take
           on
           the
           more
           when
           they
           are
           past
           the
           sense
           and
           feeling
           of
           any
           pain
           ?
           How
           can
           we
           reconcile
           this
           Posthumous
           Passion
           to
           common
           reason
           ?
           Or
           can
           we
           think
           to
           perswade
           people
           that
           we
           lov'd
           our
           Relations
           dearly
           ,
           when
           they
           see
           us
           grieve
           when
           they
           were
           in
           misery
           ,
           but
           to
           grieve
           more
           when
           they
           are
           stept
           into
           happiness
           ?
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           we
           may
           yield
           to
           the
           meltings
           of
           nature
           ,
           or
           the
           tenderness
           of
           our
           affections
           ,
           and
           gratify
           our
           compassions
           in
           mourning
           for
           our
           Friends
           when
           they
           are
           in
           great
           misery
           ,
           and
           the
           Agonies
           of
           Death
           .
           For
           a
           compassionate
           grief
           is
           both
           natural
           and
           reasonable
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           have
           any
           spark
           of
           good
           nature
           we
           cannot
           but
           be
           mollify'd
           at
           the
           mournful
           accents
           of
           the
           most
           despicable
           Creature
           when
           't
           is
           in
           pain
           and
           great
           extremities
           .
           But
           
           then
           to
           mourn
           excessively
           for
           our
           Friends
           when
           they
           are
           out
           of
           pain
           ,
           and
           the
           bitterness
           of
           Death
           is
           past
           ,
           is
           both
           unreasonable
           and
           unchristian
           :
           unreasonable
           because
           they
           have
           endured
           and
           pass'd
           the
           worst
           ,
           and
           are
           perfectly
           discharg'd
           from
           those
           troubles
           and
           sorrows
           which
           those
           that
           remain
           alive
           are
           subject
           unto
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           unchristian
           ,
           because
           it
           gives
           occasion
           to
           people
           to
           suspect
           our
           belief
           of
           a
           Resurrection
           and
           a
           future
           Life
           ;
           and
           that
           we
           are
           not
           really
           perswaded
           that
           our
           Friends
           are
           removed
           for
           the
           better
           ,
           and
           much
           for
           their
           advantage
           .
           And
           therefore
           the
           Apostle
           in
           the
           first
           to
           the
           Thessal
           .
           4.
           ch
           .
           and
           13.
           v.
           admonishes
           Christians
           not
           to
           grieve
           and
           take
           on
           for
           the
           dead
           as
           others
           which
           have
           no
           hope
           ,
           lest
           they
           should
           by
           that
           means
           scandalize
           their
           Religion
           ,
           and
           render
           their
           belief
           of
           a
           Resurrection
           suspected
           and
           dubitable
           :
           so
           that
           we
           are
           concern'd
           as
           Christians
           ,
           and
           as
           we
           tender
           the
           reputation
           of
           our
           
           Christian
           Faith
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           lavish
           of
           our
           tears
           ,
           nor
           over
           profuse
           in
           our
           expences
           of
           sorrow
           for
           the
           dead
           ,
           lest
           we
           should
           be
           suspected
           of
           believing
           our
           Friends
           happier
           here
           than
           they
           will
           be
           hereafter
           .
           But
           we
           should
           rather
           in
           a
           manner
           rejoice
           at
           the
           departure
           of
           those
           who
           have
           liv'd
           well
           and
           innocently
           ,
           and
           die
           in
           the
           Lord
           :
           Forasmuch
           as
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           they
           
             shall
             rest
             from
             their
             labours
          
           and
           have
           
             all
             tears
             wip't
             away
             from
             their
             Eyes
             ,
             Revel
             .
          
           7.
           17.
           
           And
           we
           should
           as
           our
           Church
           wisely
           directs
           us
           in
           the
           office
           for
           the
           Burial
           of
           the
           dead
           ,
           give
           hearty
           thanks
           to
           God
           that
           it
           hath
           pleased
           him
           to
           deliver
           our
           Dear
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           out
           of
           the
           miseries
           of
           this
           sinful
           World
           ,
           which
           may
           furnish
           us
           with
           another
           consideration
           that
           might
           possibly
           incur
           into
           Davids
           mind
           ,
           and
           help
           to
           suspend
           and
           allay
           his
           sorrowing
           for
           his
           dead
           Child
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           this
           :
        
         
           That
           it
           was
           remov'd
           far
           above
           the
           power
           of
           sin
           and
           temptation
           .
        
         
         
           We
           at
           present
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           Paul
           complains
           ,
           carry
           about
           us
           a
           Body
           of
           sin
           and
           death
           .
           We
           are
           subject
           to
           manifold
           sins
           and
           temptations
           ,
           and
           have
           brought
           with
           us
           into
           the
           World
           those
           corruptions
           which
           in
           time
           will
           ripen
           into
           and
           sally
           forth
           in
           great
           actual
           transgressions
           .
           Job
           makes
           a
           kind
           of
           wonder
           at
           it
           ,
           that
           any
           man
           should
           think
           he
           can
           be
           perfectly
           pure
           and
           innocent
           in
           this
           body
           of
           flesh
           :
           
             For
             what
             is
             man
             that
             he
             should
             be
             clean
             ?
             or
             he
             that
             is
             born
             of
             a
             woman
             that
             he
             should
             be
             righteous
             ?
             Job
          
           15.
           14.
           and
           so
           David
           tells
           us
           ,
           Psal
           .
           51.
           5.
           
           That
           sin
           is
           the
           Inheritance
           of
           our
           Parents
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           infected
           with
           it
           in
           the
           Womb
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           are
           born
           with
           propensions
           to
           evil
           ,
           
             Behold
             ,
             I
             was
             shapen
             in
             iniquity
             ;
             and
             in
             sin
             did
             my
             Mother
             conceive
             me
             .
          
           So
           that
           the
           seeds
           of
           disobedience
           are
           lodged
           in
           our
           nature
           ,
           and
           the
           ground-work
           of
           sin
           is
           laid
           deep
           within
           us
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           nothing
           wanting
           but
           time
           and
           opportunity
           
           to
           make
           it
           bring
           forth
           in
           abundance
           :
           So
           that
           when
           our
           Children
           die
           very
           young
           ,
           and
           go
           early
           to
           their
           Graves
           ,
           we
           may
           comfort
           our selves
           with
           this
           consideration
           ,
           that
           we
           lose
           them
           in
           good
           time
           ,
           and
           before
           they
           have
           added
           any
           actual
           to
           original
           sin
           ;
           and
           that
           if
           they
           had
           liv'd
           much
           longer
           they
           would
           have
           contracted
           a
           new
           and
           further
           guilt
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           have
           advanc'd
           in
           sin
           as
           they
           did
           in
           Years
           :
           for
           't
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           the
           strength
           of
           nature
           gives
           strength
           to
           our
           sins
           too
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           only
           Age
           that
           qualifies
           and
           fits
           us
           for
           great
           and
           notorious
           wickedness
           .
           So
           that
           that
           sin
           which
           was
           only
           in
           Embryo
           in
           our
           infancy
           comes
           within
           a
           few
           years
           to
           a
           perfect
           shape
           ,
           and
           our
           propensions
           to
           evil
           ,
           in
           a
           small
           process
           of
           time
           are
           reduced
           to
           real
           and
           visible
           acts
           .
           My
           meaning
           is
           ,
           that
           although
           there
           is
           a
           natural
           aptness
           and
           proclivity
           in
           Mankind
           to
           sin
           and
           err
           from
           the
           Laws
           of
           our
           Maker
           ,
           yet
           sin
           does
           lie
           hid
           and
           brooding
           in
           the
           
           time
           of
           our
           infancy
           ,
           and
           is
           only
           hatcht
           into
           perfection
           by
           the
           addition
           of
           longer
           time
           :
           and
           although
           we
           have
           all
           the
           principles
           of
           wickedness
           inherent
           in
           us
           at
           the
           very
           first
           moment
           of
           our
           Nativity
           ;
           yet
           we
           are
           too
           impotent
           to
           commit
           evil
           ,
           and
           to
           offend
           God
           at
           that
           rate
           ,
           as
           when
           we
           come
           to
           a
           full
           stature
           in
           Years
           and
           knowledge
           .
           We
           may
           be
           full
           of
           bad
           inclinations
           when
           we
           are
           young
           and
           Children
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           only
           Age
           that
           can
           make
           us
           capable
           of
           doing
           mischief
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           workers
           of
           iniquity
           ,
           and
           we
           cannot
           so
           highly
           provoke
           God
           when
           we
           are
           ignorant
           and
           childish
           ,
           and
           know
           nothing
           of
           him
           ,
           as
           when
           we
           come
           to
           the
           perfect
           use
           of
           reason
           ,
           and
           to
           know
           his
           will
           ,
           and
           yet
           run
           Counter
           to
           it
           .
           And
           therefore
           the
           Death
           of
           our
           Children
           may
           be
           a
           happy
           prevention
           of
           their
           sining
           :
           and
           if
           they
           live
           so
           long
           as
           to
           receive
           the
           benefit
           of
           Baptism
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           regenerate
           and
           born
           anew
           of
           Water
           and
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           and
           so
           
           be
           made
           lively
           members
           of
           Christs
           Church
           ,
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           thank
           God
           for
           the
           mercy
           of
           their
           Regeneration
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           had
           their
           sins
           wash'd
           away
           in
           the
           laver
           of
           Holy
           Baptism
           ;
           so
           as
           that
           they
           go
           much
           purer
           out
           of
           the
           World
           than
           they
           came
           into
           it
           :
           whereas
           if
           they
           had
           liv'd
           longer
           in
           the
           World
           they
           would
           have
           contracted
           a
           greater
           guilt
           ,
           and
           had
           more
           sins
           to
           answer
           for
           ;
           they
           would
           have
           been
           continually
           liable
           to
           temptations
           ,
           and
           in
           danger
           of
           falling
           into
           great
           and
           grievous
           sins
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           corrupted
           by
           the
           bad
           examples
           which
           abound
           in
           all
           places
           of
           the
           World.
           And
           therefore
           there
           is
           no
           reason
           why
           Parents
           should
           so
           much
           lament
           their
           Childrens
           leaving
           them
           so
           soon
           ;
           if
           they
           do
           seriously
           consider
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           a
           naughty
           World
           we
           live
           in
           ,
           and
           that
           mens
           love
           and
           practice
           of
           wickedness
           is
           exceeding
           great
           ,
           and
           that
           't
           is
           impossible
           to
           escape
           all
           the
           pollutions
           that
           are
           in
           it
           :
           and
           if
           they
           do
           further
           consider
           ,
           how
           
           much
           humane
           nature
           is
           tainted
           with
           original
           sin
           and
           corruption
           ,
           which
           prompts
           us
           on
           to
           evil
           continually
           ,
           and
           what
           a
           subtile
           and
           vigilant
           Adversary
           we
           have
           ,
           who
           is
           always
           seeking
           to
           beguile
           and
           destroy
           us
           ;
           and
           how
           thick
           set
           the
           World
           is
           with
           snares
           and
           temptations
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           if
           this
           consideration
           did
           but
           enter
           into
           our
           minds
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           of
           great
           force
           and
           power
           to
           asswage
           our
           Passion
           ,
           and
           to
           allay
           our
           sorrow
           for
           the
           death
           of
           our
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           :
           it
           being
           a
           very
           comfortable
           thing
           to
           contemplate
           the
           happiness
           and
           priviledge
           of
           those
           that
           have
           shook
           of
           the
           clogs
           and
           fetters
           of
           the
           flesh
           ,
           and
           let
           fall
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           the
           troublesome
           Mantles
           of
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           are
           now
           expatiating
           in
           Regions
           of
           Bliss
           and
           Happiness
           ,
           and
           live
           in
           the
           pure
           Element
           of
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           where
           't
           is
           impossible
           that
           any
           temptation
           should
           approach
           ,
           or
           sin
           have
           any
           Dominion
           over
           them
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ;
           Another
           thing
           which
           
           might
           stop
           Davids
           sorrowing
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           his
           Child
           ,
           might
           be
           this
           consideration
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           the
           will
           of
           God
           it
           should
           be
           so
           .
        
         
           He
           considered
           that
           it
           was
           altogether
           foolish
           and
           in
           vain
           to
           enter
           into
           any
           controversie
           with
           God
           about
           his
           dealings
           with
           his
           Child
           ,
           or
           to
           stand
           expostulating
           the
           justice
           of
           God
           in
           taking
           it
           away
           .
           For
           he
           was
           convinc'd
           that
           Gods
           will
           ought
           to
           be
           a
           Law
           unto
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           no
           need
           of
           disputing
           the
           Righteousness
           and
           Equity
           thereof
           ,
           it
           being
           always
           rul'd
           and
           determin'd
           by
           his
           wisdom
           ,
           and
           justice
           ,
           and
           goodness
           .
           For
           though
           God
           be
           of
           an
           infinite
           and
           uncontroulable
           power
           ,
           and
           can
           do
           whatsoever
           he
           pleases
           both
           in
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ;
           yet
           there
           is
           a
           Maxime
           in
           Theology
           as
           well
           as
           Policy
           ,
           That
           the
           King
           of
           Heaven
           can
           do
           no
           wrong
           .
           It
           must
           be
           acknowledg'd
           by
           us
           all
           ,
           that
           our
           life
           and
           being
           is
           the
           gift
           and
           blessing
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           so
           is
           the
           life
           of
           our
           Children
           too
           ;
           
           and
           therefore
           when
           God
           does
           in
           mercy
           give
           us
           Children
           ,
           so
           he
           may
           with
           justice
           take
           them
           away
           .
           For
           may
           not
           he
           dispose
           of
           his
           gifts
           ,
           and
           do
           with
           his
           own
           as
           he
           pleases
           ?
           God
           lent
           us
           Children
           for
           a
           little
           time
           on
           purpose
           to
           please
           us
           ;
           shall
           we
           be
           troubled
           when
           he
           resumes
           them
           to
           himself
           ,
           or
           griev'd
           when
           he
           requires
           them
           back
           ?
           we
           are
           to
           observe
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           great
           difference
           between
           Gods
           way
           of
           disposing
           his
           gifts
           ,
           and
           that
           of
           mens
           .
           For
           though
           it
           be
           common
           with
           men
           to
           make
           a
           Deed
           of
           Gift
           ,
           and
           to
           transfer
           their
           own
           right
           to
           a
           thing
           wholly
           to
           another
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           lose
           all
           propriety
           in
           it
           ;
           yet
           God
           does
           not
           make
           the
           same
           disposition
           of
           his
           gifts
           in
           that
           absolute
           manner
           ;
           but
           when
           he
           gives
           us
           Riches
           ,
           or
           Honour
           ,
           or
           Children
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           gifts
           ,
           he
           does
           not
           make
           over
           to
           us
           all
           the
           title
           to
           ,
           and
           interest
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           reserves
           to
           himself
           a
           power
           of
           Revocation
           ,
           so
           as
           that
           he
           may
           demand
           them
           back
           at
           pleasure
           ;
           he
           
           only
           gives
           us
           the
           use
           and
           comfort
           of
           them
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           but
           never
           parts
           with
           the
           propriety
           ,
           or
           resigns
           up
           all
           his
           claim
           to
           them
           :
           And
           besides
           ,
           we
           should
           consider
           ,
           that
           although
           God
           does
           put
           those
           Children
           into
           our
           power
           ,
           and
           under
           our
           jurisdiction
           ,
           which
           he
           is
           pleas'd
           to
           give
           us
           ;
           yet
           that
           Parents
           have
           not
           that
           absolute
           power
           over
           their
           Children
           that
           God
           has
           ,
           nor
           are
           they
           wholly
           at
           their
           disposal
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           great
           Issues
           of
           Life
           and
           Death
           ,
           which
           are
           only
           in
           Gods
           Hands
           .
           And
           therefore
           though
           we
           may
           look
           upon
           our
           Children
           as
           our
           own
           ,
           as
           being
           flesh
           of
           our
           flesh
           ,
           and
           bone
           of
           our
           bone
           ,
           though
           we
           may
           appropriate
           them
           to
           our selves
           ,
           and
           reckon
           we
           have
           the
           best
           title
           to
           them
           of
           all
           our
           Possessions
           ;
           yet
           still
           God
           retains
           the
           supream
           right
           ,
           and
           has
           the
           first
           and
           oldest
           title
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           only
           deputed
           by
           God
           to
           be
           the
           Overseers
           and
           Guardians
           of
           our
           Children
           :
           and
           therefore
           as
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           commit
           our
           Children
           to
           
           our
           care
           for
           some
           time
           ,
           yet
           when
           he
           does
           not
           like
           they
           should
           be
           any
           longer
           under
           our
           tuition
           ,
           he
           does
           in
           mercy
           and
           kindness
           to
           them
           take
           them
           away
           ;
           when
           he
           sees
           it
           not
           good
           for
           them
           to
           continue
           with
           us
           ,
           he
           then
           to
           shew
           his
           Authority
           ,
           removes
           them
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           calls
           them
           home
           .
           And
           therefore
           Parents
           would
           do
           well
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           God
           has
           more
           right
           to
           their
           Children
           than
           themselves
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           are
           absolutely
           at
           his
           disposal
           ,
           but
           not
           at
           theirs
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           not
           that
           power
           of
           Life
           and
           Death
           over
           their
           Children
           which
           God
           has
           :
           And
           therefore
           Parents
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           be
           in
           that
           Hurricane
           and
           storm
           of
           Passion
           upon
           the
           loss
           of
           their
           Children
           ,
           unless
           they
           are
           troubled
           that
           God
           should
           have
           his
           will
           more
           than
           they
           have
           theirs
           ;
           unless
           they
           are
           grieved
           that
           God
           should
           take
           upon
           him
           to
           dispose
           of
           their
           Children
           without
           their
           consent
           and
           liking
           ;
           which
           argues
           a
           great
           impiety
           of
           mind
           ,
           as
           if
           
           they
           thought
           that
           God
           was
           either
           unjust
           in
           taking
           away
           the
           Children
           from
           their
           right
           Owners
           ,
           or
           unmerciful
           in
           not
           sparing
           of
           their
           lives
           ,
           which
           was
           a
           greater
           comfort
           to
           them
           than
           all
           other
           enjoyments
           ;
           whereas
           it
           would
           be
           much
           better
           ,
           and
           tend
           to
           hush
           and
           silence
           all
           the
           sorrows
           of
           Parents
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           their
           Children
           ,
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           but
           under-Proprietors
           of
           their
           Children
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           came
           first
           from
           God
           ,
           before
           they
           came
           to
           them
           ;
           and
           that
           as
           God
           is
           the
           donour
           of
           them
           ,
           so
           he
           may
           well
           be
           allow'd
           the
           disposal
           of
           them
           ,
           whether
           for
           Life
           or
           Death
           .
           And
           besides
           ,
           it
           should
           be
           consider'd
           ,
           that
           Gods
           will
           is
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           supream
           ,
           and
           Master
           of
           ours
           ;
           and
           that
           we
           should
           patiently
           leave
           them
           to
           Gods
           will
           and
           pleasure
           ,
           when
           he
           does
           not
           think
           fit
           to
           leave
           them
           to
           ours
           .
           It
           was
           an
           excellent
           saying
           ,
           and
           submissive
           speech
           of
           
             Jobs
             ,
             ch
          
           .
           1.
           21.
           who
           when
           God
           was
           pleased
           to
           bereave
           him
           of
           all
           his
           
           Children
           by
           violent
           and
           unnatural
           Deaths
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           his
           Worldly
           goods
           too
           ,
           yet
           submitted
           to
           his
           great
           misfortunes
           with
           an
           invincible
           patience
           and
           mildness
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             Naked
             came
             I
             out
             of
             my
             Mothers
             Womb
             ,
             and
             naked
             shall
             I
             return
             thither
             ,
             the
             Lord
             gave
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             hath
             taken
             away
             ,
             Blessed
             be
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord.
          
           Here
           is
           an
           Example
           beyond
           Example
           of
           Patience
           ,
           and
           quiet
           submission
           to
           the
           will
           of
           God
           in
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           and
           severest
           trials
           imaginable
           ;
           here
           indeed
           is
           an
           Example
           fit
           for
           our
           imitation
           ,
           and
           should
           be
           drawn
           into
           practice
           upon
           the
           like
           occasion
           .
           And
           it
           would
           highly
           become
           Parents
           and
           others
           ,
           and
           indeed
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           all
           to
           lay
           themselves
           at
           the
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           with
           all
           humble
           Prostrations
           resign
           up
           their
           wills
           to
           his
           ,
           and
           to
           resign
           up
           their
           Children
           and
           Relations
           freely
           to
           him
           ,
           who
           first
           gave
           them
           freely
           to
           them
           .
           And
           to
           say
           in
           like
           manner
           with
           Job
           ,
           God
           has
           indeed
           
           blessed
           us
           with
           Children
           ,
           but
           has
           not
           thought
           fit
           to
           continue
           them
           to
           us
           :
           and
           though
           we
           could
           have
           been
           well
           content
           to
           have
           enjoy'd
           them
           ,
           if
           God
           had
           so
           pleas'd
           ;
           yet
           we
           are
           content
           to
           want
           them
           ,
           being
           he
           has
           thought
           it
           better
           both
           for
           them
           and
           for
           us
           to
           take
           them
           away
           .
           
             The
             Lord
             has
             given
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             has
             taken
             away
             ;
             Blessed
             be
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
           *
           Seneca
           will
           teach
           us
           otherwise
           in
           words
           to
           this
           purpose
           ,
           that
           we
           ought
           not
           to
           reckon
           all
           that
           we
           enjoy
           our
           own
           ,
           or
           to
           look
           upon
           our
           Children
           as
           a
           sure
           Inheritance
           ,
           and
           entailed
           upon
           us
           ,
           but
           consider
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           of
           the
           same
           uncertain
           hold
           and
           
           tenure
           as
           other
           outward
           blessings
           are
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           given
           us
           but
           for
           an
           uncertain
           time
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           must
           not
           promise
           to
           our selves
           any
           long
           or
           certain
           enjoyment
           of
           them
           ;
           if
           we
           are
           allow'd
           the
           use
           ,
           and
           benefit
           ,
           and
           comfort
           of
           our
           Children
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           fitting
           that
           we
           should
           mutter
           or
           think
           much
           to
           part
           with
           them
           when
           God
           demands
           his
           own
           ,
           and
           requires
           back
           what
           he
           only
           committed
           to
           us
           by
           way
           of
           lone
           ;
           but
           rather
           be
           in
           a
           readiness
           to
           part
           with
           our
           Children
           and
           all
           other
           blessings
           when
           God
           will
           not
           trust
           us
           with
           them
           any
           longer
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           shew'd
           upon
           what
           considerations
           David
           might
           well
           cease
           sorrowing
           for
           his
           dead
           Child
           ,
           and
           which
           may
           be
           of
           excellent
           use
           and
           service
           to
           support
           and
           comfort
           others
           under
           the
           like
           losses
           ,
           and
           to
           prevent
           all
           excessive
           mourning
           for
           the
           Death
           of
           their
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ,
           especially
           when
           they
           die
           young
           ,
           I
           shall
           now
           winde
           up
           the
           
           whole
           Discourse
           with
           a
           word
           or
           two
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           By
           way
           of
           Reproof
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           By
           way
           of
           Exhortation
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           By
           way
           of
           Reproof
           to
           all
           those
           that
           are
           apt
           to
           quarrel
           with
           Providence
           ,
           and
           to
           entertain
           hard
           thoughts
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           were
           either
           unjust
           or
           unmerciful
           when
           he
           takes
           away
           their
           nearest
           and
           dearest
           Relations
           from
           them
           ;
           and
           do
           often
           in
           the
           bitterness
           of
           their
           Souls
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           anguish
           of
           their
           spirits
           ,
           charge
           God
           foolishly
           ,
           and
           speak
           unadvisedly
           with
           their
           lips
           ,
           and
           think
           they
           do
           well
           (
           like
           Jonah
           )
           to
           fret
           against
           the
           Almighty
           ,
           in
           that
           he
           deals
           with
           them
           after
           such
           a
           manner
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           suffer
           them
           to
           enjoy
           the
           desire
           of
           their
           Eyes
           ,
           and
           the
           joy
           of
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           they
           wish
           and
           desire
           .
           They
           assert
           with
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           sorrow
           ,
           that
           their
           Soul
           was
           wrapt
           up
           in
           the
           life
           of
           such
           and
           such
           a
           Child
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           an
           Absolom
           for
           its
           Beauty
           ,
           and
           a
           Solomon
           for
           its
           
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           a
           Moses
           for
           its
           meekness
           and
           good
           nature
           ;
           that
           it
           was
           very
           pregnant
           and
           a
           great
           Wit
           ,
           and
           gave
           great
           and
           lively
           Specimens
           of
           future
           Vertue
           and
           Wisdom
           ;
           and
           therefore
           for
           God
           to
           deprive
           them
           of
           a
           Child
           that
           had
           naturally
           such
           Charms
           ,
           and
           whose
           vertuous
           temper
           and
           disposition
           did
           presage
           so
           much
           comfort
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           so
           great
           a
           benefit
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           must
           needs
           make
           deep
           and
           melancholy
           impressions
           upon
           their
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           put
           them
           into
           an
           extream
           Passion
           .
           And
           thus
           Parents
           and
           others
           are
           apt
           to
           clamour
           against
           and
           censure
           the
           dealings
           of
           an
           afflicting
           Providence
           ,
           when
           it
           comes
           home
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           touches
           them
           in
           part
           of
           themselves
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           they
           profess
           to
           love
           as
           dearly
           as
           their
           own
           Souls
           :
           whereas
           't
           is
           an
           utter
           fault
           in
           them
           thus
           to
           repine
           at
           the
           hand
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           they
           know
           not
           what
           Spirit
           they
           are
           of
           when
           they
           fall
           into
           such
           fits
           of
           Passion
           ,
           and
           paroxysms
           of
           discontent
           ,
           
           refusing
           like
           Rachel
           to
           be
           comforted
           ,
           because
           their
           Children
           and
           Relations
           are
           not
           ;
           and
           wish
           like
           Elijah
           in
           a
           pet
           ,
           that
           God
           would
           take
           away
           their
           life
           too
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           no
           better
           than
           those
           that
           are
           gone
           before
           them
           .
           But
           is
           this
           like
           men
           or
           like
           Christians
           to
           be
           absorpt
           and
           swallowed
           up
           in
           a
           vortex
           of
           sorrow
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           carried
           away
           with
           such
           an
           Euroclydon
           and
           violent
           storm
           of
           Passion
           ?
           O
           the
           great
           folly
           and
           wickedness
           that
           is
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           men
           ,
           thus
           to
           grumble
           at
           Providence
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           so
           much
           out
           of
           humour
           as
           to
           fall
           sick
           as
           Ahab
           did
           for
           very
           vexation
           that
           we
           cannot
           enjoy
           what
           we
           have
           a
           mind
           to
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           longing
           to
           possess
           .
           So
           great
           and
           stupendous
           is
           our
           stubborness
           and
           obstinacy
           not
           to
           yield
           to
           Gods
           will
           nor
           submit
           to
           his
           pleasure
           ,
           but
           to
           take
           on
           and
           rave
           like
           mad
           people
           ,
           and
           to
           complain
           grievously
           like
           Laban
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           lost
           our
           Gods
           ,
           our
           greatest
           hopes
           and
           comforts
           ,
           when
           
           God
           has
           only
           taken
           away
           our
           Idols
           .
           But
           we
           had
           best
           have
           a
           care
           that
           we
           be
           not
           so
           very
           impatient
           and
           outragious
           when
           God
           takes
           away
           our
           Relations
           from
           us
           ;
           and
           so
           cause
           and
           provoke
           him
           to
           write
           more
           bitter
           things
           against
           us
           ,
           and
           bereave
           us
           of
           all
           our
           Worldly
           Comforts
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           light
           of
           his
           favour
           ,
           and
           the
           supports
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           would
           be
           the
           greatest
           and
           sorest
           loss
           that
           can
           possibly
           befal
           us
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           By
           way
           of
           Exhortation
           to
           Parents
           and
           all
           others
           who
           may
           be
           concern'd
           in
           the
           loss
           of
           Relations
           and
           Friends
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           endeavour
           to
           compose
           themselves
           to
           a
           quiet
           ,
           and
           humble
           ,
           and
           patient
           submission
           to
           the
           will
           of
           God
           in
           the
           severest
           of
           his
           dispensations
           ;
           that
           they
           would
           comport
           and
           demean
           themselves
           with
           that
           temper
           and
           moderation
           at
           the
           Death
           of
           their
           Friends
           ,
           as
           becomes
           Christians
           who
           profess
           a
           firm
           belief
           of
           a
           future
           Resurrection
           ,
           and
           a
           future
           
           life
           in
           glory
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           would
           banish
           all
           unkind
           ,
           and
           uncharitable
           thoughts
           of
           God
           when
           he
           is
           pleased
           to
           take
           away
           their
           Darlings
           and
           Favourites
           ,
           and
           quietly
           acquiesce
           in
           his
           Providence
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           what
           God
           doth
           is
           best
           both
           for
           themselves
           and
           their
           Relations
           ,
           saying
           with
           all
           humility
           and
           submission
           of
           Soul
           ,
           It
           is
           the
           Lord
           ,
           let
           him
           do
           what
           seemeth
           him
           good
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           It
           would
           be
           wisdom
           in
           all
           Parents
           and
           others
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           their
           Children
           and
           Friends
           are
           mortal
           ,
           and
           of
           humane
           race
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           are
           born
           in
           order
           to
           die
           .
           And
           so
           Seneca
           advises
           his
           Friend
           Marcia
           ,
           not
           to
           grieve
           or
           take
           on
           desperately
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           her
           Son
           ,
           but
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           mortality
           was
           an
           appendage
           to
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           
             Et
             ex
             quo
             primum
             lucem
             vidit
             ,
             iter
             mortis
             ingressus
             est
          
           ;
           that
           he
           no
           sooner
           began
           to
           live
           but
           he
           began
           to
           die
           ,
           and
           that
           life
           is
           a
           constant
           
           journeying
           and
           properation
           to
           the
           Grave
           .
           And
           't
           is
           well
           worth
           our
           remembring
           what
           is
           reported
           of
           Anaxagoras
           ,
           that
           when
           he
           was
           warmly
           ingag'd
           in
           a
           Philosophical
           Disquisition
           ,
           and
           word
           was
           brought
           unto
           him
           that
           his
           Son
           was
           dead
           ,
           he
           did
           not
           seem
           in
           any
           disorder
           ,
           or
           to
           be
           discompos'd
           at
           the
           news
           ,
           but
           went
           on
           with
           his
           Discourse
           very
           smoothly
           ,
           and
           only
           made
           this
           reply
           ,
           That
           he
           knew
           that
           he
           was
           the
           Father
           of
           one
           that
           was
           mortal
           .
           
             Anaxagorae
             inter
             familiares
             suos
             de
             natura
             rerum
             disserenti
             ,
             filii
             mortem
             nunciatam
             tradunt
             ;
             nihilque
             aliud
             ab
             eo
             responsum
             ,
             nisi
             ,
             se
             illum
             genuisse
             mortalem
             .
          
           Cicero
           de
           Consola
           .
           And
           therefore
           all
           persons
           to
           prevent
           the
           being
           so
           much
           troubled
           and
           startled
           at
           the
           Death
           of
           their
           Relations
           ,
           should
           often
           meditate
           on
           Death
           ,
           and
           be
           frequently
           possess'd
           with
           thoughts
           of
           their
           own
           and
           others
           mortality
           ;
           and
           when
           they
           live
           in
           a
           daily
           expectation
           of
           their
           own
           Death
           and
           those
           
           that
           belong
           unto
           them
           ,
           they
           cannot
           be
           amaz'd
           at
           the
           early
           Death
           of
           their
           Relations
           ,
           or
           sorely
           afflicted
           when
           it
           pleaseth
           God
           to
           take
           them
           away
           first
           .
           For
           the
           looking
           upon
           the
           life
           of
           their
           Relations
           to
           be
           altogether
           as
           uncertain
           as
           their
           own
           ,
           must
           needs
           make
           their
           death
           more
           tolerable
           ,
           than
           when
           they
           reckon
           and
           depend
           upon
           their
           living
           ;
           
             quae
             multo
             antè
             praevisà
             sunt
             ,
             languidius
             incurrunt
             ,
          
           sayes
           Seneca
           .
           When
           we
           think
           of
           a
           thing
           long
           before-hand
           ,
           it
           loses
           of
           its
           terror
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           not
           so
           much
           troubled
           at
           it
           when
           it
           actually
           comes
           .
           So
           that
           if
           we
           did
           but
           consider
           that
           our
           Children
           and
           Relations
           are
           as
           mortal
           as
           our selves
           ,
           and
           that
           't
           is
           no
           rarity
           for
           them
           to
           die
           before
           us
           ,
           we
           should
           not
           proceed
           to
           break
           our
           hearts
           with
           overmuch
           grief
           ,
           or
           to
           bury
           our selves
           in
           sorrow
           at
           the
           death
           of
           our
           Relations
           ,
           come
           it
           sooner
           or
           later
           .
           But
           as
           Seneca
           observes
           ,
           
             In
             hoc
             omnes
             errore
             versamur
             ,
             ut
             non
             putemus
             ad
             mortem
             ,
             
             nisi
             senes
             inclinatosque
             jam
             urgere
             ,
             cum
             illò
             infantia
             statim
             &
             juventa
             ,
             omnisque
             aetas
             ferat
          
           ;
           't
           is
           a
           general
           error
           ,
           and
           popular
           to
           think
           that
           the
           Aged
           and
           the
           Decrepit
           must
           needs
           die
           first
           ;
           whereas
           the
           youngest
           are
           as
           liable
           to
           Death
           as
           they
           ,
           and
           are
           taken
           away
           every
           whit
           as
           soon
           .
           And
           again
           in
           the
           same
           Consolatory
           Discourse
           :
           
             Tot
             praeter
             Domum
             nostram
             ducuntur
             exequiae
             ,
             de
             morte
             non
             cogitamus
             ,
             tot
             acerba
             funera
             .
             Nos
             togam
             nostrorum
             infantium
             ,
             nos
             militiam
             &
             Paternae
             haereditatis
             successionem
             animo
             agitamus
             .
          
           There
           are
           (
           sayes
           he
           )
           so
           many
           Funerals
           and
           spectacles
           of
           mortality
           pass
           by
           our
           doors
           every
           day
           ,
           and
           we
           do
           not
           regard
           them
           ,
           nor
           lay
           to
           heart
           this
           Death
           of
           others
           :
           But
           we
           are
           thinking
           to
           make
           our
           Children
           fine
           and
           great
           ,
           and
           what
           great
           Heirs
           they
           will
           be
           after
           our
           decease
           :
           But
           we
           think
           of
           nothing
           less
           than
           our
           Childrens
           dying
           ,
           which
           makes
           their
           death
           so
           very
           grievous
           and
           surprizing
           
           unto
           us
           :
           Whereas
           by
           a
           due
           premeditation
           on
           death
           ,
           and
           forestalling
           it
           in
           our
           thoughts
           ,
           both
           our
           own
           death
           ,
           and
           that
           of
           our
           Relations
           would
           become
           less
           terrible
           and
           astonishing
           ,
           as
           being
           a
           thing
           which
           we
           every
           day
           expected
           and
           stood
           looking
           for
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           It
           would
           be
           very
           reasonable
           and
           prudential
           to
           command
           or
           check
           our
           passion
           in
           due
           time
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           let
           it
           spin
           out
           to
           too
           great
           a
           length
           .
           For
           as
           Seneca
           tells
           Marcia
           ,
           that
           our
           tears
           cannot
           always
           flow
           ,
           nor
           our
           mourning
           last
           always
           .
           
             Dolorem
             dies
             consumit
             ,
             quamvis
             contumacissimum
             ,
          
           a
           little
           time
           ,
           or
           a
           few
           days
           ,
           will
           exhaust
           the
           Fountain
           of
           our
           tears
           ,
           and
           drain
           it
           dry
           ,
           and
           overcome
           the
           most
           obstinate
           grief
           .
           And
           Cicero
           says
           the
           same
           thing
           .
           
             Quòd
             etiamsi
             nolis
             ,
             tempore
             tamen
             ipso
             extenuatur
             &
             evanescit
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           we
           must
           give
           over
           sorrowing
           at
           last
           ,
           whether
           we
           will
           or
           no
           ,
           and
           when
           we
           have
           wept
           so
           long
           
           that
           we
           can
           weep
           no
           more
           ;
           and
           therefore
           't
           is
           a
           stark
           shame
           that
           our
           reason
           should
           not
           do
           that
           which
           a
           little
           time
           will
           effect
           ;
           that
           it
           should
           not
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           our
           tears
           ,
           which
           within
           a
           little
           while
           will
           dry
           up
           of
           themselves
           .
           
             Multum
             autem
             interest
             ,
             utrum
             tibi
             permittas
             moerere
             ,
             an
             imperes
             ,
          
           says
           the
           same
           Seneca
           ,
           't
           is
           more
           honourable
           to
           suppress
           our
           passions
           ,
           than
           to
           let
           them
           run
           themselves
           out
           of
           breath
           and
           to
           sink
           of
           their
           own
           accord
           .
        
         
           And
           in
           another
           place
           ,
           he
           tells
           Marcia
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           wisdom
           to
           husband
           our
           tears
           well
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           let
           them
           stream
           too
           plentifully
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           sparing
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           reserve
           some
           against
           another
           time
           .
           
             Lachrymae
             nobis
             deerunt
             antequam
             dolendi
             causae
             .
          
           For
           if
           we
           live
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           we
           shall
           meet
           with
           many
           occasions
           to
           weep
           and
           mourn
           ,
           and
           shall
           never
           want
           matter
           of
           sorrow
           and
           trouble
           .
           And
           therefore
           we
           should
           make
           it
           evident
           by
           our
           ceasing
           to
           mourn
           for
           
           the
           dead
           in
           just
           and
           convenient
           time
           ,
           that
           our
           reason
           has
           that
           ascendant
           over
           our
           Passion
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           let
           it
           run
           too
           far
           ,
           or
           spend
           it self
           quite
           at
           once
           ,
           whereas
           there
           may
           be
           great
           reason
           and
           occasion
           for
           it
           at
           some
           other
           time
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           and
           to
           conclude
           all
           ,
           Let
           none
           suspect
           that
           this
           Discourse
           had
           any
           aim
           to
           promote
           or
           introduce
           a
           Stoical
           Apathy
           among
           Christians
           ,
           whose
           Religion
           is
           a
           compleat
           body
           of
           mercy
           ,
           and
           a
           perfect
           systeme
           of
           tender-heartedness
           and
           compassions
           ,
           and
           teaches
           men
           to
           be
           pitiful
           and
           compassionate
           and
           melting
           above
           the
           common
           standard
           of
           humanity
           .
           Let
           none
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           so
           misconstrue
           it
           ,
           as
           because
           it
           argues
           against
           excessive
           and
           immoderate
           mourning
           for
           the
           dead
           ,
           that
           therefore
           it
           intends
           to
           harden
           mens
           hearts
           ,
           and
           to
           bar
           them
           from
           paying
           a
           just
           tribute
           of
           tears
           and
           sorrow
           to
           the
           memory
           of
           their
           Deceased
           Friends
           ;
           or
           because
           it
           declares
           against
           effeminate
           weepings
           
           and
           lamentations
           ,
           that
           therefore
           it
           will
           not
           allow
           us
           the
           sense
           and
           feeling
           of
           men
           .
           
             Nec
             verò
             credi
             velim
          
           ,
           sayes
           
             Cicero
             ,
             me
             ,
             quia
             dolori
             nimio
             repugnem
             ,
             idcirco
             dolorem
             omni
             ex
             parte
             improbare
             ,
             omnesque
             illius
             ex
             animo
             filias
             evellendas
             existimare
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           But
           our
           design
           is
           chiefly
           to
           perswade
           men
           to
           curb
           and
           moderate
           their
           Passions
           and
           sorrows
           for
           the
           Dead
           ,
           by
           shewing
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           would
           but
           listen
           to
           the
           Counsels
           and
           Dictates
           of
           reason
           ,
           it
           would
           inform
           and
           convince
           them
           of
           the
           folly
           of
           grieving
           and
           afflicting
           themselves
           to
           no
           purpose
           ,
           and
           when
           all
           the
           sorrowing
           in
           the
           World
           will
           do
           no
           good
           ,
           
             Parcamus
             Lachrymis
          
           ,
           sayes
           
             Seneca
             ,
             nihil
             proficientibus
          
           ;
           and
           also
           how
           contradictory
           it
           is
           to
           the
           Faith
           of
           a
           Christian
           to
           continue
           mourning
           for
           the
           Dead
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           irreversibly
           gone
           and
           lost
           to
           all
           intents
           and
           purposes
           of
           happiness
           ,
           as
           if
           Death
           were
           an
           utter
           extinction
           and
           annihilation
           of
           their
           beings
           ,
           and
           as
           
           if
           there
           were
           no
           immortality
           after
           this
           short
           and
           fading
           life
           is
           ended
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           the
           Stoicks
           injoined
           their
           Disciples
           to
           dam
           up
           the
           current
           of
           their
           natural
           affections
           and
           passions
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           let
           them
           forth
           in
           the
           least
           degree
           upon
           any
           occasion
           whatsoever
           .
           And
           this
           Apathy
           they
           pretended
           and
           boasted
           to
           be
           the
           aim
           and
           perfection
           of
           their
           Philosophy
           ;
           whereas
           the
           Christian
           Philosophy
           is
           not
           near
           so
           rigid
           ,
           but
           allows
           us
           to
           give
           way
           to
           our
           passions
           in
           some
           measure
           ,
           and
           upon
           just
           and
           solemn
           occasions
           .
           We
           read
           of
           the
           Lamentations
           of
           Jeremiah
           ,
           and
           how
           that
           the
           Death
           of
           the
           good
           King
           Josiah
           was
           solemniz'd
           with
           great
           mournings
           and
           lamentations
           ,
           all
           Israel
           mourned
           for
           Josiah
           ,
           and
           Judah
           lamented
           
             Josiah
             ,
             2
             Chro.
          
           35.
           24.
           
           And
           that
           which
           doth
           more
           authorize
           our
           Mourning
           for
           our
           Friends
           ,
           is
           the
           carriage
           and
           practice
           of
           those
           devout
           men
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           who
           carried
           Stephen
           to
           his
           Burial
           ,
           and
           made
           
           great
           Lamentation
           over
           him
           ,
           Acts
           8.
           2.
           
           Nay
           a
           further
           Confirmation
           of
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           mourning
           for
           our
           deceased
           Friends
           ,
           is
           the
           Example
           of
           our
           Saviour
           himself
           ,
           who
           wept
           over
           
           Lazarus's
           Grave
           ,
           as
           we
           may
           see
           John
           11.
           35.
           which
           the
           standers
           by
           made
           a
           great
           Argument
           of
           his
           love
           and
           concernment
           for
           the
           Death
           of
           Lazarus
           .
           And
           't
           is
           very
           well
           known
           that
           the
           Jews
           lookt
           upon
           tears
           and
           mourning
           to
           be
           so
           natural
           and
           proper
           at
           a
           Funeral
           ,
           that
           they
           hired
           Women
           called
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           Jer.
           9.
           17.
           
           (
           and
           so
           had
           the
           Romans
           their
           Praeficae
           for
           the
           very
           same
           purpose
           ,
           )
           to
           weep
           at
           Burials
           for
           the
           greater
           solemnity
           ,
           so
           that
           rather
           than
           there
           should
           be
           any
           want
           of
           tears
           upon
           such
           sad
           occasions
           ,
           they
           Celebrated
           the
           Obsequies
           of
           their
           Friends
           with
           a
           mercenary
           sorrow
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           was
           a
           severe
           and
           unnatural
           Injunction
           of
           Tiberius
           to
           charge
           the
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           of
           those
           persons
           that
           he
           put
           to
           Death
           ,
           not
           to
           
           mourn
           for
           them
           ,
           or
           so
           much
           as
           shed
           a
           tear
           at
           their
           Execution
           upon
           pain
           of
           his
           highest
           displeasure
           .
           
             Interdictum
             ne
             capite
             damnatos
             lugerent
             ,
             Suetonius
             .
          
           Whereas
           our
           Religion
           does
           not
           require
           us
           to
           put
           off
           bowels
           of
           pity
           and
           compassion
           ,
           as
           the
           Philosophy
           of
           the
           Stoicks
           ,
           or
           the
           cruelty
           of
           the
           Tyrant
           did
           ;
           but
           only
           prohibits
           us
           to
           pluck
           up
           the
           Sluces
           ,
           or
           to
           open
           the
           Flood-gate
           of
           our
           Passions
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           let
           them
           run
           with
           a
           mighty
           Torrent
           ,
           and
           to
           over-flow
           the
           bounds
           of
           reason
           and
           moderation
           .
           But
           then
           although
           we
           are
           permitted
           by
           the
           Example
           of
           our
           Saviour
           to
           sympathize
           with
           the
           sufferings
           of
           humane
           nature
           ,
           and
           to
           grieve
           according
           to
           the
           proportions
           of
           humanity
           ,
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           our
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ;
           yet
           we
           are
           to
           have
           a
           special
           care
           that
           our
           sorrows
           are
           not
           unreasonable
           or
           immoderate
           :
           for
           as
           no
           sorrow
           shews
           want
           of
           humanity
           ,
           so
           too
           much
           shews
           the
           want
           of
           Religion
           .
           For
           by
           our
           immoderate
           
           grievings
           we
           seem
           to
           renounce
           our
           Creed
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           to
           distrust
           the
           truth
           of
           one
           of
           its
           prime
           and
           fundamental
           Articles
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Resurrection
           of
           the
           Dead
           .
           And
           therefore
           St.
           Paul
           seeing
           the
           Christians
           in
           his
           days
           were
           apt
           to
           grow
           exorbitant
           in
           their
           sorrowings
           for
           the
           Dead
           ,
           thinks
           fit
           to
           give
           them
           this
           instruction
           ,
           1
           
             Thess
             .
             4.
             13.
             
             But
             I
             would
             not
             have
             you
             to
             be
             ignorant
             ,
             Brethren
             ,
             concerning
             them
             which
             are
             asleep
             ,
             that
             ye
             sorrow
             not
             ,
             even
             as
             others
             which
             have
             no
             hope
             .
             For
             if
             we
             believe
             that
             Jesus
             died
             and
             rose
             again
             ,
             even
             so
             them
             also
             which
             sleep
             in
             Jesus
             ,
             will
             God
             bring
             with
             him
          
           ;
           in
           which
           words
           he
           does
           plainly
           declare
           ,
           that
           we
           do
           in
           a
           manner
           confute
           and
           dissolve
           our
           Belief
           of
           the
           great
           Article
           of
           the
           Resurrection
           ,
           if
           we
           lay
           the
           loss
           of
           our
           Friends
           so
           much
           to
           heart
           ,
           and
           ingulph
           our selves
           in
           sorrows
           as
           those
           that
           have
           no
           hope
           .
           And
           indeed
           ,
           what
           can
           be
           more
           unlike
           ,
           or
           contrary
           to
           
           the
           Faith
           and
           Belief
           of
           Christians
           ,
           than
           that
           unruly
           and
           excessive
           sorrow
           of
           Rachel
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           her
           Children
           ,
           whom
           the
           Scripture
           seems
           not
           only
           to
           note
           ,
           but
           to
           brand
           and
           stigmatize
           for
           her
           impatience
           ,
           in
           that
           she
           wept
           for
           her
           Children
           ,
           and
           would
           not
           be
           comforted
           ,
           because
           they
           were
           not
           ?
           Ah
           Lord
           !
           what
           a
           sad
           thing
           is
           this
           to
           contradict
           our
           profession
           ,
           to
           say
           ,
           we
           believe
           a
           Resurrection
           ,
           and
           yet
           sorrow
           as
           if
           there
           were
           none
           ?
           But
           in
           short
           ,
           either
           we
           believe
           a
           Resurrection
           ,
           or
           we
           do
           not
           ;
           if
           we
           do
           believe
           it
           ,
           why
           do
           we
           bewail
           the
           Death
           of
           our
           Friends
           with
           so
           much
           bitterness
           and
           lamentation
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           utterly
           lost
           and
           gone
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           past
           all
           joys
           and
           comfort
           ,
           and
           were
           to
           perish
           for
           ever
           ?
           
             Si
             enim
             à
             miseriis
             abstrahit
             ,
             si
             in
             meliorem
             vitam
             inducit
             ;
             si
             neque
             misera
             ipsa
             est
             ,
             nec
             ullius
             particeps
             miseriae
             ,
             cur
             mala
             censetur
             ?
             sin
             hoc
             largitur
             ,
             ut
             sempiternis
             bonis
             potiamur
             ,
             vitamque
             
             quam
             mortalem
             habemus
             ,
             aeternam
             adipiscamur
             ,
             quid
             morte
             beatius
             esse
             possit
             ?
          
           that
           is
           ,
           says
           Cicero
           ,
           if
           we
           do
           really
           believe
           that
           death
           doth
           abstract
           and
           deliver
           us
           from
           the
           miseries
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           sets
           us
           far
           out
           of
           harms
           way
           ,
           and
           that
           't
           is
           an
           entrance
           and
           introduction
           to
           a
           better
           life
           ,
           then
           what
           reason
           have
           we
           to
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           such
           a
           sad
           and
           grievous
           thing
           to
           die
           ?
           But
           if
           it
           be
           further
           granted
           that
           Death
           puts
           us
           into
           the
           possession
           of
           Eternal
           and
           never-failing
           blessings
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           slides
           us
           from
           a
           short
           and
           fading
           to
           an
           Everlasting
           Life
           ;
           we
           are
           then
           to
           repute
           Death
           our
           best
           and
           dearest
           Friend
           ,
           in
           that
           it
           leads
           and
           ushers
           us
           to
           such
           Endless
           Happiness
           .
           But
           if
           we
           do
           not
           believe
           a
           Resurrection
           ,
           why
           are
           we
           so
           rash
           and
           formal
           as
           to
           own
           an
           Article
           that
           we
           dare
           not
           rely
           on
           ?
           Ah!
           We
           little
           think
           that
           the
           greatest
           Atheist
           in
           the
           World
           cannot
           make
           a
           greater
           Argument
           against
           our
           Religion
           than
           we
           do
           our
           
           selves
           ,
           when
           we
           let
           loose
           the
           reins
           of
           our
           passions
           ,
           and
           refuse
           to
           be
           comforted
           for
           the
           dead
           ,
           and
           wound
           and
           pierce
           our
           hearts
           thorough
           with
           great
           and
           mighty
           sorrows
           ,
           thereby
           testifying
           that
           we
           little
           believe
           a
           Life
           to
           come
           ,
           or
           a
           better
           State
           than
           this
           is
           ,
           or
           that
           our
           Friends
           have
           exchang'd
           for
           the
           better
           :
           and
           therefore
           we
           had
           best
           look
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           to
           curb
           and
           check
           our
           passions
           ,
           that
           we
           do
           not
           give
           occasion
           to
           our
           Enemies
           to
           blaspheme
           and
           say
           ,
           where
           is
           that
           Heaven
           ,
           that
           place
           of
           rest
           and
           blessedness
           which
           you
           so
           much
           talk
           of
           ?
           where
           is
           that
           Faith
           of
           a
           future
           Life
           and
           a
           judgment
           to
           come
           ,
           which
           you
           so
           zealously
           profess
           ?
           how
           can
           you
           perswade
           us
           that
           you
           believe
           what
           you
           profess
           ,
           seeing
           that
           upon
           the
           trial
           you
           are
           ready
           to
           kill
           your selves
           with
           very
           grief
           for
           the
           Death
           of
           your
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ,
           and
           thereby
           give
           a
           strong
           suspicion
           ,
           that
           you
           think
           this
           World
           the
           best
           Paradise
           for
           your
           Friends
           
           to
           live
           in
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           the
           best
           only
           to
           talk
           of
           .
        
         
           To
           conclude
           ,
           Let
           us
           endeavour
           to
           possess
           our
           hearts
           and
           minds
           with
           a
           firm
           hope
           and
           perswasion
           of
           a
           future
           State
           and
           Eternal
           Life
           ;
           and
           then
           we
           shall
           be
           the
           freer
           to
           think
           of
           our
           own
           Death
           ,
           and
           be
           less
           troubled
           to
           part
           with
           our
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           when
           God
           thinks
           fit
           to
           take
           them
           away
           .
           Simplicius
           in
           his
           Comment
           upon
           
             Epictetus
             cap.
          
           33.
           does
           rightly
           observe
           ,
           how
           variously
           we
           are
           affected
           at
           the
           Death
           of
           others
           and
           the
           Death
           of
           our
           own
           Relations
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           If
           we
           hear
           ,
           sayes
           he
           ,
           of
           the
           Death
           of
           anothers
           Wife
           or
           Children
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           much
           concern'd
           ,
           but
           put
           it
           off
           very
           slightly
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           that
           their
           dying
           is
           no
           wonder
           at
           all
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           no
           reason
           to
           be
           much
           troubled
           at
           it
           ,
           forasmuch
           as
           Death
           is
           natural
           and
           common
           to
           all
           .
           But
           then
           ,
           sayes
           he
           ,
           when
           we
           
           happen
           to
           lose
           any
           of
           our
           own
           Relations
           ,
           we
           seem
           to
           have
           another
           guise
           opinion
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           to
           change
           our
           note
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           We
           hear
           of
           and
           see
           the
           death
           and
           burial
           of
           others
           patiently
           enough
           ,
           and
           without
           being
           much
           troubled
           or
           inwardly
           concern'd
           ,
           but
           when
           it
           comes
           home
           to
           our selves
           ,
           and
           we
           lose
           any
           of
           our
           own
           dear
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ,
           we
           are
           presently
           in
           a
           storm
           ,
           and
           rise
           into
           a
           supream
           passion
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           bitterness
           of
           our
           Souls
           cry
           out
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           miserable
           and
           undone
           ,
           and
           the
           unhappiest
           people
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           no
           loss
           like
           our
           loss
           ,
           and
           that
           none
           has
           such
           great
           afflictions
           as
           we
           ,
           and
           then
           there
           is
           nothing
           to
           be
           heard
           or
           seen
           but
           great
           Lamentations
           and
           Mourning
           ,
           and
           a
           huge
           Scene
           of
           sorrows
           .
           In
           which
           words
           ,
           the
           Philosopher
           does
           rightly
           note
           our
           partiality
           to
           our
           
           selves
           ,
           and
           how
           that
           we
           esteem
           and
           look
           upon
           Death
           to
           be
           only
           unkind
           and
           cruel
           to
           our selves
           and
           those
           that
           belong
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           can
           hear
           and
           think
           kindly
           enough
           of
           it
           at
           a
           distance
           ,
           but
           when
           it
           comes
           nigh
           us
           ,
           and
           touches
           us
           in
           our
           Relations
           ,
           then
           we
           are
           all
           mutiny
           and
           confusion
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           a
           great
           Argument
           of
           our
           folly
           and
           indiscretion
           ,
           to
           waver
           and
           alter
           so
           much
           in
           our
           opinion
           of
           Death
           ,
           as
           to
           entertain
           worse
           thoughts
           of
           it
           at
           one
           time
           than
           another
           .
           For
           albeit
           ,
           the
           more
           than
           ordinary
           sympathy
           that
           is
           between
           us
           and
           our
           Relations
           ,
           may
           defend
           and
           justifie
           our
           sorrowing
           somewhat
           more
           for
           them
           than
           for
           perfect
           Strangers
           ;
           yet
           it
           is
           against
           common
           sense
           and
           reason
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           be
           so
           desperately
           disquieted
           at
           that
           Providence
           which
           deprives
           us
           of
           our
           Relations
           ,
           whereas
           we
           are
           so
           little
           concern'd
           at
           the
           common
           fatality
           of
           Mankind
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           behoves
           us
           in
           point
           of
           Prudence
           ,
           
           to
           labour
           to
           have
           always
           the
           same
           thoughts
           and
           opinions
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           to
           count
           it
           no
           more
           cruel
           ,
           no
           more
           an
           Enemy
           ,
           when
           it
           seizeth
           upon
           our
           own
           flesh
           and
           blood
           ,
           than
           when
           it
           seizeth
           upon
           the
           rest
           of
           humane
           race
           :
           And
           if
           we
           make
           no
           great
           matter
           of
           the
           death
           of
           others
           whom
           we
           see
           daily
           fall
           to
           the
           ground
           ,
           looking
           upon
           it
           as
           a
           natural
           thing
           for
           them
           to
           die
           :
           so
           let
           us
           consider
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           every
           whit
           as
           natural
           for
           our
           Relations
           to
           die
           ,
           and
           nothing
           happens
           to
           them
           but
           what
           is
           common
           to
           all
           flesh
           living
           .
           And
           this
           consideration
           the
           Philosopher
           looks
           upon
           as
           very
           just
           and
           reasonable
           ,
           and
           prescribes
           it
           as
           an
           excellent
           Remedy
           and
           Antidote
           against
           all
           immoderate
           sorrowing
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           our
           dearest
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           :
           But
           alas
           !
           why
           do
           I
           urge
           such
           a
           poor
           consideration
           as
           that
           of
           Death
           being
           common
           to
           all
           men
           ,
           to
           asswage
           and
           mitigate
           our
           sorrows
           for
           the
           Dead
           ,
           as
           if
           any
           consideration
           in
           
           the
           World
           could
           do
           it
           more
           effectually
           than
           our
           Christian
           Hope
           and
           the
           belief
           of
           another
           and
           better
           life
           hereafter
           .
           Some
           indeed
           may
           attempt
           and
           endeavour
           to
           quiet
           and
           silence
           their
           sorrows
           by
           Arguments
           drawn
           from
           reason
           ,
           and
           the
           acute
           sayings
           of
           Philosophers
           ;
           and
           think
           they
           may
           be
           able
           from
           meer
           natural
           courage
           ,
           and
           some
           bold
           principles
           ,
           to
           laugh
           at
           and
           despise
           Death
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Stoicks
           did
           in
           their
           high
           rants
           and
           sullen
           moods
           :
           but
           no
           Arguments
           ,
           or
           the
           most
           stubborn
           Principles
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           can
           be
           of
           equal
           force
           with
           our
           Christian
           Hope
           for
           that
           purpose
           .
           A
           Hope
           that
           opens
           to
           us
           the
           Casements
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           represents
           to
           us
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           the
           glories
           of
           the
           Resurrection
           ;
           the
           exact
           and
           full
           knowledge
           whereof
           cannot
           be
           attain'd
           in
           this
           narrow
           state
           of
           mortality
           ,
           and
           is
           far
           transcending
           all
           humane
           reach
           and
           comprehension
           ;
           so
           that
           for
           me
           to
           go
           about
           to
           make
           a
           full
           and
           compleat
           description
           
           of
           the
           excellencies
           and
           perfections
           appropriate
           to
           the
           future
           state
           ,
           would
           be
           the
           same
           fondness
           as
           to
           attempt
           to
           illustrate
           a
           Star
           with
           my
           Finger
           :
           But
           yet
           for
           our
           great
           comfort
           and
           incouragement
           at
           present
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           gives
           us
           this
           plain
           notice
           and
           information
           of
           a
           glorious
           transformation
           as
           to
           our
           vile
           and
           terrestrial
           part
           ;
           How
           that
           then
           our
           vile
           Bodies
           shall
           be
           chang'd
           ,
           and
           made
           like
           unto
           Christs
           glorious
           Body
           ,
           that
           this
           mortal
           shall
           put
           on
           immortality
           ,
           and
           this
           corruptible
           incorruption
           .
           How
           then
           can
           we
           that
           have
           this
           Hope
           faint
           in
           our
           mind
           ,
           or
           so
           much
           as
           shed
           a
           tear
           at
           the
           departure
           of
           our
           Friends
           out
           of
           this
           miserable
           Life
           ,
           seeing
           it
           will
           be
           so
           much
           for
           their
           advantage
           ,
           so
           very
           much
           for
           their
           preferment
           to
           leave
           us
           ?
           For
           they
           that
           are
           accounted
           worthy
           to
           obtain
           that
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           Resurrection
           from
           the
           Dead
           ,
           shall
           strangely
           exceed
           themselves
           ,
           and
           surpass
           all
           the
           excellencies
           of
           humane
           Nature
           
           at
           present
           ,
           and
           be
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           equal
           to
           the
           Angels
           ,
           and
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           bear
           the
           Image
           and
           Form
           of
           Christ
           himself
           .
           And
           this
           equality
           to
           Angels
           ,
           and
           likeness
           to
           Christ
           ,
           is
           no
           more
           than
           what
           we
           have
           sure
           and
           certain
           grounds
           to
           hope
           for
           from
           the
           plain
           and
           positive
           words
           of
           Scripture
           ;
           and
           therefore
           we
           seem
           either
           not
           to
           believe
           or
           else
           to
           envy
           the
           happiness
           of
           those
           that
           depart
           this
           Life
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           in
           such
           extream
           Agonies
           of
           sorrow
           for
           their
           removal
           from
           us
           .
           Wherefore
           let
           this
           Hope
           be
           always
           our
           support
           and
           comfort
           ,
           that
           Death
           is
           a
           certain
           advantage
           to
           our
           Friends
           that
           have
           so
           lived
           as
           to
           die
           the
           Death
           of
           the
           Righteous
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           are
           freed
           from
           the
           least
           touch
           or
           feeling
           of
           those
           sicknesses
           ,
           and
           pains
           ,
           and
           Diseases
           ,
           and
           Imperfections
           ,
           and
           from
           those
           toils
           and
           hardships
           which
           this
           mortal
           frail
           condition
           exposes
           us
           unto
           .
           And
           having
           this
           Hope
           and
           belief
           of
           a
           better
           life
           hereafter
           ,
           Let
           us
           rather
           bless
           God
           
           for
           delivering
           our
           dearest
           Friends
           from
           this
           present
           evil
           World
           ,
           and
           taking
           them
           away
           from
           the
           evil
           to
           come
           ;
           Let
           us
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           bless
           God
           for
           doing
           that
           singular
           favour
           to
           our
           Friends
           whom
           we
           lov'd
           so
           well
           ,
           as
           to
           translate
           them
           to
           Glory
           and
           Happiness
           before
           us
           ,
           and
           in
           giving
           them
           such
           an
           early
           possession
           of
           that
           Crown
           of
           Life
           which
           we
           all
           so
           much
           strive
           and
           pray
           to
           attain
           ,
           rather
           than
           repine
           at
           Gods
           Providence
           in
           not
           letting
           them
           stay
           any
           longer
           with
           us
           in
           this
           Valley
           of
           Tears
           .
           Let
           us
           look
           upon
           Death
           rather
           as
           a
           mercy
           than
           a
           Judgment
           to
           our
           Friends
           which
           die
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           for
           they
           shall
           rest
           from
           their
           Labours
           ,
           and
           have
           all
           Tears
           wip't
           away
           from
           their
           Eyes
           ,
           and
           shall
           never
           know
           the
           meaning
           of
           a
           sorrow
           or
           trouble
           any
           more
           ;
           in
           a
           word
           ,
           Let
           us
           look
           upon
           Death
           as
           a
           Friend
           rather
           than
           an
           Enemy
           to
           our
           Relations
           ,
           which
           puts
           a
           period
           to
           the
           days
           of
           their
           Pilgrimage
           ,
           which
           are
           but
           few
           and
           evil
           at
           the
           best
           ,
           and
           esteem
           it
           a
           blessed
           change
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           term
           of
           their
           Bondage
           ,
           the
           end
           of
           their
           Cares
           ,
           the
           conclusion
           of
           their
           Sorrows
           ,
           and
           the
           beginning
           of
           endless
           Happiness
           ,
           and
           which
           passes
           them
           through
           the
           Gates
           of
           Death
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Glory
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
         
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A90298-e240
           
             *
             Deinde
             plus
             me
             habiturum
             autoritatis
             non
             dubitabam
             ad
             excitandum
             te
             ,
             si
             prius
             ipse
             consurrexissem
             .
             
               Seneca
               ad
               Helviam
            
             .
          
           
             *
             At
             filium
             &
             unicum
             
               Q.
               Fabius
            
             ,
             praeterea
             Consularem
             ,
             qui
             jam
             magnas
             res
             gesserat
             ,
             &
             majores
             cogitabat
             ,
             amisit
             :
             neque
             solum
             non
             doluit
             ,
             quod
             fortissimus
             animus
             fuit
             ,
             sed
             etiam
             mortuo
             laudationem
             in
             foro
             dixit
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             *
             Non
             enim
             vereor
             ,
             quin
             ,
             si
             minus
             in
             ipso
             Doloris
             aestu
             remediis
             utendum
             Homines
             censeant
             ,
             certè
             ,
             cùm
             modicè
             Dolor
             resederit
             ,
             ac
             se
             paulùm
             quasi
             remittere
             coeperit
             ,
             ad
             exstinguendas
             Doloris
             reliquias
             monita
             ,
             praeceptaque
             nostra
             adhibeantur
             .
             
               Cicero
               de
               Consolatione
            
             .
             Dolori
             tuo
             ,
             dum
             recens
             saeviret
             ,
             sciebam
             occurrendum
             non
             esse
             ,
             ne
             illum
             ipsa
             solatia
             irritarent
             &
             accenderent
             .
             Nam
             in
             morbis
             quoque
             nihil
             est
             magis
             periculosum
             ,
             nec
             perniciosum
             ,
             quàm
             immatura
             Medicina
             .
             
               Seneca
               ad
               Helviam
            
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A90298-e850
           
             *
             Ita
             non
             est
             quod
             nos
             suspiciamus
             ,
             tanquam
             inter
             nostra
             positi
             :
             mutuo
             accepimus
             .
             Vsus
             fructus
             noster
             est
             ,
             cujus
             tempus
             ille
             arbiter
             muneris
             sui
             temperat
             .
             Nos
             oportet
             in
             promptu
             habere
             quae
             in
             incertum
             diem
             data
             sunt
             ;
             &
             appellatos
             sine
             querela
             reddere
             .
             Pessimi
             est
             Debitoris
             Creditoris
             facere
             convitium
             .
             Omnes
             ergo
             nostros
             ,
             &
             quos
             superstites
             lege
             nascendi
             optamus
             ,
             &
             quos
             praecedere
             justissimum
             ipsorum
             votum
             est
             ,
             sic
             amare
             debemus
             tanquam
             nihil
             nobis
             de
             perpetuitate
             ;
             immo
             nihil
             de
             diuturnitate
             eorum
             promissum
             est
             .
             Sen.
             cap.
             x.
             ad
             Man.