Godly and Worldly Sorrow.

Back to Divine Breathings!

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I have seen some Christians, who on account of ordinary losses, have been inordinate in their mourning, as if not only thestream, but also the fountain, had been exhausted!

Whereas if the Christian did properly consider, he would reason thus, "Must the stream of my sorrow run altogether in this channel! Is there no mourning to be for sin? Shall I allow my heart to swim away in tears? Are there no duties to be performed for God? And do I not know that a sad heart cannot serve a good God? I have lost the creature—but I must keep my God! I have lost an outward comfort—but I shall find it again with advantage in Christ! I have lost something, perhaps much, perhaps my all—yet enjoying Christ, I shall be the possessor of all things! Therefore the failing stream—shall lead me to the flowing fountain!"

If the Christian thus reasoned, the bitter waters would be sweetened, and his tears turned into joy. I will mourn for the loss of the creature—but it shall be in the cause of that loss, which is sin! 

So shall my sorrow be godly—and not worldly. And I will never be satisfied, until I am reconciled to the absence of the creature, which shall be in the fountain, which is Christ; so shall it be a gain—and not a loss.