78 -^PERSUASIVE to 



place he compares Laughter and Sorrow; 

 Feafting and Mournirtg together, and pre- 

 fers the latter, and upon very good reafon ; 

 becaufe Feafting is oftentimes an occafion 

 c>f temptation to intemperance and excefs 

 in eating and drinking ; idle and vain talk ; 

 fcurrilous and prophane jeiting ; lafcivious 

 SongSj which tend to corrupt Mens Man- 

 ners, effeminate their Minds, and bring 

 them in love with fenfual and bruitifh Plea- 

 fures. Whereas from forrovv and mourn- 

 ing there is no fuch danger, whatever the 

 occafion of it be ; whether publick cala- 

 mities, lofles, death of Relations, or Friends. 

 Thereby we are brought to confider the un- 

 certainty of all thefe outward Enjoyments, 

 not to overvalue them, or fet our hearts 

 upon them, that fo we may hot be over- 

 whelmed with 'grief at the lofs of them ; 

 to bewail our own and others Sins, which 

 for the moil part bring thefe affliftions and 

 fuflferings upon our felves, or them ; to con- 

 dole with, comfort and fupport thofe who 

 are too much dejefted and apt to fink un- 

 der their burthens. 



CHAR 



