world and their own lusts, that the sweetest and pleasantest offers in the
gospel sound not so sweet unto them as the clink of their money, or the
sound of oil and wine in a cup. Any musician would affect them more than
the sweet singer of Israel, the anointed of the God of Jacob. Always(458)
these souls that have mourned and danced according to Christ's motions,
and whose hearts have exulted within them at the message and word of
reconciliation,--blessed are ye. Ye are of another generation, children of
wisdom, ye who desire to hear his voice. "Let me hear thy voice." O thou
that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hear thy voice, "for thy
voice is sweet, and thy countenance is comely." If this be the voice of
thy heart, blessed art thou. Thou mayest indeed dance, who hath rejoiced
in his salvation, or who hath mourned at his lamentation, thy dancing is
but yet coming, for his piping is but yet coming. When all the companies
of wisdom's children shall be gathered together in that general assembly
of the first born, Christ Jesus, the head of all principalities, and in
special the head of the body the church, shall lead the ring, and there
shall be eternal praises and songs of those that follow the Lamb. They
shall echo into him, who shall begin that song of the hallelujah,
Salvation, blessing, honour, glory, and power to the Lamb, &c.

Now, whereunto shall this generation be likened, that are not affected
with these things? What strange stupidity and senselessness is it, that
men are not affected with things of so great and so near concernment? It
would require the art of men to express the obstinacy of some Christian
professors, or rather a pen steeped in hell. He would be thought unnatural
that would not grieve at his friend's death or loss. And what shall they
be called that will not sympathize with themselves, that is, their souls?
If we speak to you of corporal calamities, and ye could not be moved, it
were great stupidity. But what stupidity is it, that men will not consider
their own souls? What shall ye profit, if ye lose your precious souls, and
be cast away? It is the greatest loss that is told you, and the greatest
gain. Your affections are moved with perishing things, every thing puts
them up or down, and casts the balance with you. What deep ignorance and
inconsideration is it, that ye who can mourn for loss of goods, of
children, of health, of friends, that ye cannot be moved to sorrow for the
sin of yo