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j.

FRIENDLY VISIT

TO THE

House of Mourning.

IN THE DAY OF ADVERSITY CONSIDER.

ECCL. VII. 14.

Many are the sayings of the Wise,

In ancient and in modern books enroll'd,

Extolling Patience

But to th' afflicted in his pangs their sound

Little prevails; or rather seems a tune

Harsh, and of dissonant mood from his complaint,

Unless he feel within

Some source of consolation from above s

Secret refreshings that repair his strength,

And fainting spirits uphold.

MILTON.

THE EIGHTH EDITION.

LONDON:

Printed by W. Flint, Old Bailey,

FOR F. AND C. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD;

AND J. HATCHARD, PICCADILLY.

1806.

Price Two Shillings in Boards.

ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL.

BODLEIAN

5 SEP1956

LIBRARY

A

FRIENDLY VISIT, &c.

YOUR prefent affliction, my Dear Friend, demands fomething more than the ufual forms of condolence.-Sorrow, which like yours, cannot be prevented, may yet be alleviated and improved.This is my defign in addreffing you, and if I feem to intrude upon your retirement, let my motive be my apology. Having felt how much better it is to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feafting*;—having received my

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beft Leffons, Companions, and even Comforts, in it; I would administer from my little stock of experience: and while I thus endeavour to affift your meditations, fhall rejoice if I may contribute, though but a mite, to your comfort.

Were I, indeed, acquainted with the peculiar circumftances of your lofs, I should employ particular confiderations: but my prefent address can have only a general aim; which is to acquaint the heart, at a favourable moment, with its grand concerns; to give it a ferious impreffion when foftened; and a heavenly direction when moved.-Let us, therefore, fit down humbly together in this house of mourning :-If the heart of the wife be found here, your experience, I hope, will prove that here alfo it is formed; and let us calmly contemplate fome momentous Objects inti

* Eccl. vii. 4.

mately

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