The Stream of Sorrow

The stream of sorrow, like water, ascends no higher than the spring from which it came. We know that sin gives two bloody stabs — the first is at the soul of man, the second is at the heart of Christ; and, if the first stab only grieve me, if I mourn for sin, as it hath only wounded my soul, it is a sign this stream flows from a natural heart, because it ascends up to a natural height; but, if I weep for sin, as it hath wounded Christ, as it hath shed that blood that would save me, as it hath pierced that heart that would love me, then no question but the spring is in heaven, because it riseth to a supernatural ascent. Lord, grant that my sorrow may bo sound; pierce my heart for sin, as it strikes through my soul, and pierces Christ —Christian Treasury