A Token for Mourners, Annotated

Following the death of Oliver Cromwell (1599 -1658) Britain's experiment with a Commonwealth Protectorate government ended and Charles II. was put back on the throne. In 1662, an 'Act of Uniformity' required all preachers and teachers to wholly adhere to the teachings of the Church of England. This meant that several thousand Puritan and Non-conformist ministers, school-masters, and fellows of colleges were ejected from their occupations and muzzled from vocally expounding their convictions. John Flavel (c.1627-1691) was one of those. What appeared tragic for these fellows resulted in a treasure trove of profound and deep writings on practical Christianity. This particular book, on the loss of loved ones in general and children in particular, was written after Flavel had experienced the deaths of two wives. Substantial and rich, it makes modern writings on the subject appear as so much light fluff. Profound though it is, the writing is on about a seventh grade reading level. Flavel is able to reach the common man and engage the scholar. He leads the reader into a deep exploration concerning the loss of those we love best. He explains and separates 'moderate' sorrow from 'immoderate sorrow, ' clearly defining that which is and is not proper for the heart-broken Christian. Few escape the anguish of grief. This book, reprinted many times under a variety of names soothes the despairing and quiets the inconsolable quite like no other book on the subject. Were one to read only one book on grieving, this would most definitely be the correct choice