They weep with those who weep
But although this mourning is at an end, lost in holy joy by the return of the Comforter, yet there is another mourning, and a blessed mourning it is, which remains in the children of God. They still mourn for the sins and miseries of mankind. They weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). They weep for those who do not weep for themselves, for the sinners against their own souls. They mourn for the weakness and unfaithfulness of those who are in some measure saved from their sins. Who is weak, and they are not weak (2 Corinthians 11:29)? Who is made to stumble, and they do not burn? They are grieved for the dishonor continually done to the Majesty of heaven and earth. At all times they have an awful sense of this, which brings a deep seriousness upon their spirit, a seriousness which is not a little increased, since the eyes of their understanding were opened, by their continually seeing the vast ocean of eternity, without a bottom or a shore, which has already swallowed up millions of millions of people, and is gaping to devour those who yet remain. They see here the house of God, eternal in the heavens. There, hell and destruction without a covering. And from that they feel the importance of every moment, which just appears and is gone for ever.
1771 text
6. But although this mourning is at an end, is lost in holy joy, by the return of the Comforter, yet is there another, and a blessed mourning it is, which abides in the children of God. They still mourn for the sins and miseries of mankind: they weep with them that weep. They weep for them that weep not for themselves, for the sinners against their own souls. They mourn for the weakness and unfaithfulness of those, that are in some measure saved from their sins. Who is weak and they are not weak? Who is offended and they burn not? They are grieved for the dishonour continually done to the Majesty of heaven and earth. At all times they have an awful sense of this, which brings a deep seriousness upon their spirit: a seriousness which is not a little increased, since the eyes of their understanding were opened, by their continually seeing the vast ocean of eternity, without a bottom or a shore, which has already swallowed up millions of millions of men, and is gaping to devour them that yet remain. They see here, the house of God eternal in the heavens; there, hell and destruction without a covering; and thence feel the importance of every moment, which just appears, and is gone for ever.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 21 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:1-4.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.