The mourners in Zion
But do not let the children of God, the mourners in Zion, be moved by any of these things. You whose eyes are enlightened, do not be troubled by those who walk on still in darkness. You do not walk in a vain shadow. God and eternity are real things. Heaven and hell are in very deed open before you, and you are on the edge of the great gulf (Luke 16:26). It has already swallowed up more than words can express, nations and kindreds and peoples and tongues, and it still yawns to devour, whether they see it or not, the giddy, miserable children of men. Oh, cry aloud. Do not hold back. Lift up your voice to him who holds both time and eternity, both for yourselves and for your brothers and sisters, that you may be counted worthy to escape the destruction that comes like a whirlwind, that you may be brought safe, through all the waves and storms, into the haven where you want to be. Weep for yourselves, until he wipes the tears from your eyes. And even then, weep for the miseries that come upon the earth, until the Lord of all shall put an end to misery and sin, shall wipe the tears from all faces (Isaiah 25:8), and the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9).
1771 text
8. But let not the children of God, the mourners in Sion, be moved by any of these things. Ye whose eyes are enlightened, be not troubled by those, who walk on still in darkness. Ye do not walk on in a vain shadow: God and eternity are real things. Heaven and hell are in very deed open before you: and ye are on the edge of the great gulph. It has already swallowed up more than words can express, nations and kindreds and peoples and tongues, and still yawns to devour, whether they see it or no, the giddy, miserable children of men. O cry aloud! Spare not! Lift up your voice, to him who grasps both time and eternity, both for yourselves and your brethren, that ye may be counted worthy to escape the destruction that cometh as a whirlwind! That ye may be brought safe, thro’ all the waves and storms, into the haven where you would be. Weep for yourselves, till he wipes away the tears from your eyes. And even then weep for the miseries that come upon the earth, till the Lord of all shall put a period to misery and sin, shall wipe away the tears from all faces, and the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea.
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.