The Beatitudes, Discourse · Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
Containing a ſharp Reprehenſion.
Uſe 1 Uſe 1 THIS Doctrine draws up a Charge againſt ſeveral ſorts. Reproof.
Branch. 1 1. Thoſe that think themſelves good Chriſtians, yet have not learned this Art of holy Mourning. Luther calls Mourning Bara herba, a rare herb. Men have tears to ſhed for other things, but have none to ſpare for their ſins; there are many Murmurers, but few Mourners; moſt are like the ſtony ground, which wanted moiſture, Matth. 13. We have many cry out of hard times, but are not ſenſible of hard hearts; hot and dry is the worſt temper of the body; ſure I am to be hot in ſin, and to be ſo dry, as to have no tears, is the worſt temper of the ſoul: How many are like Gideons dry Fleece, and like the Mountains of Gilboa, there is no dew upon them. Did Chriſt bleed for ſin, and canſt not thou weep? if Gods bottle be not filled with tears, his Vial will be filled with wrath. We have many ſinners in Sion, but few mourners in Sion. It is with moſt people, as with a man on the top of a Maſt, the Winds blow, and the Waves beat, and the ſhip is in danger of ſhipwrack, and he is faſt aſleep; ſo when the Waves of ſin have even covered men, and the ſtormy wind of Gods Wrath blows, and is ready to blow them into hell, yet they are aſleep in ſecurity.
2. It reproves them who inſtead of weeping for ſin, Branch 2 ſpend their dayes in mirth and jollity; inſtead of Mourners, we have Ranters; they take the Timbrel and Harp, they ſpend their dayes in wealth, Job 21.13. Vitam agunt Sybariticam *Luther.; they do not lugere animo, but indulgere genio; they live Epicures, and dye Atheiſts: St. James bids us turn our laughter to Mourning, Jam. 4.9. But they turn their Mourning to laughter. Sampſon was brought forth to make the Philiſtines ſport, Judg. 16.26. The jovial ſinner doth make the Divel ſport; it is a ſaying of Theophylact, It is one of the worſt ſights to ſee a ſinner go laughing to hell: How unſeaſonable is it to take the Harp and Viol when God is taking the Sword! Ezek. 21.9, 10. A ſword, a ſword is ſharpned, and alſo furbiſhed, ſhould we then make mirth? this is a ſin that enrageth God. Iſa. 22.12, 13. In that day did the Lord of Hoſts call to weeping and to mourning, and behold joy and gladneſs, ſlaying Oxen, and killing ſheep, eating fleſh, and drinking wine; and it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of Hoſts, Surely this iniquity ſhall not be purged from you till you dye, ſaith the Lord God of Hoſts. That is, this your ſin ſhall not be done away by any expiatory ſacrifice, but vengeance ſhall purſue you for ever.
3. It reproves thoſe who inſtead of mourning for ſin, Branch 3 rejoyce in ſin. Prov. 2.14. 2 Theſs. 2.12. foreign, Who take pleaſure in iniquity: Wicked men are worſe in this ſenſe than the damned in hell; for I dare ſay they take little pleaſure in their ſins; there are ſome ſo impudently profane, that they will make themſelves and others merry with their ſins; ſin is a ſoul-ſickneſs: Luke 5.31. Will a man make merry with his diſeaſe? ah wretch, did Chriſt bleed for ſin, and doſt thou laugh at ſin? is that thy mirthwhich grieves the Spirit*Tantis in malis laetari, dieſque jocis & choreis conſumere, nonne eſt eos imitari qui phreneſi laborant, qui dum carnes proprias laccrant, ridem? Iſid. Clar.? is it a time for a man to break jeſts when he is upon the Scaffold, and his head is to be ſtricken off▪ thou that laugheſt at ſin now, the time is coming when God will laugh at thy calamity, Prov. 1.26.
Branch 4 4. It reproves thoſe that cry down mourning for ſin; they are like the Philiſtines who ſtopped the Wells, Gen. 26.15. Theſe would ſtop the Wells of godly ſorrow: Antimonians ſay this is a legal Doctrine; but Chriſt here preacheth it, Bleſſed are they that mourn; and the Apoſtles preached it, Mark 6.11. And they went out and preached that men ſhould repent. Holy ingenuity will put us upon mourning for ſin; he that hath the heart of a child, cannot but weep for his unkindneſs againſt God. Mourning for ſin is the very fruit and product of the Spirit of grace: Zach. 12.10. Such as cry down Repentance, cry down the Spirit of grace; mourning for ſin is the only way to keep off wrath from us; ſuch as with Sampſon would break this Pillar, go about to pull down the vengeance of God upon the Land. To all ſuch, I ſay as Peter to Simon Magus, Acts 8.22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedneſs, and pray God if perhaps the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee O ſinner. Repent that thou haſt cryed down Repentance.