Holy Weeping

    This piece of charity must begin at home: for that man will never weep aright for the sins of others, that doth not weep for his own. But it must not end there.

    Families are to be "wept over" where there are none in them, as far as we can judge, spiritually alive.*

    * See the Life of Rev. P. Henry, p. 116. 8vo. 1825.

    And, are there not many particular persons to be wept over? Near relations. Profane persons. Individuals declining in profession. Persons drawing back.

    Now we have such always with us to exercise our compassion towards them in mourning over them; see Matt. xxvi. 11. And we should do it out of love to God, who is dishonored by their sins. Is God grieved, and the Spirit grieved; and will not you be grieved? Love to God will make us grieve at that which is a grief to him. Mourning for our own sins flows from self love; but mourning for others' sins flows from pure love to God. I do not know, indeed, how else you can acquit yourselves from the guilt of their sins; see 1 Cor. v. 2. Sorrow works to the clearing of ourselves, 2 Cor. vii. 11. Besides, this is the way to have a mark set upon us: "The Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof." This is as the "blood upon the door-posts." It is good setting a "mark." And, what do you know but your weeping over sinners may be a means to set them a weeping for themselves? Who knows but it may be a means to prevent the judgments that are coming on the places where we live?

    Then, weep and pray. These two do very well together. This was the course Abraham took, and Ezra: "Wherefore liest thou upon thy face?"

    Then, weep and reprove: "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Our not reproving sinners brings us into a fellowship with them.

    Then, weep and exhort: "Exhort one another daily, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God." We are bid to take up our cross daily; to die daily; and to exhort one another daily, "while it is called to-day." And when that is over it will be called—to-night.

    Then, weep and set a good example: "Let your bight shine." When the wall was to be built every one repaired before his own house, and then the work was done quickly.