428 SERMONS uroN psalm cxix. [Ser. CLI.
care. If thou hast wept sore in secret places, thou wilt be earnest with God and man to remove the occasion of thy grief.
[3.] The Lord reqnireth this to keep our hearts the more tender and upright ; it is an act God useth to make us more careful of our own souls, to be troubled at the sins of others, at sin in a third person. It keepeth us at a great distance fi-oni a temptation. Tliis is like quenching of fire in a neighbour's house ; before it comes near us, thou runnest with thy bucket. There is no way to keep us free from the infection, so much as mourning. The soul will never agree to do that which grieved itself to see another do. And as it keepeth us upright, so also humble, fearful of divine judgment, tender lest we ourselves offend, and draw down the wratli of God. He that shruggeth when he seeth a snake creeping upon another, will much more be afraid when he cometli near to himself. In our own sins we have advan- tage of conscience scourging the soul with remorse and shame. In bewailing the sins of others, we have only the reasons of duty and obedience. They that fight abroad out of love to valour and exploits, will certainly fight out of love to their own safety at home. So God would have us more abroad, more against the sins of others, that our hearts may be more set against tliose sins with which we ourselves are apt to be foiled.
2. This is their disposition as well as their duty ; it must be so, and it cannot be otherwise with the children of God, for several reasons.
[1.] From the tenderness of God's glory, which is more dear to them than all their own interests. A Christian hath a great affection to the glory of God, is very tender of that ; he cannot endure it should be violated, for his heart will even break within him. Can a man see an injury done to a person whom he loves, and not be troubled ? Jesus wept for Lazarus, because he loved him, and they say, ' Behold how he loved him,' John xi. 36. They that love God can they hear his great name rent with so many blasphenu'es ? so many affronts put upon his grace, the laws of God trampled under foot, and not lay it to heart? God's glory is more dear to them than their own lives. They had neither had any standing in nature nor grace had it not been for the glory of God. God made all tilings for himself; there- fore when the name of God is violated, his authority despised, his laws broken and set at nought, and no more regarded or esteemed than a ballad or a song, they cannot but express their tenderness and great affection to God by mourning for this. Carnal men are hot in their own cause, cold in God's. God's children are quite otherwise, cold in their own cause, and hot in God's. Therefore they are deeply sensible when God's honour is weakened. Moses was the meekest man upon earth, yet he brake the tables. How doth this agree ? The injuries that were done to himself he could look upon with a meek, quiet spirit, easily put them up ; but when he saw the jieoplc bring dis- honour 1o the name of God, then he hath a high and deep affection. They cry out, Josh. vii. 9, ' Lord, what wilt thou do for thy great name?' So Ps. cxv. 1, 'Not unto us, 0 Lord, not unto us; but unto thy name give glory.' They go to God, not to advance our faction and interest : ' We are brought very low ; yet the wrath of
VeR. 136.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 429
man shall praise thee.' Thy name is dear and precious ; they are sorry to see any profane it. God hath abundantly provided for their respect, he hath bid all men love them, when he bid us love one another. So that in effect all the respects of the world are devolved upon one person. And they would have all men love God and honour God.
[2.] It comes from their compassion and pity and love to men. Oh ! it grieves them to see so many that do not grieve for themselves; and their eyes are wet because yours are always dry. ' I tell you weeping,' saitli Paul, Phil. iii. 18. Compassion over the miserable estate of such teachers, and those that are led by them ; they and whole droves run after fancies that endanger their souls. False' teachers and their proselytes should not only fall under our indignation, but our pity. They are monsters in nature that want bowels, much more in grace. Religion doth not harden the heart, but mollifies it. Jesus Christ was made up of compassion, and all Christians partake of Christ's spirit : Phil. i. 8, ' God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.' Pray mark, Paul had got some of Christ's bowels, and let me tell you they were tender ones. Com- ])assion towards others, and weeping over their sins, is somewhat like the love of Jesus Christ. He would take our burden upon himself Avhen he was not interested. So the spirit of Christ worketh in all his members, he hath distributed his bowels among them ; and there- fore they cannot but long for the salvation of others ; yea, their heart is broken and mollified with Christ's compassion to them, and therefore long for fellows in the same grace. Though they have received personal and private injuries, yet they pity their case, and mourn for them. It is matter of humiliation and lamentation : 2 Cor. xii. 21, ' When I come again I fear my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, which the}' have committed.' It is matter of grief to see so many thousands perish, or in a perishing condition.