2 Cor. vii.

10.

2 Kings v. 26.

St. Paul says, "Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of." Other sorrow there may be which is not godly,-sorrow, that is, which is unchastened,-which may have reference to mere earthly loss or damage, such as that of money, of oliveyards and vineyards, after Gehazi's sort; and this, the "sorrow of the world," but "worketh death." Herefrom ariseth no cause for comfort, none for laughter. Generally, then, this Beatitude may be consigned to the penitent; they shall be comforted with the assurance that their transgression is blotted out and their sin pardoned. "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Rom. iv. 6 -8. Lord will not impute sin."

Eccles. vii.

3, 4.

Eccles. iii.

4.

Thus understood, the blessedness of mourning will not be found contrary to the emotions of the human breast implanted there by the Almighty. For though the wise man said, "Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better ;" and, "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth." Yet did he also say, "There is a time to weep, and a time to laugh." The truth is, that all emotions must be chastened and brought under the yoke of Christian sobriety; and it is because men are not apt to understand the grace of mourning that the Scriptures are so

much upon it. The world laughs loud when it hath rather cause for sorrow, because it lieth in wickedness. Somehow or other, did we understand it aright, without enthusiastic reveries and needless mawkishness of feeling, sorrow has indeed its grace; and when the heathen spoke of the delight of woe, they spoke a great truth, though they understood it not. And the proverb of the ancients was true,— ̓Αγαθοὶ ἀριδάκρυες ἄνδρες 8, Generous-hearted men are ready with their tears." Taken into the sanctuary, light falls upon such words, and they are understood to Christian effects.

It is from Scripture we learn how mourning is not for itself, but for sin, and thus, as one says, "in order to many good ends '." For example, as we "fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in our flesh," we are drawn higher and Col. i. 24. higher unto Him who is said to have laughed never',-once, only, to have" rejoiced in spirit," Luke x. 21. many times to have wept. It is thus that we are disciplined to this truth; "We must through

"G. Parœmiogr. Græc. p. 2. 231. ed. Gaisford. Eipnrai éπì τῶν σφόδρα πρὸς ἔλεον ῥεπόντων. Chaucer's line is,

"Pitee renneth sone in gentil herte."

1 Jer. Taylor.

The Knight's Tale.

2 "Of this Christ became to us the great example; for, as St. Basil reports a tradition of Him, that he never laughed, but wept often. If we mourn with Him, we also shall rejoice in the joys of eternity." Jer. Taylor, ut supra, p. 448.

Acts xiv. much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."

22.

Entrance thereunto, (Christ's precious blood-shed

ding ever borne in mind,) is ministered chiefly unto Rom. v. 3. those in whom "tribulation worketh patience;" so that St. Paul's words to the Thessalonians were not

1 Thess. iii.

4.

2 Tim. iii. 12.

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a remembrancer only, but an exhortation also, Verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know." Full sure, one way or another, each Christian man shall bear his cross. Persecutions and afflictions await him. Yea, that truth never faileth," And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

These and the like considerations with reference to this Beatitude are material, teaching us to assimilate what the world looks upon as contraries or paradoxes, blind to these steps in the ladder celestial; such as are, patience, experience, and the hope that "maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost Rom. v. 5. which is given us." The Scripture teaching is, that godly sorrow is the highway to comfort; and St. Paul spoke with full purpose of heart when thus again he addressed the converts at Thessalonica: "Ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, 1 Thess, i, having received the word in MUCH AFFLICTION, with JOY OF THE HOLY GHOST;" and the Christian watchword is, "as SORROWFUL, yet alway REJOICING;" and St. James is easily understood, "Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be

6.

2 Cor. vi.

10.

turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."

James iv.

9, 10.

Ps. cxix.

It takes time to be schooled in the sacred lesson, but He of whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, spake aright, "It is good for me that I have been in trouble, that I may learn thy statutes." Good 71. is it for us all, or the Son of David had not pronounced the mourners "BLESSED!" The sin that is mourned over with many tears, is sure to be washed out in his blood. Nor need we mourn for our own sins only-those of others, in Church or State, may fare the better for godly sorrow on their behalf. Monica mourned not in vain, over Austin her son. The child of so many tears, as St. Ambrose said unto her, could not perish and be lost. Understand it as we may, it is a truth inspired. "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." Charity also and tears are not 20. far apart, and "charity," too, "shall cover the multi- 1 Pet. iv. tude of sins."

James v.

8.

Then, for that "he that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good seed, shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with Ps. cxxvi. him ;"-what can we do better, as one expresses it, 7. than pray for "the spirit of contrition, the gift of mourners, and the grace of tears," and that in the good Collect's words," Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting

our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord 3."

The third Beatitude is, "BLESSED ARE THE MEEK: Matt. v. 5. FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH."

20.

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III. Human passions, unrestrained, being the abettors of every sin, and "the wrath of man" James i working any thing rather than "the righteousness of God," He that rode on, "because of the word Ps. xlv. 5. of truth, of MEEKNESS, and righteousness," would have his followers do the like; and therefore, having in the first instance pronounced those who were POOR IN SPIRIT" blessed, so beautiful is the temper! he addeth yet again, "BLESSED ARE THE MEEK." Wherein, as St. Chrysostom saith, he weaves into his discourse words to which his hearers, as Jews, were accustomed,-even these words of David, "The meek-spirited shall possess the earth, and shall be refreshed in the multitude of peace." We read in the last of the Prophets-" And now Such was the then state

Ps. xxxvii. 11.

Mal. iii. 15. we call the proud happy." of the Jewish world, so

opposed unto Him who

See Hom. xv. on St. Matt. (Oxf. Trans. vol. i. p. 203.) Jer. Taylor refers to the same passage, "Our Blessed Saviour chose to describe this Beatitude in the words of the Psalmist, so inviting his disciples to an excellent precept, by the insinuation of those Scriptures which themselves admitted." See ut supra, p. 450,