Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. I. It is SPONTANEOUS and free. 1. It must come as water out of a spring, not as fire from flint. 2. Tears for sin must be like the myrrh which drops from the tree freely, without cutting or forcing. II. It is SPIRITUAL, that is when we mourn for sin more than suffering. We must mourn for sin as it is (1) An act of hostility and enmity that (2) affronts and resists the Holy Ghost; (3) An ingratitude, in its unkindness against God; (4) A privation that keeps good things from us, and hinders our communion with God. III. It SENDS THE SOUL TO GOD. When the prodigal son repented, he went to his father. IV. It is FOR SIN IN PARTICULAR. There must, be a particular repentance before we have a general pardon. V. It is WITH HOPE. Believing that though our tears drop to the earth, our faith must reach heaven. VI. It is JOINED WITH SELF-LOATHING. VII. It must be PURIFYING. Our tears must, make us more holy. The waters of holy mourning are like the river Jordan, wherein Naaman washed, and was cleansed of his leprosy. VIII. It must be JOINED WITH HATRED OF SIN. We must not only abstain from sin, but abhor it. The dove hates the least feather of the hawk; a true mourner hates the least motion to sin. IX. It is JOINED WITH RESTITUTION. If we have eclipsed the good name of others, we are bound to ask them forgiveness; if we have wronged them by unjust, fraudulent dealing, we must make them compensation. X. It must BE SPEEDY. XI. It must be CONSTANT. The waters of repentance must not overflow in the morning, at the first hearing of the gospel; and at mid-day, in the midst of health and prosperity, grow cold and be ready to freeze. It must be a dally weeping, a daily mourning. (Thomas Watson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.WEB: Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. |
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