The Redeemer's tears wept over lost souls a treatise on Luke XIX, 41, 42

And to what purpose should they have a rule by which to determine a case, who 1. Can receive no benefit by the determination, and 2. Who are supposed when they are to use it, to have ⟨p. 159⟩no faculty sufficiently apt to make this sad (but true) judgment of their case by it? But for them who have not committed it, and who are consequently, yet capable of benefit by what should be made known about it, there is, therefore, enough made known for their real use and benefit. It will 1. Be of real use to many such, to know their danger of running into it. And it is sufficient to that purpose, that they are plainly told wherein the general nature of it consists, or whereabouts it lies; without showing them the very point that hath certain death in it; or letting them know just how near they may approach it, without being sure to perish, when there is danger enough in every step they take towards it. As if there were some horrid desert, into any part whereof no man hath any business to come, but in some part whereof there is a dreadful gulf, whence arises a contagious halitus, which, if he come within the verge of it, will be certainly poisonous and mortal to him. What need is there that any man should know just how near he may come, without being sure to die for it? ⟨p. 160⟩He is concerned to keep himself at a cautious awful distance. 2. It may be of great use to others, that are afflicted with very torturing fears lest they have committed it, to know that they have not. And they have enough also to satisfy them in the case. For their very fear it self, with its usual concomitants in such afflicted minds, is an argument to them that they have not. While they find in themselves any value of divine favour, any dread of his wrath, any disposition to consider the state of their souls, with any thought or design of turning to God, and making their peace; they have reason to conclude God hath hitherto kept them out of that fearful gulf; and is yet in the way, and in treaty with them.

And to what purpose should they have a rule by which to determine a case, who 1. Can receive no benefit by the determination, and 2. Who are supposed when they are to use it, to have ⟨p. 159⟩no faculty sufficiently apt to make this sad (but true) judgment of their case by it? But for them who have not committed it, and who are consequently, yet capable of benefit by what should be made known about it, there is, therefore, enough made known for their real use and benefit. It will 1. Be of real use to many such, to know their danger of running into it. And it is sufficient to that purpose, that they are plainly told wherein the general nature of it consists, or whereabouts it lies; without shewing them the very point that hath certain death in it; or letting them know just how near they may approach it, without being sure to perish, when there is danger enough in every step they take towards it. As if there were some horrid desart, into any part whereof no man hath any busines to come, but in some part whereof there is a dreadful gulf, whence arises a contagious halitus, which, if he come within the verge of it, will be certainly poysonous and mortal to him. What need is there that any man should know just how near he may come, without being sure to die for it?