CHAP. XXX.
Luke 15.10.Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one Sinner that repenteth.
THese words of our Saviour will sound the lesse strange to you, if I helpe you to a counterchange of Easterne Ex∣pression.
Would you thinke that in Heaven it selfe, whither when we come all teares shall be wiped from our eyes, there should now be weeping and mourning for the dead in sinne because they are not? 'Tis a Tradition firmely received by the Jewes, and from them de∣rived to the Mahumetans.
In an Arabick Manuscript of theirs this answer of God to Moses, is found 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 O Moses &c. Even about this Throne of mine there stand those, and they are many too 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that shed teares for the Sinnes of Men.
If there be teares and sorrow in Heaven for one that is gone astray, how much more ought there to be Joy over a sinner that repenteth?
And our Saviour was not the first that said it.
The words have a reflex upon that old position in the He∣brew Divinity. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. e. That a Repenting man is of greater esteeme in the sight of God, then one that never fell away.
This is the meaning of that expression, more then ninety and nine just persons that need no repentance.
Their Elders talke higher yet of this excellent vertue▪ Saint Austin might have return'd another answer to him that askt