For this virtue, amongst many others, are the penitent Corinthians commended:1 Behold this, that ye have been godly sorrowful, (saith Paul) what zeal it hath wrought in you! &c. Till such time as the Apostle had rebuked them by an Epistle, they were either not at all, or very slightly touched with the sense of their own sins, and therefore they set light by the offences of others, insomuch that when abominable incest (such as had not been heard of amongst the Gentiles) was committed among them, yet they took it not to heart, nor at all mourned for it,2 nay they let the offender go uncensured, who should have been (as afterwards he was) excommunicated, and delivered up unto Satan, for the healing of his own soul, the preventing of the like sins in others, and the stopping of the mouths of wicked blasphemers, who would be ready hereupon to speak evil of the holy name of God, and of the professors and profession of Christianity. Thus cold and careless were they, till the Apostle had sharply reproved them: but after that they had well digested his speeches, and thoroughly considered of all matters, they fell to lament for their own corruptions, and for the transgressions of others, and were zealous against all wickedness, and for all manner of goodness in themselves and others. This was the effect of holy grief in them, and this will be found in all that attain to that repentance which is unto life: in which regard, when the Lord would work a cure upon the luke-warm Laodicians, 3he biddeth them, be zealous, and amend. That was their sin, that they were key-cold, and even frozen in the dregs of security, exercising themselves in sundry good duties (for that must needs be, because they were a Church) but never regarding with what love unto God or men they performed the same: therefore the Lord urging them to reformation, willeth them [to be zealous, and amend] implying, that these two ⟨p. 85⟩ever go hand in hand, to wit, sound repentance, and godly zeal: yet so, that as every one is of greater growth in the body of Christ, so this grace is of greater strength in him: as is evident in David, who speaketh thus of himself (and that by the inspiration of Gods holy spirit,4 and therefore cannot but speak truly) My zeal hath even consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy word.
For this vertue, amongst many others, are the penitent Corinthians commended:1 Behold this, that yee haue beene godly sorrowfull, (saith Paul) what zeale it hath wrought in you! &c. Till such time as the Apostle had rebuked them by an Epistle, they were either not at all, or very slightly touched with the sense of their owne sins, and therefore they set light by the offences of others, insomuch that when abominable incest (such as had not beene heard of amongst the Gentiles) was committed among them, yet they tooke it not to heart, nor at all mourned for it,2 nay they let the offender goe vncensured, who should haue beene (as afterwards he was) excommunicated, and deliuered vp vnto Sathan, for the healing of his owne soule, the preuenting of the like sinnes in others, and the stopping of the mouthes of wicked blasphemers, who would be readie heereupon to speake euill of the holy name of God, and of the professours and profession of Christianitie. Thus cold and carelesse were they, till the Apostle had sharply reprooued them: but after that they had well disgested his speeches, and thorowly considered of all matters, they fell to lament for their owne corruptions, and for the transgressions of others, and were zealous against all wickednesse, and for all manner of goodnesse in themselues and others. This was the effect of holy griefe in them, and this will be found in all that attaine to that repentance which is vnto life: in which regard, when the Lord would worke a cure vpon the luke-warme Laodicians, 3he biddeth them, be zealous, and amend. That was their sinne, that they were key-cold, and euen frozen in the dregges of securitie, exercising themselues in sundrie good duties (for that must needes be, because they were a Church) but neuer regarding with what loue vnto God or men they performed the same: therefore the Lord vrging them to reformation, willeth them [to be zealous, and amend] implying, that these two ⟨p. 85⟩euer goe hand in hand, to wit, sound repentance, and godly zeale: yet so, that as euery one is of greater growth in the body of Christ, so this grace is of greater strength in him: as is euident in Dauid, who speaketh thus of himselfe (and that by the inspiration of Gods holy spirit,4 and therefore cannot but speake truely) My zeale hath euen consumed me, because mine enemies haue forgotten thy word.
- 12. Cor. 7. 11.
- 21. Cor. 5. 1. 2.
- 3Reu. 3. 19.
- 4Psal. 119. 139.
