An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…

First, Sin pretends profit and advantage to a sinner.

There is no temptation comes without a bait. Though some sin purely for sins sake; yet it is rare that sin cometh without the offer of a bribe, and profit is one of the greatest both baits and bribes that the Devil puts upon the hook of temptation, when he fisheth for souls. You shall get by it, saith that deceiver. But the repenting soul, can truly say, it profited me not; I had thought to have gotten by my sin, it promised me very fair, but I have got nothing but blows. The temptation with which the Devil assaulted our first parents was of this kind, He told the woman of profit, she and her husband should gain knowledge by it, (that's a noble gain) They should be as Gods knowing good and evil, there's all profit imaginable in such a knowledge. Christ himself who was God and perfectly knew good and evil, was also tempted with profit (Math: 4.8, 9.) The devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world (and those not with bare walls, but ready hung and furnished) and the glory of them, and said unto him, all these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. If our head and the heir of all things was tempted with profit, how much more poor we! No marvel if Satan provide him Agents to say to us as they are represented (Pro: 1.13.) Come, cast in your lot among us, we will all have one purse, or a joint stock in this wicked trade; What they hoped to get by it, is told us in the next words; We shall find all precious substance, and fill our houses with spoil. We shall get enough, and you shall share with us if you will but come and go with us. We see what sin promiseth; But what doth the sinner find? himself answers, It profited me not.

There is no temptation comes without a bait. Though some sin purely for sins sake; yet it is rare that sin cometh without the offer of a bribe, and profit is one of the greatest both baits and bribes that the Devill puts upon the hook of temptation, when he fisheth for soules. You shall get by it, saith that deceiver. But the repenting soule, can truly say, it profited me not; I had thought to have gotten by my sin, it promised me very faire, but I have got nothing but blows. The temptation with which the Devill assaulted our first parents was of this kinde, He told the woman of profit, she and her husband should gaine knowledge by it, (that's a noble gaine) They should be as Gods knowing good and evill, there's all profit imaginable in such a knowledge. Christ himselfe who was God and perfectly knew good and evill, was also tempted with profit (Math: 4.8, 9.) The devill shewed him all the kingdomes of the world (and those not with bare walls, but ready hung and furnished) and the glory of them, and sayd unto him, all these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall downe and worship me. If our head and the heire of all things was tempted with profit, how much more poor we! No marvaile if Satan provide him Agents to say to us as they are represented (Pro: 1.13.) Come, cast in your lot among us, we will all have one purse, or a joynt stock in this wicked trade; What they hoped to get by it, is told us in the next words; We shall find all precious substance, and fill our houses with spoyle. We shall get enough, and you shall share with us if you will but come and goe with us. We see what sin promiseth; But what doth the sinner find? himselfe answers, It profited me not.