An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

First, Righteousness, or righteous actions, have profit in them.

First, Righteousness, or •ighteous actions, have profit in them.

Wickedness turns to mans hurt of it self, but Righteousness doth profit. Although there be a vast and wide difference between mans righteousness and unrighteousness; this latter of it self deserving all manner of evil; and the former, because imperfect at the best, deserving no good at all; yet through the bounty and benignity of God it comes to pass, that the sm•llest (if sincere) endeavour after righteousness shall profit a man as much as his greatest unrighteousness can hurt or damage him. For God who doth not reward us according to our iniquities, (Psal. 103.10.) will most amply reward us according to our righteousness. The ⟨p. 52⟩Apostle gave command, Exercise thy self unto godliness, (follow that trade well; why?) for godliness is profitable unto all things, (1 Tim. 4.8.) it profits by virtue of the promise, and it hath the promise of this life as well as of that which is to come. (Titus 3.8.) This is a faithful saying, and this I will that thou constantly affirm, that they which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good works, (why? for) these things are good and profitable unto men. Some expound these words, good and profitable unto men, chiefly of doctrine; To teach men to follow works, that indeed is good and profitable doctrine; now if it be a good and profitable doctrine to press men to good works, to works of Righteousness, then Righteousness it self, and good works, must needs be profitable. There is such an excellency in the nature of Righteousness, it is such an honourable, amiable, and beautiful thing in its own nature, that it is enough to draw us to the doing of it (as some have said of Virtue in general, If virtue could be seen, it would draw all to the admiration of it; so I say of Righteousness in special, If it could be seen, it would draw all eyes and hearts after it) But besides that, here is an excellent Lodestone, here is profit, thy Righteousness may profit another; profit draws much, it draws on all men in the world; where there is any profit and benefit to be had, how do men strive to trade there, as if Heaven were to be had there? now Righteousness is profitable; the exercise of Righteousness is no poor trade, there is a great deal of advantage in it; and I might show you how every work, good for the matter, done in a right manner, and for right ends, is profitable to others, and to our selves.