Secondly, The more we are cleansed from sin, the more communion we have with God, and the more peace from God. Is not this a great profit? a profit besides the eternal reward? a profit far better than any temporal reward? Will not communion with God satisfy us for the loss of friends, of estate, or health? Will not peace with God answer all the tribulations we can meet with in this world? If therefore being cleansed from sin, we have closer communion and sweeter peace with God, let no man say, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin? And, although there should be no present profit, or advantage, though no visible, no nor spiritual income, as to present comfort, should redound to us in this world, by being cleansed from sin, yet remember, it is our profit, and our best profit to be cleansed from sin, to be emptied of sin, to mortify sin, to destroy sin; if we should have no profit in hand by leaving sin, yet there is a profit promised, that infinitely ⟨p. 20⟩exceeds all the profits and pleasures which we can have or hope for by retaining our sin; such profit and pleasure, as will abundantly recompense us for all the worldly losses we are at, and penitential sorrows which we pass through in keeping or cleansing our selves from sin. The Apostle rejoiced at the sorrow of the Corinthians (2 Cor. 7.9.) But is it good to rejoice at the sorrow of others? should we not mourn with those that mourn? 'Tis true, we should; yet 'tis good to rejoice in that sorrow which doth others good; such was the sorrow of those Corinthians. The Text is express; Now (saith St Paul) I rejoice not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance, for ye were made sorry after a godly manner (or according to God) that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. There is then no damage, no hurt by such sorrow; But comes there any good, any profit by it? yes, much every way; for (as it followeth, v. 10.) godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of; that is, greatly to be rejoiced in. What is matter of joy, if salvation be not? True repentance for sin, is repentance to salvation: And is there not profit, is there not all profit in that? As there is a Fountain opened (the blood of Christ) for sin and for uncleanness (Zech: 13.1.) that is, for washing away the uncleanness of sin;
Secondly, The more we are cleansed from sin, the more communion we have with God, and the more peace from God. Is not this a great profit? a profit besides the eternal reward? a profit far better than any temporal reward? Will not communion with God satisfie us for the loss of friends, of estate, or health? Will not peace with God answer all the tribulations we can meet with in this world? If therefore being cleansed from sin, we have closer communion and sweeter peace with God, let no man say, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin? And, although there should be no present profit, or advantage, though no visible, no nor spiritual income, as to present comfort, should redound to us in this world, by being cleansed from sin, yet remember, it is our profit, and our best profit to be cleansed from sin, to be emptied of sin, to mortifie sin, to destroy sin; if we should have no profit in hand by leaving sin, yet there is a profit promised, that infinitely ⟨p. 20⟩exceeds all the profits and pleasures which we can have or hope for by retaining our sin; such profit and pleasure, as will abundantly recompence us for all the worldly losses we are at, and penitential sorrows which we pass thorow in keeping or cleansing our selves from sin. The Apostle rejoyced at the sorrow of the Corinthians (2 Cor. 7.9.) But is it good to rejoyce at the sorrow of others? should we not mourn with those that mourn? 'Tis true, we should; yet 'tis good to rejoyce in that sorrow which doth others good; such was the sorrow of those Corinthians. The Text is exp•ess; Now (saith St Paul) I rejoyce not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance, for ye were made sorry after a godly manner (or according to God) that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. There is then no damage, no hurt by such sorrow; But comes there any good, any profit by it? yes, much every way; for (as it followeth, v. 10.) godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of; that is, greatly to be rejoyced in. What is matter of joy, if salvation be not? True repentance for sin, is repentance to salvation: And is there not profit, is there not all profit in that? As there is a Fountain opened (the blood of Christ) for sin and for uncleanness (Zech: 13.1.) that is, for washing away the uncleanness of sin;
