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

First, As to the removal of Judgement. When we begin cleansing work, the Lord usually makes an end of afflicting work. For as one great end of sending affliction, is to cleanse us from sin, (Isa. 27.9.) By this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit, to take away his sin; so our being clean•ed from sin is usually the end of our afflictions. When we are cleansed from sin, we are troubled no more, we smart no more: speak then, Is it no profit to be cleansed from sin, when so many, not only persons, but Nations have been ruined, because not cleansed from sin? God gave his own people cleanness of teeth, (Amos 4.6.) that is, famine or want of bread, because of the uncleanness of their hearts, and lives; and is it no profit to be cleansed from sin, when for our sinful uncleannesses God will cleanse us of all our comforts, even to a morsel of bread? 'Tis therefore a speech both false in it self, and highly dishonourable unto God, to say, I shall have no profit, for still I shall suffer, though I be cleansed from my sin; whereas first, there is more profit in being cleansed from sin, than in being delivered from sufferings; and, secondly, when once we are cleansed from sin, we are in the fairest way to be cleared from, and see an end of all our sufferings.

First, As to the removal of Judgement. When we begin cleansing work, the Lord usually makes an end of afflicting work. For as one great end of sending affliction, is to cleanse us from sin, (Isa. 27.9.) By this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit, to take away his sin; so our being clean•ed from sin is usually the end of our afflictions. When we are cleansed from sin, we are troubled no more, we smart no more: speak then, Is it no profit to be cleansed from sin, when so many, not only persons, but Nations have been ruin'd, because not cleansed from sin? God gave his own people cleanness of teeth, (Amos 4.6.) that is, famine or want of bread, because of the uncleanness of their hearts, and lives; and is it no profit to be cleansed from sin, when for our sinfull uncleannesses God will cleanse us of all our comforts, even to a morsel of bread? 'Tis therefore a speech both false in it self, and highly dihonourable unto God, to say, I shall have no profit, for still I shall suffer, though I be cleansed from my sin; whereas first, there is more profit in being cleansed from sin, than in being delivered from sufferings; and, secondly, when once we are cleansed from sin, we are in the fairest way to be cleared from, and see an end of all our sufferings.