The Doctrine of Repentance

—Volitant super aethera cantus—

This brings me to the next,

14. The happy and glorious reward¹ that follows upon Repentance, Rom. 6. 22. Being made free from sin, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. The leaves and root of the Fig-tree are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. Repentance to the fleshy part seems bitter, but behold sweet fruit, EVERLASTING LIFE. The Turks fancy after this life an Elizi•m, or Paradise of Pleasure, where ⟨p. 112⟩they have all dainty dishes served in; they have gold in abundance, silken and purple apparel, and Angels bringing them red wine in silver cups, and golden plates: Here is an Epicures Heaven. But in the true Paradise of God, are those astonishing delights, and rare viands served in, which eye hath not seen, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive^*. God will lead his penitents from the house of mourning, to the banqueting-house; no sight there but of glory; no noise but of music; no sickness unless of love: There shall be holiness unspotted, and joy unspeakable; then the Saints shall forget their solitary hours, and be sweetly solacing themselves in God, and bathing in the Rivers of divine pleasure.

14. The happy and glorious reward¹