648 Chap. 21. An Expoftion upon the Bookof J O B. Verf, 7o and their children dance. They take the Timbrell andHarp, and rejoyce at the found of the Organ, (verf a r, i2.) Thus we have the rófolution ofthis context in thedefcription of the wicked mans profperitie, while he lives. His profperitie in death is let down, verf. 13. Verf, 7- Wherefore doe the wicked live ? This verfe conteines the perfonall profperitie of the wicked man, and therein we have a gradationof threeReps : or his .profperitie rifeth by three Reps, Firft, He liver. Secondly, He becometh old. Thirdly, He is mightie inpower. To all this 7o6 perfixeth a wherefore, and why all this ? or how comes it to pafï'e, that the wicked man liveth, and not onely livethbut becometh old ; and not onely becometh old, but waxeth mightie in power, wherefore is all this ? He [peaks eyther admiringly, orchidingly. Giveme an account ofit. If (as you my friends have often told me) wicked men are alwayes punifhed in this life for their fins, -I wonder whenceit comes to patio, that fo many wicked men live, and not onely live, but profper ? and whence is it that I fuffer all there mile- ries, (as you fay) for my fins, ifthe wicked, as your eyes may teach you, enjoy fo much profperitie-? Unriddle there querie,, refolve three doubts. Wherefore doe the wicked live,become old,&mighty in power ? This wherefore may have a double reference. Firft, to the opinion ofhis friends, who held that Goddiftributeth evili ro wicked men, and good togood men in thislife. Now, faith he, for as much as this is your principle and your opinion, re. concile your principle, and this experience together, Wherefore doe the wickedprofper ?For as muchas you have raid, Godgives out allowances, and lots to men,as men are good;or bad,to the good he givesgood things (fay you) and to the evill, evil!. As thewherefore is thus applyed, take this note from it. No reafon seuldbegivenwhy wicked men /houldprofper in this life, ifGoddealt withaQmen in tboo ife according to their delrvings. Ifdefers were the rule,we were not able togive a reafon why wicked
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