652 Chap. 2r. o,/in expofition upon the Bookef J o a. Verf. 7. Thirdly, It is, becaufe the Lord bath appointed a daywherein he willjudge the world by 7eftu Chrift in righteoufneffe. A day is coming which is the day of the revelation of his righteous judgement ( Rows. 2. 5.) Therefore he lets things goe thus at prefent. He will at laí4 render to every man accordingto his work ; but now he Both not : And becaufe he hath this in his heart, he fpares wicked men a while, gives them a reprieve,and doth not Peale the Writ for theirexecution. Secondly, We may anfwer this Qeflion, (wherefore doe-the wicked live ?) affirmatively, in reference to the godly. Firft, To teach them patience towards all-men, to love their enemies, todoe good to thole that hate them ;, as was further (hewed, Chap. 20 verf. 29. Secondly, God Puffers the' wicked to profper in fin for tryall of the graces of his fervants ; There are many graces which would come to little tryall , ifwicked men fhould not thrive in their fins The grace ofpatience is tryed by this means, becaufe wicked men proipering,get power to vex and perfecure them yea their patience is alwayes tryed by the profperitie of the wicked though they hurt them not with their power; though they are not thorns and briers to teare and trouble them, yet to fee them profper is an exercife of patience under and fubmifTion to the will of God. This alfo tryeth the foundnefTe and<leddines oftheir judge ment, whether they will alter their opinion, eytherconcern- ing themfeives or wicked men , becaufe ofoutward difpenfatia ons. Then a godly man is eflablifhed in.eed, when he neither thinks the worfe of hinifelfe, becaufe he is of icfed, nor the better of wicked men, becaufe they thriveand profper. Lailly, We may anfwer this Qere, (why doe the wicked profper ?) affirmatively alto, in reference to the wicked them- felves, in two things. Firíb, It renders them more inexcufable in the day of wrath. Seccondly , This gives them opportunitie, to thew what they. are; Both which poynts were infiïledupon, Chap. 2o. verff, zg. whither I referre the reader. Thus we may anfwer ?ob's clueflion wherefore doe the wick- .1$4 live, become old,,yeaare mightie inpower ? I fhall.
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