VcrfzI.3.2. PROVERBS; 153 land, and dwell thereinfor euer : but the tranfgrefors (hallbe defrayed together , and the end of the wicked(hall be cut off: Read Deut. a 8. z Tim, 4.8. Mat. 5.5, lob z 8. z 4. z 6. Fir(l, the Lord doth in this manner bieffe the good,and RaT °n curfe the bad, making forne profperous, and others vnhap- pie, for the manifefiation of his Mercy, the publication of his Iuflice, and the declaration of Truth, that the world may fee how faithfully hee performeth his promifes, and with what feueritie he executeth his threatnings. Secondly, hee prepareth the heartsof his people by thefe 2. his proceedings to more Faith, and afíìileth them in their holy behauiour, when their eyes may behold the veritie of his words,the r.compenceofthe righteous, and thepunifli° ments of the wicked: by meanes whereof they are led with hopevnto obedience; and affrighted with feare from finne and rebellion. Thirdly, godly men be as fruitful' trees, the better they 3P. profper, the better they are able to benefit their Brethren, and the longer they grow, the more good they doe, and therefore arè eflablifhed by Gods owne fauour, and by the helpe ofgoodmen$ prayers,which arevery forcible : where. as the fìnfull mifcreants be like to Bryers and Brambles, which many wayes are very noyfome and hurtful', as the Lord feethwith anger,and his feruants feele with gricfc,and therefore Gods difpleafure and mens complaints, will in time fupplant them, and vtterly abolifh both roote, and branch, and all the memorialI of them. Encouragemenr vnto the ream ofGod, and righteoufa Vf . neffe, the fruit whereof is fo much,fo fweet, and fo goodly, as they which are endued therewith, haue Chriti to be theirs, and God to be theirs, and the world to be theirs; they are made heyresof hcauen, and heyres of the earth, and by right and title with Chri('r, theowners of all things. How many wicked doe fall on this fide, and on that, be- fore, and behind; when they (land firme ? and what wife man obferueth not his enemies to lye (fill helpleffe,whetz be is lifted vp againe ? Hearken not then to thefe malignant and. z,.
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