C H A P.). A!/ Expoftion vçon the fecoed V E R. 7, God rewards the patience of Saints, fo as it is, that he pu- nifheth the crueltic of their perfecutors ? a.Qnf. Confeffedly its true : The recompenfë of the righteous is oft afcribed to Gods a lufiice. But :. Iuftice fometirne denotes Gods b fidelitie : promittendo fe fecit debitorem, He fhould doe wrong to himfelfe, to forget our worke and labour of loue, which by promise l:e bath bound himfelfeto reward. Wrong alfo to vs, whom with faire promise he bath led on to endure fuch hardfhip in his feruice. But God is faithful!. 2 In refpe55 ofChrifts meriting, not fo much to him - felfe,as to vs with inch a price,Remiflion of finnes,efleeme of righteoufnef e, Crowne of righteoufr,effe, it is of lu- fice that our tolerance is rewarded: as 'Paul intimates, very b pardon of finne to be ofluflice, in refpeR of Chrifts fatisfac Lion equivalent to the violation of Gods Maieflie; though in refpe1 of vs, it be of meere Grace. 3 There is gigrßoli=cp : rigorous IufIice ; let no man thinke his patience or fuffering can at that barre of com- mon pleas chalenge reward : ve etiamlaudabili vita Homi- num,fi remora miericordtâ difcutiar cam. And there is iwiebceue, moderate luflice; as in a Court of Chancerie, efpecially when a Church man fits in it. Such as the Gcf- ;,pell propounds, and according whereto the whole of Chriflianitie is cenfiared. According to rigorous luflice, the (inners felfe should fatisfie : According to moderate Iuflice,a Mediatour interpofeth, and his fatisfadlion is ac- cepted. According to rigorous Iuiice, nothing but perfect is tolerated in our workes : According to moderate Iuflice, the weake endeauours of Gods Children are crowned. Hence fay Tome moderate Papifis ; Though there be In- 'lice in Retribution to both kindes ; yet not like luflice in difpenfing the Rewards : To euili workes, is due eter- nall punifhment out of the nature of the workes. To good workes eternal! life, onely by. pofitiue ordinance of God. 4 ,9uoad ge euu, Its of Iuflice that it fhould be well with the Righteous : Ill with the wicked : hitherto there is
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