A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

6 That all crosses are deserved, and come not upon us against equity. Equity, I say, considered in respect of God, not in respect of men: they come from a just Author, though from an unjust instrument. Thy sins have procured it:^b Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee: Nulla homini noceret adversitas, si nulla dominetur iniquitas; No misery had afflicted us, if no sin had first infected us. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Lam. 3.39. That man may well suffer patiently, that knows he suffers justly. David felt the spite of his enemies, Psa 38. yet he acknowledgeth his sin the cause; ver. 18. I will declare mine iniquity, I will be sorry for my sin. ^cFor what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. But a man is often punished for that he never did? I answer, in that act for which he suffers, he may be innocent; yet in others, guilty. David could clear his innocency in respect of Saul, not in respect of God. For Saul, ^dLord, if I have done this, if there be iniquity in my hands. But for God; If thou shouldest mark iniquity, Lord who shall stand? Psal. 130.3. Let them be evil, be sure thou suffer either for, or (at least) with a good conscience. For he refuseth to be an Abel, whom the malice of Cain doth not exercise, Greg. Rosa quae redolet, crescit cum spina quae pungit; The sweet Rose grows among sharp thorns:^e As the Lily among the thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

6 That all crosses are deserved, and come not upon us against equity. Equity, I say, considered in respect of God, not in respect of men: they come from a just Author, though from an unjust instrument. Thy sinnes have procured it:^b