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

Have obtained; [Greek or Hebrew] Sortiti sunt; so the Original imports; they have obtained it by lot. So it is said of Zechariah. Luke 1.9. [Greek or Hebrew]; Sortitus est munus faciendi suffimenti; his lot was to burn incense, &c. So, Col. 1.12. that we read, He made us fit to be partakers of the Inheritance; ad verbum, [Greek or Hebrew]; unto the part of the lot of the Saints in light. Not that we draw these blessings by a lottery, or imaginary fortune; but by the ordination of God; for though the lot be cast into the lap, yet the whole disposition thereof is of the Lord. It is therefore called our lot, because the Lord hath destinated it to be our portion. Though the land of Israel were divided by lot, yet the Lord had decreed in himself, and told Joshua, what lot and portion every tribe should have. There is a threefold lot belongs to the faithful. 1 The lot of the Saints is the sufferings of the Saints.^a The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous. It is their lot to have the rod, not the rod of the wicked: or if it salute them, it shall not dwell with them.^b All that will live godly in Christ, shall suffer persecution: it is their inevitable lot to be chastised on earth, it is their lot to be saved in heaven. 2 The lot of the Saints is not only that light and happiness they have in this world. Psal. 16.6. The lot is fallen to me in pleasant places, yea, I have a goodly heritage. When David sate at the sheepfold, the kingdom of Israel was given him by lot from God. But more specially Faith, Grace and Sanctification; which gives them just right and title to the Inheritance of glory. Thus heaven is their lot now, a lot drawn out of the bloody side of Christ; though not in possession, yet in succession. They have the earnest of it: let them grow up to stature and perfection, and take it. The Inheritance is the eldest sons lot, even whiles he is a child. 3 Lastly, they have the lot of faith, that they may have the lot of salvation. Hell is the lot of the wicked:^c Behold at evening tide trouble, and before the morning he is not: this is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us. Therefore it is said of Judas,