A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

IV. Argument. The end of their affliction, was the trial of their faith, hope, love, and patience, with other graces of God, and the manifestation of the same, first to their own conscience, and then unto the world. In these three arguments note, first a special point touching Gods providence, to wit, that it is the first cause of all, above all causes, ruling and disposing them all. God in governing the world by his providence useth instruments of two sorts: good, or evil. The good instruments are good Angels and regenerate men; by whom cometh no disorder, for God worketh both in them and by them. Wicked instruments, are the devil and wicked men, and though God use them well, yet from them is much disorder and sin: for he worketh not in them, but only by them, permitting their sins and disorders, that thereby he may show forth his justice, mercy, and power: which herein do notably appear in using these instruments, which be evil in themselves, that notwithstanding their malice he causeth wonderful order: for first by his providence he restraineth their fury and rage, so as they cannot show it to the full as they desire. See this in the devils persecution against this church: he cannot kill the members hereof, but only cast them into prison: he cannot imprison them all, but some only: neither can he keep them in prison always, but for a short time. Secondly, by his providence he turneth all that they do, to the good of the church: the devil afflicteth the church for the destruction and damnation of their souls; but God turneth it to their good, to make their faith manifest, and to prevent many sins in them. These things we should often think of, and bless Gods name for ever, that by his providence he doth master Satan's power & malice: and so dispose of all actions of the wicked, that they tend to the good of his church. This must also teach us to renounce our selves, and to put all our trust and confidence in Christ his providence, making that our comfort, our stay and protection in all distress.

IV. Argument. The end of their affliction, was the triall of their faith, hope, loue, and patience, with other graces of God, and the manifestation of the same, first to their owne conscience, and then vnto the world. In these three arguments note, first a speciall point touching Gods prouidence, to wit, that it is the first cause of all, aboue all causes, ruling and disposing them all. God in gouerning the world by his prouidence vseth instruments of two sorts: good, or euill. The good instruments are good Angels and regenerat men; by whome commeth no disorder, for God worketh both in them and by them. Wicked instruments, are the diuell and wicked men, and though God vse them well, yet from them is much disorder and sinne: for he worketh not in them, but onely by them, permitting their sinnes and disorders, that therby he may shew forth his iustice, mercie, and power: which herein doe notably appeare in vsing these instrumēts, which be euill in themselues, that notwithstanding their malice he causeth wonderfull order: for first by his prouidence hee restraineth their furie and rage, so as they cannot shew it to the full as they desire. See this in the diuels persecution against this church: he cannot kill the members hereof, but onely cast them into prison: hee cannot imprison them all, but some onely: neither can he keepe them in prison alwaies, but for a short time. Secondly, by his prouidence hee turneth all that they doe, to the good of the church: the diuell afflicteth the church for the destruction and damnation of their soules; but God turneth it to their good, to make their faith manifest, and to preuent many sinnes in them. These things wee should often thinke of, and blesse Gods name for euer, that by his prouidence he doth maister Sathans power & malice: and so dispose of all actions of the wicked, that they tend to the good of his church. This must also teach vs to renounce our selues, and to put all our trust and confidence in Christ his prouidence, making that our comfort, our stay and protection in all distresse.