Three treatises of the vanity of the creature. The sinfulness of sin. The life…Three treatises of the vanity of the creature. The sinfulnesse of sinne. The life…

Before we proceed to the last thing proposed; here is a question to be answered. If the Creatures be so full of Vexation, It should seem that it is unprofitable and by consequence unlawful either to labour or to pray for them. Which yet is plainly contrary to Christs direction, Give us our daily bread, and contrary to the practice of the Saints who use to call for the fatness of the earth and dew of heaven, peace of walls and prosperity of Palaces upon those whom they bless.

Before wee proceed to the last thing proposed; here is a question to be answered. If the Creatures be so full of Vexation, It should seeme that it is unprofitable and by consequence unlawfull either to labour or to pray for them. Which yet is plainely contrary to Christs direction, Give us our daylie bread, and contrary to the practice of the Saints who use to call for the fatnesse of the earth and dew of heaven, peace of walls and prosperity of Palaces upon those whom they blesse.

To which I answer. That which is evil by accident doth not prejudice that which is Good in it self and by Gods ordination. Now the vexation which hath been spoken of is not an effect flowing naturally out of the condition of the creature, but ariseth merely by accident, upon the reason of its separation from God, who at first did appoint his own blessed communion to go along with his Creatures. Now things which are good in ⟨p. 85⟩themselves, but accidentally evil may justly be the object of our prayers and endeavours: And so on the other side, many things there are which in themselves alone are evil, yet by the providence and disposition of God they have a good issue, they work together for the best to them that love God. It was good for David that he had been afflicted: yet we may not lawfully pray for such evils on our selves or others, upon presumption of Gods goodness to turn them to the best. Who doubts that the calamities of the Church do at this time stir up the hearts of men to seek the Lord and his face, and to walk humbly and fearfully before him; yet that man should be a curse and prodigy in the eyes of God and men, who should still pray for the calamities of Zion, and to see the stones of Jerusalem still in the dust. Death is in it self an evil thing (for the Apostle calls it an enemy,