4 Or despisest thou the riches, &c. I do not think with many that there is here a Dilemma: 1but a Preoccupation. For because Hypocrites for the most part are puffed up with the prosperous success of things, as though by their good works they had merited the clemency of the Lord, and so they are more hardened in the contempt of God: the Apostle meeteth with their arrogance: and by an argument taken from the contrary cause, he showeth there is nothing should move them to think by reason of their external prosperity that GOD is pleased with them, seeing the purpose of God in doing good, is far otherwise, namely that he might convert sinners unto him. Therefore where the fear of God reigneth not,2 security in prosperous affairs, is a contempt and mockery of his incomprehensible goodness. Whereupon it ensueth that they shall suffer more grievous punishments, whom GOD hath spared in this life, because unto their other wickedness this hath been added, that they have refused the fatherly calling of GOD. And although all the benefits of God are so many testimonies of his fatherly goodness: yet because he often respecteth a diverse end, the godless do wickedly to flatter themselves in their prosperity as though they were beloved of him, whiles he nourisheth them tenderly, and bountifully. not knowing that the bountifulness &c. For GOD by his levity declareth himself unto us, that it is he unto whom we ought to be converted, if we desire to be well: and together he cheereth up the confidence of looking for mercy. If we use not the bountifulness of GOD to this end, we abuse it: Although it is not always to be taken after the same manner. For whiles the Lord doeth deal favourably with his servants,3 and bless them with earthly blessings, by such testimonies he declareth his benevolence, and also teacheth them to seek for the sum of all good things in him. Whiles he dealeth with the transgressors of the law in the same sort, by this bountifulness he goeth about to mollify their stubbornness: and yet he declareth not himself to be pleased ⟨p. 21⟩with them, but rather calleth them to repentance. And if any object,4 that the Lord singeth unto deaf men so long as he doeth not inwardly touch the heart: it is to be answered, that nothing can be blamed here but our pravity.
4 Or despisest thou the riches, &c. I doe not thinke with many that there is here a Dilemma: 1but a Preoccupation. For because Hypocrites for the most part are puffed vp with the prosperous successe of thinges, as though by their good works they had merited the clemencie of the Lorde, and so they are more hardened in the contempt of God: the Apostle meeteth with their arrogancie: and by an argument taken from the contrary cause, hee sheweth there is nothing shoulde moue them to thinke by reason of their externall prosperitie that GOD is pleased with them, seeing the purpose of God in doing good, is farre otherwise, namely that he might conuert sinners vnto him. Therefore where the feare of God raigneth not,2 securitie in prosperous affayres, is a contempt and mockerie of his incomprehensible goodnesse. Whereuppon it ensueth that they shall suffer more grieuous punishmentes, whome GOD hath spared in this life, because vnto their other wickednesse this hath beene added, that they haue refused the fatherly calling of GOD. And although all the benefites of God are so many testimonies of his fatherly goodnesse: yet because hee often respecteth a diuerse ende, the godlesse do wickedly to flatter themselues in their prosperitie as though they were beloued of him, whiles hee nourisheth them tenderly, and bountifully. not knowing that the bountifulnesse &c. For GOD by his leuitie declareth himselfe vnto vs, that it is hee vnto whome wee ought to bee conuerted, if wee desire to bee well: and together hee cheereth vp the confidence of looking for mercye. If we vse not the bountifulnesse of GOD to this ende, wee abuse it: Although it is not alwayes to bee taken after the same manner. For whiles the Lorde doeth deale fauourablye with his seruauntes,3 and blesse them with earthly blessinges, by suche testimonies hee declareth his beneuolence, and also teacheth them to seeke for the summe of all good thinges in him. Whiles he dealeth with the transgressours of the lawe in the same sorte, by this bountifulnesse hee goeth about to mollifie their stubbornesse: and yet hee declareth not himselfe to be pleased ⟨p. 21⟩with them, but rather calleth them to repentance. And if anye obiect,4 that the Lorde singeth vnto deafe men so long as hee doeth not inwardly touche the heart: it is to be aunsweared, that nothing can be blamed here but our prauitie.
- 1Dilemma is an argument that convinceth every way.Dilemma is an argument that conuinceth euery way.
- 2Without ye fear of God, security in prosperity is a contempt of Gods goodness.Without ye feare of God, security in prosperity is a contempt of Gods goodnes.
- 3Diversity between the end why God bestoweth his blessings upon the godly and godless.Diuersity betweene the ende why God bestoweth his blessinges vpon the godly and godlesse.
- 4Objection.Obiection.
