A plain and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…A plaine and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…

THE Lord hath made all things] By making is understood as well that workmanship which was bestowed upon all the creatures for their form and existence, as the works which he daily doth in his perpetual government and administration: [for his own sake] for his glory, which is seen in his wisdom and power, in his mercy and righteousness, with all other holy attributes. And this he doth not only propose to himself, as an end that were meet, and to be wished, but commandeth and causeth, as an effect that is necessary and certain: [even the wicked against the day of evil] This clause is annexed, as a prevention of an objection that might arise out of the former words: How truly may it be said that he hath made all things for himself, when reprobates, both men and Angels, continually set themselves against him? Now to this he answereth, that he getteth no small honour by them that are most ungodly and wicked: for sithence they refuse to yield him glory by their life, and to acknowledge his goodness in the time of their prosperity, he will glorify himself by their death, and manifest his justice in the day of their destruction. And to that damnable estate they are fore-ordained by Gods righteous decree, ⟨p. 55⟩as it is intimated here, and expressly affirmed in other places, and yet made worthy of it by their own unrighteous behaviour: as is noted in Pharaoh, and other obstinate Rebels.