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…

Use 1 Instruction to the godly, to be war of them, and unlike unto them, as much as they desire to be liked of God: that they commit evil less, and do good things better, and seek how to show obedience, not only to the positive laws of Magistrates, (though that be necessary for every Christian) but also to the divine Laws of God, which is proper to Christians. The best and most civill wicked man in all the world, is but half loyal at the most: Albeit none could appeach him of treachery, or contempt against his Prince, (though few that fear not God be faithful unto man) yet who can acquit him of rebellion and high treason against his highest sovereign the Lord?

Vse 1 Instruction to the godly, to be warre of them, and vnlike vnto them, as much as they desire to be liked of God: that they commit euill lesse, and doe good things better, and seeke how to shew obedience, not only to the positiue lawes of Magistrates, (though that be necessarie for euery Christian) but also to the diuine Lawes of God, which is proper to Christians. The best and most ciuill wicked man in all the world, is but halfe loyall at the most: Albeit none could appeach him of treacherie, or contempt against his Prince, (though few that feare not God be faithfull vnto man) yet who can acquite him of rebellion and high treason against his highest soueraigne the Lord?

Consolation to Gods people, whom the wicked do hate and molest: Their enemies are not so violent against them, as the Lord: (for in malice against him, they do so much malign them) and therefore let them be well assured, that he will protect his subjects from Rebels: his servants, his favourites, his children, from the weapons, and fury, and force of his enemies. With this self same reason doth he animate and encourage the Prophet Ezekiel, saying, Thou son of man, ¹fear them not, neither be afraid of their words, although Rebels and thorns be with thee, and thou remainest with scorpions: fear not their words, nor be afraid at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. And the greatest comfort of all is, when the Lord giveth them an heart to fear iniquity, and not to delight in it; to fly from that which is evil, and not to follow it; to subject themselves unto him, and to strive against sin, and not seek rebellion. And what though they have their frailties, their faults, their corruptions, that they fail of many duties, that they fall into many offences? Yet he putteth a difference between faithful subjects, which would, and cannot observe his Laws better; and wilful Rebels, which contemptuously despise his Laws. He knoweth that his soldiers