Secondly, if we set our selves to serve God in the duties of holiness and righteousness, we shall be hereby assured, that we shall prosper in 1our ways, and that whatsoever troubles we endure for the time, yet it shall go well with us in the latter end. For he that delighteth in the Law of the Lord, shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters, which bringeth forth his fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doth, shall prosper. So the Lord biddeth the Prophet to say to the righteous, that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings; and to denounce a woe to the wicked, for it shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him. Innumerable places might be alleged to this purpose out of the Scriptures, and especially the Book of the Psalms, which set forth the happiness of those in all estates and conditions, who fear and serve the Lord, seeing he watcheth over them, upholdeth them 2when they are ready to fall, preserveth them from danger, protecteth them from all enemies, delivereth them out of all their troubles, provideth and giveth them all that is good, feedeth them in the days of famine, and supplieth plentifully whatsoever is wanting either to their souls or bodies. So that if we put on this breast-plate of righteousness, that is, bring forth the fruits of holiness and righteousness, with an upright heart and good conscience, it will be armour of proof, to preserve us against the encounters of all evil; And we shall be secured by it against all dangers, according to that of Solomon; He that walketh uprightly, walketh surely: so that though they fall into many troubles, yet they shall not 3perish in them, because the Lord delivereth them out of all; though their 4beginnings may be turmoiled with many crosses, yet their end is peace, as the Psalmist speaketh. And though the wicked may exceed them in worldly and momentany prosperity, yet when they are so rooted out, that their place can no more be found, the righteous, after many storms, shall safely arrive in the Haven of their hopes. According to that of Solomon, Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged; yet 5surely I know it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him.
Secondly, if wee set our selues to serue God in the duties of holinesse and righteousnesse, we shall be heereby assured, that we shall prosper in 1our wayes, and that whatsoeuer troubles we indure for the time, yet it shall goe well with vs in the latter end. For he that delighteth in the Law of the Lord, shall be like a tree planted by the riuers of waters, which bringeth foorth his fruit in his season, his leafe also shall not wither, and whatsoeuer hee doth, shall prosper. So the Lord biddeth the Prophet to say to the righteous, that it shall be well with them, for they shall eate the fruit of their doings; and to denounce a woe to the wicked, for it shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be giuen him. Innumerable places might be alleadged to this purpose out of the Scriptures, and especially the Booke of the Psalmes, which set foorth the happinesse of those in all estates and conditions, who feare and serue the Lord, seeing he watcheth ouer them, vpholdeth them 2when they are ready to fall, preserueth them from danger, protecteth them from all enemies, deliuereth them out of all their troubles, prouideth and giueth them all that is good, feedeth them in the dayes of famine, and supplyeth plentifully whatsoeuer is wanting either to their soules or bodies. So that if we put on this brest-plate of righteousnesse, that is, bring foorth the fruits of holinesse and righteousnesse, with an vpright heart and good conscience, it will be armour of proofe, to preserue vs against the incounters of all euill; And we shall be secured by it against all dangers, according to that of Salomon; He that walketh vprightly, walketh surely: so that though they fall into many troubles, yet they shall not 3perish in them, because the Lord deliuereth them out of all; though their 4beginnings may be turmoyled with many crosses, yet their end is peace, as the Psalmist speaketh. And though the wicked may exceed them in worldly and momentany prosperity, yet when they are so rooted out, that their place can no more be found, the righteous, after many stormes, shall safely arriue in the Hauen of their hopes. According to that of Salomon, Though a sinner doe euill an hundred times, and his dayes bee prolonged; yet 5surely I know it shall be well with them that feare God, which feare before him.
- 1Psal. 1. 2, 3. Esa. 3. 10.
- 2Psal. 37. 6, 17, 19, 40. & 34. 9, 10.
- 3Psal. 34. 19.
- 4Psal. 37. 37. Vers. 35. 36.
- 5Eccles. 8. 12, 13.
