I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Answ. 2 It's possible that a godly mans Condition in regard of the world, may be worser than the Condition of a wicked man; for what else is the meaning of the Parable of Dives, and Lazarus? Jacob was driven out of his Fathers house, and lodged in the open fields in the night, whilst wicked Esau, profane Esau, staid at home, and lay in his warm bed: ye do not read that ever Esau did serve so hard a Service in Labans house, as Jacob did, nor are ye able to parallel Esau's misery with Jacob's; yet saith the Lord, Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated. So that it is possible for a good and godly mans Condition, in regard of the world, to be worser than the condition of the wicked. Yea,

Answ. 2 It's possible that a godly mans Condition in regard of the world, may be worser than the Condition of a wicked man; for what else is the meaning of the Parable of Dives, and Lazarus? Jacob was driven out of his Fathers house, and lodged in the open fields in the night, whilst wicked Esau, prophane Esau, staid at home, and lay in his warm bed: ye do not read that ever Esau did serve so hard a Service in Labans house, as Jacob did, nor are ye able to parallel Esau's misery with Jacob's; yet saith the Lord, Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated. So that it is possible for a good and godly mans Condition, in regard of the world, to be worser than the condition of the wicked. Yea,

Answ. 3 It is possible that a godly mans Condition, may be worser in regard of outwards, after his Conversion, worser I say, than before his Conversion. Grace is fain, sometimes, to wear Sins Clothes; and a gracious man, sometimes, doth wear the punishment of that sin, which he committed before his Conversion. What think you of Paul? do you read that ever Paul before his Conversion was put into the stocks? that he was whipped up and down the streets like a Rogue? that he was imprisoned? that he was stoned by his Country-men? But after his Conversion, he was so used. In the beginning of that 19. Chapter of the Acts, he breatheth out threatenings against the Saints, and goes out to kill the People of God; but no sooner is Paul converted, but the Jews sought to kill him: So that I say, possibly a gracious mans Condition, in regard of outwards may be worser, at least for a time, than it was before he was converted, and drawn to God.