An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

I answer it first in the general, and then in some particulars. In the general, the troubles of the righteous are good for them, ⟨p. 116⟩and therefore they have that which is promised; God saith, say to the righteous it shall be well with him: when a righteous man is troubled, it is well with him; therefore he hath that, which God promiseth him; and when a wicked man prospereth, it is ill with him, therefore he hath that, which God threateneth against him. Outward mercy is judgement to wicked men, and their prosperity is their undoing: therefore, do not think that God varies a tittle from the tenor of his word, when he saith, it shall be ill with wicked men, and yet you see them prosper; for it is never worse with them, then when they prosper, then when they think it is best, and when the world thinks so too; the prosperity of fools shall destroy ¹them; and what prosperity is there in destruction? The meat in their mouths, is as a sword in their bowels. If you saw the Lord formally sending a Sword to devour wicked men, you would think it justice: the prosperity of wicked men is as sharp as a Sword, that can but destroy, and so doth this; It is their judgement, that they are without judgements, and not to be smitten is their scourge.

I answer it first in the generall, and then in some particulars. In the generall, the troubles of the righteous are good for them, ⟨p. 116⟩and therefore they have that which is promised; God saith, say to the righteous it shall be well with him: when a righteous man is troubled, it is vvell with him; therefore he hath that, which God promiseth him; and when a wicked man prospereth, it is ill with him, therefore he hath that, vvhich God thratneth against him. Outward mercy is judgement to wicked men, and their prosperity is their undoing: therefore, do not think that God varies a tittle from the tenour of his word, when he saith, it shall be ill with wicked men, and yet you see them prosper; for it is never worse with them, then when they prosper, then when they think it is best, and when the world thinks so too; the prosperity of fools shall destroy ¹them; and what prosperity is there in destruction? The meat in their mouthes, is as a sword in their bowels. If you saw the Lord formally sending a Sword to devoure wicked men, you would think it justice: the prosperity of wicked men is as sharpe as a Sword, that can but destroy, and so doth this; It is their judgement, that they are without judgements, and not to be smitten is their scourge.