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

Now more particularly to answer this objection about the justice of God. And it will be but needful, considering the times we live in, threaten us with a common deluge, or an overflowing scourge, which may sweep away both good and bad together.

Now more particularly to answer this objection about the justice of God. And it will be but needfull, considering the times we live in, threaten us with a common deluge, or an overflowing scourge, vvhich may sweep away both good and bad together.

First, in reference to the godly. Are they in a sad estate outwardly? are they in great afflictions? I answer, though they are afflicted, yet they prosper. When they are impoverished, they are enriched, when they are as having nothing, they possess all things. What is there? what can there be, even in their saddest estate, which doth not conduce to their good, which will not be a benefit unto them?

First, in reference to the godly. Are they in a sad estate outwardly? are they in great afflictions? I answer, though they are afflicted, yet they prosper. When they are impoverished, they are enriched, when they are as having nothing, they possesse all things. What is there? vvhat can there be, even in their saddest estate, which doth not conduce to their good, vvhich will not be a benefit unto them?

For first, their troubles are but trials; now is there any hurt in a trial, or perturbation in a probation? Troubles try their graces, and their corruptions too. Trouble tries grace that it may be honoured, and corruption that it may be mortified; there is no hurt in all this: rather it is a most happy condition, which makes grace conspicuous: whereby a mans best side, his inside (wherein his glory lies, The Kings Daughter is glorious within) is turned outward. That Scripture (