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

So much for the removing of this objection, and clearing up the justice of God, respecting the afflictions of the righteous.

If any shall look on the other hand upon wicked men, as if God came not home in his justice, while he suffers them to prosper.

If any shall look on the other hand upon wicked men, as if God came not home in his justice, vvhile he suffers them to prosper.

First I answer, their prosperity serves the providence of God, and therefore it doth not cross his justice. That, was Nebuchadnezzars case, (Isa. 10. 6.) I will send him (saith God) against an hypocritical nation: so then, he must prosper while he goes upon Gods errand: but mark what follows (Verse 12.) It shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon Mount Zion, sc. by Nebuchadnezzars power, who was but doing the just work of God, while he thought ambitiously of doing his own, (now it is no injustice for God, to give an instrument power to do his work) and when his bloody lust hath performed the holy work of God, you shall see the Lord will take an order with him speedily, For) then saith the Lord, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks; God let him alone to do the work, he had set him about; and it was a righteous work of God upon his people, though Nebuchadnezzar went about it, with a proud and malicious spirit against his people.

First I answer, their prosperity serves the providence of God, and therefore it doth not crosse his justice. That, vvas Nebuchadnezars case, (Isa. 10. 6.) I will send him (saith God) against an hypocriticall nation: so then, he must prosper vvhile he goes upon Gods errand: but mark vvhat followes (Verse 12.) It shall come to passe, that when the Lord hath performed his whole worke upon Mount Zion, sc. by Nebuchadnezars power, vvho vvas but doing the just vvork of God, vvhile he thought ambitiously of doing his own, (novv it is no injustice for God, to give an instrument power to do his work) and vvhen his bloody lust hath performed the holy vvork of God, you shall see the Lord will take an order vvith him speedily, For) then saith the Lord, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks; God let him alone to doe the work, he had set him about; and it was a righteous work of God upon his people, though Nebuchadnezzar went about it, wlth a proud and malicious spirit against his people.