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

First, That wicked men may flourish in great outward prosperity. I have seen the foolish taking root. The Prophet Jeremiah in the twelfth of his Prophecy (a Scripture touched before, Chap. 4. v. 7. to this purpose) being somewhat scandalized at the prosperity of treacherous dealers, describes them thus, ver. 2. Thou hast planted them, yea they have taken root, they grow, yea they bring forth fruit. Here are four degrees; first they are planted, there is many a tree planted that takes not root, but (saith he) thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: There are some trees which are both planted and have taken root, yet they do not grow, especially not to any height or greatness, though they live, yet they do not thrive; These are planted, and they take root and they grow; but there are many trees planted, rooted and growing, which yet are fruitless; these have all, they are planted, they take root, they grow and they bring forth fruit; And who are these? Surely the worst of men, as the very next words evidence, God is near in their mouths, but he is far from their reins; God is near in the mouth of such, that is, they may speak of him sometimes, but he is far from their reins, there is nothing of God in their hearts; and surely they that have nothing of God in their hearts, have nothing of goodness in their hearts, or in their lives.

First, That wicked men may flourish in great outward prosperity. I have seen the foolish taking root. The Prophet Jeremiah in the twelfth of his Prophecy (a Scripture touched before, Chap. 4. v. 7. to this purpose) being somewhat scandalized at the prosperity of treacherous dealers, describes them thus, ver. 2. Thou hast planted them, yea they have taken root, they grow, yea they bring forth fruit. Here are four degrees; first they are planted, there is many a tree planted that takes not root, but (saith he) thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: There are some trees which are both planted and have taken root, yet they doe not grow, especially not to any height or greatnesse, though they live, yet they doe not thrive; These are planted, and they take root and they grow; but there are many trees planted, rooted and growing, which yet are fruitlesse; these have all, they are planted, they take root, they grow and they bring forth fruit; And who are these? Surely the worst of men, as the very next words evidence, God is neare in their mouthes, but he is far from their reines; God is neare in the mouth of such, that is, they may speak of him sometimes, but he is far from their reines, there is nothing of God in their hearts; and surely they that have nothing of God in their hearts, have nothing of goodnesse in their hearts, or in their lives.