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

This present glory and prosperity of wicked men, lifts up the glory of Gods patience. How is the glory of the patience of God exalted, in letting them have ease, who are a burden unto himself? in letting them prosper, who are (as God can be pained) a pain unto himself? in suffering them to flourish who vex his people, in suffering them to laugh, who make his people mourn.

This present glory and prosperity of wicked men, lifts up the glory of Gods patience. How is the glory of the patience of God exalted, in letting them have ease, who are a burthen unto himself? in letting them prosper, who are (as God can be pained) a paine unto himselfe? in suffering them to flourish who vex his people, in suffering them to laugh, who make his people mourne.

Further, He gives them leave to take root and flourish (whom he could blast and root up every moment) that all may see what is in their hearts. If God did not permit them to take root, yea and sometimes to grow up and flourish, we should never see what fruit they would bring forth: we should never see those grapes of gall, those bitter clusters; if these vines of Sodom, and fields of Gomorrah, were not watered with the dew, and warmed with the Sun of some outward prosperity.

Further, He gives them leave to take root and flourish (whom he could blast and root up every moment) that all may see what is in their hearts. If God did not permit them to take root, yea and sometimes to grow up and flourish, we should never see what fruit they would bring forth: we should never see those grapes of gall, those bitter clusters; if these vines of Sodome, and fields of Gomorrah, were not watered with the dew, and warmed with the Sun of some outward prosperity.

Lastly, The prosperity of wicked men, is a great trial of good men; The flourishing of the ungodly is as strong an exercise of their graces, as their own witherings. Observe secondly,