An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

Hence these words are interpreted, as a reason of that confusion before spoken of.¹ No wonder if innocent men are under the scourge, for the earth is given into the hand of the wicked. When they have most power, who have least honesty, things must needs be turned up-side-down, and all put into disorder. What can be expected from such a tyrannous Prince as Satan, from such wicked instruments as rule under him, but continual disturbance amongst the children of men: especially that good men should go by the worst. Godly men are like to have but little peace, while these have the preeminence. The devil clouds the understandings and veils the eyes of those Princes and Judges, whom he (in this sense) advances: And justice is equally wounded and distorted, when Judges cannot see Things, as when they see Persons in judgement. The bounty of God to the wicked, is an occasion of their injury to the righteous.

Hence these words are interpreted, as a reason of that confusion before spoken of.¹ No wonder if innocent men are under the scourge, for the earth is given into the hand of the wicked. When they have most power, who have least honesty, things must needs be turned up-side-down, and all put into disorder. What can be expected from such a tyrannous Prince as Satan, from such wicked instruments as rule under him, but continuall disturbance amongst the children of men: especially that good men should goe by the worst. Godly men are like to have but little peace, while these have the preeminence. The devil clouds the understandings and vails the eies of those Princes and Judges, whom he (in this sense) advances: And justice is equally wounded and distorted, when Judges cannot see Things, as when they see Persons in judgement. The bounty of God to the wicked, is an occasion of their injury to the righteous.

1. 1Si flagellatur innocens quid mirum, cum mundi judices corruptissimi sint? Terrae potestas permissa est impiissimo daemoni, qui dicitur mundi rector, ide efficit, ut reges, principes, judices quasi obvelatos haberent oculos caecè & sine discrimine de rebus judicantes. Eugub.