An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…

Or secondly, That God may give an experiment of his graciousness towards them, in doing them good by their afflictions.

Or secondly, That God may give an experiment of his graciousnesse towards them, in doing them good by their afflictions.

The Prophet Isaiah (Chap. 14.10.) foreshows how they who had been weakened by the power of Babylon, should insult over weakened Babylon, All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? Art thou become like unto us? The people of God shall at last rejoice (in reference to the glory of God, and public good) to see their destroyers destroyed, and those weak who have weakened them. But the people of God (in reference to any private, or personal interest) cannot rejoice at the destruction, or in the weakness ⟨p. 230⟩of any man, much less can they wish them weak that they might have an opportunity to rejoice over them. Paul was a Prisoner, and in bonds, yet he did not wish the worst of his Enemies in Prison, or in Bonds with him; he only wished that they might enjoy the same liberty by Jesus Christ, which himself enjoyed. For when he had almost persuaded King Agrippa to become a Christian, he said, I would to God, that not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds (Acts 26.28, 29.) I would keep my chains, and troubles to my self, I would have none of you know my sorrows; but I would that all your souls were in as good a state as mine, and knew my comforts. A holy heart wisheth all well, as well as it self; and if at any time he wisheth that to the worst of his enemies, which is penally evil, he doth it with an eye both to their spiritual and eternal good.

The Prophet Isaiah (Chap. 14.10.) foreshewes how they vvho had been vveakened by the power of Babylon, should insult over vveakned Babylon, All they shall speake and say unto thee, Art thou also become weake as we? Art thou become like unto us? The people of God shall at last rejoyce (in reference to the glory of God, and publick good) to see their destroyers destroyed, and those weake who have weakned them. But the people of God (in reference to any private, or personall interest) cannot rejoyce at the destruction, or in the weaknesse