An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Observe, First; Wicked men are out of Gods Protection, they can expect no favour from him;

They are out-lawed. Some persons are out-lawed by men, and then if any man injure them, or kill them, they can have no remedy by the Law; they have their amends (as we say) in their own hands, the Law gives them none. Wicked men are out of Gods love, and therefore out of his care; he turns them up (as we say) to the wide World to shift for themselves: whether they sink or swim, 'tis all one to him. He is neither Sun nor Shield to the wicked, he is both to the godly, (Psal. 84.11.) The Lord is a Sun and a Shield, the Lord will give Grace and Glory; no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly. As a Sun he giveth out the warm Beams of his savour, to refresh and revive them, when the World leaves them cold and comfortless: And as a Shield he defends and saves them, when the World strikes at them and vexes them; he will keep them safe from evil, as with a Shield. The wicked have no share in this, not in any such-like promise; the Lord is rather Fire and Sword, than Sun or Shield to them; he neither comforts them while they live, nor preserves their lives from death.

But some may say, Doth not God preserve the lives of the wicked? Is it not said (Job 7.20.) He is the preserver of men? Which indefinite seems to carry it for all men: And (Psal. 36.6.) Thou preservest man and beast. Yea, wicked men not only live, but prosper and flourish in the World, as Job complained, (Chap. 21.7.) Wherefore do the wicked live, bec•me old, yea, are mighty in power? Surely then they are preserved, and if God do not preserve them, who doth? Man hath no more power to preserve his own life, than to give himself life; how is it then that the Text saith, God doth not preserve them? or that they are out of Gods Protection?