A65285:372
A Body of Practical Divinity
A body of practical divinity consisting of above one hundred seventy six sermons on the lesser catechism composed by the reverend assembly of divines at Westminster : with a supplement of some sermons on several texts of Scripture / by Thomas Watson ...
London: printed for Thomas Parkurst, 1692
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Resp. 1. The wicked may be sometimes Instruments to do God's work; though they do not design his glory, yet they may promote it. Cyrus (Ezra. 1.7.) was instrumental for the building God's Temple in Jerusalem. There is some kind of Justice, that they should have a Temporal Reward: God lets them prosper, under whose Wing his People are sheltered. God will not be in any Man's debt; Mal. 1.10. Who hath kindled a fire on my Altar for nought?
Resp. 1. The wicked may be sometimes Instruments to do God's work; though they do not design his glory, yet they may promote it. Cyrus (Ezra. 1.7.) was instrumental for the building God's Temple in Ierusalem. There is some kind of Justice, that they should have a Temporal Reward: God lets them prosper, under whose Wing his People are sheltred. God will not be in any Man's debt; Mal. 1.10. Who hath kindled a fire on my Altar for nought?
2. God lets Men go on in sin and prosper, that he may leave them more inexcusable, Rev. 2.21. I gave her space to repent of her Fornication. God adjourns the Sessions, spins out his Mercies towards Sinners, and if they repent not, his Patience will be a Witness against them, and his Justice will be more cleared in their Condemnation, Psal. 51.4. That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.