A Body of Practical Divinity

2dly, Here's another Case, the Wicked flourish; this seems to be very much out of order: ay, but God in his Providence sees good sometimes that the worst of Men should be exalted, they may do some work to God, though against their will, Isa. 10.7. God will be in no Man's debt. God makes use of the Wicked sometimes to protect and shield his Church: he makes use of them to refine and purify his People, Hab. 1.12. Thou hast ordained them for correction. As if the Prophet had said. Thou hast ordained the Wicked to correct thy Children. (And indeed as Austin saith well, We are beholding to wicked Men, who against their wills do do us good.) As the Corn is beholding to the Flail to thresh off its Husks, or as the Iron is beholding to the File to brighten it; so the Godly are beholding to the Wicked, tho' it be against their will, to brighten and refine their Graces. Now then if the Wicked do God's own Work, though against their will, God will not let them be Losers by it, he will raise them in the World, exalt them and wring out the Waters of a full Cup to them. Thus you see these Providences are wise and regular, which to us seem strange and crooked.

2dly, Here's another Case, the Wicked flourish; this seems to be very much out of order: ay, but God in his Providence sees good sometimes that the worst of Men should be exalted, they may do some work to God, though against their will, Isa. 10.7. God will be in no Man's debt. God makes use of the Wicked sometimes to protect and shield his Church: he makes use of them to refine and purifie his People, Hab. 1.12. Thou hast ordained them for correction. As if the Prophet had said. Thou hast ordain'd the Wicked to correct thy Children. (And indeed as Austin saith well, We are beholding to wicked Men, who against their wills do do us good.) As the Corn is beholding to the Flayl to thresh off its Husks, or as the Iron is beholding to the File to brighten it; so the Godly are beholding to the Wicked, tho' it be against their will, to brighten and refine their Graces. Now then if the Wicked do God's own Work, though against their will, God will not let them be Loosers by it, he will raise them in the World, exalt them and wring out the Waters of a full Cup to them. Thus you see these Providences are wise and regular, which to us seem strange and crooked.