A word in season

Verse 5. But those that turn aside by their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead with the workers of Iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

He saith not simply, such as turn aside, but such as turn aside by their own Wickedness. For to give place to tentations by infirmity of the Flesh, or weakness of Mind, or else of Faith, ⟨p. 26⟩and so to decline from the right way, (which cometh to pass sometimes even in the Saints, as the Example of Peter teacheth) is one thing, and to fall away through wickedness and perverseness of Heart, is another: which cannot be in the children of God, but properly belongeth to the wicked and godless. This sort of men hath ever corrupted the Church from the Apostles time, and with a show of holiness hath deceived the simple, which because God punisheth them not, but spareth them and suffereth them to prosper in this World, become so proud that they will be counted amongst the holiest, and of the World are so commonly taken. We see that not only the godly are mixed with the wicked in this World, but in the Lords floor also the Wheat lieth hidden under the Chase. We must pray therefore that God would bring these Hypocrites to light, and give unto them their just Punishment with the workers of Iniquity. Then shall peace ensue to the Church of God. For whilst the Lord poureth forth his vengeance upon the wicked which vex and persecute his true members, he gathered together the good and upright of Heart, and openly declareth his fatherly good will and tender love towards them.

He saith not simply, such as turn aside, but such as turn aside by their own Wickedness. For to give place to tentations by infirmity of the Flesh, or weakness of Mind, or else of Faith, ⟨p. 26⟩and so to decline from the right way, (which cometh to pass sometimes even in the Saints, as the Example of Peter teacheth) is one thing, and to fall away through wickedness and perversness of Heart, is another: which cannot be in the children of God, but properly belongeth to the wicked and godless. This sort of men hath ever corrupted the Church from the Apostles time, and with a shew of holiness hath deceived the simple, which because God punisheth them not, but spareth them and suffereth them to prosper in this World, become so proud that they will be counted amongst the holiest, and of the World are so commonly taken. We see that not only the godly are mixed with the wicked in this World, but in the Lords floore also the Wheat lyeth hidden under the Chasse. We must pray therefore that God would bring these Hypocrites to light, and give unto them their just Punishment with the workers of Iniquity. Then shall peace ensue to the Church of God. For whilst the Lord poureth forth his vengeance upon the wicked which vex and persecute his true members, he gathered together the good and upright of Heart, and openly declareth his fatherly good will and tender love towards them.