A plain and familiar exposition of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth chapters of the…A plaine and familiar exposition of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth chapters of the…

Thirdly, they have for the most part all encouragements to lay loads and burdens upon their backs: wicked men oppressed, §3will as far as they can, both resist, and revenge, and many others will murmur and clamour at the wrongs that are offered unto them, whereas the godly are patient, and ready to bear indignities, and every one almost will be ready to animate and applaud those that vex and molest them.

Thirdly, they haue for the most part all incouragements to lay loads and burdens vpon their backes: wicked men oppressed, §3will as farre as they can, both resist, and reuenge, and many others will murmure and clamour at the wrongs that are offered vnto them, whereas the godly are patient, and readie to beare indignities, and euery one almost will be readie to animate and applaud those that vexe and molest them.

Instruction to all governors, both domesticall and public, together with Landlords, to find out, and discover to Use. themselves their own estates, by the exercise of their government. Are their greatest favours bestowed on them that give greatest testimony of the fear of God, and appear to be most faithful? Do they reserve their kindness for those that walk in a perfect way, as David did his, and bend their displeasure against slanderers, them that have proud looks, deceitful persons, and tellers of lies? If this their course be constantly held, and without partiality, why may it not be said that they do wisely in a perfect way: that they walk in the uprightness of their hearts, in the midst of their houses, or dominions? But if they smile upon the wicked, and grace them with their best looks, and frown upon the ⟨p. 39⟩righteous, and brow beat them with a disdainful countenance: if they can easily pass by the foul faults of blasphemers, ruffians, quaffers, quarrellers, gamesters, pick-thanks, and whoremasters, and so bitterly aggravate, and censure the smaller infirmities of such as otherwise are virtuous, and honest, (who peradventure, if they had equal hearing, such as Job afforded to the meanest in his house, would prove themselves not to be culpable at all, but to have performed some good duty) then their ways tell them that their hearts be corrupt, and by strengthening the hands of sinners, they show their love to sin, and by their rigour against the godly, they bewray and manifest their own ungodliness.