§. 13. Of the cases wherein Saints have their share in public judgements.§. 13. Of the cases wherein Saints have their share in publique judgements.
pp. 18–193 passages
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.
Ob. True, may some say, if this were universally and infallibly true, that no righteous man did at any time perish with the unrighteous. But experience affords evidence 1to the contrary. For in all public judgements we see the righteous involved with the wicked. They may suffer temporal evils two ways: by the wicked, and with the wicked.
Ob. TRue, may some say, if this were universally and infallibly true, that no righteous man did at any time perish with the unrighteous. But experience affoords evidence 1to the contrary. For in all publique judgements we see the righteous involved with the wicked. They may suffer temporall evils two wayes: by the wicked, and with the wicked.
1Servi Dei sanct dupliciter mala temporalia patiuntur, quia & ab ipsis impij•, & cum ipsis patiununtur. Aug. Epist. 122. ad Victor.
Answ. If the extent of Gods deliverance be rightly conceived, it will be found to be universally and infallibly true, that God delivereth the righteous from the judgement of the wicked. It doth indeed oft fall out that righteous men have a share in some external judgements which the wicked pull upon themselves, and that
1. When they make themselves accessory to those common sins that cause judgement. As f
Moses and Aaron became incredulous in the wilderness as well as the other Jews whose carcasses fell therein.
2. When the wise Lord knoweth that greater evils would befall them, if they should then escape. Thus when the time was come that God had determined to heap judgement upon judgement till at length the land of Judah should be made desolate, in the beginning of those days was
to be gathered into his grave in peace.
3. When the just God will show the fierceness of his wrath, how far the wicked have provoked him, to aggravate the judgement, he taketh away the righteous therewith,
⟨p. 19⟩
who are as chariots and horsemen while they remain. Thus was good
Jonathan taken away: who if he had lived, might have been a means of preserving the house of Saul from utter ruin, though David had been King. The death of righteous Jonathan much aggravated the sin of Saul, and the judgement that followed thereupon.
4. When the Lord to whom vengeance belongeth, will give the wicked an occasion to expect sure and sore vengeance; then he maketh his Saints a sign and an example unto them. Thus
Judgement must begin at the house of God. And if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospel of God?
Answ. If the extent of Gods deliverance be rightly conceived, it wilbe found to be universally and infallibly true, that God delivereth the righteous from the judgement of the wicked. It doth indeed oft fall out that righteous men have a share in some externall judgements which the wicked pull upon themselves, and that
1. When they make themselves accessarie to those common sinnes that cause judgement. As fMoses and Aaron became incredulous in the wildernesse as well as the other Iewes whose carkasses fell therein.
2. When the wise Lord knoweth that greater evils would befall them, if they should then escape. Thus when the time was come that God had determined to heape judgement upon judgement till at length the land of Iudah should be made desolate, in the beginning of those dayes was gIosiah, that good King Iosiah, slaine with the sword of the enemie. Yet because he lived not to see the miseries of succeeding times, he is said hto be gathered into his grave in peace.
3. When the just God will shew the fiercenesse of his wrath, how farre the wicked have provoked him, to aggravate the judgement, he taketh away the righteous therewith, ⟨p. 19⟩who are as chariots and horsmen while they remaine. Thus was good iIonathan taken away: who if he had lived, might have beene a meanes of preserving the house of Saul from utter ruine, though David had beene King. The death of righteous Ionathan much aggravated the sinne of Saul, and the judgement that followed thereupon.
4. When the Lord to whom vengeance belongeth, will give the wicked an occasion to expect sure and sore vengeance; then he maketh his Saints a signe and an example unto them. Thus khe caused a Lion to slay the man of God, that was seduced by a lying Prophet to transgresse the word of God. In this case saith the Apostle, lIudgement must begin at the house of God. And if it first begin at us, what shalbe the end of them that obey not the Gospell of God?
fNumb. 20. 12 Propeccatis ecrum Deus slagel lat etiam ipses sanctos suos. Aug. loc. citat.
