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that he was the Son of God, both be- the truth, but had pleasure in unfore his death, in his death, and in his righteousness.-2 Thess. ii. 10-12. resurrection.

Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, &c. that they which see might be made blind, &c. He said to the Pharisees, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see, therefore your sin remaineth.-John ix. 39. 41.

Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah had said, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes, &c.-John xii. 37. 39, 40. They are without excuse, because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened, &c. wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, &c. for this cause God gave them up unto vile affections, &c. and even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind (or a mind void of judgment), being filled with all unrighteousness. Rom. i. 21, &c.

God saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, &c. and whom he will he hardeneth. -Rom. ix. 15. 17, 18.

Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for, but the election hath obtained it; and the rest were blinded (or hardened) according as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber; eyes that they should

not see.-Rom. xi. 7-10.

If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, &c. should shine unto them.-2 Cor. iv. 3, 4.

By these three was the third part of men killed, &c. and the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues, yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, &c.-Rev. ix. 18. 20, 21.

Men were scorched (or burned) with great heat, blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues, and repented not to give him glory, &c. They gnawed their tongues for pain, and blasphemed the God of heaven, and repented not of their deeds.-Rev. xvi. 9-11. 21.

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still.-Rev. xxii. Il.

CHAP. LXIX.

OF VAIN CURIOSITY: OR BEING WISE ABOVE WHAT IS WRITTEN.

SECRET things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the works of this law.-Deut. xxix. 29.

Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord, What is thy name? &c. that we may do thee honour. And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret (or wonderful).-Judges xiii. 17, 18.

Jesus said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.—Acts i. 6, 7.

These things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself, and to Apollos, for your sakes, that you might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written.-1 Cor.

iv. 6.

CHAP. LXX.

Becanse they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved; and for this cause God shall OF GOD'S PROVIDENCE IN THE send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, that they all might be damned who believed not

POSAL OF ALL EVENTS.

DIS

THINE, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, &c. both riches and ho

CHAP. LXXI.]

OF RESIGNATION, &c.

nour come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and might, and in thine hand is to make great, and to give strength unto all.-1 Chron. xxix. 11, 12.

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise: he taketh the wise in their own craftiness; and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong. They meet with darkness (or cannot perform any thing) in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.-Job v. 12-14.

The Lord, &c. in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind, &c. behold he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.-Job xii.

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10. 14.

The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought, he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, &c.-Ps. xxxiii. 10, 11.

-Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west but God is the judge he putteth down one, and setteth up another.-Ps. lxxv. 6, 7.

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Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain: it is vain for you to rise up early, &c. Ps. cxxvii. 1, 2.

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Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help his breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth, and that very day his thoughts perish.-Ps. xlvi. 3, 4.

A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps, &c. The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.-Prov. xvi. 9. 33.

Man's goings are of the Lord: how can a man then understand his own way?-Prov. xx. 24.

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Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.—Prov. xxvii. 1.

Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man. glory in his might: let not the rich of man glory in his riches.-Jer. ix. 23.

O Lord, I know that the way man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. -Jer. x. 23.

God, that made the world, &c. hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitations.—Acts xvii. 24. 26.

I will not see you now by the way, but I trust to tarry awhile with you, if the Lord permit.-1 Cor. xvi. 7.

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, &c. him, therefore, I hope to send, &c. But I trust in the Lord, that I also myself shall come shortly.-Phil. ii. 19. 23, 24.

Now God himself, and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.-1 Thess. iii. 11.

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy, and sell, and get gain; whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little For time, and then vanisheth away. that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that.James iv. 13-15.

CHAP. LXXI.

OF RESIGNATION TO, AND CONTENTMENT
WITH ALL GOD'S DISPENSATIONS.

ISRAEL'S murmuring and discontent for want of flesh in the wilderness, was reckoned amongst their sins, and said to be a tempting God in their heart, by asking meat for their lust. There is no wisdom, nor under--Ps. lxxviii. 18. Numb. xi. 4-10. standing, nor counsel, against the Lord.-Prov. xxi. 30.

When Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, were devoured by fire for

their sins, &c. Aaron held his peace. -Levit. x. 1-3.

The children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned; do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only we pray thee this day. Judges x. 15.

Egypt, where we shall see no war, &c. then that all those judgments from which they would fly, should follow them thither.-Jer. xlii. 9-17. Wherefore doth a living man complain (or murmur), a man for the punishment of his sins?-Lam. iii. 39.

I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause.—Micah vii. 9.

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, &c. and the fields shall yield no meat, &c. yet I will rejoice in the Lord.— Hab. iii. 17, 18.

When Samuel had told Eli what God had threatened against his house, because of his sons' wickedness, Eli said, It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.-1 Sam. iii. 15-18. David said, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both it and his habitation. But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; be--Luke xxi. 19. hold here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.-2 Sam. xv. 25, 26.

When Hezekiah was threatened by Isaiah, for his having shewed to the messengers of the king of Babylon his treasures, he said, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken.-2 Kings xx. 16-19.

Job, when he had lost all, said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.-Job i. 20, 21.

Job said, What! shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?-Job ii. 10.

Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more; that which I see not, teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do so no more.Job xxxiv. 31, 32.

I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it. Ps. xxxix. 9.

Woe to him that striveth with his Maker, &c. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? Isa. xlv. 9.

When Israel was in Babylon, God tells them, If they would stay there, he would bless them; but if ye say, No, but we will go into the land of

In patience possess ye your souls,

Now these things were our examples, to the intent that we should not lust, &c. neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed, &c.—I Cor. x. 6. 14.

The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom (or whereby) the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.-Gal. vi. 14.

I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content: I know both how to be abased, and how to abound; every where, and in all things, I am instructed; both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me.-Phil. iv. 11-13.

Godliness with contentment is great gain: for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out; and having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.-1 Tim. vi. 6-8.

Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.-Heb. xiii. 5.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, &c.-James i. 12.

Submit yourselves therefore to God: resist the devil, &c.-James iv. 7.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may

exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.-1 Pet. v. 6, 7.

CHAP. LXXII.

OF MEN TRULY WISE; OR, OF A RE LIGIOUS WISDOM; AND FOLLY, AS

ITS OPPOSITE.

THEY are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them: O that they were wise, and that they would consider their latter end-Deut. xxxii. 28, 29.

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Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, &c.-Ps. ii. 10-12.

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels, &c. Fools despise wisdom, &c. hate knowledge.-Prov. i. 5. 7. 22.

The Lord giveth wisdom, &c. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee, to deliver thee from the way of evil men, &c.-Prov. ii. 6. 10-12.

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Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, &c. and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes, &c. keep sound wisdom and discretion, &c. Then shalt thou walk in the way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble, &c. The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of fools.-Prov. iii. 5-7. 21. 23. 35.

Wisdom is the principal thing: get wisdom, &c.-Prov. iv. 7.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise.-Prov. vi. 6.

Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister, and call understanding thy kinswoman that they may keep thee from the strange woman.-Prov. vii. 4, 5.

Wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired. Prov. viii. 11..

Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee; give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser.— Prov. ix. 8, 9.

The wise in heart will receive commandments, &c. In the lips of him that hath understanding, wisdom is found, &c. wise men lay up knowledge, &c. He that uttereth a slander is a fool. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips, is wise.Prov. x. 8. 13, 14. 18, 19.

He that winneth souls, is wise. Prov. xi. 30.

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, &c. he that followeth vain persons, is void of understanding, &c. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame, &c. he concealeth knowledge.-Prov. xii. 8. 11. 15, 16. 23.

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death, &c. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.Prov. xiii. 14. 16. 20.

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, &c. fools make a mock of sin, &c. a wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; but the fool rageth, and is confident, &c. He that is slow to wrath, is of great understanding.-Prov. xiv. 8, 9. 16. 29. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge.-Prov. xv. 7.

He that handleth a matter wisely, shall find good, &c. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.-Prov.

xvi. 20. 23.

A reproof entereth more into a wise man, than an hundred stripes into a fool.-Prov. xvii. 10.

A fool's lips enter into contention, &c. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.-Prov. xviii. 6. 13.

Wine is a mocker, and strong drink

is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby, is not wise.-Prov. xxxi.

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself, but the simple pass on, and are punished.-Prov. xxii. 3. xxvii. 12.

By wise counsel thou shalt make thy war.-Prov. xxiv. 6.

A fool uttereth all his mind, but a wise man keepeth it in till afterward. -Prov. xxix. 11.

Wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness: the wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walketh in darkness.-Eccles. ii. 13, 14.

A fool's voice is known by multitude of words.-Eccles. v. 3. x. 14. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise, more than ten mighty men which are in the city.-Eccles. vii. 19.

A wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgments.-Eccles. viii. 5.

The words of wise men are heard in quiet, &c. Wisdom is better than weapons of war. Eccles. ix. 17, 18. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies.-Eccles. xii. 11.

For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. Jer. iv. 22.

The wise men are ashamed, &c. Lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord, and what wisdom is in them?-Jer. viii. 9.

Who is wise, and shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, &c.-Hosea xiv. 9.

Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock, &c.-Matt. vii. 24. The five wise virgins took oil in their vessels, as well as in their lamps.-Matt. xxv. 1, &c.

I would have you wise unto that

which is good, and simple concerning evil.-Rom. xvi. 19.

The wisdom of the world is foolishness with God, &c. and the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.-1 Cor. ii. 19. 22.

If any of you lack wisdom, let' him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him.-James i. 5. 17.

Who is a wise man, and endowed with knowledge amongst you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works, with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envyings, &c. this wisdom descendeth not from above, &c. But the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, &c.-James iii. 13-15. 17.

CHAP. LXXIII.

OF ANTICHRIST.

MANY false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many, &c. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand), &c. for there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that (if it were possible) they should deceive the very elect-Matt. xxiv. 11. 15. 24. Dan. xi. 31. 36, &c.

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition: who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, &c. for the mystery of iniquity doth already work, only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way: and then shall the wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming; even him whose coming is after the working of

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