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Eccles. 8. v. 11.Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sonnes of men is fully set in them to doe evill.
DOct. 1. Sentence is not so soon executed, as past, against an evil work, Zeph. 2.2. When an evil work is done sentence passeth speedily, Zach. 5.1, to 4, A flying Roll to imply swiftnesse, Mil. 3.5. Gen. 4.7. Sin lieth at the
doore, as a Serjeant or Gaoler, to watch and keep, and dog him wheresoever he goeth. No sinner but goeth up and down with his Keeper, Psalm 37.13. & 9.16. 3 Pet. 2.1, 3.
The sentence is passed speedily, First, in Gods counsell, Micah 2.3. Jer. 18.11. Secondly, in the curse of Gods law, Gen. 2.17, Gal. 3.10. Thirdly, in the conscience of the sin∣ner oftentimes, 2 Sam. 24.10. Like the sentence written on the wall of the house, Dan. 5.5. Fourthly, In the prepara∣tion of the causes to conviction and execution, to wit, in the causes, one linke draweth another. By Davids adul∣tery with Bathsheba, a spirit of uncleannesse got into his house. Hence Amnon defileth Famar, she was Absolons si∣ster, and that draweth Absolon to revenge; Absolons beauty draweth on the King to pardon him; Bathshebas father be∣ing Eliam (2 Sam. 11.3.) and Eliam being the sonne of Ahito∣phel, (2 Sam. 23.34.) turned off Ahitophel from David to Ab∣solon, 2 Sam. 15.31. yet is not executed speedily, Gen. 6.3. Numb. 14.33. 1 Kings 21.29.
Quest. But why should the Lord be pleased to delay ex∣ecution, seeing many evils grow upon it: As first, It obscu∣reth Gods justice: The punishment of a sin comming so long after, seemeth rather a calamity, then a just judgement of this or that sin. Secondly, Gods providence is hence called into question, Psal. 73.11, 12. Mal. 2.17. Thirdly, Among men, The good are discouraged, Psal. 73.12, 13, 14. And the wicked are hardned, As in the Text.
To these Objections may be answered: First, God can cleare his justice in his own time, and in his own way; by suitablenesse of the judgement, Judges 1.7. and Remorse of conscience, Gen. 42.21. Secondly, God will in every age cleare his providence by some remarkable judgement, Psalm 9.16. Psalm 58.10, 11. Thirdly, Good men must judge of things by the word, not by present events, Psalm 73.17. If all men be hardned, it is that God aimed at, for their incor∣rigiblenesse, Esay 1.5. or for the wickednesse of their fathers Hos. 4.14.
Reason of delay: 1. Meet it is God should shew his pati∣ence, as well as his justice, Exod. 34.6. Psalm 145.8. Slow to anger, good to all, especially, having placed the government of the world in the hand of a Mediator, Exod. 33.2, 3. Secondly, To lead on some to repentance, Rom. 2.4. 2 Pet. 3.9, 15. 1 Tim. 1.16. Thirdly, to reward humilia∣tion,
though not sincere, 1 Kings 21.29. 2 Chron. 12.6, 7. Fourthly, to give way to others to fulfil the measure of their sins, Genes. 15.16. and so to make way for the treasuring up, and shewing forth his power and wrath, Rom. 2.5. Deut. 32.34, 35.
Doct. 2. The delay of punishment upon sin, filleth the heart of sinners to doe evil:
Filleth them, First with resolution to sin, Jer. 44.16, 17. and with boldnesse, Esay 3.9. Secondly, with custom in sin, Jer. 13.23. Thirdly, with skill in sin, Jer. 14.22.
Reason 1. From the depraying of their judgements by this means; either to think, First, there is no God, Psalm 41.1. or at least that he regardeth not things below. Secondly, that God is like themselves, Psalm 50.21. Thirdly, That such and such evils are no sin.
Reason 2. From the depravation of our wils by impunity: Not to feare God, Psalm 55.19.
Ʋse 1. To take notice of the venomous corruption of our nature, that can suck such poyson out of such a sweet Attri∣bute, as the patience of God.
Ʋse 2. To beware of such an abuse.
Ʋse 3. To exhort as to be more filled with forwardnesse to good, and hatred of evil; first, by the judgements of God against sin; secondly, by the mercies of God to the godly.
Ʋse 4. To teach Courts and Churches, neither of them to be too slow in executing sentence against evil doers.