Verse 6. And turning the Cities of Sodome and Gomorrha into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.
Verse 7. And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
Verse 8. (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soule from day to day, with their unlawfull deeds.)
The Analysis. In these verses is contained the third example, which is divided after the same manner, as the second was. For here he speaks of the judgement of God upon the wicked, and his mercy towards the godly. The object of his judgement are the Cities of Sodome and Gomorrha; the manner is, by fire, which is intimated in these words, turned into ashes. The degree is, in their utter overthrow; the end and use is, to warne those that should after live ungodly. For such judgements are ensamples not of a wicked life, but of the condemnation that hangs over the heads of those that live ungodly; and so they are ensamples to move men, not to do the like; but to take heed lest if they do after the like manner, they suffer also after the like manner. The Doctrines arising herehence. Doct. No society of men or policy can hinder the judgement of God, which he will bring upon them for their sins.
For as in the first example there was the dignity of the Angels, in the second the multitude of men, so also in this place society and policy; and Cities that were so noble, Sodome and Gomorrha. For they were Cities that were brought into government, they had Kings, Gen. 14.2. This Doctrine is propounded, and proved, Prov. 11.21. & in 16.5. it is repeated.
Reason. Because the guilt of sin is not lessened, but increased by means of societies, if they favour sinnes: for they pervert the end whereunto they were ordained. For whereas the end of all societies is to restraine sinne, and to advance righteousnesse, 1 Tim. 2.2. and they on the contrary cherish sin and impugne righteousnes, they do provoke the anger of God more,
