end of this prolonging is the conversion and salvation of sinners: and therefore this prolonging proceeds not so much from slacknesse, as from patience, verse 9. 2 That the manner of his comming, (both because it shall be sudden, and also because it shall be with majesty and great terrour,) is such, that it should rather make men carefull to prepare themselves for it, then to be curious in inquiring about the time it selfe, or to complaine of slacknesse.
The Doctrines arising herehence.
Doct. 1. When wicked and profane men are reproved, refuted and condemned in Scripture, this is done for the faithfull and elects sake, whose edification and salvation God hath respect unto, even when he seemes to speak unto others.
This is gathered from the beginning of verse 8. where the Apostle turning himselfe directly unto the faithfull, shewes that these wicked men were refuted for their good. So 2 Thess. 2.13. Iude, v.20. 1 Tim. 6.11. 2 Tim. 3.14. Reason 1. Because the whole Scripture and all the meanes of salvation do by a speciall kind or propriety belong unto the faithfull. 2. Because God will not have his word to passe without some fruit: Now wicked men are oftentimes so fore-lorne, that no congruous fruit can be expected in them, but only in the faithfull. Vse 1. This may serve to informe us, to judge aright of Gods intention in those things that he doth about men that are past all hope and incorrigible. For as the Apostle saith of Oxen, that God taketh not care for Oxen, but for men; so should we think that God taketh not care so much for these bestiall men, as for the faithfull and elect whom he doth chiefly speak unto even when he seemes to speak unto others. 2. To admonish us, not to neglect or despise such rebukings of the wicked, as if they did nothing belong unto us, but wisely to turne it to our own use. Doct. 2. The faithfull do then profit by the word of God, which is against the wicked, when they are become much unlike the wicked.
This is gathered therehence, that whereas the Apostle did reprove the wicked of ignorance, he doth now exhort the faithfull to knowledge, Prov. 1.15.
