fits; 2. Because He reserves to Himself to punish the wicked, and to reward the good, especially in eternity; and 3. Because He will not even leave the little good which the wicked may do entirely unrewarded, and, therefore, as He cannot reward it in the next world on account of their impenitence. He will reward it here below.
1. 'What is there that I ought to do more to my vineyard that I have not done to it? Was it that I looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it hath brought forth wild grapes?' (Isai. V. 4). 2. 'The Lord patiently expecteth, that when the day of judgment shall come, He may punish them in the fulness of their sins' (2 Mach, vi. 14). 3. 'Woe to you that are rich; for you have your consolation; that is, your reward here in this world' (Luke vi. 24). — Example: Achab: 'Because Achab hath humbled himself for my sake, I will not bring the evil in his days' (3 Kings xxi. 29).
58. How ought we to receive the sufferings that come upon us?
We ought to receive them as graces of God; for 'whom the Lord loveth He chastiseth'1 (Hebr. xii. 6); and 'before he be glorified, it [his heart] is humbled' (Prov. xviii. 12).
1'For it is a token of great goodness when sinners are not suffered to go on in their ways for a long time, but are presently punished' (2 Mach. vii. 13).
Application. ' Cast all your care upon the Lord, for He hath care of you' (1 Pet. v. 7). 'Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns, and your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Consider the lilies of the field,' etc. (Matt. vi. 26-33). Take willingly everything that is disagreeable to you as coming from the hand of God: 'As it hath pleased the Lord, so is it done; blessed be the name of the Lord ' (Job i. 21); and never be so rash as to complain of the dispensations of God. Whatever may come, ' To them that love God, all things work together unto good ' (Rom. viii. 28.).
