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. Doctrine ♦1. _No society of men or policy can hinder the judgement of God, which he will bring upon them for their sins._ ♦ Number omitted in text. 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, _Genesis 14.2._ This Doctrine is propounded, and proved, _Proverbs 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 Timothy 2.2._ and they on the contrary cherish sin and impugne righteousnes, they do provoke the anger of God more, then if they were not such societies. The sin of these Cities is said to be grievous, and crying, _Genesis 18.20._ This may serve for admonition, that Citizens or Magistrates should not trust too much to their wealth, so that thereby they should be made the more bold to sin. Doctrine 2. _The same judgements of God are executed by contrary causes._ This is gathered therehence, that whereas the old world was destroyed by water, those Cities were overthrowne by fire. _Vse._ This may serve for admonition, that sinners should not therefore think themselves safe, because they have escaped one judgement; for when they are farthest off from one evil, another is ready to fal upon them, _Amos 5.19._ Doctrine 3. _Extreame judgements follow extreame sins._ This is gathered therehence, that this was an utter overthrow, because that these Cities had filled up the measure of their sins.