2. To exhort us, to strengthen our minds against the wickednesse of the age, and places, or men, amongst whom we live. For like as that servant deserves well of his Master, that sticks close unto him, when all others forsake him; so also are they most acceptable unto God, that adhere unto him, when all others not only forsake him, but also are against him; so did _Noah_, _Genesis 6.8,9._ Doctrine 3. _Those that are righteous, even whiles they live amongst the ungodly, are grieved for their impiety._ This is gathered therehence, that _Lot vexed_, &c. So _Psalms 119.158._ _Acts 17.16._ _Reason._ Because when godly men do most of all desire, and take care for to advance the glory of God and the salvation of others, they cannot but be grieved, when they see no reckoning made of either. _Vse_ 1. This may serve to condemne those, that take delight in no company so much as in the company of the ungodly. ♦2. Those that are not sorry for their own sins, much lesse for others. ♦ I suspect this “2.” is a misprint. This is not a new point but an expansion of the first sentence. 2. To instruct us, to judge of our selves hereby, in that conversation which we have with wicked men. For if we are thus wrought upon, when we see it, then it is a signe of a good conscience. * * * * * Verse 9. _The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished_, or _suffering punishment_. The Analysis. This is the generall conclusion, the premisses whereof the former examples make up, and it is disposed in a copulate axiom, the former part whereof is of the mercy of God, and the latter of his justice. Where we may take notice of the reason of this order, which may be two-fold. 1. Because in the premisses he had spoken of mercy in the last place; therefore that the connexion might be evident, he puts it first in the Conclusion; and because he intends to speak more at large of the wicked afterwards, therefore he mentions Gods justice towards them in the last place. 2. The Apostle doth first of all conclude the mercy of God towards the godly, because it was his primary intent and purpose to comfort and strengthen the godly. The object of Gods mercy is the godly. The act and effect thereof is, to deliver them from temptation. The object of his justice is the wicked. The act and effect thereof is, to reserve them unto the day of judgement. Where he addes the manner how they shall be reserved, namely so, that they shall in the meane time suffer punishment. The cause and reason of these acts and effects, as well of his mercy as his justice, is the wisdome of God, or his knowledge joyned together with his will; as that first word intimates unto us, _The Lord knoweth_. The Doctrines arising herehence.