2. Because the same providence lookes over and takes care for the particular necessities of the Godly. 3. Because he takes speciall notice of all their desires and prayers, as it is in the text. _Use._ This may serve _to exhort us_, to build up our selves in a true and lively faith of this providence. * * * * * Verse 13. _And who is he that will harme you, if ye be followers of that which is Good?_ Verse 14. _But and if ye suffer |any thing| for righteousnesse sake, happy |are ye|, and be not afraid of their terrour, neither be troubled._ Verse 15. _But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts, and bee ready alwayes to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekenesse and feare, having a good conscience:_ Verse 16. _That whereas they speake evill of you, as of evill doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ._ The Analysis. That which the Apostle had before proposed concerning the practise of piety, he doth there perswade them unto by an argument taken, 1. from the effect thereof, that by this meanes men are freed and delivered from those harmes, which the wicked seek occasion to bring upon them, verse 13. 2. From the happinesse adjoyned, because no afflictions that are suffered for righteousnesse and godlinesse sake, are able to exclude that, verse 14. at the beginning. 3. He shewes the right manner of undergoing afflictions, so that happinesse may follow thereupon, which consists 1. in the laying aside of that feare and perturbation, which usually mens mindes are troubled with in their afflictions, in these words, _be not afraid of their terrour_. 2. In that confidence and relyance of our hearts upon God, whereby his name is sanctified, and by vertue whereof that immoderate feare may be laid aside. And this confidence is set forth by its proper effect, which consists in couragious and ready confession of the faith; of which confession he sets downe two properties, namely, _meekenesse_ and _feare_ or _reverence_, and moreover he shewes the helping and preserving cause thereof, namely, a good conscience, and the effect also which it will worke in others, verse 16. to wit, that it will make their enemies with shame to leave off their speaking evill of them. But here-hence ariseth a question. _Question._ How can this be made good, which the Apostle saith, that no man shall harme the godly? Verse 13. _Answer_ 1. Because the nature of godlinesse and goodnesse tends thereunto, to winne the minds of all men, and to take off all ill-will. 2. Because often times also it hath this effect, that taking away all pretence and occasion of unrighteousnesse, it doth in some measure mollifie the enemies minds, except they be quite and cleane savage and furiously mad.