Doctrine 6. _In these reproaches which the godly suffer for the name of Christ, the Spirit of God is in a speciall manner blasphemed on the one side, and glorified on the other._ This is gathered from verse 14. _Reason._ Because looke how farre forth the faithfull make profession of true piety, so farre forth are they the temples of the holy Ghost: therefore when in that respect they are reproached, the holy Ghost is evill spoken of: and when they hold fast and adorn their profession notwithstanding these reproaches, the same Spirit which is evill spoken of by the reproachers, is glorified by them. _Vse_ 1. This may serve for terror to those that do reproach others. And 2. For comfort to those that are reproached. Those things which are in the 13 verse, were handled before chapters 2. & 3. Doctrine 7. _God hath certaine and appointed times to execute his judgements._ This is gathered from verse 17 at the beginning. _Reason_ 1. Because the patience and long-suffering of God must have their time. 2. Because there is a time also required, that men may fill up the measure of their sinnes. 3. Because there are certaine opportunities of time, wherein Gods judgements are executed with greater benefit, then they could be at other times. _Vse._ This may serve to admonish us, not to condemne God any way either of slownesse or rashnesse in respect of his judgements, but to rest well satisfied in his most wise ordering of all things. Doctrine 8. _Judgement doth often begin at the house of God, that is, at the Church._ This is gathered from the same place. _Reason_ 1. Because the sinnes of those, which professe Gods name, do in a speciall manner wrong Gods name and his honour, and therefore the more they offend God, the more ought they to be punished. 2. Because Gods chiefe care is, to purifie his Church by such chastisements. 3. Because God oftentimes useth the unbelievers as his instruments to correct his Church; they must therefore be first tolerated, that they may accomplish Gods counsell, and afterwards punished, because they have done so wickedly. _Vse._ This may serve to direct us, not to be troubled in minde, when we see the Church afflicted before and above other people, but to acknowledge Gods divine ordering of it. Doctrine 9. _The judgement which God exerciseth upon his Church, is a most certaine argument of the most severe and heavie judgement that shall in its due time come upon wicked men and unbeleevers._ This is gathered from verse 17,18. So _Ieremiah 25.29._ _Reason_ 1. Because God deales with his Church as a Father, but he will deale with others as a Judge. 2. Towards the Church in the midst of judgement he remembers mercy, but towards the wicked and unbeleevers he exerciseth revenge. 3. Because to the beleevers judgement worketh together for good, but in the unbelievers it hath no such mitigation. _Use_ 1. This may be for comfort to the faithfull in their afflictions.