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.