order to furnish a platform for the exhibition of a work of Di- vine mercy and power.
A deep and instructive principle lies in these words. They 6urely throw some Light on that great question, — the origin of evil. God has thought fit to allow evil to exist, in order that He may have a platform for showing His mercy, grace, and compassion. If man had never fallen, there would have been no opportunity of showing Divine mercy. But by permitting evil, mysterious as it seems, God's works of grace, mercy, and wisdom in saving sinners, have been wonderfully manifested to all His creatures. The redeeming of the Church of elect sin- ners is the means of " showing to principalities and powers the manifold wisdom of God." (Ephes. iii. 10.) Without the fall we should have known nothing of the cross and the Gospel.
Melancthon, on this verse, suggests no less than ten reasons why God permits evil to come on the Church, which contain much food for thought. Brentius and Chemnitius also say many excellent things on the same theme.
Bucer remarks that this verse should teach us to bear ills pa- tiently and cheerfully, since all that happens to us tends, in some way, to the glory of God.
Gualter remarks, that even wicked men like Pharaoh subserve the glory of God, (Rom. ix. 17 ;) much more may men's afflictions and diseases.
Ecolampadius remarks, that God allows nothing whatever to happen without some good reason and cause.
Henry observes : " The intention of Providence often does not appear till a great while after the event, perhaps many years after. The sentences in the book of Providence are sometimes long, and you must read a great way before you understand the meaning."
Jones, of Nayland, on this text remarks : " The best way to answer the great question of the origin of evil, is to consider the end of it, ' what good comes out of it?' this makes the sub- ject plain and useful. Why was this man born blind? That the works of God might appear, and Christ might cure him. — Why did man fall? That God might save him. — Why is evil permit- ted in the world? That God may be glorified in removing it. — Why does the body of man die? That God may raise it up again. — When we philosophize in this manner we find light, certainty, and comfort. We have a memorable example of it in the case before us."
Barnes remarks that "those who are afflicted with blindness, deafness, or any deformity, should be submissive to God. It is His appointment, and is right and best. God does no wrong; and when all His works are seen, the universe will see and know that He is just."