Why? doth not the sonne] He sheweth that those profane men contending wit the Prophets, did seek to catch them, and make them confesse, either that Gods judgements were not just, in punishing the children for the fathers sinnes; or that the Prophets limitations and expositions were contrary to Gods Law. Exodus 20:5. Deuteronomy 5:9. the son hath done] The meaning of my law is, that I will punish the sinnes of the father upon the children, in case that they follow their fathers examples; which I doe often suffer to fall out so, through my secret judgement; and if through my speciall grace I do sanctifie them, so that they do not follow their fathers steps, they shall also be exempted from the punishment. the sonne shall not bear] Deuteronomy 24:16. 2 Kings 14:6. 2 Chronicles 25:4. Jeremiah 31:29. Namely, the innocent sonne, who is by my Spirit purged from his fathers wickednesse. Yet this is no generall rule in respect of the body and bodily goods, in which God in all seasons hath visited the Children for the fathers sins; but must be understood of the everlasting punishment of the soul, or especially of the temporall punishments of those times. the righteousnesse] That is, every one shall receive either a reward for his good workes, or punishment for his evill works.