A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

Oh the infallible power of the word! heaven and earth shall pass, it shall never fail. Time may fail, speech may fail, audience may fail: but the matter of that abundant treasure shall never fail. It may be, Samuel knows not Gods first call, nor his second, nor his third; yet at last, speak Lord, for thy servant heareth. It may be as Peter, Act. 10.16. in his vision; Arise, kill, and eat; he excuseth himself; Not so Lord, for I have never eaten any unclean thing. But when this was done thrice, he is resolved. So when the Lords voice comes to us once, Arise and eat; it may be we excuse our selves; Not so Lord: but when it shall be spoken thrice, often; there is some hope that we will hear at last. It may be according to the sign that God gave Hezekiah, Esa. 37.30. This year ye shall eat such as groweth of it self: the second year, such as springeth of the same: but the third year ye shall sow and reap. So the first time we hear the doctrine of salvation, it is without profit; and it breeds no meditations in us but such as grow of themselves. The next time, such as spring of the former, thoughts of flesh and blood. But yet the third time, it may work us, to a more industrious cogitation of heavenly things. Paul in the 17. of the Acts; three Sabbath days together handled one doctrine.

Oh the infallible power of the word! heaven and earth shall passe, it shall never faile. Time may faile, speech may faile, audience may faile: but the matter of that abundant treasure shall never faile. It may be, Samuel knowes not Gods first call, nor his second, nor his third; yet at last, speake Lord, for thy servant heareth. It may be as Peter, Act. 10.16. in his vision; Arise, kill, and eate; he excuseth himselfe; Not so Lord, for I have never eaten any uncleane thing. But when this was done thrice, he is resolved. So when the Lords voice comes to us once, Arise and eate; it may be we excuse our selves; Not so Lord: but when it shall be spoken thrice, often; there is some hope that we will heare at last. It may be according to the signe that God gave Hezekiah, Esa. 37.30. This yeere yee shall eate such as groweth of it selfe: the second yeere, such as springeth of the same: but the third yeere yee shall sow and reape. So the first time we heare the doctrine of salvation, it is without profit; and it breeds no meditations in us but such as grow of themselves. The next time, such as spring of the former, thoughts of flesh and bloud. But yet the third time, it may worke us, to a more industrious cogitation of heavenly things. Paul in the 17. of the Acts; three Sabbath daies together handled one doctrine.