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

Thirdly, collect we hence, that the word of God hath more power than all mens edicts. Men in their writings are at much cost in adorning their stile, and reducing their words to number, weight and measure; interlacing many rhetorical figures to beget attention. But on the contrary, the Scriptures in a plain simplicity, accommodates it self to the capacity of the weakest. Yet under this simplicity is included a strange majesty, and gravity of speech. As great Princes in their Edicts use no figures to their subjects, but plainly and briefly set down their commands: so God absolutely imposeth his will without debating the matter. Yet in persuading, moving affection, and posing the deepest apprehension, they have a Power beyond all writings. Read the first Chapter of Essays Prophecy, and compare it with the best Oration of Tully. Read the History of Joseph, and confer it with any tale of Aeneas. Read the acts of David, and weigh them with the wonders of Tamburlaine. Read the Gospel, which is the History of the life and death of Christ; and you will think the saddest stories of any humane pens mere counterfeits to it. Let the Scriptural Psalms and Hymns be balanced with the most accurate and pathetical poems; alas, when these vanish with their air, those shall ravish the ear, and withal take the conscience. Josephus was a man admired for eloquence, yet how he halts in his imitation! concerning Abraham's sacrificing of his son Isaac, he makes a large rhetorical discourse:¹ the Scripture is brief and plain. Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest: He took him, and the wood of the burnt offering, land laid on his son, as Christ bore his own Cross. Behold, saith the child, the fire and wood: but where is a Lamb for a burnt offering. The Father answers, My son, God will provide himself a Lamb. There be two lines able to wring tears from the Reader, whereas Josephus with his ample illustration moves nothing. It is recorded of one Theodectes, who would have brought some of the Bible into a Pagan tragedy, that he was stricken blind, till falling to repentance he was restored.

Thirdly, collect wee hence, that the word of God hath more power than all mens edicts. Men in their writings are at much cost in adorning their stile, and reducing their words to number, waight and measure; interlacing many rhetoricall figures to beget attention. But on the contrary, the Scriptures in a plaine simplicitie, accommodates it selfe to the capacity of the weakest. Yet under this simplicitie is included a strange majestie, and gravity of speech. As great Princes in their Edicts use no figures to their subjects, but plainely and breefely set downe their commands: so God absolutely imposeth his will without debating the matter. Yet in perswading, moving affection, and posing the deepest apprehension, they have a Power beyond all writings. Read the first Chapter of Esays Prophecie, and compare it with the best Oration of Tully. Read the Historie of Ioseph, and confer it with any tale of Aeneas. Read the acts of David, and waigh them with the wonders of Tamberlaine. Read the Gospell, which is the Historie of the life and death of Christ; and you will thinke the saddest stories of any humane pens meere counterfeits to it. Let the Scripturall Psalmes and Hymns be balanced with the most accurate and patheticall poems; alas, when these vanish with their aire, those shall ravish the eare, and withall take the conscience. Iosephus was a man admired for eloquence, yet how he halts in his imitation! concerning Abrahams sacrificing of his sonne Isaac, he makes a large rhetoricall discourse: