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

What this sin may work upon us, only the Lord knows, and knows to prevent. Comets may threaten, and rumours of wars sound in our ears: none of these destroy us, but our own sins. Let us not hurt our selves, none shall hurt us. I• we be false to God, let us not blame others for being false to us. It was Christs complaint over that apostate City, O Jerusalem, thou that killest the Prophets, and sto•• them which are sent unto thee! ¹If we retain their sins, there remain for us their plagues. We use to arraign and judge our prophets, whose Ministry is to arraign and judge us, that we may not be judged of the Lord. The Jews killed their Teachers, do not we so when we withhold their life blood from them, and stand […] justify it? Is it not all one, to cut a mans throat, and to take away the sustenance whereby he lives, and without which he must needs famish? Certainly, of both it is the greater mercy, or (at least) the less cruelty, to dispatch him quickly. It is their work to mortify and kill our sins, and shall we kill them? that our sins may live? Oh there is a cursed devil that bewitcheth us! God that suffers this, means thereby to suffer this lands destruction. There were not (let not envy here me) so flourishing a Church under heaven, if this sin of Sacrilege were taken from it. But this effect hath followed it; that the profession of the Gospel in many places comes upon the stage, to help to make up the play, and to minister matter of mirth. And the Law doth domineer over the Gospel, as Pilate sate to Judge JESUS. If this land should ever come to the danger of destroying, (which God avert) those deriders of the poor Ministry will run into holes, that have already buried their talents from ever doing good. And then the poor clergies prayers will prevail more for mercies, than all their proud arrogated glories. But alas, how should Christ come in power to help us, whom we have rejected coming in power to convert us! Do•• he come now, and we will not know him; and can we hope he will come then when we call him? Open your hearts, all ye that fear the Lord, and let him in. As it is his own promise; Behold I come quickly: so it is the Churches prayer, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly. Wickedness is powerful, the devil is powerful, covetousness is powerful, lust is powerful:

What this sinne may worke upon us, onely the Lord knowes, and knowes to prevent. Comets may threaten, and rumors of warres sound in our eares: none of these destroy us, but our owne sins. Let us not hurt our selves, none shall hurt us. I we be false to God, let us not blame others for being false to us. It was Christs complaint over that apostate Citie, O Ierusalem, thou that killest the Prophets, and sto them which are sent unto thee!