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

Eye-witnesses.] One eye-witness is better than many ear-witness. They ⟨p. 303⟩spake not by tradition, or what curious relaters have buzzed in credulous ears: but oppose their own knowledge against all fabulous reports; Vidimus, we have seen.^s That which we have heard, and seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of life. That which was from the beginning: Not of •ate days, no new sprung up novelty. Which we have heard, immediately speaking in the world, as well as mediately speaking in his Word. He spake to our Fathers by the mouth of all his Prophets from the beginning: but in our days, by his own mouth: our ears have heard his Sermons. Which we have seen with our eyes: Behold him working miracles, raising the dead, casting out devils. Which we have looked upon; not having only a glimpse of him, but intentively looked upon him: as John pointed to him with the finger, Behold the Lamb of GOD. Our hands have handled his precious body, both before his death, and after his Resurrection. Doubtful Thomas would not believe, and that Ex professo; till he saw the prints of his nails, and thrust his hand into his side; and then he cries, My LORD, and my GOD. Handled of the Word of life: How can this be? Though this being very GOD of very GOD, is neither visible nor palpable: yet in respect of the personal union of the two Natures in him, we say again; That which we have heard, seen, and handled. The Apostle Saint John doth especially of all the rest press this point; 1 John 5.10. John 20.31. John 21.24. This is that beloved Apostle, Evangelist, Martyr, all. Saint Peter was an Apostle, not an Evangelist. Saint Mark an Evangelist, not an Apostle. Saint Matthew both an Apostle, and an Evangelist, not a Prophet. Saint Augustine a Doctor, not a Martyr. Saint Laurence a Martyr, not a Doctor: but Saint John was all these, Dyez. Pontan. In his Epistles an Apostle, in his Revelations a Prophet, in his Gospel an Evangelist, in his faith a Confessor, in his preaching a Doctor, in his chastity a Virgin, in his readiness to die for CHRIST a Martyr? suffering for him under the Cross, whom he saw suffering for him on the Cross. This is the Disciple, that hath testify hese things, and we know that his Testimony is true. Saint Paul doth also earnestly urge it,