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

3 Caligo Ignorantiae, the darkness of Ignorance, the worst kind of cecity. The seeing man says in the night; Adsunt mihi oculi, sed deest lumen; The blind man says in the day; Adest lumen, sed desunt mihi oculi; The blind Papist among Christians may say, Here is light, but I have no eyes. The believing Christian among Papists must say; I have eyes, but here is no light. The Infidel fails in both; he hath neither an eye for the light, nor light for the eye: neither the Truth visible, nor an understanding capable; this is a wretched darkness. Pagans have Lucem nullam, a darkfull night: Papists have Lucem dubiam, a doubtful light, we call it Twi-light: we have Lucem lucidam, the broad day. Our eyes have seen thy salvation, Luke 2.30. When I considered well that same Popish doctrine, how they extol and obtrude ignorance to their people; yea, justify it to the world, and commend it as the special means to hold them to the line of obedience, and within the lists of Gods service. Me thought I did wonder, which of Satan's transformations had brought Rome to this inextricable darkness. First, he came like a Lion, roaring out Persecution, and blood: there he tried the Patience of the Church, Revel. 13.10. Here is the patience of the Saints. Then he came like a Serpent, winding himself in by Heresy: there he exercised the wisdom of the Church, Rev. 13.18. Here is wisdom: let him that hath understanding, &c. Then he came transformed like an Angel of light: for he could work nothing upon us, if he should profess himselfe Id esse quod est, to be the very same that he is: there he exercised the Faith of the Church: whether renouncing all aberrations, we would adhere to the manifested will of God. Try the spirits; and then this spirit of borrowed light, will prove a spirit of very darkness. But what shape or semblance took he, what kind of devil was he, when he came to persuade men to ignorance? O impudence! he durst then, Se profiteri quod est, professe himselfe to be what he is, a spirit of darkness. Ask him, what art thou? he answers plainly, I am the Devil, and come to put out thine eyes. Oh who but a bewitched Romist will thus entertain him? Mica 3.6. Therefore night shall be unto you, and it shall be dark, that ye shall not have a vision: the Sun shall go down over the Prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. O fearful!