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

Simplicity, sometimes a sin Personal in the Lay-people, is now become a sin Cathedral in the Teachers. But though the people may not read the Scripture, yet they preach Scripture. But alas, how should the people know whether they preach Scripture or not? who can discern a wolf from a sheep, without some light? They tell you the miracles of such a Block, the wonders of a Crucifix, what prayers you must number to Saints. They make Sermons, as they did their Church-windows: so much painting in them, that they quite keep out the light. And in conclusion, they persuade the people to love darkness: for this will bring them to devotion; just as sure ⟨p. 350⟩as the Devil would bring them to salvation. Consider and pity their estate: exterior darkness hath caused interior darkness. When the heavens are shadowed with thick clouds, the glorious Sun retired to his descent, the Moon afraid to put forth her silver horns, the Stars not able to twinkle in their spheres; not a little candle, not a spark of fire to be gotten: O uncomfortable confusion! Ten thousand times more wretched is the souls estate in this spiritual darkness: what are the companions of it, but error and terror? First, as in the night all things have lost their colours, in respect of our apprehension. Who could know the blew Friars from the grey, or the white from the black, or Nicholas Clerks from either? So the darkened soul thinks blessing and cursing all one: to worship our Lady as good as to worship our Lord, Eccl. 9.2. To sacrifice, and not to sacrifice: to swear, as to fear an oath. Again, as in the night a man is often amazed and affrighted, his hairs staring, and his thoughts distracted with fear. So there is nothing but dread and perturbation of conscience in this inward darkness. They know not whether they shall be saved or damned, till they come to heaven or hell. O fearful death, when souls depart to know; whether there be a heaven or hell, or no. Suppose they do slumber in this darkness, yet it is not without starting. All the glimpse of their hope consists in some perfunctory prayers to our Lady: this is the main Popish light. Whereof an Hermit tells us in good earnest; that he saw a great light descending from heaven, like unto fire, and lighting upon her Church at Loretta. It was, saith he, twelve foot high, and six foot broad:

Simplicity, sometimes a sin Personall in the Lay-people, is now become a sinne Cathedrall in the Teachers. But though the people may not reade the Scripture, yet they preach Scripture. But alas, how should the people know whether they preach Scripture or not? who can discerne a wolfe from a sheep, without some light? They tell you the miracles of such a Blocke, the wonders of a Crucifix, what prayers you must number to Saints. They make Sermons, as they did their Church-windows: so much painting in them, that they quite keepe out the light. And in conclusion, they perswade the people to love darknes: for this wil bring them to devotion; just as sure