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

But they that thus understand it; by Darkness, that time which preceded the clear, knowledge of Christ: and by Day, a free and liberal apprehension of him; come too short. For this were a very cold commendation of the Prophets, to be regarded no longer than until Christ be manifested to us in the flesh. But it is objected, Matth. 11.13. All the Prophets prophesied until John. True, for what […] they further prophecie Affuturum qui adest; Him to come that was present? But doth the use of their prophecy last no longer to us? Yes certainly; Mortai […] Prophetae, non Prophetiae; The benefit of the Prophets dyed not with the Prophets. There is no end of the use of their saying, till there be an end of the worlds being. This is then the Sense we settle upon; that this full Day here spoken of, is the plenary and perfect light which shall be given us in the kingdom of heaven. For as the former Darkness is to be extended to the whole course of our life: so this Day-dawning, and Day-star arising, is our entrance into the celestial glory. For in the other acception there would follow absurdities; as that the Prophets should be idle and superfluous to those that knew Christ, which are necessary to the worlds end. But how can that glory be called a Day-dawning, or Day-star? Not that that clarity hath any morning in it self, but in regard of us that newly arrive to it. The world is five thousand years old, in the very evening: yet to the child new-borne it is but a morning. Certainly, so long as we are pilgrims here, we see through a glass, […] there our hearts shall be filled with that glorious light of perfection: and we that were dwarfs below, shall be made tall men in Jesus Christ, Ephes. 4.13. When we all meet in the unity of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, and to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

But they that thus understand it; by Darknesse, that time which preceded the cleare, knowledge of Christ: and by Day, a free and liberall apprehension of him; come too short. For this were a very cold commendation of the Prophets, to bee regarded no longer than untill Christ be manifested to us in the flesh. But it is objected, Matth. 11.13. All the Prophets prophesied untill Iohn. True, for what 〈…〉 they further prophecie Affuturum qui adest; Him to come that was present? But doth the use of their prophecie last no longer to us? Yes certainely; Mortai Prophetae, non Prophetiae; The benefit of the Prophets dyed not with the Prophets. There is no end of the use of their saying, till there be an end of the worlds being. This is then the Sense we settle upon; that this full Day here spoken of, is the plenary and perfect light which shall be given us in the kingdome of heaven. For as the former Darknesse is to be extended to the whole course of our life: so this Day-dawning, and Day-starre arising, is our entrance into the celestiall glory. For in the other acception there would follow absurdities; as that the Prophets should be idle and superfluous to those that knew Christ, which are necessary to the worlds end. But how can that glory be called a Day-dawning, or Day-starre? Not that that clarity hath any morning in it selfe, but in regard of us that newly arrive to it. The world is five thousand yeares old, in the very evening: yet to the childe new-borne it is but a morning. Certainely, so long as we are pilgrims here, we see thorow a glasse, there our hearts shall be filled with that glorious light of perfection: and wee that were dwarfes below, shall be made tall men in Iesus Christ,