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

Thus doth false teachers come in the counterfeit of truth. Indeed the Jews were apt to embrace any that came Nomine proprio; in their own name, Joh. 5.43. If one come in his own name, him will ye receive. It is not so now: the world is wiser, therefore the Devil must double his subtlety. And if he would bring men to the kingdom of hell, he must make them believe that he is altogether for the kingdom of heaven. 2 Sam. 16.18. If Hushai had not said, I am for Absalom, and whom Israel chooseth, his will I be: He had not disappointed the counsel of Ahithophel, which was then like the oracle of God; nor re-established David in his kingdom. So if these false doctors should not say, we are for Christ; they could not with-stand the true Ministers that deliver the words of God, nor in throne Antichrist in the Seat of Christ. Thus in our time, the Romish heretics cry, The Church, The Church: and the Schismatics in their invective Pamphlets usually make bold with the Prophets words; For Scions sake I will not hold my peace. But the one seek to bring upon Gods Israel a tyranny; the other an Anarchy; both meet in one Tertio, corruption of doctrine, and destruction of conscience. Pro Ecclesia clamitant, & contra Ecclesiam dimicant, Cyprian. They both cry for the Church, yet fight against the Church. Omnes amici, omnes inimici, Bern. Their pretences are friendly, their intentions malicious. You see how they come, and but for so coming, their powder would not take: if the cup of their poison was not rubbed with honey, it would not down. There be two defects which make a man either an unfit Teacher, or a false Teacher. When either they have not learned their lesson before they come, and so lack ability: or do not deliver it faithfully when they are come, and so lack honesty.

Thus doth false teachers come in the counterfeit of truth. Indeed the Iews were apt to embrace any that came Nomine proprio; in their owne name, Ioh. 5.43. If one come in his owne name, him will ye receive. It is not so now: the world is wiser, therefore the Devil must double his subtilty. And if he would bring men to the kingdome of hell, he must make them beleeve that he is altogether for the kingdome of heaven. 2 Sam. 16.18. If Hushai had not said, I am for Absalom, and whom Israel chuseth, his will I be: He had not disappointed the counsell of Achitophel, which was then like the oracle of God; nor re-established David in his kingdome. So if these false doctors should not say, we are for Christ; they could not with-stand the true Ministers that deliver the words of God, nor in throne Antichrist in the Seat of Christ. Thus in our time, the Romish heretikes cry, The Church, The Church: and the Schismatikes in their invective Pamphlets usually make bold with the Prophets words; For Sions sake I will not hold my peace. But the one seeke to bring upon Gods Israel a tyrannie; the other an Anarchie; both meet in one Tertio, corruption of doctrine, and destruction of conscience. Pro Ecclesia clamitant, & contra Ecclesiam dimicant, Cyprian. They both cry for the Church, yet fight against the Church. Omnes amici, omnes inimici, Bern. Their pretences are friendly, their intentions malicious. You see how they come, and but for so comming, their powder would not take: if the cup of their poison was not rubbed with honey, it would not down. There be two defects which make a man either an unfit Teacher, or a false Teacher. When either they have not learned their lesson before they come, and so lacke ability: or doe not deliver it faithfully when they are come, and so lacke honesty.