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

Heresies, in the plural, to point at a multitude. The troubles of the Church seldom come single: but either they unite their forces, as the five Amorite kings combined against Gibeon,-Josh. 10.5. Or separately and a part, they vex her on every side; as Solomon was assaulted with Hadad the Edomite, Rezon the Syrian, and Jeroboam the Ephrathite; finding that true whereof his Father complained, Men enemies compass me in on every side, 1 King. 11. We read, 1 Sam. 13.17. That out of the camp of the Philistines, came three regiments, all with a purpose to destroy, yet all taking several ways: one company of spoilers to Ophrah, another to Bethern, and the third to Zeboim. This is too true a portraiture of the Churches condition: as Israel then was temporally wasted, so the Church is now spiritually assaulted; and will be so used, until hell hath swallowed up all her enemies. For these Egyptians will not cease pursuing Israel, till they all be drowned in the deep. There is a treble band of them, all bent to murder several ways. The licentious by his scandalous life, the persecutor by his drawn sword, the Heretic by his pestilent doctrine And every one of these blows his trumpet to sedition, with Sheba the son of Bichri; Every man to his tents, O Israel, 2 Samuel Verse 20. ⟨p. 381⟩Our case is not unlike theirs: there was three garrisons of enemies, all armed with all manner of weapons for offence: yet against all these, the Israelites had but two swords for defence: yet it pleased God that those two were enow. One is the sword of the Spirit, that is Doctrine; the other the sword of the Church, that is Discipline. That as Peter said, Ecce duo gladii; Behold two swords. But two swords for so many, and against so many? a word of extreme want. Satis est, saith CHRIST; It is enough, those two shall suffice; a word of supreme mercy. Mercy to them, comfort to us; that our God can defend us with small means, with no means. The sword of the Spirit shall overcome Satan's fiery darts; though the sword of the Church prevail not against their bloody falchions. 2 Tim. 3.1. In the last days shall be erilous times; men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, &c. O what a rabble is there! you may say they are Legion; as the devil called his name. Luk 8.30. Legion, they are so many. Or here comes a company, as Leah said at the birth of Gad; A troop cometh, Gen.