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

Secondly, their vigilant care to spy out the opportunity, how they may privily bring Heresy in. She that will lay her bastard at an honest mans door, must watch the time when the whole family is either far enough without, or is fast asleep within. Never was more watchfulness, than where is most purpose of wickedness. The ungodly cannot sleep unless he do mischief, Mic. 2.1. They devise iniquity on their beds, and when the morning is light they practice it. They lye waking all night, that they may be working in the morning. Luke 16.8. The children of this world are Sapientiores, Wiser: yea, and Vigilantiores, Watchfuller; than the children of light. You seldom hear of them that watch all night to prayer, and the service of GOD, Job Chap. 24. vers. 16. In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the day. They spy their opportunity by day, but act their villainy by night. That is the private and secret season of bringing in their damnable traffic: they have found the key, and when all are asleep, they land their merchandise. The biting cur barks not before-hand: nor did he that meant to rob, send a messenger before to tell the passengers, Ware the thief. These repentine, serpentine mischiefs sting before they hiss: and like the Musket, kills dead before it gives the report. The Lion ⟨p. 386⟩first roars and then preys; the Wolfe first preys, and then roars: the Heretic preys, but roars not at all. As the woman that loves credit more than conscience, will sin, so it be in private: so this Incendiary resolves to adulterate the truth, and to prostitute his soul to falsehood; but his hope and help is in the the shadow of darkness; Privily. When all is cock-sure, (the good-man absent) GOD not preventing, (the good-wife suspectless) the Church without mistrust, (the servants asleep) the Ministers retired; then doth this incarnate fiend begin to work upon the children. And in confidence of his two confederate thieves, Place and Occasion; he so bestirs himself; that from poor innocent souls he often steals the best of blessings, a good conscience. Never did opportunity meet with one that makes more use of it: he will husband it to proof, and like a cunning antagonist, lose not an inch of his advantage. The diligence of such is admirable:

Secondly, their vigilant care to spie out the opportunitie, how they may privily bring Heresie in. Shee that will lay her bastard at an honest mans doore, must watch the time when the whole family is either far enough without, or is fast asleep within. Never was more watchfulnesse, than where is most purpose of wickednesse. The ungodly cannot sleepe unlesse he doe mischiefe,