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

Saint Peter tells us what was the price of this purchase, 1 Pet, 1.19. The precious blood of Christ, a Lamb without blemish. Had he emptied the veins of the earth, and spoiled them of their richest oars: had he plucked the spangles from heaven, and impoverished the firmament of her sparkling beauties: had he given the whole inheritance of the world; yet all had been infinitely less. When David said to Mephibosheth; Thou and Ziba divide the Land: he answered; Yea, let him take all, seeing my Lord the King is come again in peace. This was much, yet Mephibosheth's content was for David, a friend, a King: but God parts not with an Inheritance, but with his Son; and this for man, an enemy, a servant. Let death seize on my Son, that my servant may come again in peace. O never was so poor a purchase at so high a price! That he might show love to us, he forbore love to himself. Now see, O renegate, whom thou refusest: Nescis temeraria, nescis, quem fugias, ideóque fugis; Thou knowest not whom thou denyest, therefore thou denyest. If thou hast bought honour by thy valour, thou callest it Thine: if endeared a friend by thy loyalty, thou callest him Thine: if purchased an house with thy money, thou callest it Thine Christ hath bought thee with his blood, and yet thou denyest to be his. This ransom is paid, and now in a merciful offer he tenders it to thee; wilt thou in a peevish sullenness refuse it? Conceive this dialogue between the Redeemer and the Denier. Red. Open to me. Den. No, I know not whence thou art. Red. Rise and see. Den. No, I am in my warm bed of pleasures and carnal satisfactions, I will not rise: who art thou? Red. I am JESUS, thy Redeemer: wilt thou still swear and for swear, I know none such? I bought thee, thou art mine: I come to embrace thee, deny me not. Den. Yes, take me, when all other delights forsake me: let me be thine when I am not mine own: till then keep thy cheer to thy self, I have married my pleasure, and I cannot come. O obstinate hearts, whom the King of heaven must buy with his blood, woo with his grace, wait upon with his patience, enrich with proffers of mercy; and yet at last be denied? LORD turn to sad ⟨p. 403⟩as love thee, we deny not thee, deny not us, O good LORD JESUS. Amen.

Saint Peter tels us what was the price of this purchase, 1 Pet, 1.19. The precious bloud of Christ, a Lambe without blemish. Had he emptied the veines of the earth, and spoiled them of their richest oares: had he plucked the spangles from heaven, and impoverished the firmament of her sparkling beauties: had he given the whole inheritance of the world; yet all had beene infinitely lesse. When David said to Mephibosheth; Thou and Ziba divide the Land: he answered; Yea, let him take all, seeing my Lord the King is come againe in peace. This was much, yet Mephibosheth's content was for David, a friend, a King: but God parts not with an Inheritance, but with his Sonne; and this for man, an enemie, a servant. Let death seize on my Son, that my servant may come againe in peace. O never was so poore a purchase at so high a price! That he might shew love to us, he forbore love to himselfe. Now see, O renegate, whom thou refusest: Nescis temeraria, nescis, quem fugias, ideóque fugis; Thou knowest not whom thou denyest, therefore thou denyest. If thou hast bought honour by thy valour, thou callest it Thine: if indeared a friend by thy loyaltie, thou callest him Thine: if purchased an house with thy money, thou callest it Thine Christ hath bought thee with his bloud, and yet thou denyest to be his. This ransome is paid, and now in a mercifull offer he tenders it to thee; wilt thou in a peevish sullennesse refuse it? Conceive this dialogue betweene the Redeemer and the Denyer. Red. Open to me. Den. No, I know not whence thou art. Red. Rise and see. Den. No, I am in my warme bed of pleasures and carnall satisfactions, I will not rise: who art thou? Red. I am IESUS, thy Redeemer: wilt thou still sweare and for sweare, I know none such? I bought thee, thou art mine: I come to embrace thee, deny me not. Den. Yes, take me, when all other delights forsake me: let mee be thine when I am not mine owne: till then keepe thy cheare to thy selfe, I have married my pleasure, and I cannot come. O obstinate hearts, whom the King of heaven must buy with his bloud, wooe with his grace, wait upon with his patience, enrich with proffers of mercie; and yet at last be denyed? LORD turne to sad