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

The use that we are to make of it, is by this consideration to fortify our faithfulness and loyalty to CHRIST. Let us not deny him, yea let us deny all things for him. For saith Hierome; if necessity require it, Odium in suum, est pietas in deum; it is godliness to hate our own delights in respect of the Lord. What good thing can be lost by our profession, which Jesus requites not in himself? lose we riches? In him dwells all fullness. Liberty? The Son makes us free indeed. Wife? he is a husband. Children? he is a Father. Life? Ego sum vita, he is the true life. Therefore is he called All in all: ut qui omnia propter Christum dimiserit, […] pro omnibus inveniat, & liberè clamet, Pars mea Dominus, Hieronym. That he which hath left all for CHRIST, many find CHRIST in stead of all, and sing cheerfully, The Lord is my portion. Why should we deny him? he never denied us. Not to the Pharisees, Matth. 9.12. Why eateth your Master with Publicans and sinners? this was their question. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance: this was his answer. Not to Pilate. 1 Tim. 6.13. Before Pontius Pilate he witnessed a good confession. Not to the Angels, for he makes them Ministering spirits for our good. Not to GOD the Father himself, Joh. 17. They are all mine, and thine. When he was betrayed and taken, he denied us not to Judas; Ego sum, I am he. When he was scourged, he denied us not: when he was condemned, and nailed to the Cross, lo, he did not then deny us, Though enemies denied mercy, by-standers denied him pity, Angels must deny him help, God himself seemed to deny him ease and comfort; so he cries, My God, why hast thou denied me? yet even then he did not deny us. But he confessed us to the death, Luk. 23.34. Father, forgive them: and after death, as appears by his charge to Peter, Feed my sheep: and for ever, Matth. 10.32. Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father in heaven. A way then with all excuses of denial: there are two temptations or causes of it; Infirmity, and Infidelity. Infirmity riseth from fear of pain, Infidelity from love of pleasure. Is any pain like the separation from CHRIST? think of that Discredit,