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

They bring on themselves.] Very kind men! what would they do with others, that destroy themselves? Cui bonus, qui sibi nequam? He that is evil to himself, […] whom will he be good? Every man thinks, that he loves himself far better than his enemy: yet while he affecteth sin, he loves his enemy better than himself,¹ Unusquisque vult esse beatus, etiam sic vivendo ut sit miserrimus. All men would be happy, albeit most men take the course of infelicity. We hate our foes; thou hast no worse foe than thy self: hate thy sinful self. If there were no harlot, no drunken associate, no thief to cry, Cast in thy lot with us; no devil to do his office; wicked men would beget destruction on themselves. Accersunt, so some read; They send for destruction; as a man dispatcheth messenger after messenger, because the expected party delays his coming. So as if damnation were leaden-heeled, they send anger to fetch it to them, after that malice, after that murder, a bloody messenger. So worldlings send covetousness for it, after that lying, after that swearing, after that Usury, after all oppression. Lest vengeance should be too slow, & forget it self, these be the messengers to bring it. Hos. 4.2. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every inhabitant languish. Now whe• the plague comes, and says, Ecce adsum, Here I am: they cry as the devil did to CHRIST, What have we to do with thee: why comest thou to torment us before […] time? Before your time, replies destruction? Why, did you not send for me? was not pride rapping at my door, blasphemy thundering in mine ears, Sacrilege pulling me by the hand? all crying, vengeance come away, thou art sent for? And especially, when sacrilege hastened me, it was high time to come. As Aha•i• three Captains and their fifties that were sent to fetch Elijah: one said, come down: another, come down quickly: the last on his knees entreat; lo then God saith g• down with him, 2 King. 11.14. Wickedness says, wrath come down: presumpti•• says, come down quickly: but rebellion begs it without nay: and then G saith, Go down with it. Yea, as if sending for it were not speedy enough, and thy would not in this business trust a messenger;