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

Let this teach us how to think of our sins, and their violent precipitating […] to destruction. Unless we value the wealth of our country, the health of our friends, the peace of our consciences, the life of our bodies and souls, at so low a rate: as H••• rius lying quietly at Ravenna, prised Rome. When he heard that Rome was taken, he looked pale, fearing it had been his Hen, called Roma: but understanding it •o be no worse than the Cities loss, he laughed at the news. So except we esteem our own lusts and vanities, more than the well-fare of the whole Land, and think the loss of all no more than if a Fly were taken in the web of a Spider: let us confess and redress our sins. Do we marvel in this rebellious age, why the barren turf yields pale and hungry grass, if the hail spoil the Vine, whirl-winds the Olive; if pestilent breaths corrupt the air: let us look to our sins, and cease marvelling. Not that there is destruction, but that there is not destruction, is the wonder. No marvel if miseries come, the marvel is that they stay so long. Let it not be so with us, as Josephus thought of Jerusalem; that if the Romans had not invaded them, the very earth would have swallowed them. Let us fall to our seasonable deprecation, that the LORD destroy us not. Jerem. 3.22. Return […] back-sliding children, and I will heal your back-slidings. Behold, we come unto thee, f•• thou art the Lord our God. Be our sins less, and our prayers more, that we may find mercy.

Let this teach us how to thinke of our sins, and their violent precipitating 〈…〉 to destruction. Vnlesse we value the wealth of our country, the health of our friends, the peace of our consciences, the life of our bodies and soules, at so low a rate: as H••• rius lying quietly at Ravenna, prised Rome. When he heard that Rome was taken, he looked pale, fearing it had beene his Hen, called Roma: but understanding it •o be no worse than the Cities losse, he laughed at the newes. So except wee esteeme our owne lusts and vanities, more than the well-fare of the whole Land, and thinke the losse of all no more than if a Fly were taken in the web of a Spider: let us confesse and redresse our sinnes. Doe we marvell in this rebellious age, why the barren turfe yeelds pale and hungrie grasse, if the haile spoile the Vine, whirle-winds the Olive; if pestilent breaths corrupt the aire: let us looke to our sinnes, and cese marvelling. Not that there is destruction, but that there is not destruction, is the wonder. No marvell if miseries come, the marvell is that they stay so long. Let it not be so with us, as Iosephus thought of Ierusalem; that if the Romans had not invaded them, the very earth would have swallowed them. Let us fall to our seasonable deprecation, that the LORD destroy us not.