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

A man is desperately sick, another tells him of great riches, of Lordships and manors, and fair purchases; alas this is an unseasonable speech: he answers, first Read me sanum, then Fac divitem: first restore me to health, then talk to me of wealth: me•s souls are sick of sin, and at deaths door; never tell them of heaven and an immortal kingdom, till they be first recovered from the jaws of hell, and delivered out of the snare of the devil: first humble them by the Law, then revive them with the Gospel Videamus Lacrymas, let us see your humiliation, your repentance; let us hear your groans, we will then give your comforts: we dare not apply the oil of consolation, till we have scoured your festered wounds with the sharp wine of reprehension. When we behold your cheeks blubbered with tears, your hands beating your breasts, your cries resounding at heaven-gates for mercy: then is the time to say Grace, and Peace unto you.

A man is desperately sicke, another tells him of great riches, of Lordships and mannors, and faire purchases; alas this is an unseasonable speech: he answers, first Redde me sanum, then Fac divitem: first restore me to health, then talke to me of wealth: me•s soules are sicke of sinne, and at deaths doore; never tell them of heaven and an immortall kingdome, till they be first recovered from the jawes of hell, and delivered out of the snare of the devill: first humble them by the Law, then revive them with the Gospell Videamus Lacrymas, let us see your humiliation, your repentance; let us heare your grones, we will then give your comforts: we dare not apply the oile of consolation, til we have scowred your festered wounds with the sharpe wine of reprehension. When we behold your cheekes blubbered with teares, your hands beating your brests, your cries resounding at heaven-gates for mercie: then is the time to say Grace, and Peace unto you.

Grace. To omit the diverse acceptions of Grace, by it is generally meant, the receiving of the sinner into the Covenant of mercy, into Gods favour by Christ. It is our second Birth: our first was ex libidine Carnis, of the lust of the flesh: our second ex aqua & sanguine, of water and blood by the holy Ghost. Thus are we changed into other men: as in the Resurrection we shall be the same and not the same; Caro eadem & non, the same in substance, not in quality. So in our first resurrection by Grace, a man is Idem & non Idem, the same and not the same: the same for constitution, not the same for disposition. For before our hearts were proud, now they are made humble: before covetous, now charitable: before set on worldly delights, now on the righteousness of Christ, and the invaluable riches of a good conscience.