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

First, let this teach men of place to look unto their exemplary lives: lest, as they have made themselves examples of transgression, God make them examples of destruction. Qui errantes destruunt instruunt morientes: they that tempt to sin by their life, shall debtor from sin by their death. The life of Julian made many i• fidels, the death of Julian made many Christians. The pride of the wicked doth pervert many, their falls shall convert many. God will teach men to fear him, even by their ruin that taught them not to fear him. Magistratus indicat vir••, saith Aristotle: a private man like an empty vessel may have many flaws unseen: but in full vessels the chinks and fissures are descried by the leakage of the wi••, Infirmities in Lay-men seem Nugae, small faults; in Teachers and Governors Bl• sphemiae, blasphemies. Quanto nobilior, tanto notabilior: the more honourable, t•• more remarkable. Actual precedence, or silent connivance in them, heartens an• beardens the inferiors. The high Priests money tempted an Apostle: if the Pop• command, commend, or reward treason; the conspirator takes it to be religio•• Therefore in men of high place, love should bind more than Law: Minimum l••• re decet, cui plurimum licet: he should do least, that may do most mischief. S••• are superiors cateris, but there is superior supremis, Eccl. 5.8. He that is higher […] the highest regardeth it, and there be higher than they. With God there is no resp••• of persons: the poorest may say to the richest, as the malefactor to his fellow […] the Cross; Thou art in the s•me condemnation. God charged Moses, Numb. 25.• Take the heads of the people, and to hang them up. They were Princes some of the• and these often think that no Law can hold them, that they may live as they […] but God spaes not Princes. Yea Potentes potenter punienter: mighty sinners sha […] mightily punished. As they that carry not their light reservedly to themselves, […] communicate it to others, in turning them to righteousness, shall shine as the st the brightest part of their orbs,