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

The Gospel intends our newness of life, and peracts this through four degrees; in allusion, yea, in conformity to the death and resurrection of Christ. First, his body was wounded and beaten, with thorns and buffets: answerable in us there must be contrition: Trajectum vulnere corpus; When the Publican did but knock his breast, he gave this wound to his flesh. Strike it soundly with remorse of heart, set it a bleeding. 2. Christs body was pursued with incessant afflictions, so follow thy fin with continual blows, till thou make it so weak that it cannot creep, 1 Cor. 9.27. I beat down my body, and bring it in subjection. Though sin will not say, as the Prophet to his neighbour; Percute me; Smite me, I pray thee: yet God bids us smite it: and if we deny to do it, his wrath will smite us, as the Lion slew that refuser, 1 King. 20.36. Therefore let us deal with it, as the other man did with the Prophet, ver. 37. Smite it soundly, and smite it daily: a little sorrow is not sufficient. Gemitus, quasi geminatus: Let us water our bed every night with our tears, Psal. 6.6. Do not only blow upon it with intermissive blasts, for then like fire it will resurge and flame the more. Sin is like a stinking candle newly put out, it is soon lighted again. It may receive a wound, but like a dog it will easily lick it self whole: a little forbearance multiplies it like Hydra's heads. Therefore, Nullam labem aspergat dies, quam nocturnae lacryma non dilu•ant; Whatsoever aspersion the sin of the day hath brought upon us, let the tears of the night wash away. 3. They crucify Christ: so when sin is thus wounded and weakened, let us have it to the Cross, and nail it fast, Rom. 6.6. Let our old man be crucified with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, that hence-forth we may not serve sin. It is fit we should crucify that enemy, which crucified our best friend, Christ. Yea, that we should kill that, Quod si non pereat, perdat; Which, if we destroy not, will destroy us. It is written of Ahaz, 2 Chron. 28.23. that he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which plagued him: Let us never seek to please sin, which seeks to confound s. He is a fool that loves his sin better than his soul. No, Moriatur iniquitas, ne moriatur iniquus; let the sin die, that the sinner may live. Neither dally this execution: