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

They need not be led on with flatteries, as Absalom stole the hearts of Israel. When a courtier, to work Sejanus out of favour with Tiberius, had luxuriously flattered and gilded him with his own virtues: and the Emperor found that the intention of all his design was to overthrow Sejanus: he replied, alas you might have spared all this pains and oratory, for I meant before to ruin Sejanus. So to persuade a covetous man to become an Usurer, and to flatter him with the safe and easy gain; it is but labour lost: he meant to do it, though he were never counselled to it.

They need not be led on with flatteries, as Absalom stole the hearts of Israel. When a courtier, to worke Sejanus out of favour with Tiberius, had luxuriously flattered and guilded him with his owne vertues: and the Emperor found that the intention of all his designe was to overthrow Sejanus: he replied, alas you might have spared all this paines and oratory, for I meant before to ruine Sejanus. So to perswade a covetous man to become an Vsurer, and to flatter him with the safe and easy gaine; it is but labour lost: he meant to doe it, though he were never counselled to it.

They need not be hired with rewards: yet this same Dabo tibi goes farre; it tempted Balaam to curse, where he should bless: Judas to betray, where he should adore. Saul thought that this only would stay the Benjamites from revolting to David, 1 Sam. 22.7. Will the son of Ishai give you fields and vineyards? will he make you captains over thousands, or captains over hundreds? This engine Satan planted against the walls of eternity, Matth. 4.9. All these will I give thee. As God said to Abraham; All the land that thou seest will I give unto thee, Gen. 13.15. But these men, though they had no reward, yet insant sine munere currunt. Though the tempter says not as Balak to their cousin, false prophet,