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

Either by privation, withering the good qualities in us: like an evil North •ind, they blow upon the buds of our grace, and nip them. Whether the ill companion be a white-skinned hypocrite, or, a black-hided Ruffian: the one like •ire water, the other like foul: but any water, fair or foul: may quench the fire •f Gods Altar in thee? He doth work a tabe and consumption into his fellows virtues: and wasteth them from an ounce to a dram; from a dram to a scruple, •o a grain, to nothing. He that hath money will beware of thieves: if thou have •ny grace, venture it not among these rifflers. Art thou inclined to pray? he tempts •ee to play. Wouldest thou go to a Sermon? by his persuasion the Theatre stands •n the way. Wouldest thou relieve the poor? no says he, this will help to •eare charges at the Tavern. Luk. 10.30. A certain man went down from Jerusalem […] Jericho, and fell among thieves, that robbed him, &c. He that will go from Jerusalem to Jericho, shall fall among thieves, that will rob him of his good conditions. The devil hath such agents, that practise the art of debauching men. As Hamilcar •wore his young son Hannibal in vindictam Romanorum, to the revenge of the Romans: and as Rome now swears her proselytes in vindictam Anglorum, to the revenge of the Protestants: so the devil swears all his Instruments in vindictam Chri•ianorum to the revenge of Christians. So that a man may say with Christ •n the crowd, Quis me tetigit? Who touched me, for I feel virtue gone out •f me.

Either by privation, withering the good qualities in us: like an evill North •ind, they blow upon the buds of our grace, and nippe them. Whether the ill •ompanion bee a white-skin'd hypocrite, or, a blacke-hided Ruffian: the one like ire water, the other like fowle: but any water, faire or fowle: may quench the fire f Gods Altar in thee? He doth worke a tabe and consumption into his fellowes ertues: and wasteth them from an ounce to a dramme; from a dramme to a scruple, o a graine, to nothing. He that hath money will beware of theeves: if thou have ny grace, venture it not among these rifllers. Art thou enclined to pray? he tempts ee to play. Wouldest thou goe to a Sermon? by his perswasion the Theater stands n the way. Wouldest thou relieve the poore? no saies hee, this will helpe to eare charges at the Taverne.