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

4 We must not fall off from the faith and Church of CHRIST, because multitudes travel another way. He that proclaims pleasure and carnal content to all his followers, shall have many Scholars in Courts, Palaces, Colleges, Senates, Fields, Shops, Offices: for all they love darkness whose deeds are evil. There are few whose faith finds a passage through the strait gate. Of six hundred thousand Israelites but two entered into the land of promise. Non facile invenies multis è milibus unum, virtutem pretii qui putat esse sui. The Papists fable to us of Saint Bernard, that the fifteenth day after his death he appeared to a certain Monk: and when the Monk ⟨p. 434⟩asked whether it were a difficult thing to be saved; he should thus answer him: The same day I died there died also four thousand three hundred; and of all them Ego solus cum quodam Heremite vitam caelestem intravimus, only my self and one Hermite were received into heaven: there was one cast into the fire of purgatory, and all the rest went to hell. For the story, I have not so spacious a faith as to credit it: but I fear of the many thousands which every day depart this life, the greater number take the wrong way. If this be so, strive we to make sure our own salvation: that when many follow these damnable ways, we may be found of that number that followed JESUS CHRIST. When Agelmond King of the Lombards (be it reported upon Sigebert's credit) passed by a pond into which seven infants were cast, he thrust down his spear, and that Infant which took hold of it he brought up from the pool, brought home to his house, and brought up at his house like the Kings Son; and at last he succeeded him in the kingdom; he was called Lanussio, or Lamussius, from Lama a ditch out of which he was taken. So when the great King of heaven came into the world, and the world knew him not, he found us all drenched in the whirlpool of sin, and ready to be everlastingly drowned: he thrust down his spear the saving Gospel: and Joh. 1.12. As many (not many, scarce one of seven) as received him, (took hold on his spear, as it followeth there exegetically) that believed in his Name: To them he gave (not only obtaining for them, nor proclaiming to them, but to them he gave) Power to be the Sons of GOD, to be repossessed of the kingdom, and to divide the Inheritance with the principal heir, himself.

4 Wee must not fall off from the faith and Church of CHRIST, because multitudes travell another way. He that proclaimes pleasure and carnall content to all his followers, shall have many Schollers in Courts, Palaces, Colledges, Senates, Fields, Shops, Offices: for all they love darkenesse whose deeds are evill. There are few whose faith finds a passage through the streight gate. Of sixe hundred thousand Israelites but two entred into the land of promise. Non facile invenies multis è milibus unum, virtutem pretii qui putat esse sui. The Papists fable to us of Saint Bernard, that the fifteenth day after his death he appeared to a certaine Monk: and when the Monke