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

8 Defendendo, by defending. When others iniquities are not considered of us in their true value, but find an estimation far lighter than the gravity of them requires; this is a sin that God abominates.¹ He that justifieth the wicked (as he that condemneth the just) is an abomination unto the Lord. Justice would punish a malefactor, but the protection of some great one delivers him; and now the law may put up his dagger. Thus a lewd person need not fear to offend, that hath a great man to his friend, or hath not a great man to his enemy. Tegunt eum umbrosa nemora umbraculis suis. ²The shady trees cover him with their shadows. The robber rifles a passenger, is apprehended and indited: the booty he gives to some mighty one to procure his pardon and escapes. Thus the poor traveller is robbed doubly; both of his money, and all relief of the Law: and the protector of the lewd person is become the greater thief. This is a common appropriation of others sins: when mens wits are set on work to make that good, which their malice hath made necessary. Covetousness begot Usury, unjustice doth practise it, and some are feed to defend it. Pride and profaneness makes tithes arbitrary; and is there no man will take pains to justify it? This is to bring the sins of all men that transgress in that nature, to become that mans, whose pen did patronize such sacrilege.

8 Defendendo, by defending. When others iniquities are not considered of us in their true value, but find an estimation far lighter than the gravitie of them requires; this is a sin that God abominates.¹ He that justifieth the wicked (as he that condemneth the just) is an abomination unto the Lord. Iustice would punish a malefactor, but the protection of some great one delivers him; and now the law may put up his dagger. Thus a lewd person need not feare to offend, that hath a great man to his friend, or hath not a great man to his enemie. Tegunt eum umbrosa nemora umbraculis suis. ²The shady trees cover him with their shadowes. The robber rifles a passenger, is apprehended and indited: the bootie he gives to some mightie one to procure his pardon and escapes. Thus the poore traveller is robbed doubly; both of his money, and all reliefe of the Law: and the protector of the lewd person is become the greater theefe. This is a common appropriation of others sins: when mens wittes are set on worke to make that good, which their malice hath made necessary. Covetousnesse begot Vsurie, unjustice doth practise it, and some are fee'd to defend it. Pride and profanesse makes tythes arbitrary; and is there no man will take paines to justifie it? This is to bring the sins of all men that transgresse in that nature, to become that mans, whose pen did patronize such sacriledge.