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

1 They sell you.] Perhaps they bought you first, may they not then sell you? If they bought you dear, would you have them sell you cheap? vendere j••• potest, emerat ille prius. One might buy a benefice haply of some unsanctified Patron, (for no hallowed man will sell hallowed things) and will that merchant live by the loss? But to buy is Simony, to sell is Sacrilege. Christians are the Lords proprieties, sanctified and set a part from the world, for himself. He that sells them, is guilty in some proportion of Judas his merchandise, when he sold CHRIST himself.¹ He went to the chief Priests, and said, what will you give me &c. First, against the custom of the market, he did not tarry in his shop or stall, till customers came to cheapen and buy: but he went to them, like a pedlar that had no standing; he sought chapmen, exposing his wares; quite contrary to the reason of modesty, which observes that proffered ware stinks. Thus do these merchants, keep no markets nor ware-houses in public, but run up and down to get trading for souls.² Quaerunt emptores: as their master, that Seeks whom he may devour. Many a cursed Patron and pattern of Atheism, holds a Benefice vacant in his hands, till he hath sounded many chapmen with a Who gives more? And then if Bala•• Ass can but dung him silver enough, he will sell him all the souls of the Parish, yea, they are worse than Judas: he came to the Priests with a quantum dabitis, he set no price on his commodity, but left it to the buyer: not, thus much you shall give for him, or not have him; but give what what you think good, make your own match. But these Patrons set a precise rate on their livings. Thus much you, shall give: it is worth a hundred pound a year, and I will have three years purchase for it; and yet say that I use you kindly: for such and such have taken […], seven, nine years purchase for their mere donations. Yea they are craftier merchants than Judas: for it is probable that he had neither ready money, nor good assurance: but these will be sure of their moneys before hand, or, else a good pa••e. And let the best Preacher in the Land come at such a season; Si nihil attuleris, God be with you, Homer.