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

3 The Apostle wisheth to us the best things, Grace and Peace. There be two Fiends that torment us, Sin and a bad Conscience. Now Grace delivers from Sin, and Peace doth quiet the Conscience. By these two mentioned, may all graces and blessings be Synecdochically understood: howsoever, where these are truly, the rest cannot be wanting Jehoshaphat gave all his children portions, and legacies, silver and gold: but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram: God gives the best to the best. Spiritual things from God in Christ are most to be desired of us, and they love us best that wish us these things. It is not pleasure our Apostle wished them; pleasures are like Jairus minstrels, music in a house of mourning: there is more ⟨p. 38⟩need of Lachrymae and lamentations for our sins. Not security; for a wicked mans secure and untroubled mind is mare mortuum, like the dead sea; smooth and even at the top, but deep and deadly in the bottom. Not honour and advancement; this builds up many like Babels Tower, that their end might be confusion. Not riches; they are often like Absaloms hair, an ornament to hang himself: or an unruly Jade, that knocks out his masters brains, when he hath once cast him out of the saddle. No nor an outward pomp, and glorious pride of state and ceremonies: thus Rome hath lost the blood of her heart to paint her garments. These outward things may swarm together like those Idolaters to the house of Baal, 2 King. 10. But if you ask, as Jehu did there, Is there not a servant of the Lord amongst them? Is there not one grace among all that rabble and throng? No, never a grace: then must all the rest perish, as the worshippers of Baal fell by the sword of Jehu. None of these things our Apostle wisheth; but that which truly makes happy, and brings with it enough of other comforts, Grace and Peace. This makes men equal to Angels, and the want thereof casts down to devils. That which causeth a man to stand before Princes, is noble birth, honourable valour, abundant wealth, oraculous wisdom, eminent place and offices. But that which makes a man stand boldly before the Judgement seat of God, is only Grace and Peace, the free and eternal favour of the Deity in the merits of Jesus Christ. To conclude this; as we say we have grace, let us lead gracious lives: as we would have peace, let us decline unrighteousness which dissolves it.

3 The Apostle wisheth to us the best things, Grace and Peace. There be two Fiends that torment us, Sinne and a bad Conscience. Now Grace delivers from Sinne, and Peace doth quiet the Conscience. By these two mentioned, may all graces and blessings be Synecdochically understood: howsoever, where these are truly, the rest cannot be wanting Iehoshaphat gave all his children portions, and legacies, silver and gold: but he gave the kingdome to Iehoram: God gives the best to the best. Spirituall things from God in Christ are most to be desired of us, and they love us best that wish us these things. It is not pleasure our Apostle wished them; pleasures are like Iairus minstrels, musicke in a house of mourning: there is more