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

There is no fault in a Minister like covetousness; because there is no sin reigning in the world like worldliness. We may spend our spirits, and preach our hea•• out, to dissuade mens affections from this world, if we embrace it our selves, they will never believe us. When a Preacher, as if he had lost all his former time sp•• in learning, and were now to recover it by a preposterous imitation of the hungrie•• muck-eaters: gives over himself to that as most precious, which he bids other […] give over as most superfluous. Men now hearing his Sermons will think his doctrine possible to be taught: but seeing his life, they will think it impossible to •e kept. What scholar is not ready to imitate his Masters exercise? There is nothing farther from heaven, nothing more unlike our maker, than worldliness. It […] observable that those creatures which are nearest the earth, are most busy in ho• ding: those more remote are less careful. What an abundant provision makes the Ante, which is a creature housed in the earth! The birds of the air that fly next heaven,^a neither sow nor reap nor carry into the barn. How unnatural is it, th•• they who by their vocation are next heaven, should yet by their conversation be f•• thest off. How confidently doth the Apostle draw on their affections, upon ••s known unguiltinesse of this sin?^b Receive us, we have wronged no man, we have •• frauded no man, &c. Receive us in understanding, obedience, charity: Why? though we rebuke sin, yet we have wronged no man in his reputation. Though we preach mysteries, have corrupted no man in his conscience. Though we receive our own• dues, we have defrauded no man in his state and condition. False teachers are otherwise minded;^c subverting whole houses, for filthy lucre's sake. As Physicians given sick men potions, that themselves may live: so all their conceptions are others consumptions. Their mouths shall be stopped, saith the Apostle; if not with the had of humane authority, yet with the fire of hell. They are such as the Psalmist describes. Their tongues walk against heaven, therefore the people turn in unto them, and th suck they no small advantage.