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

Be multiplied unto you. I come from the matter to the measure of his wish; the increase and multiplication of these blessings. For the goods of this world the best point of Arithmetic is Division: Beatius dare quàm accipere, said our Lord Jesus. It is a better thing to give than to receive. But for heavenly and unperishing graces the best point is multiplication. As he that for worldly riches doth not divide whiles he lives, shall find an empty Quotient when he is dead. So he that for heavenly gifts doth not multiply in life, shall find his Summa totalis in death; poverty, vanity, vacuity. Here observe two inferences.

Be multiplied unto you. I come from the matter to the measure of his wish; the encrease and multiplication of these blessings. For the goods of this world the best point of Arithmeticke is Division: Beatius dare quàm accipere, said our Lord Iesus. It is a better thing to give than to receive. But for heavenly and unperishing graces the best point is multiplication. As he that for worldly riches doth not divide whiles he lives, shall find an empty Quotient when he is dead. So he that for heavenly gifts doth not multiply in life, shall finde his Summa totalis in death; povertie, vanity, vacuity. Here observe two inferences.

1 That there is no plenary perfection in this life, for we must still be in multiplying our graces. Bern. Quomodo profitis, si jam tibi sufficis? Who cares to thrive, that thinks he hath sufficient? The highest Saint on earth, is but like the Ark of the Covenant; a Cubit and a half high: perfectly unperfect when he begins, unperfectly perfect when he ends.^b When we have done all that is commanded us, we are not only confined to be, but also charged to call our selves, unprofitable servants. There was a sect of Puritans, that thought themselves so full of grace, that they refused one Petition in the Lords Prayer; Dimitte nobis debita nostra, Forgive us our trespasses. And Philip Nerius conceited himself so full of God, that he used to say, Recede à me Domine; Depart further from me Lord, for I am holy enough: perhaps he thought, if God should pour in more wine of Grace, it would burst the vessel; and that he was full before. He spake not with Peters intention, Discede, quia sum peccator; Depart from me, for I am a sinful man: but out of a plethory of pride; Discede, quia sum sufficienter justus; Depart, for I am sufficiently righteous. Nor as Elijah,