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

This then be the sum; Judgements forewarned comes more easily on the prepared heart. Minus Jacula feriunt quae praevidentur, Greg. The wise mariner in a calm makes all his tacklings sure and strong against a storm. The fen-man mends his banks in summer, lest his ground be drowned in winter. Howsoever these predictions may afflict the body, they benefit the soul, Therefore if the physician perceive evident reasons of approaching death in his patient, he is bound not to flatter him with hope of life: Ne dum quaerat quod suum est, perdat quod Christi est: lest seeking his own gain, he lose CHRISTS purchase. But the conceit will exasperate his disease, and the dejection of mind hinders the recovery of body. Yield it, yet is this no reason of concealment, unless the body were more worth than the •oule, a life mortal than a life immortal, the company of sinners on earth, than the communion of Saints in heaven. I have seen some such physicians, (for not seldom the physician and Divine meet in the sick chamber) that when we have been •t prayers to the God of life, have neither bowed their knee, nor uncovered their head: as if the name of God were but a mockery, and they could cure a man without him. But let not my body fall into his hands, that hath no care of his own ⟨p. 466⟩soul: he that loves not God, will never love me. Alas, how should that potion work health where the chief ingredient, the grace of God is left out? Or, how should the blessing of God be found, when the God of blessing is not regarded?

This then be the summe; Iudgements forewarned comes more easily on the prepared heart. Minus Iacula feriunt quae praevidentur, Greg. The wise mariner in a calme makes all his tacklings sure and strong against a storme. The fen-man mends his bankes in summer, lest his ground be drowned in winter. Howsoever these predictions may afflict the body, they benefite the soule, Therefore if the physitian perceive evident reasons of approching death in his patient, he is bound not to flatter him with hope of life: Ne dum quaerat quod suum est, perdat quod Christi est: lest seeking his owne gaine, hee lose CHRISTS purchase. But the conceit will exasperate his disease, and the dejection of mind hinders the recoverie of body. Yield it, yet is this no reason of concealement, unlesse the body were more worth than the •oule, a life mortall than a life immortall, the company of sinners on earth, than the communion of Saints in heaven. I have seene some such physicians, (for not seldome the physitian and Divine meete in the sick chamber) that when we have beene t prayers to the God of life, have neither bowed their knee, nor uncovered their head: as if the name of God were but a mockerie, and they could cure a man without him. But let not my body fall into his hands, that hath no care of his owne