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

If any impenitent sinner complain; Why is my heaviness continual, my plague desperate, and cannot be healed: There is matter within himself to make him answer.^u Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? There is the inquisition of the proper cause. Let us search and try our selves, and term• • gain to the Lord: there's the application of the proper remedy. No wonder if the curse continue with them, that continue in obstinateness: impenitence can have no hope of mercy, Rev. 16.9.11. Though they suffer that extreme burning for sin, yet they repent of their sin, They blaspheme God for their sores, yet repent not of their misdeeds. It is an argument of their vain ignorance, to wonder that the term of their heavy visitation is not yet expired: while their sins are unrepented, their lives unamended. Correct the passion of thy heart, and direct it to contrition for sin, or, expect no cessation of penalty. As when the sinner is dead, all the while any moisture remains, the worms will not forsake his carcass. So while he lives in his sin, the curse will wait close upon the cause: still a sinner, and still a sufferer. Israel could not stand before their enemies, till they had put away the execrable thing. Nor will the plague forsake oppressors and sacrilegious usurpers, till their treasures of wickedness be returned back to the right owners. Let the example of little Zaccheus, the greatest example that ever was, for effectual and substantial restitution; teach them to break off their injustice with righteousness, which giveth every m•• his own: and their iniquity, with mercy to the poor. Lest they find this sin heavier than a millstone, when the shallow rivers of temporary punishments, shall […] into the ocean sea of eternal torments. Where is no restitution, there is no remission: where is no remission of the guilt of sin, no decrease of the power of sin: and where the power of sin is not lessened, there the plague of sin will be augmented. Nec desinet illi paenae sensus, cui non desivit culpae assens•s.

If any impenitent sinner complaine; Why is my heavinesse continuall, my plague desperate, and cannot be healed: There is matter within himselfe to make him answer.