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

2 There is something in grace and knowledge still wanting, that must be multiplied and increased: for we know but in part. Therefore a man should be often perusing and looking over his own evidence; as we review our assurances of worldly possessions; that he may be sure of the whole and every part of it: for it is dangerous to have any flaw or defect in our conveyance of salvation: which albeit it be ever sound on Gods part, is not so on ours. The falls of a regenerate man much darken his knowledge: therefore when we have sinned, it is not enough to renew our repentance, but we must rub over and polish our knowledge. Men may know much in their understandings by thinking of it; but we must double this knowledge in our affections and hearts, by feeling it. For there is no knowledge so comfortable, as the experimental certainty of Gods favour. Mans heart is like a vessel, the means of conveying knowledge to it is like a pipe: the Spirit of God like the wheel that pours the water into the pipe, the Minister is the servant that opens the cock. Now the reason why our knowledge is so small; is either because the cock always runs not, or not in that measure, or rather because our vessels be stopped, or it runs out by leakage, or it runs over, by reason of the former fullness; and repletion with the lusts of this world: mans heart is so full of cracks and flaws, that it cannot hold the water of life.

2 There is something in grace and knowledge still wanting, that must be multiplied and increased: for we know but in part. Therefore a man should be often perusing and looking over his own evidence; as we review our assurances of worldly possessions; that he may be sure of the whole and every part of it: for it is dangerous to have any flaw or defect in our conveyance of salvation: which albeit it be ever sound on Gods part, is not so on ours. The fals of a regenerate man much darken his knowledge: therefore when we have sinned, it is not enough to renew our repentance, but we must rub over and polish our knowledge. Men may know much in their understandings by thinking of it; but we must double this knowledge in our affections and hearts, by feeling it. For there is no knowledge so comfortable, as the experimentall certainty of Gods favour. Mans heart is like a vessell, the meanes of conveying knowledge to it is like a pipe: the Spirit of God like the wheele that powres the water into the pipe, the Minister is the servant that opens the cocke. Now the reason why our knowledge is so small; is either because the cocke alwayes runnes not, or not in that measure, or rather because our vessels be stopped, or it runs out by leakage, or it runnes over, by reason of the former fulnesse; and repletion with the lusts of this world: mans heart is so full of crackes and flawes, that it cannot hold the water of life.