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

First take it generally; there is a heaven wheresoever Gods gracious presence shineth. Yea as the Father said; I had rather be out of heaven with Christ, than a heaven without Christ. So we had better be on earth with Gods favour, than in heaven without it. For as the Sun makes a day, so the countenance of God makes a heaven, wheresoever it shineth. Absence of light causeth darkness; if God turn away his face, nothing remains but wretchedness.^g In thy presence is the fullness […] joy. If the fullness of joy be in his presence, then the fullness of sorrow is in his absence.^h Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. For the light of Gods countenance David often praises; nothing was so terrible as the hiding of his face from him: especially if it be true what the French Nightingale sung; That hell is every where, where God is not. If the Kings favourite be for ever decourted, and banished the royal presence; this more afflicts him than those that never saw it. Ignoti null• amor, an unknown good is uncared for: many men little affect heaven, because they never apprehended the sweetness of it. But that which is retained with great sensible joy, cannot be lost without great sensible grief. Had these wicked Angels ne•• known the delectableness of Gods presence; their own expulsion out of heave• had been less plague unto them. Now they may name all their thoughts, tho•• children of their minds; Idiabods; For ⁱthe glory is departed from them. It w•• Absaloms extremest discontent to be kept from the Court; therefore in passion •e solicits Joab; ^kLet me see the Kings face.

First take it generally; there is a heaven wheresoever Gods gracious presence shineth. Yea as the Father said; I had rather be out of heaven with Christ, than a heaven without Christ. So we had better be on earth with Gods favour, than in heaven without it. For as the Sunne makes a day, so the countenance of God makes a heaven, wheresoever it shineth. Absence of light causeth darkenesse; if God turne away his face, nothing remaines but wretchednesse.