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

Let this teach us to get so close as we can to God, that Satan may not reach […] The chickens be safe under the wings of their mother, and we under the providence of our Father. So long as we hold the tenor of obedience, we are the Lords subjects: and if we serve him, he will preserve us. But when a man is fallen to the […] of an out-Law or rebel, the Law dispenseth with them that kill him, because the Prince hath excluded him from the benefit of his protection. All the fear of Satan ariseth from the want of the due fear of God. The more a man fears God, the less he fear every thing else. Fear God, Honour the King: he that fears God, doth but honour the King, he need not fear him. It would affright a weak Christian, to consider the presence and number, malice and power, of wicked spirits. But when with the Prophets servant, he sees those good Angels on his side, as present, as diligent, more able to help than the other to hurt, he takes heart again. He knows that God (most good) bounds the temptation of the one, and directs the protection of the other. Though there be many legions of devils, and every o•• stronger than many legions of men, and more malicious than strong; yet Chri••• little flock lives and prospers.^h I am the Lord, I change not: therefore ye so•••• of Jacob are not consumed. The devil would do it, and doth attempt it; but God• unchangeable mercy prevents it. That we here meet, pray, worship, is against the devils will; only our gracious GOD maintains it. That every moment […] perish not in the jaws of that Lion, let our hearts acknowledge, and our tong••• praise the Lord our maker.

Let this teach us to get so close as we can to God, that Satan may not reach 〈…〉 The chickens be safe under the wings of their mother, and we under the providence of our Father. So long as we hold the tenor of obedience, we are the Lords subjects: and if we serve him, he will preserve us. But when a man is fallen to the 〈…〉 of an out-Law or rebell, the Law dispenseth with them that kill him, because the Prince hath excluded him from the benefite of his protection. All the feare of Satan ariseth from the want of the due feare of God. The more a man feares God, the lesse he feare every thing else. Feare God, Honour the King: he that feares God, doth but honour the King, he need not feare him. It would affright a weake Christian, to consider the presence and number, malice and power, of wicked spirits. But when with the Prophets servant, he sees those good Angels on his side, as present, as diligent, more able to helpe than the other to hurt, he takes heart againe. He knowes that God (most good) bounds the temptation of the one, and directs the protection of the other. Though there be many legions of divells, and every o stronger than many legions of men, and more malicious than strong; yet Chri little flocke lives and prospers.