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

2 In this glass we may behold the state of the world before us. Even the for• times abounded with sins: they had their aberrations and delirements as well •e. It is the fashion of people to admire former days.^t Laudamus veteres, What •e cause that the former days were better than these? But Solomon taxeth that en•y of folly. Because we feel not our forefathers evils, therefore we think they […] no evils at all The deluge of Popery in this land is still commended by divers •me-affected, Rome-infected spirits. Why? O then men lived neighbourly together, ⟨p. 548⟩without quarrels and suits of contention. Did they so, and is the Gospel the cause why men do not so now? Is it not the Gospel of peace, teaching us to love others as our selves? Shall men be litigious furies, and lay the fault on God• mercies? Hath the Lord opened our eyes for no other purpose, but to see to sc••• and wound one another? But then were men merry and jovial, and not troubled with melancholy cares? If they rejoiced in Dolio, non in Domino, in their riches and not in their graces; it was a mirth for the Devil. If it were in the Lord, […] the Gospel sad us?^u The Statutes of the Lord rejoice the heart. Is any mirth like the meditation of our peace made by Christ? Cannot we answer the join•• world (as the grave Musician being called into company, that sang wanton ca•••, and expostulated why he did not bear his part) I am as merry as they that s••• […] is God that puts ^xmore gladness in our hearts, than all their abundance can fill […] withal. Shall men bait of their mirth, because God is near them in his favour? Or a man be afraid to walk abroad, because it is fair weather?