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

Apostasy in old-age is fearful: He that climbs almost to the top of a Tower, […] slipping back, hath the greater fall. The patient almost recovered, is more •dly sick by a relapse. There were Stars struck from Heaven by the Dragons […]; they had better never have perched so high. The place where the Israelites […] into that great folly with the daughters of Moab, was in the Plain, within the aspect of the holy Land: they saw their Inheritance, and yet fell short of it. So •tched is it for old men to fall, near to their very entry of heaven.¹ As old Eli •is Indulgence; old Judah in his Incest; old David with Bathsheba; ^r3old Asa •ting in the Physicians more than in God; and old Solomon built the High-places. •e have walked^s like Cherubs in the middest of the stones of fire, yet been cast as Shane out of Gods mountain. Thus the Sea-man passeth all the Maine, and suffers •cke in the Haven. The corn often promiseth a plenteous Harvest in the blade, shrinks in the ear. You have trees loaden with blossoms, yet in the season of •ectation, no fruit. A Comedy that holds well many Scenes, and goes lamely •in the last Act, finds no applause.^t Remember Lots wife: think on that pillar •alt, that it may season thee.

Apostacie in old-age is fearefull: He that climbes almost to the top of a Tower, 〈…〉 slipping backe, hath the greater fall. The patient almost recovered, is more •dly sicke by a relapse. There were Starres strucke from Heaven by the Dragons ; they had better never have pearched so high. The place where the Israelites into that great folly with the daughters of Moab, was in the Plaine, within the spect of the holy Land: they saw their Inheritance, and yet fell short of it. So tched is it for old men to fall, neare to their very entry of heaven.