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

The knowledge of GODS Power will humble the proudest heart: was he able to make thee of nothing; to bring thee back to worse than nothing; how darest thou displease him?^f It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living GOD: yet there is no way to avoid it, but by falling into it; strive not to run from him by wickedness, but to run to him by repentance.^g Humble your selves under the mighty hand of God: it is a mighty hand, humble your selves under it, lest you be humbled by it. His power is so mighty, that it boots not a man to strive with him, for he was never yet over-mastered. The wrath of a King is like messengers of death, and man quakes at his anger that can but kill the body: yet how little do we^h fear him that can destroy both body and soul in hell? Do we provoke the Lord to anger? are we stronger than he? saith the Apostle, do we challenge him that can confound us? we are like to get little by such bargains.ⁱ Let him take away his rod from me, and let not his fear terrify me; Then would I speak. As if Job should say, there is no meddling with him so long as his sword is by him. First Lord take away thy weapons, and then let us talk together. It might be said of Jove•, Si quoties peccent homines, sua fulmina mittat Jupiter, exiguo tempore inermis erit: if for every sin of men he should send down a thunderbolt, either Vulcans one-eyed Cyclops would be soon weary, or his flock of thunder soon empty. Mars ultor gal•am quoque perdidit, & res non potuit servare suas; Mars his sword might be wrung out of his hand, and himself disarmed.^k But who hath resisted the Lord? who hath entered the lists with this divine power, and not measured his length on the ground? It is time for the poor child to quake, when he sees his ⟨p. 48⟩angry father come with the rod. There is no struggling with it; the best way is to yield our selves, and be silent;