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

First, they that avoid all lawful delights for fear of sin. As if it were not possible for a Christian to separate the gold from the dross, but he must needs cast away the oar! Will any simple Jew condemn the clear streams of Jordan, because they run into the dead sea? We see some proud of their fantastical clothes, dressed up like children's puppets, or Antics in a Pageant: must we therefore go naked? Some are drunk with wine, may not therefore a sober man drink it? Is there no physic, but Opium? must we either be sensually wicked, or senselessly stupid? why did God place man in Paradise but to solace himself? why hath he given us such variety of creatures, but for use? Doth the Lord invite us to this feast, and we depart (like sullen guests) from so rich a table hungry? This pretence of mortified strictness doth injury; & nostrae libertati, & creatoris liberalitati; both to our liberty, and our Makers liberality. Every good gift comes from above; there is nothing but good from heaven: he that rejects the gifts, wrongs the giver. God cannot abide such a discontented answer; Dan. 5.17. Keep thy rewards to thy self, and g••e thy gifts to another. Many great Kings have been blessed Saints: they could not have been Kings without a number of earthly pleasures: they could not have been Saints with earthly affections. If God therefore have mingled us a pleasant cup, let us cheerfully drink it, and give thanks to Jesus Christ. Charity is not strait-laced, but yields much latitude to the lawful use of indifferent things. These are fit for those that are fit for them.

First, they that avoid all lawfull delights for feare of sin. As if it were not possible for a Christian to separate the gold from the drosse, but he must needs cast away the oare! Will any simple Iew condemne the cleare streames of Iordan, because they run into the dead sea? We see some proud of their fantasticall clothes, drest up like childrens puppets, or Antickes in a Pageant: must we therefore goe naked? Some are drunke with wine, may not therefore a sober man drinke it? Is there no physicke, but Opium? must we either be sensually wicked, or senselesly stupid? why did God place man in Paradise but to solace himselfe? why hath he given us such variety of creatures, but for use? Doth the Lord invite us to this feast, and we depart (like sullen guests) from so rich a table hungry? This pretence of mortified strictnesse doth injurie; & nostrae libertati, & creatoris liberalitati; both to our libertie, and our Makers liberalitie. Every good gift comes from above; there is nothing but good from heaven: he that rejects the gifts, wrongs the giver. God cannot abide such a discontented answere;