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

The knowledge of this Divine and giving power may comfort the most dejected heart: it gives us many consolations. 1. Concerning the salvation of others and our selves: how desperate so ever we judge their estates, by reason of their continual habit of sinning, yet this divine power is able to convert them. No man can seem to be further lost than the Jews, who are cut off from CHRIST through infidelity, Upon whom the wrath of God is come to the uttermost, and a malice of 16 hundred years burning is not wasted in them: yet saith Paul, even they may be grafted into the Olive again, if they abide not still in unbelief: and his reason is;^o Because God is able to graft them in again. But alas, I have been frozen many years in the dregs of worldly lusts, and I do not find my heart yet thawed: I know this is a fearful case for a man to lie so long under the tyranny of the devil: yet despair not, apply the means of thy deliverance, strive to extricate and unwind thy soul from this maze of destruction, break thy heart with compunction for thy iniquities: this divine power is able to implant thee to the true vine, and make thee a member of Jesus CHRIST. Thou shalt feel the^p working of his mighty power; which he wrought in CHRIST, when he raised him up from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in heaven. What was the power which he wrought in CHRIST? When malice had spent it self upon him on the Cross, and insulting death began to triumph over him in the grave; even then this mighty power raised him up. We are as dead in sin naturally, as any man in the grave corporally; can neither move hand nor foot: there was a power that raised him, there is a power that can revive us. All our care must be to find in our selves the^q Power of his resurrection. 2. This comforts us in the midst of all afflictions; we are weak in our selves, unable to stand under the lightest cross: but there is a Divine power that strengthens us. Though it doth not nullify our sorrows, yet it doth fortify our patience,^r we are strengthened with all might through his glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joy fullness. 3. This comforts us in prayer: there is no speeding prayer but that is made in faith, and it is no easy matter to pray in faith: now the foundation of our faith is this Divine power of CHRIST.