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

There is no confidence to be put in worldly things: for if the earth it self be destroyed, what shall become of the temporalities it beareth? The foundation being ruined, the building cannot stand. What became of all that gold and silver, which in hoards and heaps the covetous had gathered? what became of their houses so stately and sumptuous? What, of the curious gardens, delightful arbours, the spacious bounds of oppression extorted from the poor? who was the richest man, when all found one swallowing grave? The trees grow different in the forrest; some greater, some straiter, some broader, some taller, some younger, some older, some fruitfuller, some doted. But when they are hewen down by the axe, and cast into the fire who can distinguish them by their ashes: and say, this was an Oak, that a Cedar, the other a poplar? So in death and dust, who can say, this was the skull of a ⟨p. 526⟩King, that of a Lawyer, this of a Client; that of a politician, this of a fool; that of an officer,¹ this of a beggar? Dives es, sed multum debts. Such a one is rich, but he owes much: tarry till he hath payed all his debts, what is he then? As a man that hath his house of Cedar, but owes for his fine and rent. Worldly riches are like the rivers in Job. ^mIn winter there is water enough in them, when there is no need of it. In summer, when we expect it, and should use it to quench our thirst, they are dry.

There is no confidence to be put in worldly things: for if the earth it selfe be destroyed, what shall become of the temporalities it beareth? The foundation being ruined, the building cannot stand. What became of all that gold and silver, which in hoords and heapes the covetous had gathered? what became of their houses so stately and sumptuous? What, of the curious guardens, delightfull arbors, the spacious bounds of oppression extorted from the poore? who was the richest man, when all found one swallowing grave? The trees grow different in the forrest; some greater, some straiter, some broader, some taller, some younger, some older, some fruitfuller, some doated. But when they are hewen downe by the axe, and cast into the fire who can distinguish them by their ashes: and say, this was an Oke, that a Cedar, the other a poplar? So in death and dust, who can say, this was the skull of a