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

If they came to Noah while he was building the Ark, and demanded of him, as the Jews did of the Prophet; Wilt thou not tell us what these things mean? Lo, the voice of his tongue interpreted the work of his hand, and the work of his hand expounded the voice of his tongue; yet they repented not. When God is pleased to convert, he can do it by the weakest means. For illumination of the mind, he often lights a great lamp of the Sanctuary by a little wax-candle; as he did Paul by Ananias. And for moving affections, he often by a puff of wind, stirs up the waves of the Ocean-sea. In the meanest book, a deep judgement shall find somewhat it hath not formerly seen; though it see not all it hath formerly found. Deus non est parvus in parvo: God is not straitened according to the smallness of the organ.¹ And when he with-holds his contemned grace, Paul himself cannot move a soul.² I know that nothing is more discomfortable to a good Minister, than this, yet hath it been the lot of many holy Prophets. This is fearful; when Preachers sent for mens salvation, shall become means of their deeper confusion. There is nothing so humbles and abaseth them as this: but whether in them that are saved, or […] them that perish, we are still unto God a sweet savour of Christ.

If they came to Noah while he was building the Arke, and demanded of him, as the Iewes did of the Prophet; Wilt thou not tell us what these things meane? Loe, the voice of his tongue interpreted the worke of his hand, and the worke of his hand expounded the voice of his tongue; yet they repented not. When God is pleased to convert, he can doe it by the weakest meanes. For illumination of the minde, he often lights a great lampe of the Sanctuary by a little wex-candle; as he did Paul by Ananias. And for moving affections, he often by a puffe of wind, stirres up the waves of the Ocean-sea. In the meanest booke, a deepe judgement shall finde somewhat it hath not formerly seene; though it see not all it hath formerly found. Deus non est parvus in parvo: God is not straitned according to the smalnesse of the organ.¹ And when he with-holds his contemned grace, Paul himselfe cannot move a soule.²