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

Secondly, it was a confirmation of their faith and obedience. Without obedience in building the vessel, without faith in believing the promise, they saw no hope of preservation. This taught them for afterwards, what precept soever was imposed, to obey it: what promise soever was made, to trust upon it. And what could be strange to their confidence, that had of miraculous mercy so late an experience? Some profess they believe the pardon of their sins; yet fear the want of bread, or sink under some light burden of sorrow. Is any load so heavy, as the pressure of sin? O the weight of one sin is too much for the supportation of one man. Now hath CHRIST borne the talent, and can he not bare the dram? Shall we trust him with our wounds, and not with our medicines? Hath he given us the bread of life, and can he not give us the bread of earth? Shall we say with the •• sting Jews;^d He gave us streams from the rock, but can he give flesh to his people? Consider, will Christ deny flesh to our bodies, that hath given his own flesh to our souls? Hath he performed such Sovereign pieces of gold, and will he stick at farthing tokens?^e He that spared not his own Son for us, what good thing will be deny us? Do we trust in the Lord for the remission of our sins, the resurrection of our bodies, and the everlasting salvation of our souls: and distrust him in a fever, in a scandal, in a fit of want? Certainly if he have vouchsafed us that great mercy to make us his own; he hath given the whole army of afflictions more inviolable charge concerning us, than David gave his host concerning Absalom; See ye do the young man, my Son Absalom, no harm: look you never hurt them whom I have adopted.

Secondly, it was a confirmation of their faith and obedience. Without obedience in building the vessell, without faith in beleeving the promise, they saw no hope of preservation. This taught them for afterwards, what precept soever was imposed, to obey it: what promise soever was made, to trust upon it. And what could bee strange to their confidence, that had of miraculous mercie so late an experience? Some professe they beleeve the pardon of their sins; yet feare the want of bread, or sinke under some light burden of sorrow. Is any load so heavy, as the pressure of sin? O the waight of one sin is too much for the supportation of one man. Now hath CHRIST borne the talent, and can he not bare the dramme? Shall we trust him with our wounds, and not with our medicines? Hath he given us the bread of life, and can he not give us the bread of earth? Shall we say with the sting Iewes;