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

The force of example prevaileth strongly to produce the likeness of manners. •acile transitur ad majores, ad plures. The authority of greatness doth often corrupt the integrity of goodness. The bad conditions of popular persons are like Ja•s speckled rods, which make the sheep, the beasts of the people, bring forth the •e party-coloured actions. The ill custom of an eminent place is drawn up like •me pestilent exhalation, and corrupteth the air round about. The proverb speaks […] bad customs, bad opinions, and bad servants; that they are better to hang then […] hold. If Jeroboam worship calves, how easily will most Israelites become such •asts! We may say of an exemplary sin, as Joab of Rabba, it will be called after •e founders own name. A stone thrown into the water, makes of it self but one eccle, but that one begets a hundred. Though few men will confess their sins, yet •ny mens sins will confess their Masters. To beget a precedent of vice, is like the •ting a mans own house on fire: it burns many of his neighbours, and he shall swear for all the ruins. A sick head makes a disordered body, a blind eye endan•s all the members. A rulers unrighteousness, like the late blazing star; it hath •ong tail, draws a train of mischiefs after it, and is ominous to the whole land. whereas piety in a Prince, like Aaron's ointment, runs down to the skirts of his gar•nts, blesseth all his subjects.

The force of example prevaileth strongly to produce the likenesse of manners. •acile transitur ad majores, ad plures. The authoritie of greatnesse doth often cor•pt the integrity of goodnesse. The bad conditions of popular persons are like Ia•s speckled rods, which make the sheepe, the beasts of the people, bring forth the •e parti-coloured actions. The ill custome of an eminent place is drawen up like me pestilent exhalation, and corrupteth the aire round about. The proverbe speaks bad customes, bad opinions, and bad servants; that they are better to hang then hold. If Ieroboam worship calves, how easily will most Israelites become such asts! We may say of an exemplary sin, as Ioab of Rabba, it will be called after e founders owne name. A stone throwen into the water, makes of it selfe but one cle, but that one beges a hundred. Though few men will confesse their sins, yet ny mens sins will confesse their Masters. To beget a precedent of vice, is like the ting a mans owne house on fire: it burnes many of his neighbours, and he shall swere for all the ruines. A sicke head makes a disordered body, a blind eye endans all the members. A rulers unrighteousnesse, like the late blasing star; it hath ong taile, drawes a traine of mischiefes after it, and is ominous to the whole land. hereas pietie in a Pince, like Aarons ointment, runs downe to the skirts of his garnts, blesseth all his subjects.