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

To us, that deserved nothing: it is no wonder that GOD loved the Angels, for they obey him: that he loved the irrational and insensible creatures, for they do not contradict him: but that he should be good to us, Neque capientibus, nec cupientibus; neither receiving, nor conceiving, nor desiring Grace: that had not only a rebellion of will, but a will of rebellion; this was the wonder. This was not Dilectio quoniam, a love to us, because we first loved him: but Dilectio etiamsi, a love to us, though we hated him. He loved us, because he loved us: in our creation when we could not, in our redemption, when we would not love him.

To us, that deserved nothing: it is no wonder that GOD loved the Angels, for they obey him: that hee loved the irrationall and insensible creatures, for they doe not contradict him: but that hee should bee good to us, Neque capientibus, nec cupientibus; neither receiving, nor conceiving, nor desiring Grace: that had not onely a rebellion of will, but a will of rebellion; this was the wonder. This was not Dilectio quoniam, a love to us, because wee first loved him: but Dilectio etiamsi, a love to us, though we hated him. He loved us, because he loved us: in our creation when we could not, in our redemption, when we would not love him.

All things that pertain to life and godliness. I come from the necessity of the receivers, to the Universality of the Gift. All things that, &c. This is that extent and ⟨p. 53⟩latitude of his donation; who gives [Greek or Hebrew],^s to all life and breath, and all things. No silver in Benjamins sack, till Joseph put it in: no good in man till God infuse it. Worldlings ascribe things to the goodness of their skill, or greatness of their pains.^t Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by the might of my power? ^u