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

Lot continually preached to them, by his persuasion to holiness, by his regular and exemplary life: here was still further warning. He had fire in his tongue, but they had a sea of water in their hearts to quench it. His conversation was as great a vexation to them, as theirs was to him. He reproved them the very night before their ruin: but such as be bent upon villainy, are more exasperated by dissuasions: •ike violent streams that, when they are resisted by flood-gates, swell over the banks. Not being able to reclaim the multitude, he singles out some: and when the rest of the night was short an• dangerous; he being sought for by the Sodomites, and newly pulled in by the Angels: yet he ventures abroad to seek his Sons in ⟨p. 604⟩aw. They were but betrothed to his daughters, yet such was his charity, that he hazards his own safety to preserve theirs: faith would never be saved alone, but win all she can. He did admonish them like a Prophet, and advise them like a father; but both in vain. He seemed to them as one that mocked, and they did more than seem to mock him again. Why should to morrow differ from other days? Who ever saw it rain fire? No Almanac ever spake of such weather. Or how should brimstone be engendered, or exhaled into the air? The clouds are bottles of waters, not of flames. Or if such a shower should fall, why must it not burn all the earth, as well as the valley? Why not as universal as was the deluge? Or grant it do come, yet it cannot be so sudden, but we shall have time to call for mercy: it will be as long a dispatching us, as the flood was a drowning them. Thus carnal men count preaching foolishness, devotion idleness, and Prophets mad men. Certainly these mens unbelief was as worthy of the fire, as the others uncleanness: he that believeth not, is already condemned.

Lot continually preached to them, by his perswasion to holynesse, by his regu•ar and exemplary life: here was still further warning. He had fire in his tongue, but they had a sea of water in their hearts to quench it. His conversation was as great a vexation to them, as theirs was to him. He reproved them the very night before their ruine: but such as be bent upon villanie, are more exasperated by disswasions: •ike violent streames that, when they are resisted by floud-gates, swell over the bankes. Not being able to reclaime the multitude, he singles out some: and when the rest of the night was short an dangerous; he being sought for by the Sodomites, and newly puld in by the Angels: yet he ventures abroad to seeke his Sons in