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

These things hath God left as memorials to the world, to be read and preached. We have the books, let us not be strangers to their contents. Our forefathers could once have said;^t We see not our signs, there is not one Prophet among us, nor any that divineth: or if any did divine, they divined lies. Though this sacred Book was not hid in a corner, as when^u Josiah began to reign: nor cut with a penknife. and thrown into the fire, as in the days^x of Jehoiakin. Yet the comfortable use was interdicted, the known language concealed, and men bound with a curse not to read it. It now lies open in our Churches, in our windows; God grant we shut •t not to our own hearts. Preaching applies it, and this help we have also: may we never know the want of it: yea we shall not, unless we voluntarily put it from us, •s a matter not worthy the keeping, and (with the Jews) judge our selves unworthy of the kingdom of heaven. Diverse fearful calamities are threatened to the Jews, such •s shall turn their feasts into mourning &c. But if their eyes do not yet dazzle, nor their ears tingle; behind is a woe, that is beyond all woes;^a the famine of the word of God. Famine of bread is a sore plague, when a^b woeful mother for herself and son, is dressing their last provision. The extremity harder, when^c mothers by turns eat up their own children. But this is nothing to a dearth of holy knowledge. It is better not to be, than not to know: better unborn, than untaught.⁷

These things hath God left as memorials to the world, to be read and preached. We have the bookes, let us not be strangers to their contents. Our forefathers could once have said;