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

1 Who hath called us, CHRIST: He only can call home sinners. Luk 19.10. Mat. 9.13. I came to call sinners to repentance; I, not Man, nor Angels. God only can make filios Abrahami, ex lapidibus Jordani: can of stones raise up children to Abraham. He that could turn stones into bread, can turn a stony heart into that mercy to give bread. He that could fetch water from a rock, can draw tears from our flinty hearts. Man may imprint a conceit, God only can work a consent. The Preacher may unfold the mysteries of the Gospel, and effect a knowledge in the brain: but Cathedram habet in coelis qui corda docet; he hath a pulpit in heaven, that preacheth to the conscience. To resign our selves to the truth, here is the finger of God. You will say, it is easy to think; no, we cannot think a good thought of our selves. Thought is free; no, the thought is Gods bond-servant. It is easy to believe: no, for^h faith is the fair gift of God. Yet, it is easy to will: no, it is He that worketh in us, both to will and to do, at his good pleasure. Phil. 2.13. Mans will is a fugitive Onesimus, God must call home that runagate, subdue that rebel. Yet when we have begun, it is easy to continue: no, perficit, qui efficit: He that begun a good work in us, will perform it. Phil. 1.6. JESUS is the Founder and the Finisher of our faith, Hebr. 12.2. But we can suffer for him at our pleasure: no, datur pati: it is given to us to suffer for his sake, Phil. 1.29.ⁱ Without me ye can do nothing; not parum, but nihil. But in him, and through him all things: I can do all things through him that strengthens me, Phil. 4.13. In our selves we are weak Captives,^k in him more than Conquerors. But if ye consent and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land.