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

Whereby. We begin first with the Instrument, and so are fitly met with the point which before escaped us. For this (whereby) stands like a Janus, looking both to the matter past, and to come: the matter past was the knowledge of Christ, which was to this place reserved, that we might have good occasion to perpend the virtue of it. Whereby. The sum of the point is this; The true knowledge of CHRIST is the means, whereby are conveyed to us all the promises of mercy. One was of opinion, that a Philosopher excels an ordinary man, so much as an ordinary man excels a beast: but every true Christian excels a philosopher as much as a philosopher does a dunce. They scarce knew God in his creatures, we know God in his CHRIST. Ignoti nulla cupido; as we say, uncouth, unkissed: we must look before we like, discern before we can desire. Mine eyes have seen thy salvation, says old Simeon; therefore Nunc dimittis, now lest thy servant depart in peace, My corporal eyes have seen thy man-hood, my spiritual eyes have seen thy God-head; which is thy salvation: salutare suum, as giving it: and salutare meum, my salvation, as receiving it. Neither is this Salutare Singular; but whosoever hath seen and known this salvation, by his eye of faith, will earnestly desire it: as Stephen saw the Lord Jesus at the right hand of God, therefore longed to come to him, video, venio.

Whereby. Wee begin first with the Instrument, and so are fitly mette with the point which before escaped us. For this (whereby) stands like a Ianus, looking both to the matter past, and to come: the matter past was the knowledge of Christ, which was to this place reserved, that we might have good occasion to perpend the vertue of it. Whereby. The summe of the point is this; The true knowledge of CHRIST is the meanes, whereby are conveyed to us all the promises of mercie. One was of opinion, that a Philosopher excells an ordinary man, so much as an ordinary man excells a beast: but every true Christian excells a philosopher as much as a philosopher does a dunce. They scarce knew God in his creatures, we know God in his CHRIST. Ignoti nulla cupido; as we say, uncouth, unkiss'd: we must looke before we like, discerne before we can desire. Mine eyes have seenethy salvation, sayes old Simeon; therefore Nunc dimittis, now lest thy servant depart in peace, My corporall eyes have seene thy man-hood, my spirituall eyes have seene thy God-head; which is thy salvation: salutare suum, as giving it: and salutare meum, my salvation, as receiving it. Neither is this Salutare Singulare; but whosoever hath seene and knowen this salvation, by his eye of faith, will earnestly desire it: as Stephen saw the Lord Iesus at the right hand of God, therefore longed to come to him, video, venio.