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

Now seeing these promises are such, let us affie them, and apply them: they deserve our faith and application.

For Affiance, if God so promise, let us trust him,^o He is faithful that hath promised: Woe to him that shall call Gods faithfulness into question. Yet there is a generation of men that object; what nothing but promises? Promissis dives quilibet esse potest: Every one can be rich in promising, though he be poor and beggarly in performing. Who can live by promises? These must, with Thomas, feel, or they will not believe: they are led by sight and sense, not by faith: unless they have an ocular view, they care for no oraculous testimony, no miraculous power: here is nothing in hand, but nudum pactum, a bare and naked Promise. Thus stands the case with them; man hath a precious Jewell to sell, it is his Soul: God and the world come both to buy it. The world first steps in, and thrusts his bags into his hand, here is present possession. God comes and out-bids the world, for he offers Grace, and Peace, and Glory: but withal he craves day for the greater part of it, and gives nothing in hand but his Promise, his word, and some small earnest of the bargain. The worldling cries, a bird in hand is best, hugs his money that he hath: God he thinks not so good a customer, he dares not trust him, perhaps he fears he will break. Yet this same man will rather accept a reversion of some great Office or Estate, though expectant on the tedious transition of seven years, or on the expiration of another's life, than in present a Sum of far less value. What folly is this, rather to take the idle vanities of this world in hand, than faithfully to wait upon Gods promise for the glory of heaven! O but we can satiate our selves with the profits and pleasures of this life, and yet take Gods word for the Kingdom of Heaven too. But I say, if a man, if a Minister, if a Prophet, if an Angel should tell you so, believe him ⟨p. 64⟩not: for the Judge of heaven and earth hath said otherwise. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. Difficile est servare utrumque, impossibile est servire utrique. It will be very hard for a man to keep both, it is impossible to serve both. The two Poles shall sooner meet, than the love of God, and the love of money. The very possession of the world is not half so sure as Gods promise.