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

Such is thy mercy, oh blessed Saviour! let the Law do her worst, be thou a true S. Christopher, and bear Christ in thy heart. In the Law is the menace of death, in Christ is the promise of life: we may say concerning any sinner, what Martha said of her Brother;^t Lord if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Doest thou suffer affliction? remember the promise; if we suffer with Christ, we shall also be glorified with him, Rom. 8.17. The Saints are called from bleeding under the hand of persecution, to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Well may we endure a bitter breakfast, even to blood and death, considering that this supper of glory shall close up our stomachs. GOD makes his Church three meals, a breakfast, a dinner, and a supper. The breakfast was in the morning of the world, that's the Law, somewhat sharp; though they had assurance of Christ to come. The dinner is in the worlds high-noon, that's the Gospel: here is good cheer the fat calf killed, the Messiah slain; yet like the Passover, not eaten without sour herbs; we are fain to mingle our drink with tears. The supper at night shall be sweet, it is eternal glory: fitly called a Supper, because then begins rest for ever. After breakfast a man goes to his labour, so after dinner, but after supper to bed. The servants of GOD under the Law, the sons of GOD under the Gospel, must both labour, and work out their salvation with fear and trembling: but at the Supper of glory works cease.^u Blessed are the dead that die in the LORD, for they rest from their labours. Lastly, doth the inevitable hand of death strike thee, must thou die? remember the promise; I am the ⟨p. 65⟩resurrection and the life: whosoever believeth in me shall not die for ever,^x John. 11.26. Let me ask thy conscience, as Christ there did; Believest thou this? If thy heart can answer; yea Lord, I believe, &c. Send forth thy soul with joy, thou hast a promise that Jesus Christ will receive it.^x