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

God deals with us, as Bernard observes, Isaac did with his son Jacob, Gen. 27. First, vers. 21. Tangit manu approbationis; Come near that I may feel thee my son. Then vers. 26. Osculatur instinctu inspirationis; Come near that I may kiss thee my son. Cant. 1. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his lips; that is, with his Spirit; for the Holy Ghost is Osculum Patris, the kiss of God the Father. Then vers. 27. Benedicit, he blesseth him; gives him a progress of grace, and that irrevocable; he shall be blessed. Lastly, he gives consolation, and full confidence, that we boldly cry,^y Abba, Father. This duplication, Father, Father, is pathetical and mystical. Pathetical; and so it insinuates our Certainty; we are sure that God is our Father: And our Fervency, that we be importunate, not taking a denial at out Fathers hands. So Martyr. Mystical, as Aug. Paul in using an Hebrew word and a Greek, signifies that there is no difference^a between Jew and Grecian; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.³ Every Christian in the world may go boldly unto the Throne of Grace. It is for a Saul to say, Pray for me: but he that is Gods son, dares go himself without sending others: let no terrors keep us from our Father. Ibo ad patrem, ^bI will arise and go to my Father. To such a comer Christ will communicate ⟨p. 75⟩good things; Daughter, be of good comfort, Matth. 9.22. Daughter, a word of great familiarity: Be of good comfort, a word of great security.^c I ascend unto my Father, and your Father. To his Father? what's this to us? Yea, also to your Father. Aug. He doth not say, I ascend ad Patrem nostrum, to our Father; but to My Father, and Your Father: Aliter meum, aliter vestrum: meum naturâ, vestrum gratiâ. He is in one respect my Father, in another yours; mine by nature, yours by grace.