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

2 The Apostles did prefix, not suffix their names, according to our custom in our familiar letters. Let no man herein tax them with a proud prelation: for where Gods Spirit is the dictator, we must look for no complements. And though in themselves they were the most humble men upon earth, yet being to write Apostolico jure, in the name of JESUS CHRIST, and to signify themselves such as he had chosen to lay the foundation of the Evangelical Church; it was fit and necessary, they should premention their names and Office. Paul endured all reproach to his own person patiently, yet did still magnify his Office. Ne contemptus Apostoli redundet in Evangelium: lest the contempt of the Apostle should prejudice the Majesty of the Gospel.

2 The Apostles did prefixe, not suffixe their names, according to our custome in our familiar letters. Let no man herein taxe them with a proud prelation: for where Gods Spirit is the dictator, wee must looke for no complements. And though in themselves they were the most humble men upon earth, yet being to write Apostolico jure, in the name of IESVS CHRIST, and to signifie themselves such as he had chosen to lay the foundation of the Evangelicall Church; it was fit and necessary, they should premention their names and Office. Paul endured all reproch to his owne person patiently, yet did still magnifie his Office. Ne contemptus Apostoli redundet in Evangelium: lest the contempt of the Apostle should prejudice the Majestie of the Gospell.

3 They prefixed their names, though upon them stuck some blemishes; to show that albeit themselves were guilty of manifold infirmities, yet the Gospel they delivered was pure from all imperfection. The blots of the Writers were no blots to the things written. Paul was a great sinner, Peter a greater: Apostasy in Peter, was greater than persecution in Paul; the one a sin after knowledge, the other before; the one was done of ignorance, the other against conscience: yet Peter still speaks his name. Humane pens are dipped in the oil of ostentation, not Scriptural pens: they spit in their own faces. Moses wrote his own incredulity, David his own bloodiness, Jonah his own repining at that mercy without which he had been most miserable. As if they acknowledged themselves not only humano more errâsse, to have erred after the manner of men; but even impo more peccâsse, to have sinned after the manner of evil men. This they did; that none of GODS glory might cleave to their earthen fingers. Let this teach both you and us.