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

Convivae, such as feast together; thus we partake with God,^k If any man open unto me, I will come in and sup with him, and he shall sup with me. Here is a mutual supper; the Confession of sins, that's our cheer: the Remission of sins, that's Christs cheer. We give him meat and drink, he gives us meat and drink. Our dishes are all Salads, Lilies, and fruits. My beloved is gone down into his Garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the Gardens, and to gather Lilies, Cant. 6.2. the fruits of our righteousness. Our drink is penitent tears, though they be sharp to us, they are sweet to him. The tears of penitent sinners is the wine of Angels, says a Father: yea, wine for the Lord himself: not a tear falls, but he catcheth it in his own bottle: if we feast Christ, give him this drink. Let thy heart be a vine-grape, sorrow the wine-press, crush out this liquor, the Lord loves it. His meat to us is his own Flesh, his drink, his Blood: the bread of heaven, and the wine of blessedness. Who so eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, Joh. 6.54. The Temple is his banqueting-house, or wine-cellar; He brought me to the banqueting-house, Cant. 2.4. There he broacheth to us the sweet wines of his Gospel and Sacraments. Here is another fellowship, and so are we fellow-commoners with Jesus Christ. Indeed all the good cheer is his: alas, what have we of our own to make such a guest welcome! He may safely discommend our provision: let us not say, as some do to their guests; welcome, but here is no good cheer for you, when secretly in their hearts they think there can be no better. Christ loves not so proud a mind when the tongue sayes, Nihil est, it it nothing: and the heart thinks, Nimium est, it is too much. But plainly acknowledge thy poverty: if thou have any grace to feast him with, thank him for bringing it, and say in this truly, that he is come to his own cost. Yet thus he is pleased to feed on his own provision, and to call it thine. He feeds on ours, Cant. 5.1. I have eaten honey, and drunk milk: we feed on his; Eat O friends, drink abundantly O beloved: drink liberally of it, for it is a Cup of saving health to all nations.