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

You of the Laity, not to patronize your sins upon the example of others: as if you would fortify your profaneness from the infirmities of your Teachers. Lapsus Sanctorum ut non cadamus, non ut cadamus prabentur exempla. The falls of the Saints are recorded, not as warrants to encourage our wantonness; but as cautions to prevent and retard our precipices. 1. Wicked men love that in the Saints, which the Saints never loved in themselves, vices: and shall a man make their foil his jewel, their shame his glory? 2. Peccatum dicis, poenitentiam non dicis. Thou speakest of their sins, but not of their repentance. When Theodosius excused a foul fact, because David had done the like; Saint Ambrose makes this answer; Qui secutus es errantem, sequere poenitentem: Thou that hast followed David in his exorbitance, follow him also in his repentance. Hath thy mouth denied with Peter, let thine eyes weep with Peter. 3. They look on the evil of good men, whereas they should rather look on the good even of evil men. Noah's virtues are not Chams admiration, but his drunkenness is his sport. Like flies, that skip over all the sound parts of the body, and light upon sores and ulcers. The Cloud that waited on the Camp of Israel, was light towards themselves, dark toward their enemies; it saved them, drowned the Egyptians. Let every Christian follow the light part; that shall guide him, the other will deceive him. 4. By disregard of the Ministers person, they evacuate the force of this Doctrine. Therefore GOD usually plagueth the contempt of his Preachers, by the invalidity of his own ordinance upon their souls.^m When ye come to an house, salute it: and if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy let your peace return to you. Let us rather take the best, than make the worst, of good mens lives.

You of the Laitie, not to patronize your sinnes upon the example of others: as if you would fortifie your profanenesse from the infirmities of your Teachers. Lapsus Sanctorum ut non cadamus, non ut cadamus prabentur exempla. The falls of the Saints are recorded, not as warrants to encourage our wantonnesse; but as cautions to prevent and retard our precipices. 1. Wicked men love that in the Saints, which the Saints never loved in themselves, vices: and shal a man make their foile his jewell, their shame his glory? 2. Peccatum dicis, poenitentiam non dicis. Thou speakest of their sinnes, but not of their repentance. When Theodosius excused a foule fact, because David had done the like; Saint Ambrose makes this answer; Qui secutus es errantem, sequere poenitentem: Thou that hast followed David in his exorbitance, follow him also in his repentance. Hath thy mouth denyed with Peter, let thine eyes weepe with Peter. 3. They looke on the evill of good men, whereas they should rather looke on the good even of evill men. Noahs vertues are not Chams admiration, but his drunkennesse is his sport. Like flies, that skip over all the sound parts of the body, and light upon sores and ulcers. The Cloud that waited on the Campe of Israel, was light towards themselves, darke toward their enemies; it saved them, drowned the Egyptians. Let every Christian follow the light part; that shall guide him, the other will deceive him. 4. By disregard of the Ministers person, they evacuate the force of this Doctrine. Therefore GOD usually plagueth the contempt of his Preachers, by the invaliditie of his owne ordinance upon their soules.