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

Concerning our selves; Leviùs ignorare morbum, quàm remedium: better not know our disease, than no means to cure it. For this purpose, something must be done upon us, something by us. The thing to be done to us, which may properly get out this natural corruption, is Salting. For salt doth not only preserve from corruption, but also eat out corruption. It hath diverse effects, fit to shadow out the work of the spirit on us for this purpose. First it preserves from corruption and rottenness: the Egyptians used to wrap their dead bodies in salt. All are corrupted, subject to rottenness, and need salting: the Ministers of the Gospel are the^y salt of the earth. It is not enough to have Sales, quirks of wit, but Salem, soundness of doctrine. They that preach not only Novè, after a new method; but Nova, new things; swell your brains, but leave your hearts empty, they do not salt you. That is good salt, which keeps your souls from stinking before God. Secondly it is searching, and goes to the quick: there must be acrimony in salt, else it is not good. Do we cut, and fret, and trouble you: remember we are salt; Quo acriùs, eo meliùs. Indeed a man may over powder, and there is discretion in salting. There are some that have had too much salt, till they are ready to throw the Church out at the windows: the name of a Bishop frights them, a surplice makes them run: they fear a cross worse than the devil does. These are over-powdered, but with ill salt; they are corrupted must be new salted. There is no medicine profitable, but it is sharp: our acrimony is good, though there by we endanger the loss of your loves. This should not make you fret at us, but at your own sins.^z I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry but that you sorrowed to repentance. Si haec audientes doleatis, if you hear these things sorrowing, give me thanks for it, saith Chrysostom. Show your selves gratos non gravatos. The Preachers reproof is like salt, it may bite: but better sharp corrosives, than festering wounds. I am most loved, where I am most salted, Bernard. At last you will say with David: ^aBlessed be the Lord God of Israel, that God of all grace; that hath sent thee to meet me this day; with thy admonition. Blessed be thy advice, the doctrine thou hast preached: and Blessed be thou which hast kept me this day from shedding blood: