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

Thus to get out this corruption we see what is to be done on us: now what is to be done by us? Two things; a vision of it, and a Provision against it.

First, we must endeavour to see it: Physicians say, if the disease be once known, the cure is half done. If we could see corruption in the true form, we would loath it. But as the conjured devil appears not to the necromancer in hideous and frightful shapes, but in some familiar representation: so vice shows it self in forms most delectable to flesh and blood. If half so much were known to man, as God knows, we would hang down our heads for shame. Mans heart is beyond all Geometry;^b Deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? No man can measure it, but he only that spans the heavens; Lthe Lord search the heart. It is a little piece of flesh, it will scarce give a kite her breakfast, yet fills the whole world with corruption. Therefore learn to see this corruption: sin in it self is not to be seen; therefore behold it in concretis: the Tyrant like a Lion, the Fraudulent like a Fox, the lustful a Goat, the drunkard a Hog, the oppressor a Wolfe, the traitor a devil.

First, we must endevour to see it: Physicians say, if the disease be once knowne, the cure is halfe done. If we could see corruption in the true forme, we would loath it. But as the conjured devill appeares not to the necromancer in hideous and frightfull shapes, but in some familiar representation: so vice shewes it selfe in formes most delectable to flesh and bloud. If halfe so much were knowne to man, as God knowes, wee would hang downe our heads for shame. Mans heart is beyond all Geomerrie;^b Deceitfull above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? No man can measure it, but he only that spannes the heavens; Lthe Lord search the heart. It is a little peece of flesh, it will scarce give a kite her breakfast, yet fills the whole world with corruption. Therefore learne to see this corruption: sinne in it selfe is not to be seene; therefore behold it in concretis: the Tyrant like a Lion, the Fraudulent like a Foxe, the lustfull a Goate, the drunkard a Hog, the oppressor a Wolfe, the traitor a devill.