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

Next when thou hast discovered it, strive to expel it: this is not done by nature: for nature, according to the temperature of bodies, increaseth this corruption. The Italians have a proverb: If little men were patient, if great men were valiant, and red men were loyal; all the world would be equal. The same causes in nature that concur to such a constitution, concur to such a corruption. Therefore they say; from a white Spaniard, a black German, and a red Italian, Libera nos domine, good Lord deliver us. And we in England confess much trust or danger in men, according to their complexions. To a red man read thy read: with a brown man break thy bread: from a pale man still remove: from a black man keep thy love. But this is only according to nature: for grace can alter nature, and purge out this original corruption. When an Astrologer told a Cardinal, to what misfortunes he was borne: he answered, but I am new borne: and the good of my second birth hath crossed the bad of my first. Humours cannot be durable, because their prime matter is capable of so many forms and changes: but Graces having their root in the Deity, must needs be eternal, as is their author. Strive then to cast out nature by grace, corruption by CHRIST. Do not keep it in, but cast ⟨p. 86⟩it out: a wicked man may restrain evil, as do the godly: but here is the difference; that man keeps in corruption, this kills corruption; only to refrain evil is to be evil still.¹ Haman was angry for want of Mordecai's reverence, yet he smothered the fire of his wrath, which nothing but the last drop of every Jews blood could extinguish. The good man doth not only check it, but choke it. If he cannot Ejicere, yet so he will Dejicere peccatum, modo non noceat, modo non placeat. If he cannot nullify it, he will mortify it; that this corruption shall never hurt him, shall never please him. And when he hath gotten this upper hand of it, he never loseth it: for if it be forborne, it will return. Corruption is like a candle new put out, it is soon lighted again: if Satan but blow upon it, the own heat inflames it. Let us therefore always be tilling the paradise of our souls with good works, that God may delight to walk there. 8. Will Christ himself become Janitor cordis, he will be as ready to be the door-keeper of our house, to keep out our enemies;

Next when thou hast discovered it, strive to expell it: this is not done by nature: for nature, according to the temperature of bodies, encreaseth this corruption. The Italians have a proverbe: If little men were patient, if great men were valiant, and red men were loyall; all the world would be equall. The same causes in nature that concurre to such a constitution, concurre to such a corruption. Therefore they say; from a white Spaniard, a blacke German, and a red Italian, Libera nos domine, good Lord deliver us. And we in England confesse much trust or danger in men, according to their complexions. To a red man read thy read: with a browne man breake thy bread: from a pale man still remove: from a blacke man keepe thy love. But this is onely according to nature: for grace can alter nature, and purge out this originall corruption. When an Astrologer told a Cardinall, to what misfortunes he was borne: he answered, but I am new borne: and the good of my second birth hath crossed the bad of my first. Humours cannot be durable, because their prime matter is capable of so many formes and changes: but Graces having their roote in the Deitie, must needs be eternall, as is their author. Strive then to cast out nature by grace, corruption by CHRIST. Doe not keepe it in, but cast