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

This is the mother, and thus prone to the forbidden bed: what shall we do? because we know the dishonesty of the father, let us be sure to keep in the mother; restrain Lust, and so sue a divorce betwixt the devil and concupiscence. The only way is to put enmity between the seed of the serpent, and the seed of the woman: that though the devil be never so busy in suggesting, yet concupiscence may be kept from conceiving. There are two good herbs to make this woman barren, Agnus Castus and Lettuce; Prayer and fasting. If this kind of devil have adulterated with Lust, he goes not out but by prayer and fasting. It is fasting spittle that must kill this serpent. If this take not effect, present to thy mind a spiritual crucifix, memoriam crucifixi, the remembrance of him that died on the Cross for thee. Think thou doest see Jesus coming toward thee; his head crowned with thorns, his hands, his feet, his side, his heart bloody; his eyes full of tears. Behold him: ⟨p. 90⟩[…] ⟨p. 91⟩[…] ⟨p. 92⟩adultery sits not in those eyes: those feet were not made to please Herod with a measure: those arms were wonted to no wanton embraces; but to embrace the cross with patience, our souls with comfort. For thee, Lust, for thee have I died; thou only didst murder me: do not make these wounds bleed a-fresh: open not my side again, to let forth new streams of blood: pull me not from my throne in heaven to the grave again. Wouldest thou keep lust from the adulterous company of Satan? set in the view of thy conscience, JESUS CHRIST crucified.

This is the mother, and thus prone to the forbidden bed: what shall we doe? because we know the dishonestie of the father, let us be sure to keepe in the mother; restraine Lust, and so sue a divorce betwixt the devill and concupiscence. The only way is to put enmitie betweene the seed of the serpent, and the seed of the woman: that though the devill be never so busy in suggesting, yet concupiscence may be kept from conceiving. There are two good herbes to make this woman barren, Agnus Castus and Lettuce; Prayer and fasting. If this kind of devill have adulterated with Lust, he goes not out but by prayer and fasting. It is fasting spittle that must kill this serpent. If this take not effect, present to thy mind a spirituall crucifixe, memoriam crucifixi, the remembrance of him that died on the Crosse for thee. Thinke thou doest see Iesus comming toward thee; his head crowned with thornes, his hands, his feet, his side, his heart bloudy; his eyes full of teares. Behold him: