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

It follows; Add to your faith, &c. The motives are done, come we to the materials. Here be eight in number, all excellent in nature. Under this number of eight (though I put no divinity in numbers) the Scripture hath often commended to us the graces of God. So Colos. 3.12. The induments we must put on, are eight: first is the linings, bowels of mercies; next kindness, &c. Paul does not there begin with faith, but he ends with Charity, as our Apostle here. So Phil. 4.8. he commends to us gracious qualities by the number of eight. Whatsoever things are true, &c. To both these gradations he propounds the same eminent corollary. Col. 3.15. The peace of God, and the God of peace, be with you. Ezek. 40.41. There were eight tables whereon they slew their sacrifices: upon these eight tables we must slay our sins, that we may make our souls acceptable sacrifices to God. Ezek. 40.31. The ascent to the Temple had eight steps: by these eight degrees we must clime up to heaven, or not come thither. There were but eight souls saved in Noah's ark: without these eight graces no soul shall be saved: Our SAVIOUR CHRIST prescribed eight steps for our ascending to blessedness, Mat. 5. his Apostle hath delivered the same number. Eight beatitudes, beatus numerus. It were no impossible thing to find our SAVIOURS text in his Apostles gloss. Christ begins with Poorness in spirit, Peter with Faith: this sees it self poor, and therefore apprehends Christs riches. 2. Christ commends mourning, and Peter, Knowledge: now he that knows his sins will mourn for them. 3 Christ praiseth Meekness, Peter Temperance: it is no hard thing to find meekness in temperance; which is a virtue neither to distemper a mans self, nor to disturb others. 4. Christ blesseth the desire of Righteousness, Peter of Virtue; which is a rule to live righteously: Christ magnifieth Mercy, Peter Charity: and who are charitable but the merciful? 6. Christ persuades to Pureness in heart, Peter to Godliness, and godliness makes the heart pure. As it is true charity esse misericordem, to be merciful: so it is true piety esse mundicordem, to be pure in heart. 7. Christ exhorts to Peace-making, Peter to Brotherly kindness; and who can distinguish between Peace-makers, and those that are Brotherly-kind? As Abraham said to Lot, let us not strive, for we are Brethren.