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

Secondly, we are to consider the Singularity: the Apostle says not Faiths, but Faith. He writes to many, but he speaks of no plurality of faiths,^u One Lord, one Faith. One ratione objecti, which is Christ; not one ratione subjecti; for every believer hath his own faith But his meaning is that all true believers have one and the same faith: vestra fides, your faith. There is but one faith in the Church, as but one Church in the faith. Una fides specie, non una numero; One faith in nature, not one in number. We may say of faiths, as of faces: Facies non omnibus una; Non diversa tamen; One light, many rays: one fountain, many streams: one tree, many branches. The Church is a Pomegranate, that hath many kernels: an ear of Wheat, that hath many grains. Every man hath his own faith, yet all have but one faith. Paul speaks of some that have erred from the faith; and of others reprobate concerning the faith; ²that have prevaricated from that faith which the Church in unity professeth:^x Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. Mans body, as Physicians say, is subject to two thousand diseases: the eye to two hundred: but faith, which is the souls eye, is subject to more. There be so many errors concerning the Faith, that they are not to be numbered. Almost so many Sects as Cities, so many Creeds as heads. Christ says, when he shall come to Judgement, that he shall scarce find faith on the earth: but if he come now, he shall find too many faiths. Majorem inveniet quàm velit esse fidem; I pray God the plurality of faiths among many, hath not brought a nullity of faith in the most. So our Saviours prophecy will still be true; Inveniat inter tot fides nullam fidem: among so many false faiths he shall scarce find any true faith. Not so much need to pray now with the Apostles, Adauge no bis fidem, Lord increase our faith; but Diminue nobis fides, Lord decrease our faiths. Lessen the number of our false faiths, increase the measure of our true faith. We know how some believe this year, we know not how they will believe next yeare. Incerta fides, certa infidelitas; Where belief is uncertain, unbelief is certain. The vanity of some men, the curiosity of many men, the inconstancy of all men, make many faiths. As the Levite served his ravished Concubine,