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

1 That by Knowledge is here meant an insight into heavenly things. Indeed Augustine distinguisheth between Knowledge and Wisdom; Ad Sapientiam pertinet aeternarum rerum cognitio intellectualis: ad scientiam temporalium rerum cognitio naturalis: Wisdom, saith he, is an intellectual apprehension of eternal things: Knowledge a natural apprehension of temporal things. But there is no true Knowledge, but that which can make the knowers blessed. Christian wisdom seems the worlds folly, Greg. What is more foolish than mentem verbis ostendere, to declare a mans meaning in his words? to bless them that curse us? Mala libentiùs far quàm sacere, to suffer rather, than to do evil? not to resist our oppressors? Yet this is Christs commended wisdom; and he that is Sapientia Patris, the wisdom of the Father, shall one day crown it: Yet there may be a holy knowledge in th•se lower things. O would to God thou wert wise, and wouldest understand and know the last things! Ut Saperes quae Dei sunt, intelligeres quae mundi sunt, praevideres quae inferni sunt, Bern. That thou wert wise in the things of God, wouldst understand the vanities of this world, and fore-see the torments of hell. Profecto Inferna horreres, superna appeteres, quae ad manum sunt contemneres. Thou wouldest abhor the plagues of hell, desire the joys of heaven, despise the temptations of earth. The great affection we bear to the world, shows that we know it not.

1 That by Knowledge is here meant an insight into heavenly things. Indeed Augustine distinguisheth betweene Knowledge and Wisdome; Ad Sapientiam pertinet aeternarum rerum cognitio intellectualis: ad scientiam temporalium rerum cognitio naturalis: Wisdome, saith he, is an intellectuall apprehension of eternall things: Knowledge a naturall apprehension of temporall things. But there is no true Knowledge, but that which can make the knowers blessed. Christian wisdome seemes the worlds folly, Greg. What is more foolish than mentem verbis ostendere, to declare a mans meaning in his words? to blesse them that curse us? Mala libentiùs ferre quàm sacere, to suffer rather, than to doe evill? not to resist our oppressours? Yet this is Christs commended wisdome; and he that is Sapientia Patris, the wisdome of the Father, shall one day crowne it: Yet there may be a holy knowledge in th•se lower things. O would to God thou wert wise, and wouldest understand and know the last things! Vt Saperes quae Dei sunt, intelligeres quae mundi sunt, praevideres quae inferni sunt, Bern. That thou wert wise in the things of God, wouldst understand the vanities of this world, and fore-see the torments of hell. Profecto Inferna horreres, superna appeteres, quae ad manum sunt contemneres. Thou wouldest abhorre the plagues of hell, desire the joyes of heaven, despise the temptations of earth. The great affection we beare to the world, shewes that we know it not.