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

A working hand: the life of service is work, the work of a Christian is obedience. The Centurion describing his good Servant, said no more but thus, Mat. 8. I bid him do this, and he doth it. He that worketh not, is not Gods labourer, but his own loiterer. We are all either Masters of servants, or servants of Masters; or servants to the State and commonwealth, or commanders of such servants: some may be all of these, all are some of these. We know what we require of our servants, what our Masters required of us. It were an easy thing to be a servant, if service consisted only in kissing our hands, in making courtesies, in taking wages and wearing liveries. Many wear Christs livery, all live upon Gods trencher: but most have ⟨p. 9⟩gouty fingers, they will do no work in Gods service. There is an habitual service; so the slave while he eats or sleeps, is in service still. But the actual service pleaseth God; which consists in^l holiness and righteousness before him. Many thus call themselves, but God doth not call them so. It is an everlasting rule,^m ye are his Servants to whom ye obey. There is much service in the world, but it is to a wrong Master; but such can God point out, and put out; and order it, like Jehu; when he inflicteth vengeance on the world;ⁿ not one Servant of the Lord be among them. If any think to pass in the crowd, and press among Gods servants, without their cognisance, the wedding garment, a question shall be asked them, whereat they shall stand^o speechless; How came you in hither?

A working hand: the life of service is worke, the worke of a Christian is obedience. The Centurion describing his good Servant, said no more but thus, Mat. 8. I bid him doe this, and he doth it. He that worketh not, is not Gods labourer, but his owne loiterer. We are all either Masters of servants, or servants of Masters; or servants to the State and commonwealth, or commanders of such servants: some may be all of these, all are some of these. We know what we require of our servants, what our Masters required of us. It were an easie thing to be a servant, if service consisted onely in kissing our hands, in making curtesies, in taking wages and wearing liveries. Many weare Christs livery, all live upon Gods trencher: but most have