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

3 Because patience will do the soul no good with godliness: the glory and comfort of all suffering, is gods cause. Neither is the reward given for suffering, but for suffering well.^q This is thank-worthy, if for conscience toward God, we endure grief. Tribulations are the marks of CHRIST; but then they must be borne for CHRIST: herein Paul delighted himself;^r I take pleasure in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christs sake. Thus being prouder of his iron fetters, than a bragging Courtier of his golden chain. The departures of the Saints are not Mortes, sed Immortalitates. If Julian so honoured his soldiers dying in the wars; celebri potius laud, quàm luctu: how much more shall CHRIST honour his! Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints, Psal. 116.15. such as undergo in Christs cause Christs Cross. No death is comfortable, nisi in Domino, vel pro Domino: and that mans life is well bestowed in suffering death, when to Patience is added Godliness. Our life is the Lords by many dear titles: therefore not too good for him when he requires it. Thou art a depositary, to whose trust is committed a precious Jewell: perhaps thou hast much ado to keep it from the subtleties of tempters, and violence of attempters: yea hast a corrupt desire, unthriftily to spend it upon profits or pleasures, surfeits and vanities: and thou never art in true quiet, till he that delivered this Jewell, thy life to thee, doth reassume it. But then thou must tarry till he calls for it: for God refuseth the soul that comes to him before he sends for it. When the Indians, to avoid the Spanish slavery, grew to a practise of killing themselves: the Spaniards dissembled a killing of themselves also: threatening upon their meeting in another world to afflict them there more than before. Indeed, if the troubles and anguishes of this world so despair thee, that thou castest away thy own life: those very same in a far heavier measure shall find thee out in the other. Miseriam non effugis, sed adauges. There is no comfort in suffering death, except Godliness bless our patience. Aelian writes that among the Grecians there was a Law, that if a sick man drank wine without the advice of his Physician; though he saved his life by it, he should be put to death for it; because he did that was not permitted him.