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

To brotherly kindness, Charity.] We are now gotten to the roof of this spiritual house, Charity. This is the highest round of the ladder: there be eight steps, this is the uppermost; as nearest to heaven. It hath a further extent than Philadelphia; that is only to brethren in the same faith, this is to all, even to our enemies, Matth. 5.44. All men love their friends, but Christians love their enemies, Tertullian. Beatus qui amat te, & amicum in te, & inimicum propter te. Aug. It is greater than faith, and hope, 1 Cor. 13. Faith shall bring in vision, vision shall thrust out faith: Hope shall lead in possession, possession shall cast forth hope.^u Above all things put on Charity: here are three particulars; the Action, put on: the Affection, the robe of Charity: the preeminence; Above all. We find a preeminence, if we read Super haec omnia, above all: a necessity, if we read Ad haec omnia, To these all. Put it on, as either clothes for covering, or armour for defending. It is a good armour against Satan's temptations to sin, or accusations for sin. Of all men, seldom is any great sin fastened on the charitable: how should he speed ill, that hath so many prayers! It is a good covering, Job professes that he had warmed the poor with the fleece of his sheep, Job 31.20. That charity which keeps the poor receivers body warm, keeps the givers soul warmer. Whether it consists in donando, or in condonando: in bearing and forbearing, in case of wrong: in beneficence and giving, in case of need. Put it on: ^xwisdom and treasures hidden are unprofitable; this must not be hidden as a night-gown, or closet-robe, but worn: Yea, keep it on; it must not be a loose garment, soon on and soon off. Charity, some think, is a vesture that will quickly be worn out; therefore they seldom wear it, unless it be on high days, and then they give a little to a collection. But it should ⟨p. 156⟩be rather like the Israelites clothes in the desert, lasting forty years. If this grace be wanting, all the former are lost: brotherly love is not, Godliness vanisheth, there is no place for Patience, temperance is worthless, knowledge is obscured, all Virtue pineth away.