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

The motives are deduced from the necessity, the dignity, the commodity, the danger of neglecting it. The necessity must be considered in respect of God, of our selves.

The motives are deduced from the necessitie, the dignitie, the commoditie, the danger of neglecting it. The necessitie must be considered in respect of God, of our selves.

The necessity of it in respect of God, appears by his charging us with it, both in the Law and in the Gospel, Levit. 19.18. John 13.34. But how then does CHRIST calls it a New Commandment. It is answered; vetus ratione veritatis, novum ratione usus. It is old in regard of the truth, new in regard of the use. Papists think it too new; they will be brotherly kind to their own tribe; love none but those that love them. They affect some new things, dethroning of Princes, &c. but not this. Sectaries think it too old, they will none of charity: they love no old thing, but Adams old sin of disobedience. Poor charity cannot find a bosom to rest in; it is too new for some, and too old for others. Paul bids us put it on; but some think it too costly a garment, and will not become them. The Poet hath a fable, that an old man travelling with his little son, and having but one beast between them; the father did ride and the child went a foot: then the people exclaimed and said he was an unkind father, who being of able limbs would take his ease and put his tender form to trudge by him. Hereon he set up his son, and went a foot himself: then they called him kind dotard, that would let a young boy ride, while his aged father travelled by him. Hearing this, he got up with his son, they did both ride: now the people railed on him for an unmerciful man to his beast; saying, they might ride by turns. Then they lighted both, and would neither ride; now the people began to laugh at them, that both would lead an empty beast, and go on foot themselves. Lastly when he saw that nothing could please them, he went and drowned his beast; and lo, now he was derided most of all. This is Charities luck: the old man tells the young that he ought to be charitable, because he is coming into the world, and hath his fortunes before him. The young man, tells the old, that he ought to be charitable, because he is going out of the world; that he may well spare his clothes that is going to bed. The father and son conclude, that if they should both be givers, this were the way to over-load charity; to make others rich, and themselves beggars. When neither of them gives, but leave charity empty, the world curses them for miserable wretches. Lastly, they consent to drown poor charity in the gulf of covetousness: