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

It must be stirred. Our backwardness requires continual provocations. To be good is a thing hardly gotten, quickly forgotten. The art of bringing mens hearts to God, hath many passages, takes many courses, tries many experiments: as indeed there are many sorts of servants. A Land-lord had summoned his tenants to do him some service: yet being done, and they all present, the steward demands, which of them came for love, and which for money. They that came gratis for love, were feasted in the Parlour, they that came for reward had courser fare in the Hall. One amongst the rest would choose neither of these places, but walks by himself. The steward asked him his motive of coming, whether, for love or money; that his place might be assigned accordingly. He replied; I come for neither love nor money, but for plain fear, and therefore I choose a place by my self. Thus some approach to God for reward, as Saul loved him for his kingdom. Some for love, as Mary that brought CHRIST a precious unction because she loved. him. Others for fear, Ahab was humbled under fear of the vengeance. Now all our endeavour is to plant in mens hearts the love of God; that they might say with Peter; Lord thou knowest that I love thee. But this is effected, sometimes by promise of reward, that they may be led by profit, Esa. 1.19. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the Land, Rom. 2.20. There is glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good. Sometimes by threatenings, that they may be won by fear, Rom. 2.9. Tribulation and anguish upon every soul that doth evil, Hebr. 12.29. Our God is a consuming fire. Now though perfect love cast out servile fear; as Saint John speaketh: yet filial fear brings in perfect love, There is mercy with thee O Lord, that thou mayest be feared. It hath been said of base fear; Degeneres animos timor arguit; that it is an argument of a base and cowardly spirit. But of this fear it is true; Regeneres animos timor arguit; that it is the argument of a regenerate and gracious spirit. He never loved God, that fears him not. With some of these the heart must be continually stirred.

It must be stirred. Our backwardnesse requires continuall provocations. To bee good is a thing hardly gotten, quickly forgotten. The art of bringing mens hearts to God, hath many passages, takes many courses, tries many experiments: as indeed there are many sorts of servants. A Land-lord had summoned his tenants to doe him some service: yet being done, and they all present, the steward demands, which of them came for love, and which for mony. They that came gratis for love, were feasted in the Parlar, they that came for reward had courser fare in the Hall. One amongst the rest would chuse neither of these places, but walkes by himselfe. The steward asked him his motive of comming, whether, for love or mony; that his placce might be assigned accordingly. He replied; I come for neither love nor money, but for plaine feare, and therefore I chuse a place by my selfe. Thus some approch to God for reward, as Saul loved him for his kingdome. Some for love, as Mary that brought CHRIST a precious unction because she loved. him. Others for feare, Ahab was humbled under feare of the vengeance. Now all our endeavour is to plant in mens hearts the love of God; that they might say with Peter; Lord thou knowest that I love thee. But this is effected, sometimes by promise of reward, that they may be led by profit,