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

Thus he gives all grace to us, that we may give all glory to him.

In you, not about you, not on you, but in you. Not behind you, as Libertines that cast Gods laws behind their backs. ¹They run so fast to the Samaria of riot, that they leave Jerusalem behind them. As CHRIST said to Peter, get thee behind me: so these to goodness, keep behind me, I love not to see thy face. Not before you, as worldlings that send religion afore them to threescore, but never overtake it. It keeps before them indeed, but the length of Gracious-street; and they like Solomons fool never come nearer it than the Stocks. Moses saw Canaan before him, and desired it: these see it, and desire it not; they like the world better. Not about you; as profane persons in holy places; inter sanctos non sanctè; live in the midst of virtues without virtue. That proverb is too often justified; nearer to Church, further from God. It seems to be taken from the Jews; who having the greatest light, had the darkest life: the nearer they were to the Sanctuary, the further from sanctity. Such a man may say, Inopem me copia fecit: like foolish Indians, that have store of Gold, and truck it away for rattles. An empty vessel bunged up close, though you throw it into the midst of the sea, will receive no water. ⟨p. 165⟩The Monastery is a place of devotion, the Monk is in the Monastery: yet perhaps the Monastery it self, as soon as devotion, may enter into the monk. A man may be in a holy place, yet if holiness be not in his heart, it is not where it should be. Ismael was an unbeliever in the house of Faith, the family of Abraham. Not on you, as hypocrites; that have a show of sanctity on them, but no substance of sanctity in them. Outwardly lambs, there is innocence on them: inwardly Wolves, there's no innocence in them. Hypocrites cover their spotted hides with the Lions skin of Judah, Sanctimony; so they beguile their brethren. They are always proudest, that have the least cause. The utmost ambition of John the Baptist, was but to untie Christs shoo: of that other John, the beloved Disciple, but to lean on his breast: but Judas the traitor will dip with him in the dish, yea kiss his sacred lips. But there was never holiness without humbleness. Dyers can set on their colours the fairest glosses with Logwood, but they will not hold; when a shower comes, the gloss is gone. The gloss of profession without sincerity will off in a storm;