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

First, these things must be in us, before they can abound, ^aHe that hath my Commandments, and keepeth them, saith Christ, we must first have them, before we can keep them. Therefore auditors in hearing Sermons, should bring intention. It is ordinary with many, to commend the Lecture to others ears, but few commend it to their own hearts. It is morally true, what the Christian tell-troth relates: A servant coming from Church, praiseth the Sermon to his master; he asks him, what was the Text: nay quoth the servant, it was begun before I came in: what then was his conclusion? he answered, I came out before it was done. But what said he in the midst? Indeed I was asleep in the midst. Many crowd to get into the Church, ⟨p. 166⟩but make no room for the Sermon to get into them. Open thy heart so well as thine ear: if this seed be not sown there, it will never abound with fruits to everlasting life. You come not to a banquet to look on, but to eat: hither God calls, but then Eat O my friends, Cant. 5. they are sullen guests that depart away hungry. Ezekiel was bidden to eat the roll, Chap. 3. You may taste of the heavenly gift, Hebr. 6. and feel no sweetness; but eat it down, and it will be pleasant. Worldly things we seek to swallow down: therefore Christ calls the riches of the Pharisees; [Greek or Hebrew], things within them:^b he hath swallowed down riches. But in stead of nourishment they have taken a vomit. The adulterer lays lust next to his heart; the covetous lays usury, the malicious hatred next his heart.^c Their inward part is very wickedness. But for spiritual things some Out-house serves; as Christ himself could be allowed no room in the Inn; the stable is held sufficient. But do you afford better things better places; let them be in you. Not only in your books: (and yet if these things were in the worldlings books, he would burn his study) nor only in your heads; for some have much science, little conscience. Not in your mouths only, for many have Gravitatem in sermonibus, pravitatem in moribus; an ill course of life, with a good discourse of language. But in your hearts, a holy closet fit for such heavenly Jewels. Be sure first you have them, then next that you have increased them.