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

Now to take away barrenness from the spiritual womb, there is required this proceeding: by preparation, by conception, by pregnancy and by birth.

Now to take away barrennesse from the spirituall wombe, there is required this proceeding: by preparation, by conception, by pregnancie and by birth.

First, the womb must be prepared: for barrenness is upon all souls by nature. Therefore let us desire of God, as Rachel begged of Leah: ⁿgive me, I pray thee, of thy sons mandrakes. Little Reuben had gathered sweet flowers in the field: Rachel hath a mind to them: Epiphanius thinks, to help her barrenness. Pererius observes out of Avicen, that the seed of it doth purge Locum conceptionis. Some have taken those mandrakes for Lilies, and some for Violets: but certainly they were amiable flowers, such as they wont to strew on the bridal beds. Beseech we the Lord to strew the beds of our hearts with such mandrakes, Cant. 7.13. The mandrakes give a smell: those holy seeds of grace will take away our barrenness, and prepare our souls for a holy conception. Yea CHRIST must intercede for us, as Isaac entreated for Rebecca, because she was barren: and the Lord will be entreated of him, Gen. 25.21.

First, the wombe must be prepared: for barrennesse is upon all soules by nature. Therefore let us desire of God, as Rachel begged of Leah: ⁿgive me, I pray thee, of thy sonnes mandrakes. Little Reuben had gathered sweet flowers in the field: Rachel hath a mind to them: Epiphanius thinkes, to helpe her barrennesse. Pererius observes out of Avicen, that the seed of it doth purge Locum conceptionis. Some have taken those mandrakes for Lilies, and some for Violets: but certainly they were amiable flowers, such as they wont to strew on the bridall beds. Beseech we the Lord to strow the beds of our hearts with such mandrakes,