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

Lastly, comes the production or bringing forth, which is done by active obedience. Conception is Gratia infusa, Pregnancie is Gratia diffusa, bringing forth is Gratia effusa. Dost thou presume in thy soul the conception and pregnancy of grace, and yet leadest a profane, covetous, or dissolute life? Thou sayest no; I have thy word to the contrary: but thy life says yea, I have not thy work to the contrary: whether thou say, No or yea, God and thy own heart knows the contrary. Shall we say with the Prophet; It is brought to the birth, and there is no power to bring forth? No, though it be often so with the body, it is never so with the soul: if the heart have conceived, it will bring forth. The penitent malefactor on the Cross no sooner had his barrenness taken away, but presently he brought forth fruit: he condemneth himself, reproveth the other, justifieth CHRIST, glorifieth God. Store of good children are not naturally borne on the sudden: but^t shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth, saith the Lord? Saving grace hath more validity than nature he that gives strength to conceive, denies not strength to bring forth: that soul shall^u be a joyful mother of many children. Yea God can give Partum sine dolore, birth without pain, Esa. 66.7. Before she travailed, she brought forth: before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. We read of Cornelius his good works, we read not of his tears, Act. 10. Indeed this is a great wonder, Esa. 66.8. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day, or shall a nation be borne at once? for as soon as Zion travelled, she brought forth her children. Nor ear hath heard, nor eye hath seen the like: yet God is the worker of such miracles. That a soul which hath long been barren, shall in one day be set a teeming, and produce gracious fruit to CHRIST.

Lastly, comes the production or bringing forth, which is done by active obedience. Conception is Gratia infusa, Pregnancie is Gratia diffusa, bringing forth is Gratia effusa. Dost thou presume in thy soule the conception and pregnaneie of grace, and yet leadest a profane, covetous, or dissolute life? Thou sai'st no; I have thy word to the contrary: but thy life saies yea, I have not thy worke to the contrary: whether thou say, No or yea, God and thy owne heart knowes the contrary. Shall we say with the Prophet; It is brought to the birth, and there is no power to bring foorth? No, though it be often so with the body, it is never so with the soule: if the heart have conceived, it will bring forth. The penitent malefactor on the Crosse no sooner had his barrennesse taken away, but presently he brought forth fruit: hee condemneth himselfe, reproveth the other, justifieth CHRIST, glorifieth God. Store of good children are not naturally borne on the suddaine: but