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

it is pity that they are not abortive, and never suffered to see the light. Such a mother may curse the fruit of her own womb.

it is pitie that they are not abortive, and never suffered to see the light. Such a mother may curse the fruit of her owne wombe.

You see we are not barren: but better no light than that which burns us: better no children than bastards. Let us never give life to that, which gives death to us. Leah said of Reuben, This son shall comfort me: We may say of our iniquity, This sin will afflict me. Many souls are pregnant, but they bring not forth a son of grace, but a daughter of the flesh: it is a daughter, not a son. The Jews have often been deluded in expectation of their Messiah: among the rest I have heard this story reported for one. A Christian was exceedingly in love with a Jews daughter; who also so over-affected him, that though she might not marry him, yet suffered her self to be begot with child by him. This being perceived, according to their law she must be put to death for it. Her betrothed lover desiring to save her, adderest himself like a shining Angel, and taking the benefit of the Moon, called to them in a shrill voice, to spare her: affirming that she was with child of the Messiah. This was easily credited, her fault acquitted, her life spared. Now when the time of her delivery approached, the expectant Jews swarmed thither in multitudes. Delivered she was, but to their mockery and shame, not of a son, but of a daughter. At nine months end, that virgin-Jewess was brought to bed of a Florentine daughter. After such a manner many timpanous spirits in the world do travail; but when the child is borne, it is not a Son of the Spirit, but a daughter of Concupiscence. Parturiunt montes, excurrit ridiculus mus.

You see we are not barren: but better no light than that which burnes us: better no children than bastards. Let us never give life to that, which gives death to us. Leah said of Reuben, This sonne shall comfort me: Wee may say of our iniquitie, This sinne will afflict me. Many soules are pregnant, but they bring not forth a son of grace, but a daughter of the flesh: it is a daughter, not a sonne. The Iewes have often beene deluded in expectation of their Messias: among the rest I have heard this story reported for one. A Christian was exceedingly in love with a Iewes daughter; who also so over-affected him, that though shee might not marry him, yet suffered her selfe to be begot with childe by him. This being perceived, according to their law she must be put to death for it. Her betrothed lover desiring to save her, addrest himselfe like a shining Angell, and taking the benefit of the Moone, called to them in a shrill voice, to spare her: affirming that she was with childe of the Messias. This was easily credited, her fault acquitted, her life spared. Now when the time of her delivery approched, the expectant Iewes swarmed thither in multitudes. Delivered she was, but to their mockery and shame, not of a sonne, but of a daughter. At nine moneths end, that virgin-Iewesse was brought to bed of a Florentine daughter. After such a manner many timpanous spirits in the world doe travaile; but when the childe is borne, it is not a Sonne of the Spirit, but a daughter of Concupiscence. Parturiunt montes, excurrit ridiculus mus.