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

Circumstances of a sin give aggravation to it; Non quòd dissimilis res sit, sed persona; The action is varied according to the person. We expect better things of well-promising professors, than of impudent and prostituted libertines. Shall an Officer that reforms the Tap-house, be himself found in a Brothel-house? Were it not strange that the Witch should tell the Juggler, he hath a bad conscience? Or that the Hypocrite should rail at the Player? Or the Usurer challenge the thief? Or the Lay-Parson with his sacrilegious Impropriation, blame the poor Vicar for looking narrowly to his poor remnants? It is all one as if he that hath taken away my house, should find fault with me for putting on my cloak. The dissolute shall speed better than the hypocrite; and lukewarmness is more offensive to Gods stomach than frost-coldness. The Thistle in the forrest shall not fare so ill, as the barren Fig-tree in the vine-yard. Therefore,^g though Israel hath played the harlot, let not Judah transgress. The offering brought with unhallowed hands, is worse than none at all. Sole & Sale nihil utilius; Nothing more useful than Light and Salt. Yet for the Light, Matth. 6.23. If it be darkness, how great is that darkness! And for Salt, Matth. 5.13. If it have lost the savour, wherewith shall it be salted? Though men be never so profound in knowledge, if they be profane in conversation, their Salt is lost. Salt keeps other things from putrefaction, but if it be putrefied it self, what should season it? A sweet singer delights us all: but Quis medebitur cantatori à serpent percusso? If a Serpent hath stung him, who shall recover his voice? If the eye be out, what shall look to the eye? The Manna kept, and not spent, rotted: good gifts smothered will come to nothing. Sampson lost his strength in Delilah's lap, the strength of grace is lost in idleness. If Jerusalem forget her first love, presently her right-hand forgets her cunning, Matth. 5.13. There are three things observable in the infatuated Salt. 1. The difficulty to be recovered, Wherewith shall it be salted? 2. The unprofitableness; It is good for nothing. 3. The contempt and scorn, It is cast out and trodden under foot of men. Neither is the unprofitable Minister only this unsavoury salt; though Christ directed that speech to his Apostles. If they be tenebrosae lucernae, dark lanterns;