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

if any fault be in those lights, the whole Parish is full of snuffers: But also even every professor of godliness, that hath denied the power thereof, 2 Tim. 3.5.

if any fault be in those lights, the whole Parish is full of snuffers: But also even every professour of godlinesse, that hath denied the power thereof, 2 Tim. 3.5.

Such an one like lost salt, is good for nothing. For, Ad nihilum valet, quod non valet ad finem suum; That is good for nothing, that is, not good for the end and purpose why it was made. If a knife be not good to cut, we say it is good for nothing: yet it may be put to some other use. If a plough be not good to break the ground, we say it is good for nothing; yet it may stop a gap. If a hound be not good to hunt, we say he is good for nothing; yet he may in the night give warning of a thief. But if a Professor be not good for honesty, he is indeed good for nothing. Corruptio optimi pessima: The dead body of a man is more offensive than the ⟨p. 173⟩carcass of a beast. Putrefied flowers stink worse than weeds. A surfeit of bread (though it be the staff of life) is the most dangerous surfeit.^h Son of man, what is the Vine? Shall the wood thereof be taken to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel on? The Vine fruitless, is of all trees most useless. Though it be compared to divers noble and worthy things: the Tribe of Judah is called a Vine, Isaiah 5. The good woman a Vine, Psal. 128.3. Uxor tua sicut vitis abundans; Thy wife shall be as a fruitful Vine. The best man a Vine, John 15.1. Ego sum vitis: though it be the Vine that cheereth the heart of God and man,