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

VERSE 9. But he that lacketh these things, is blind, and cannot see far off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

VERSE 9. But he that lacketh these things, is blinde, and cannot see farre off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sinnes.

YOU have seen their honour and happiness, that beautify their faith with good works: that as by the one GOD justifies them, so by the other they may glorify GOD. Behold now their miserable •estate, that boast of a naked and lean faith: He that lacketh these things is blind, &c. But, the Apostle dis-joins them from fruitful professors, by a word of Exception or separation; But. Whom doth he reject? Cui haec non adsunt, The man that Lacks these things. What if he wants one or two of those graces? They may come in time: but if he lack These, All these. In what state is he? Blind; his eyes be not like the Eagles, but the Moles. Is he stark blind? No, perhaps he may see, quae ante pedes sunt, things fast by him; but not Far off: he wants the Optics, to see so far as Heaven. How is he proved to be thus thick-sighted? Because he hath forgotten. Why, they that are blind, have commonly the best memories? This is true indeed, concerning secular objects, the natural things of this world: but wilful spiritual Cecity is punished with Oblivion. But there is a good Forgetfulness, Philip. 3.13. I forget those things that are behind: Nay, but this man hath forgotten his own purgation, how he hath been formerly cleansed: as the Swine when she runs to the mud, forgets that she came out of the clear streams. Wherein consisted that purgation? He was washed from sin, the most sordid pollution and feculency. What, from all sins? No, but from his old sins: for he commits new ones that bring him to the speedier damnation. Now as Saint Augustine calls Psalm. 41. Scripturam pauperis, the poor mans Scripture, and 1 Tim. 6