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

To them, all them; here is the Generality of the persons, for the word is indefinite. This is called a General Epistle; not in a metaphorical sense, as Paul calls the Corinthians; ^dye are our Epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: or as one calls Christ, an Epistle sent us from God the Father. Or as August. in Psal. 90. conc. 2. calls the Scripture, Gods Letter or Epistle sent us hither, de illa civitate unde peregrinamur: from that City to which we travel. But in a proper and usual meaning; a letter of a friend sent to his friends. It is called a general Epistle; not only: 1. Because the doctrine contained in it, is orthodoxall and catholic. 2. Nor because the use of it is general; even to us, aswell as to those to whom it was written. But, 3 because it was not directed to any one man; as those of Paul to Timothy, Titus, Philemon: of John to the elect Lady, and Gaius; no, nor to one particular Church, as those of Paul to the Romans, Corinthians, &c. But to all the Saints, and worshippers of Jesus Christ, howsoever distressed, wheresoever dispersed, or whensoever despised; to all them that with humble faith, and sincere repentance seek our Mediator.

To them, all them; here is the Generalitie of the persons, for the word is indefinite. This is called a Generall Epistle; not in a metaphoricall sense, as Paul cals the Corinthians; ^dye are our Epistle written in our hearts, knowne and read of all men: or as one cals Christ, an Epistle sent us from God the Father. Or as August. in Psal. 90. conc. 2. cals the Scripture, Gods Letter or Epistle sent us hither, de illa civitate unde peregrinamur: from that Citie to which we travell. But in a proper and usuall meaning; a letter of a friend sent to his friends. It is called a generall Epistle; not onely: 1. Because the doctrine contained in it, is orthodoxall and catholike. 2. Nor because the use of it is generall; even to us, aswell as to those to whom it was written. But, 3 because it was not directed to any one man; as those of Paul to Timothie, Titus, Philemon: of Iohn to the elect Lady, and Gaius; no, nor to one particular Church, as those of Paul to the Romans, Corinthians, &c. But to all the Saints, and worshippers of Iesus Christ, howsoever distressed, wheresoever dispersed, or whensoever despised; to all them that with humble faith, and sincere repentance secke our Mediatour.