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

And cannot see a far off. The original is [Greek or Hebrew], Lusciosus, thick-eyed. It signifies Pati affectum [Greek or Hebrew], and that is derived quasi [Greek or Hebrew]: claudereoculos non penitùs, sed parumper. Some translate it, Conniver oculis, to wink, Prov. 6.13. he winketh with his eyes. Others thus; Oculos aperire non valens; one that cannot open his eyes. But to take it, as we here read it; one that cannot see a far off. Now to the former word, [Greek or Hebrew], this seems to be subjected per quandam correctionem: he is blind, aut si non prorsus caecus, caecutit tamen instar lusciosi. It is a voluntary darkening the eye to heavenly things. Lusciosus is such a one as sees a little at the day dawning, worse after the sun rising, never a whit after the sun setting.

And cannot see a farre off. The originall is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Lusciosus, thicke-eyed. It signifies Pati affectum 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, and that is derived quasi 〈non-Latin alphabet〉: claudereoculos non penitùs, sed parumper. Some translate it, Connivere oculis, to winke, Prov. 6.13. he winketh with his eyes. Others thus; Oculos aperire non valens; one that cannot open his eyes. But to take it, as wee here read it; one that cannot see a farre off. Now to the former word, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, this seemes to be subjected per quandam correctionem: he is blind, aut si non prorsus caecus, caecutit tamen instar lusciosi. It is a voluntary darkning the eye to heavenly things. Lusciosus is such a one as sees a little at the day dawning, worse after the sunne rising, never a whit after the sunne setting.

A far off. What are those things a far off, that he cannot see? He sees the Sun, the Moon, the Stars; and these are a far off So do the beasts, and some of them more clearly. What, is it meant of a physical remoteness; that he cannot see In ultima naturae, into the deep secrets of nature; not perceive how to derive benefits a font, from the fountain head? If he would have bread, does he not know to deduce it by a natural course? As first to till his ground, then to sow his seed, then to reap and carry it into his barn: and when he hath it there, to bring it under the Flail, the Fan, the Mill, the Oven, and so to perfect it into bread. If he would have cloth, and not to go to the shop for it; knows he not to shear his sheep, to spin his wool, to weave, full, and colour it, and to fit it to his own wearing? Or, is it meant of terrene objects, distanced off by a local interjection. Why he hath then a perspective glass, to represent a remote thing, as it were at his foot. Or some optic instruments, to stand on a Tower and read a book lying in the streets. Or some politic eyes, that by intelligence he may know in his chamber, the state affairs of foreign kingdoms. Or demoniac eyes, whereby he can see in a glass things as far as India; by a cunning delusion. So Saul was persuaded that he saw Samuel; who indeed was as far off him as heaven from earth. What, is it then meant for a searching into the secret purposes and fetches of men?