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

If you could see so far off as heaven above, or might be admitted to look into that glorious house! Kings use not to dwell in cottages of clay, but in royal Courts fit for their Majesty: what is then the Court of the King of Kings! This world seems glorious, such a Carbuncle as the sun to lustre it, stars far more precious then Chrysolites, a pavement checkered over with various colours, adorned with innumerable delights: now if God hath provided such an habitation for his enemies; what a one is that he hath ordained for himself, and his friends? Earthly Princes have dwelt in Cedar and Ivory: but the palace of the highest hath a wall of Jasper,¹ a building of gold, a foundation of precious stones, and gates of pearl. We see now but the pavement of it: O how goodly is it stuck full of lights, more sparkling then diamonds? Did the Centurion say, Non sum dignus, ut tu, &c. Matth. 8.8. I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: and yet CHRIST was than but in his humbled estate? Do thou say, Non sum dignus ut ego; I am not worthy to enter into thy shining and glorious house. It was said, he that hath been once at Ormus, will never love his own country again. He that hath had a glimpse of heaven, how poorly will he think of this earth, which many lose their own souls to purchase? LORD, lift up our eyes to see thus far: let the scales of earthly affections quite fall off; carry us up to thy glory. Thou that didst lay clay upon the blind mans eyes, and so open them: take away this clay of earthliness from our eyes, whereby they are shut. Cast into us the beams of that celestial glory: and because we cannot yet ascend to that, let that come down upon us. Ravish our eyes with thy own beauty, that like Eagles, we may disdain all objects but the sun. Thou that hast prepared heaven for our souls, prepare also our souls for heaven, Act. 17.27. Thou art not far from every one of us: thou art near to us, bring us also near to thee O God, show us thy self, and we shall love thee: let us see thee, O blessed JESUS, now with the eyes of grace, and hereafter with the vision of perfect glory.

If you could see so farre off as heaven above, or might be admitted to looke into that glorious house! Kings use not to dwell in cottages of clay, but in royall Courts fit for their Majestie: what is then the Court of the King of Kings! This world seemes glorious, such a Carbuncle as the sun to lustre it, stars far more precious then Chrysolites, a pavement checkerd over with various colours, adorned with innumerable delights: now if God hath provided such an habitation for his enemies; what a one is that he hath ordained for himselfe, and his friends? Earthly Princes have dwelt in Cedar and Ivorie: but the palace of the highest hath a wall of Iasper,