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

There is Appropriation of CHRIST: by faith he is made ours, by love we are made his. It was a piece of the Philosophers meditation, that Totum in se habet homo, qui se habet: the believer adds, Se habet qui Christum habet; Christum habet qui fidem habet, & in Christum credit. That man hath all in himself that hath himself, he hath himself that hath Christ, and he hath Christ that hath true faith.^k This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith: yea, more, it overcomes Christ himself. The world is overcome by faith, because it cannot withstand it: Christ is overcome by faith, because he will not withstand it. Christ in a duel overcame the Devil, Matth 4. a Canaanitish woman so overcame Christ himself. He yielded,^l O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt. This is able to smooth his countenance though it be frowning; to tie his hands though they be striking. The Lion of this wo•ld raged long, and still rageth,^m seeking whom he may devour.ⁿ The Lion of the Tribe of Judah conquered him: now Faith conquers the Conquerour. Quanta fidei vis, quae vincit Leonem, omnes & omnia vincentem? How great is the power of faith, that overcomes him who overcame all? Thus is God pleased to let Faith have an holy victory over himself: he loves this sanctified violence, and bids Faith wrestle courageously with him, like Jacob; permitting his Almighty self vinci, vinciri; to be conquered and mani•led from executing deserved vengeance. So Job: Albeit thou kill me, yet I will trust in thee; and because (saith God) thou dost trust in me, I will not kill thee. It were honour enough for faith to^o subdue kingdoms, but to achieve the kingdom of heaven! enough to stop the mouths of Lions, but to vanquish that roaring Lion, and to^p resist him! enough to quench the violence of elementary fires, but to deliver from the eternal fire of hell! enough to escape the edge of mens swords, but to escape the sword of GODS Justice. O the matchless virtue of Faith!