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

For his Humility; he prefers not himself to the rest of Gods Saints, but calls them all Brethren. How contemptibly would he judge of the Popes arrogated Primacy! What sacrilegious pride would be take it, to be called Pater omnium, the Father of all men; which is incommunicably proper to GOD himself? Indeed GOD bestowed upon Abraham this title;¹ to be called The Father of all them that believe. But this was Paternitas exempli, non causae; A father-hood of example only. He might be a Father in respect of generation to the Jews; he can be Father in respect of regeneration to none. Himself was the son of Faith, though called the Father of believers. But Isaiah 63.16. Doubtless, O LORD, thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us. And this our title, to the Father-hood of GOD, and brother-hood of Christians, is through CHRIST: who is both Pater noster, and Frater noster; Our Father, Hebr. 2.13. Here am I, and the children which thou hast given me. Our Brother, Hebr. 2.11. He is not ashamed to call us brethren. See here then, the different Spirit of Saint Peter and the Pope: one calls himself the Brother, the other the Father of the Saints. Indeed the Pastor may call his people, Children; and Paul calls Timothy his son, when he commends himself to him, 1 Tim. 1. Unto Timothy my own son in the faith: when he commends him to others, he calls him Brother, Hebr. 13.23. Our brother Timothy is set at liberty. But, saith our Saviour; Call no man father; for one is your Father in heaven. ²Christ doth not there forbid natural, civill, moral relations. Not natural; Jacob may call Isaac Father. Not civill; the servants of Naaman spake unto him; My Father. ³Not moral; as Elisha said to ascending Elijah; My Father, my Father, 2 King. 2.12. Things that are subordinate one to another, do not oppose one another: we have one Father in heaven, yet may have many ministerial fathers upon earth: but none in that sense that GOD is our Father. Pater Ecclesiae, the Father of the Church, the Pope cannot be called without wrong to GOD. This title he challengeth in Saint Peters right; but Saint Peter himself thinks it wrong. CHRIST, say they, meant to turn over his right to Peter; as if he were to be his only heir; Upon this rock I will build my Church. But the Church had a foundation from the beginning of the world; I hope Peter was not it.