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

He calls us Brethren, to show that he had but the privilege of a brother, and did no otherwise than all the rest; bear the arms of the elder; he gives them all equal privilege. The Old Testament began in fraternity; Moses and Aaron: so doth the New; Peter and Andrew, James and John, Simon and Jude, Philip and Bartholomew are also taken to be brethren: so among the twelve Apostles, to be four pair of brethren. Ex aequo fundavit Ecclesiam. And as CHRIST took them from an humble condition of estate, so he gave them an humble opinion of themselves. For condition; he took no Gymnosophists from Indy, nor Philosophers from Athens, nor Orators from Rome, nor Rabbi's from Jerusalem; but men of no learning. When he purposed to bring down the proud hearts of men; Non per oratorem quasivit piscatorem, sed per piscatorem lucravit Imperatorem; He did not choose Orators to persuade Fishers; but Fishers to convert Emperors For disposition; though they were dignified to be Apostles, yet they remain still humble Brethren to the poorest. Non principandi superbiam, sed providendi vigilantiam tenet; They had not a lust of Sovereignty, but a zeal of charity. If therefore Peter had any Primacy, it was non dignitatis, sed ordinis; not of honour, but of order. Howsoever as Matthias for succeeding Judas the Traitor, was never the worse: so the Pope for succeeding Peter the Saint, is never the better.

Hee calls us Brethren, to shew that he had but the priviledge of a brother, and did no otherwise than all the rest; beare the armes of the elder; he gives them all equall priviledge. The Old Testament began in fraternitie; Moses and Aaron: so doth the New; Peter and Andrew, Iames and Iohn, Simon and Iude, Philip and Bartholomew are also taken to bee brethren: so among the twelve Apostles, to be foure paire of brethren. Ex aequo fundavit Ecclesiam. And as CHRIST tooke them from an humble condition of estate, so hee gave them an humble opinion of themselves. For condition; he tooke no Gymnosophists from Indy, nor Philosophers from Athens, nor Orators from Rome, nor Rabbi's from Ierusalem; but men of no learning. When hee purposed to bring downe the proud hearts of men; Non per oratorem quasivit piscatorem, sed per piscatorem lucravit Imperatorem; He did not chuse Orators to perswade Fishers; but Fishers to convert Emperours For disposition; though they were dignified to be Apostles, yet they remaine still humble Brethren to the poorest. Non principandi superbiam, sed providendi vigilantiam tenent; They had not a lust of Soveraigntie, but a zeale of charitie. If therefore Peter had any Primacie, it was non dignitatis, sed ordinis; not of honour, but of order. Howsoever as Matthias for succeeding Iudas the Traytour, was never the worse: so the Pope for succeeding Peter the Saint, is never the better.