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

Again, this term is not without some requirable duty. Is the Minister thy Brother? hear him. If God had spoken only by Angels, or by some raised from the dead, or by himself in thunder; this had been terror: but by thy Brother; this is the sweetness of familiar mercy. The Lord doth raise up unto us Prophets of our own brethren, Act. 3.22. But take heed lest Gods gentleness be abused by thy contempt: it is the Word of thy Judge and Maker, though in ore fratris, in the mouth of thy brother. I know that worldly greatness doth easily run into this scorn; what, shall such a poor man reprove me? Yes, Jer. 1.10. I have set thee over nations and kingdoms, Act. 9.15. I have chosen him to bear my Name before Gentiles and Kings. Revel. 10.11. Thou shall prophesy before people, and nations, and Kings. If thou be the Shepherd, suffer none to pollute the fountain whereof the sheep should drink. I know that the poorer sort are presumptuous enough, but they want teeth and horns: The sons of Zerviah are too hard for us. If our conscience and the salvation of our souls lay not upon it, it were better for us to hold our peace. I speak not only concerning the pains: if a man knew the burden, it would take away his stomach. Hierome on those words of Paul, 1 Tim. 3.7. He that desires the office of a Bishop, &c. Alas, who doth not desire it? But to be a Bishop, was then the first step to persecution: if it were still so, to be pricked for death, few would so much affect it. But I speak concerning the opposition of malice, rather than the imposition of labour; herein consists our sorrow and trouble. The shepherd having a lamb stolen out of his flock, vowed to God if he could find the thief, to sacrifice a Ram to him. But when in the pursuit he found a Lion preying on it, he made a new vow; that if God would deliver him from the Lion, he would not only content himself with the loss of his lamb, but also sacrifice a Bull to him. If a sheep be endangered, we vow sacrifice of thankfulness, if we may recover it: but seeking the lost lamb, we meet with a Lion, some great Tyrant, that hath perverted him to feed his own humour, and sensual lust: we are now fain to return without our lamb, and glad to escape the Lion. The sick man loathes the cup wherein the potion was brought him, though it qualified the malignancy of his disease: