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

It is a true maxim in Philosophy, Art and Nature bring forth nothing suddenly: and is it not so in Divinity? Doth any man think, that hath lived all his years profane, to be made at his last hour a Saint? Never tell us, that one malefactor sped so; for then we tell you, that one Ass did speak: yet never was Ass or Ox heard speak since: Gratia semet sumpta, ne sit semper prasumpta; Grace that is presumed, may be missed. You have not wealth from the clods without digging, and would you have blessing from the clouds without working? The labour of our bodies for this world, was but a curse; the labour of our souls for heaven, is a blessing. We may ignorantly give our bread to the slothful: God hath too much knowledge to give salvation upon such terms. If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly appear? He that gives all diligence to enter into heaven,¹ finds great difficulty; but he shall get in: but he that lies sleeping in his sins, must tarry without. The foolish Virgins knock at the door, but were denied entrance, Matt. 25.12. Would you needs sleep? sleep your last. When Jupiter, in the Fable, had invited all living creatures to a banquet, the Tortoise came at the taking up of the table; whereat he storming, the Tortoise excused himself, that his house troubled him: hereupon angry Jove adjudged him for ever to keep in his shell. So when God calls, we have an house that hinders us; some lower, domesticall, and earthly content; beware lest all our happiness be confined thither.

It is a true maxime in Philosophie, Art and Nature bring forth nothing suddenly: and is it not so in Divinity? Doth any man thinke, that hath lived all his yeeres prophane, to be made at his last houre a Saint? Never tell us, that one malefactour sped so; for then we tell you, that one Asse did speake: yet never was Asse or Oxe heard speake since: Gratia semet sumpta, ne sit semper prasumpta; Grace that is presumed, may be missed. You have not wealth from the clods without digging, and would you have blessing from the clouds without working? The labour of our bodies for this world, was but a curse; the labour of our soules for heaven, is a blessing. We may ignorantly give our bread to the slothfull: God hath too much knowledge to give salvation upon such termes. If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shal the ungodly appeare? He that gives all diligence to enter into heaven,