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

If men be foul and impure, no marvel though there be strait entrance; for there is no entrance, Revel. 21.27. Is no wise shall any unclean thing enter into it. But otherwise, Invia virtutis nulli est via. Art thou wrapped in thy sins, and safest the passage is narrow? It is abundant, but not to thee. Unload thy conscience by repentance, and those everlasting doors shall give thee entrance abundantly to the king of glory. It may seem hard at the first, because there is weeping to part with beloved sins; much ado to keep the eye from Sodom; but endeavour, and thou shalt find it easier, and easier. Capta vides serò Pergama, capta tamen, Revel. 22.25. The gates of it shall not be shut by day: by day, well; but yet they may be shut by night: neither, for there shall be no night there. The Prophet entreats God to Spread the heavens as a Curtain: now he did spread them wide, when Publicans and harlots were converted, and did enter into the kingdom of heaven. I conclude.

If men be foule and impure, no marvell though there be strait entrance; for there is no entrance, Revel. 21.27. Is no wise shall any uncleane thing enter into it. But otherwise, Invia virtutis nulli est via. Art thou wrap'd in thy sinnes, and safest the passage is narrow? It is abundant, but not to thee. Vnlode thy conscience by repentance, and those everlasting doores shall give thee entrance abundantly to the king of glory. It may seeme hard at the first, because there is weeping to part with beloved sinnes; much adoe to keepe the eye from Sodome; but endevour, and thou shalt find it easier, and easier. Capta vides serò Pergama, capta tamen, Revel. 22.25. The gates of it shall not be shut by day: by day, well; but yet they may be shut by night: neither, for there shall be no night there. The Prophet intreats God to Spread the heavens as a Curtaine: now he did spread them wide, when Publicans and harlots were converted, and did enter into the kingdome of heaven. I conclude.

This abundant entrance is given to us by CHRIST: our own debts did make it narrow, his payment hath made it wide, Phil. ver. 10. As Paul pleaded to Philemon for Onesimus, so CHRIST to his father for us. I beseech thee; CHRIST mediates, intercedes for us. For my Son, saith Paul; for my children, saith Christ. Whom I have begotten; CHRIST hath begotten us again of water and the Spirit; not only In my bonds: but in my blood. Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and me. So CHRIST; they were, O father, useless and rebellious enemies, but now I have made them useful and profitable for thy glory. Verse 12. Whom I have sent again: we were all run-aways from God and goodness, CHRIST hath sent us back again. Thou therefore receive him, that is in mine own bowels. Receive them oh Father: shut them not out, but open thy everlasting doors of mercy to entertain them; and that so near, as unto thine own bowels,