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

Now that a short corollary, or recollection of all these scattered branches to their root; Faith is precious. Conceive it some precious jewel,^e thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. Gregory Nissen makes one of those chains to be sound and religions faith, which is made of the pure gold of divine knowledge. And to this pure and golden chain he applies, Proverb. 1.9. They shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. This is the richest collar that can adorn any soule.^f Omnibus semper ornatibus ornamento est; quia sine hac nihil tam ornatum quod ornare possit: It is an ornament to all trimmings, for nothing is so garnishing and gracing, that it can become us without this. It is a jewel given us out of Gods own treasury: aeterna aeternus tribuit, &c. Though faith be not it self eternal, yet it shall make all those blessedly eternal that have it. It is brought by the best messenger, Gods. Spirit: not the worthiest man on earth, not an Angel from heaven, is dignified to bring this treasure: but only the Holy Ghost. It is laid up in the best coffer, in the sanctified heart: no treasure-house is good enough for this jewel; no cabinet but the heart. Lastly, it gives us the place it came from: it came from heaven, and it brings heaven with it. It is Christs wedding ring; to whom soever he gives it, he gives himself with it. It is beyond all estimation precious; it brought us more lands and revenues than the whole Indies. This is Mary's choice, that better part that shall never be taken from us.

Now that a short corollary, or recollection of all these scattered branches to their root; Faith is precious. Conceive it some precious jewell,^e thy cheekes are comely with rowes of jewels, thy necke with chaines of gold. Gregory Nissen makes one of those chaines to be sound and religions faith, which is made of the pure gold of divine knowledge. And to this pure and golden chaine he applies, Proverb. 1.9. They shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chaines about thy necke. This is the richest collar that can adorne any soule.^f Omnibus semper ornatibus ornamento est; quia sine hac nihil tam ornatum quod ornare possit: It is an ornament to all trimmings, for nothing is so garnishing and gracing, that it can become us without this. It is a jewell given us out of Gods owne treasury: aeterna aeternus tribuit, &c. Though faith be not it selfe eternall, yet it shall make all those blessedly eternall that have it. It is brought by the best messenger, Gods. Spirit: not the worthiest man on earth, not an Angell from heaven, is dignified to bring this treasure: but onely the Holy Ghost. It is laid up in the best coffer, in the sanctified heart: no treasure-house is good enough for this jewell; no cabinet but the heart. Lastly, it gives us the place it came from: it came from heaven, and it brings heaven with it. It is Christs wedding ring; to whom soever he gives it, he gives himselfe with it. It is beyond all estimation precious; it brought us more lands and revenues than the whole Indies. This is Maries choice, that better part that shall never bee taken from us.