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

Like precious faith with us. I come to the Equality, or rather Parity of this Excellency; Like with us. The faith of the poorest believer is as precious, as the richest. ⟨p. 20⟩Peter is above them in office: in the effect and fruit of his office, they are like him. But Peter was thrice confirmed, and that by the mouth of Christ himself, to make him strong: how then could they have faith like him? The parallel is not drawn à quantitate, sed à qualitate fidei: nec dicitur, tantum fidei, sed talem fidem: The comparison is not of the quantity, but of the quality of faith: nor doth he say, they had obtained the same measure and degree of faith, which he had himself; but the same kind of faith: not so much, but such faith. The act of faith is to apply Christ to the soul: and this the weakest faith can do so well as the strongest, if it be true. A child can hold a staff as well, though not so strongly as a man. The prisoner through a hole sees the Sun, though not so perfectly as they in the open air. They that saw the brazen Serpent, though a great way off, yet were healed. The poor mans, I believe, saved him; though he was fain to add, Lord, help my unbelief. So that we may say of Faith, as the Poet of Death; that dominos servis, & sceptra ligonibus aequat; it makes lords and slaves, Apostles and common persons all alike acceptable to God, if they have it.

Like precious faith with us. I come to the Equality, or rather Parity of this Excellencie; Like with us. The faith of the poorest beleever is as precious, as the richest. ⟨p. 20⟩Peter is above them in office: in the effect and fruit of his office, they are like him. But Peter was thrice confirmed, and that by the mouth of Christ himselfe, to make him strong: how then could they have faith like him? The paralel is not drawne à quantitate, sed à qualitate fidei: nec dicitur, tantum fidei, sed talem fidem: The comparison is not of the quantity, but of the quality of faith: nor doth he say, they had obtained the same measure and degree of faith, which he had himselfe; but the same kinde of faith: not so much, but such faith. The act of faith is to apply Christ to the soule: and this the weakest faith can doe so well as the strongest, if it be true. A childe can hold a staffe as well, though not so strongly as a man. The prisoner thorow a hole sees the Sunne, though not so perfectly as they in the open aire. They that saw the brasen Serpent, though a great way off, yet were healed. The poore mans, I beleeve, saved him; though he was faine to adde, Lord, helpe my unbeleefe. So that we may say of Faith, as the Poet of Death; that dominos servis, & sceptra ligonibus aequat; it makes lords and slaves, Apostles and common persons all alike acceptable to God, if they have it.