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

Shortly I must lay down this my tabernacle.] This is the Dissolution, wherein I considered four circumstances. First, the Personality; I, though a Preacher, though an Apostle, one that have seen the Lord Jesus in the face; I. Next, the necessity, I must, there is no evasion, no prevention: I must lose a tabernacle, no mansion, a thing not worth keeping. Thirdly, the Liberty, voluntariness, and willing heart of the Apostle to do this; which he calls a Deposition, or Laying down of his Tabernacle: it is not a thing violently extorted from me, but laid down with a quiet and temperate mind. Lastly, the Instance and vicinity of it; It is not long a coming, but approaching so near, that I see it and feel it: the sands are almost out of the glass: but a few moments, and I depart; Shortly.

Shortly I must lay downe this my tabernacle.] This is the Dissolution, wherein I considered foure circumstances. First, the Personalitie; I, though a Preacher, though an Apostle, one that have seene the Lord Iesus in the face; I. Next, the necessity, I must, there is no evasion, no prevention: I must lose a tabernacle, no mansion, a thing not worth keeping. Thirdly, the Liberty, voluntarinesse, and willing heart of the Apostle to doe this; which he calls a Deposition, or Laying downe of his Tabernacle: it is not a thing violently extorted from me, but laied downe with a quiet and temperate mind. Lastly, the Instance and vicinitie of it; It is not long a comming, but approching so neere, that I see it and feele it: the sands are almost out of the glasse: but a few moments, and I depart; Shortly.

I must; it is Personal; I. The Apostle out of that general necessity wisely collects a particular, a proper conclusion to himself, I. These singular deductions out of universal propositions, are profitable to men, and acceptable to God. All men are sinners; and I am the chief, saith Paul. All men are mortal, and I must shortly die, saith Peter. No degree of men is privileged from death: not a Patriarch, not a Prophet, not an Apostle, could plead exemption. Zach. 1.5. Your fathers, where are they? and the Prophets, do they live for ever? Abraham a great Patriarch, Moses a great Prophet, David a great Prince, Samuel a great Priest, John a great Evangelist, Peter a great Apostle; where are they? their souls live in bliss, their bodies are dead in the grave. God doth often take away his Ministers, and that for three reasons: