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

In his wisdom he could choose the gain of death, yet in his obedience he refuseth not the service of life.

In his wisedome he could chuse the gaine of death, yet in his obedience he refuseth not the service of life.

But to do this argues a stout and valiant mind, fearless of death. Indeed such may be more admired for stoutness of mind, than commended for soundness of wisdom. But that is not magnanimity, but rather the greatest cowardice. Nature it self teacheth, that there is more valour to endure a miserable life, than to embrace a wretched death. That is far the greater mind, quae vitam arumnosam potest magis ferre, quàm fugere. There is no sorrow, no shame, no misery; that should force a Christian to so desperate a prevention. The servants of God never did this, when their souls were heavy to the death: their bodies in Jobs plight, when a prick could have ended all his woes: when the pulling away of the pillow would have eased all their griefs. They never payed the debt of nature, till their creditor called on them for it: which time they would never have stayed, if the service of their own hands might lawfully have released them. But as we cannot live without a Permittis, so we must not dye without a Dimittis. Some that enjoy the worlds Paradise, desire to live: others that endure the worlds Purgatory, desire to die. Saint Augustine's rule is good for both. Si habes vitam in desiderio, habet mortem in patientia: habet vitam in patientia, si habes mortem in desiderio. Though thou desire life i• thy election, yet embrace death in thy patience and admit life in thy patience, though death be in thy desires. When God calls, be not troubled to put off thy Tabernacle: till God calls, be not troubled to keep on thy Tabernacle.

But to doe this argues a stout and valiant mind, fearelesse of death. Indeed such may be more admired for stoutnesse of mind, than commended for soundnesse of wisedome. But that is not magnanimity, but rather the greatest cowardice. Nature it selfe teacheth, that there is more valour to endure a miserable life, than to embrace a wretched death. That is farre the greater mind, quae vitam arumnosam potest magis ferre, quàm fugere. There is no sorrow, no shame, no miserie; that should force a Christian to so desperate a prevention. The servants of God never did this, when their soules were heavy to the death: their bodies in Iobs plight, when a prick could have ended all his woes: when the pulling away of the pillow would have eased all their griefes. They never payed the debt of nature, till their creditor called on them for it: which time they would never have stayed, if the service of their owne hands might lawfully have released them. But as we cannot live without a Permittis, so we must not dye without a Dimittis. Some that enjoy the worlds Paradise, desire to live: others that endure the worlds Purgatory, desire to die. Saint Augustines rule is good for both. Si habes vitam in desiderio, habet mortem in patientia: habet vitam in patientia, si habes mortem in desiderio. Though thou desire life i thy election, yet embrace death in thy patience and admit life in thy patience, though death be in thy desires. When God calls, be not troubled to put off thy Tabernacle: till God calls, be not troubled to keep on thy Tabernacle.