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

That have obtained the like precious faith: here is the means of this Equality, they have obtained it. Not by our own merits; there was no congruity of nature to receive this precious treasure. Non nascimur, sed renascimur Christiani; we are not borne, but new-borne Christians. It is indeed natural to every one, like Simon Magus, to think himself^r some great man; either the man, or somebody. Luther was wont to say, that every man by nature hath a Pope bred in his belly, too great an opinion of his own worth: we are Narcissus-like, enamoured of our own shadows. Injustitiae ferè fola causa justitia est: righteousnesse is almost the only cause of unrighteousness: righteousness in opinion, of unrighteousness indeed: we think our selves so just, that we make little reckoning of Christ, for want of whom we remain unjust still. But the highest Mountebank in his proffers, is the lowest Dwarf in his merits. Not by our own purchase: many have so obtained Lordships and Manors; as the Captain bought his Burgess-ship,^s with a great sum of money. Wert thou so glorious as an Angel, thy meat so good as Manna, thy ⟨p. 22⟩garments richer than Aaron's Ephod, and thy breath sweeter than the perfume of the Tabernacle; yet all this could not get thee faith, nor give thee title to the kingdom of heaven.^t Thy money perish with thee, that thinkest the gifts of God may be bought with money.

That have obtained the like precious faith: here is the meanes of this Equality, they have obtained it. Not by our own merits; there was no congruitie of nature to receive this precious treasure. Non nascimur, sed renascimur Christiani; wee are not borne, but new-borne Christians. It is indeed naturall to every one, like Simon Magus, to thinke himselfe^r some great man; either the man, or somebody. Luther was wont to say, that every man by nature hath a Pope bred in his belly, too great an opinion of his owne worth: we are Narcissus-like, enamoured of our owne shadowes. Injustitiae ferè fola causa justitia est: righteousnesse is almost the onely cause of unrighteousnesse: righteousnesse in opinion, of unrighteousnesse indeed: wee thinke our selves so just, that we make little reckoning of Christ, for want of whom we remaine unjust still. But the highest Mountebanke in his proffers, is the lowest Dwarfe in his merits. Not by our owne purchase: many have so obtained Lordships and Mannors; as the Captaine bought his Burgesse-ship,