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

Otherwise men seem to propound doctrines impossible to be kept. Act. 1.1. Of all that Jesus did both do and teach. It is said of Christ, that he did first Do, and then Teach. The question to the Minister shall be at last; not how many books he hath read, but what life he hath led: not only how he hath preached, but how he hath lived. They must not be like scribbling school-boys, that write fair with the fore-finger, and blur it with the hind-finger. Indeed rank hypocrites often mask in sheep's clothing: and as Physicians that would minister a draught of bitter potions to children, anoint the brims of the cup with honey, or some well tasted liquor. So these paint the exterior appearance, that men may more easily swallow their drugs and dregs of heresy. But we may soon discern these wolves in lamb-skins; for shear them, and their wool will grow no more. Yet must not the lamb put off his fleece, because the wolf hath worn it. Lest he divert Dispensationem in dissipationem; his office of gathering the flock together, into a scattering them asunder. Every Shepherd hath a Scrip, a Staff, and a Whistle: so a Minister must have Maintenance to live on, Sanctimony to live by, Doctrine to enliven others. Worldlings that mind the purse, and neither preach fervently, nor live charitably; have lost the Staff and the Whistle, and only keep the Scrip: Neither doth well asunder, all do very well together: yet what ever becomes of the Scrip, keep we a good Staff, and a good Whistle: that we may out-preach sin; out-live sin; and be our reward in the hands of Jesus Christ.

Otherwise men seeme to propound doctrines impossible to be kept. Act. 1.1. Of all that Iesus did both doe and teach. It is said of Christ, that he did first Doe, and then Teach. The question to the Minister shall be at last; not how many bookes he hath read, but what life he hath led: not onely how he hath preached, but how hee hath lived. They must not be like scribbling schoole-boyes, that write faire with the fore-finger, and blurre it with the hind-finger. Indeed ranke hypocrites often maske in sheepes clothing: and as Physitians that would minister a draught of bitter potions to children, anoint the brimmes of the cup with honey, or some well tasted liquour. So these paint the exteriour apparance, that men may more easily swallow their drugs and dregs of heresie. But we may soone discerne these wolves in lamb-skins; for sheare them, and their wooll will grow no more. Yet must not the lambe put off his fleece, because the wolfe hath worne it. Lest he divert Dispensationem in dissipationem; his office of gathering the flocke together, into a scattering them asunder. Every Shepheard hath a Scrip, a Staffe, and a Whistle: so a Minister must have Maintenance to live on, Sanctimony to live by, Doctrine to enliven others. Worldlings that minde the purse, and neither preach fervently, nor live charitably; have lost the Staffe and the Whistle, and onely keepe the Scrip: Neither doth well asunder, all doe very well together: yet what ever becomes of the Scrip, keepe we a good Staffe, and a good Whistle: that we may out-preach sinne; out-live sinne; and be our reward in the hands of Iesus Christ.