An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…

Mark that Paul saith, ye have no need that I write unto you of times and seasons: & that our saviour saith, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons. What may we think then of them that write books & almanacs, and say, such a year, and at such a time, Christ shall come, and with these speeches fray and mock the world? Paul was the Apostle of Christ, an elect vessel of the holy ghost, he said, I have no need to write of it, you cannot know it. What need is there now that such books and pamphlets should be written? why should the world be troubled with such vanities?

Marke that Paul saith, yée haue no néede that I write vnto you of times and seasons: & that our sauior saith, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons. What may we think then of them that write bookes & almanackes, and say, such a yeare, and at such a time, Christ shal come, and with these spéeches fray and mocke the world? Paul was the Apostle of Christ, an elect vessel of the holie ghost, he said, I haue no néed to write of it, you cannot know it. What néede is there nowe that such bookes and pamphlets should be written? why should the world be troubled with such vanities?

Spare me your patience, and give me leave a little to deal with these wizards. Tell me, thou that doest measure and behold the compass of heaven, and markest the coniunoions, and oppositions, and aspects of the stars: and by that wisdom canst foretell the things that shall be done hereafter: where learnest thou this skill? how comest thou by this deep knowledge? Paul was taken up into the third heaven, & heard words which cannot be spoken, which ⟨p. 183⟩are not lawful for man to utter: yet he knew not this secret, nor might not know it. What art thou then? art thou greater than the Apostle of Christ? hast thou been taken up into some place higher than the third heaven? hast thou heard such words, as are not lawful to utter? if it be so, why doest thou utter them? wilt thou take that upon thee which the holy Apostle dareth not? art thou of Gods privy counsel? the angels and archangels know not hereof: and shall we think that thou knowest it? Art thou wiser than an Angel? Consider thy self, thou art a miserable man, thy breath fadeth as the smoke. Thou art nothing but dust and ashes: thou canst not attain to the knowledge hereof.