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…

But the meaning of these men is good. Hereby they move the people to repentance. For, when men think the end of the world is at hand, they will bear the less affection of the things of this world. This is not the way to teach repentance, and amendment of life. The ⟨p. 185⟩people may not be taught by lies & fables. If this had been good for them, God himself would have used it. God grant them grace to repent, which thus presume of knowledge, and reach so high and yet know nothing.

But the meaning of these men is good. Hereby they moue the people to repentance. For, when men thinke the ende of the world is at hand, they wil beare the lesse affection of the things of this world. This is not the waie to teach repentance, and amendment of life. The ⟨p. 185⟩people may not be taught by lies & fables. If this had béen good for thē, God himselfe would haue vsed it. God graunt them grace to repent, which thus presume of knowledge, and reach so high and yet know nothing.

Let us yet reason further with them. How have they this knowledge? of certainty, or by conjecture? if of certainty, then it must needs be so, it cannot fail, nothing can let it. But you will say, it is a conjecture, it may so be: and it is likely, for such a day, shall be a Conjunction of Saturn and Mars in a fiery house: and therefore all things shall be consumed with fire. Alas, what hath Saturn or Mars to do with the day of the Lord? They are but creatures, they are no Goddes. They are stars made to give us light, why should they lead us into darkness? in the day of the Lord they shall be melted and perish with fire. Why then trouble they the world with such vanities, and set those things down for trueth, whereof they have no certainty, but only a guess and conjecture?

Let vs yet reason further with them. How haue they this knowledge? of certaintie, or by coniecture? if of certaintie, then it must néedes be so, it cannot faile, nothing can let it. But you wil say, it is a coniecture, it may so bée: and it is likely, for such a day, shal be a Coniunction of Saturne and Mars in a fierie house: and therefore al things shal be consumed with fire. Alas, what hath Saturne or Mars to doe with the day of the Lorde? They are but creatures, they are no Goddes. They are starres made to giue vs light, why should they leade vs into darkenesse? in the day of the Lorde they shal be melted and perish with fire. Why then trouble they the worlde with such vanities, and set those thinges downe for trueth, whereof they haue no certaintie, but onely a gesse and coniecture?