Use 2 Secondly, as we must our selves call upon others; so we must be content to be called upon by others. Inferiors especially and learners, children, servants, or others, must not think much to be frequently called upon by their Superiors: they must not account it any disgrace or disparagement unto them, that they are oft admonished, incited and called upon in this kind.o I will not be negligent, saith Peter, to put you in mind of these things, though you have knowledge, though you know the truth already, and be established in it. Yea,p Though I be persuaded of you, saith the Apostle Paul, that you are full of goodness, and of all knowledge, and able to admonish one another: yet I am bold by writing to put you in mind of these things. Yea,q It is not tedious to me to go over the same things oft with you; and it is the safest course for you. So that* even those that are best grounded, that have abundance of sound knowledge, that are full of grace and goodness, that are the greatest proficients, and forwardest Scholars in Christs School, yet may stand oft in need of being whet up, and put on: much more such as are but rude and raw, as are but novices and dullards, as are scarce, it may be, yet of the first form in Christs School.r Tender plants and new planted have need oft to be watered; they are in danger else to windle and wither away. And Gods grace and good things in us are like a dull sea-coal fire, which if it be not now and then blown ors stirred up, though there be no want of Fuel, yet will of it self at length dye and go out.
Vse 2 Secondly, as we must our selves call upon others; so wee must be content to bee called upon by others. Inferiours especially and learners, children, servants, or others, must not thinke much to be frequently called upon by their Superiours: they must not account it any disgrace or disparagement unto them, that they are oft admonished, incited and called upon in this kinde.o I will not bee negligent, saith Peter, to put you in minde of these things, though you have knowledge, though you know the truth already, and bee established in it. Yea,p Though I bee perswaded of you, saith the Apostle Paul, that you are full of goodnesse, and of all knowledge, and able to admonish one another: yet I am bold by writing to put you in minde of these things. Yea,q It is not tedious to mee to goe over the same things oft with you; and it is the safest course for you. So that* even those that are best grounded, that have abundance of sound knowledge, that are full of grace and goodnesse, that are the greatest proficients, and forwardest Scholars in Christs Schoole, yet may stand oft in need of being whet up, and put on: much more such as are but rude and raw, as are but novices and dullards, as are scarce, it may be, yet of the first forme in Christs Schoole.r Tender plants and new planted have need oft to be watred; they are in danger else to windle and wither away. And Gods grace and good things in us are like a dull sea-coale fire, which if it bee not now and then blowen ors stirred up, though there be no want of Fewell, yet will of it selfe at length dye and goe out.
- o2 Pet. 1.12.
- pRom. 15.14.15.
- qPhilip. 3.1.
- *Fortibus assuevit tubicen prodesse, suoque Duxbene pugnantes incitatore viros. Ovid. de Pont. lib. 3. eleg. 1.
- rPlantas tenellas frequentius adaquare proderit. Primas. in Philip. & Greg. Rom. moral. l. 27. c. 14.
- sHinc [Greek or Hebrew] monemur, 2. Tim. 1.6.Hinc 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 monemur, 2. Tim. 1.6.
