A00665:1302
A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written
A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, written by the blessed apostle St. Peter. By Thomas AdamsA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written by the blessed apostle St. Peter. By Thomas Adams
London: printed by Richard Badger and Felix Kyngston for Jacob Bloome, 1633London: printed by Richard Badger and Felix Kyngston for Iacob Bloome, 1633
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Mystically, the devil is a false Prophet: he calls evil good, and promiseth to bad attempts good events. Either he conceals the end from the way, or the way ⟨p. 370⟩from the end. Thou mayest travel the way of lust, yet not come to the end of it, damnation. Or thou mayest come to the end of thy hope, salvation; yet never limit thy self to the way of grace. These are all false prophecies, and this is that false Prophet which cozens the world. He sped so unhappily with our first parents: you may eat of the forbidden tree, yet be like Gods: it was false, for he knew that so eating would make them like devils. The world is such a false Prophet, like those lying spirits to Ahab. Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, 1 King. 22.12. It promiseth like a Lord, as the Lord of it did to the Lord of all; All these will I give, Matth. 4.4. It was false, for all this glory is but a shadow; umbra transit, and leaves the substance of bitterness behind it. The world says; Your houses shall continue for ever: it is a false prophecy; for man abides not in honour, Psal. 49.12. The world says your gold shall make you blessed: it is a false prophecy, it rather makes men cursed.
Mystically, the divell is a false Prophet: he calls evill good, and promiseth to bad attempts good events. Either he conceales the end from the way, or the way ⟨p. 370⟩from the end. Thou mayest travell the way of lust, yet not come to the end of it, damnation. Or thou mayest come to the end of thy hope, salvation; yet never limit thy selfe to the way of grace. These are all false prophecies, and this is that false Prophet which coozens the world. He sped so unhappily with our first parents: you may eate of the forbidden tree, yet be like Gods: it was false, for he knew that so eating would make them like divells. The world is such a false Prophet, like those lying spirits to Ahab. Goe up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, 1 King. 22.12. It promiseth like a Lord, as the Lord of it did to the Lord of all; All these will I give,