A00665:1345
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.
They shall privily bring them in.] We have done with the matter, let us come to the manner of this Induction. Latenter, under-hand, Privily. Which word notes to us their subtlety, their vigilancie, their hypocrisy.
They shall privily bring them in.] We have done with the matter, let us come to the manner of this Induction. Latenter, under-hand, Privily. Which word notes to us their subtiltie, their vigilancie, their hypocrisie.
First, their Subtlety and politic craft, whereby they insinuate their unseen poisonous seeds, Ephes. 4.14. Paul calls it the Sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lye in wait to deceive. As scandalizers scatter their libels, if it be liked, they know the authors: if it be dangered to penalty, it is none of theirs. Sins agents are brought up in her own house, and taught the rudiments of her own discipline: as your Decoys teach young practitioners their trade of cheating. It is the brand of sin, to be deceitful, Hebr. Chap. 3. vers. 13. Take heed lest you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. This art of cozenage she teacheth to all her litter: O it is the subtlest Dam that ever the Devil engendered withal, and most pregnant in generation! He was in the Serpent when he begat iniquity on man; but now he hath made sin more subtle than the Serpent, Eccles. 21.2. We see the craftiest politicians over-reached by sin: they have tricks beyond all men, Sin hath a trick beyond them. Sin like the Fencer, may teach his scholars many postures, and wards, and tricks; but still reserves one for himself. They can cozen other men of their estates, but Sin can cozen them of their souls. Let us therefore pray for that blessed illumination, to find out the deceits and cunning of sin: that albeit it once deceived us of our Birth-right, it may not now deceive us of our Blessing. It stole from us the happiness of Nature, let it never steal from us the happiness of Grace.
First, their Subtiltie and politicke craft, whereby they insinuate their unseene poisonous seeds,