A00665:144
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.
Grace. To omit the diverse acceptions of Grace, by it is generally meant, the receiving of the sinner into the Covenant of mercy, into Gods favour by Christ. It is our second Birth: our first was ex libidine Carnis, of the lust of the flesh: our second ex aqua & sanguine, of water and blood by the holy Ghost. Thus are we changed into other men: as in the Resurrection we shall be the same and not the same; Caro eadem & non, the same in substance, not in quality. So in our first resurrection by Grace, a man is Idem & non Idem, the same and not the same: the same for constitution, not the same for disposition. For before our hearts were proud, now they are made humble: before covetous, now charitable: before set on worldly delights, now on the righteousness of Christ, and the invaluable riches of a good conscience.
Grace. To omit the diverse acceptions of Grace, by it is generally meant, the receiving of the sinner into the Covenant of mercie, into Gods favour by Christ. It is our second Birth: our first was ex libidine Carnis, of the lust of the flesh: our second ex aqua & sanguine, of water and bloud by the holy Ghost. Thus are we changed into other men: as in the Resurrection we shall be the same and not the same; Caro eadem & non, the same in substance, not in qualitie. So in our first resurrection by Grace, a man is Idem & non Idem, the same and not the same: the same for constitution, not the same for disposition. For before our hearts were proud, now they are made humble: before covetous, now charitable: before set on worldly delights, now on the righteousnesse of Christ, and the invaluable riches of a good conscience.
Christian virtues are not natural: a man is not more borne with grace in his soul, then with apparel on his back.y There is none righteous, no not one. If there were, what need was there of a new creation? The Philosophers said that Nature ⟨p. 35⟩had Igniculos & semina virtutum, the sparks and seeds of virtue in it. But Saint Paul sayes, Novi quod in carne non est bonum: