A00665:229
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.
If we take it, By glory and virtue, the sum is this, CHRISTS calling is so effectual, when he joins with the word of his grace, the grace of his word, that it shall work without control: it shall take virtual and glorious effects. God had a purpose to call the Gentiles, there were bars against it.l Go not into the way of the Gentiles:m it is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to dogs. Yet when those childrenn put from them the Gospel, and judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life, it came to the Gentiles: God did effect it by glory and virtue. God promised, Romans 11.26. that all Israel shall be saved: there were obstacles enough against it: the blood of Christ on their heads, they revile and curse him in their synagogues, they are wanderers on the face of the earth; yet they shall be brought to the fold, by glory and virtue. So it was with us, God had purposed the Gospel to England, sealed up many souls there to eternal redemption. Were there no impediments? Yes, Queen Mary made a stop, put out the light, smote the Shepherds, scattered the sheep, burnt the professors, leagued with the Spaniard, yielded all to the Pope: all is now bunged up in ignorance, the devil is jocund, mens perdition as cock-sure as he would wish it, saving only he must stay the time of their coming to hell. Yet shall there be no elusion of Gods will; even then the Patroness of superstition died; Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory was advanced into the throne, all the clouds of error were dispersed. God now lifts his Church out of her swoon, dilates his kingdom, to save our souls, our fathers before us, our children after us; which the mercy of God continue to us and ours, so long as the Sun and Moon endure: all this by glory and virtue.
If we take it, By glory and vertue, the summe is this, CHRISTS calling is so effectuall, when he joynes with the word of his grace, the grace of his word, that it shall worke without controle: it shall take virtuall and glorious effects. God had a purpose to call the Gentiles, there were barres against it.l