A00665:276
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.
but that which is borne of the spirit is spirit. Esau was not blessed because he was of Isacks flesh, but Jacob was blessed because he was of Isacks spirit Paul is said to travail of the Galatians,f Till Christ was formed in them. Thus men may partake of one nature in Christ and yet be cursed: but if of his divine nature, they are blessed.
but that which is borne of the spirit is spirit. Esau was not blessed because hee was of Isacks flesh, but Iacob was blessed because he was of Isacks spirit Paul is said to travaile of the Galatians,f Till Christ was formed in them. Thus men may partake of one nature in Christ and yet be cursed: but if of his divine nature, they are blessed.
- fGal 4.19.
This participation then must be only qualitative: by nature we understand not substance, but quality: by grace in this world, and by glory in the world to come. This communication of the Divine nature to us, is by reparation of the divine image in us. This is cleared by the analogy of other respondent places, Hebr. 12.10. That we might be partakers of his holiness: so that to partake of the divine nature, is to be holy as God is holy, Eph. 4.24. Put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and the holiness of truth. To be created after God, is to partake of Gods nature; and this consists in justice and holiness, Rom. 8.29. God did predestinate us to to be conformed to the Image of his Son: the conformity to Gods image, is the participating Gods nature. This was not wholly unseen to Plato, who said it was mans chiefest good, Deo fieri penitùs conformem, to be made like to God. The sweetness of this benefit, and the multiplicity of comforts arising from it, I defer a little further: and here proceed to exemplify the relations, which may in some measure shadow out to us this partaking of the Divine nature. For it is in no-wise to be understood really, but by renovation. I propounded in the distribution seven respects, to exemplify the benefit of this participation.