A00665:541
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
Commentary on n2 peter volume 1 › Chapter 1 › Verse 6 › Part
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.
Imitation of God follows: for what else is godliness, but to be like God? We were all made after his Image; that was lost: now our regeneration is nothing else but the repairing of that Image.x Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children. True children will imitate their parents: if we do not follow God, we are bastards. Follow thy Father, as Ascanius did Aeneas, though non passibus aequis. It is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy, 1 Pet. 1.16. By nature a Noah may beget a Ham; Abraham an Ishmael: but in grace, the most Holy begets no children but Saints.a He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself to walk even as he walked. He is no member that walks a contrary way to his head. If Jesus go unto the Mount to pray, and Judas to the Pharisees to betray, he is no Apostle, but an Apostate. This is my way, saith Christ, the light of Truth: if you will go by darkness, because your deeds are evil; we shall never meet, till we meet in judgement.b Be you merciful, for your Father in heaven is merciful. God loves mercy; they that love it not, are not Godly. I wonder what hope; oppressors of their poor tenants; Usurers with their forfeitures; contentious men with their Law-vexations; the malicious with their injuries, can have? The Father of mercies hath no children but the merciful. Judgement merciless shall be to him that shows no mercy, Jam. 2.13. The poor man that hath smarted with their cruelty, may taste the sweets of Gods mercy: Wretched they! this cup shall never touch their lips. Have mercy on me, says the poor wretch to his living oppressors; no. Have mercy on me, saith the dying oppressor to God: No, Go ye cursed; you had no mercy on others, there is no mercy for your selves. If thou seen a man unmerciful, be bold to say he is ungodly.
Imitation of God followes: for what else is godlinesse, but to be like God? We were all made after his Image; that was lost: now our regeneration is nothing else but the repairing of that Image.x