A00665:550
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.
3 Because Godliness is proved by brotherly kindness; this is our demonstration that we love GOD. With one and the same Charity we love both GOD and our brother: the difference is in the degrees and respects; God for himself, others for him, and in him. There is nothing more easy than to ostent the love of GOD; but the lack of charity, is the conviction of hypocrisy, 1 Cor. 13.1. There be many donations of the Spirit: Though I spake with tongues of men: so many tongues as that divine Poet wrote of Queen Elizabeth:
3 Because Godlinesse is proved by brotherly kindnesse; this is our demonstration that we love GOD. With one and the same Charitie we love both GOD and our brother: the difference is in the degrees and respects; God for himselfe, others for him, and in him. There is nothing more easie than to ostent the love of GOD; but the lacke of charitie, is the conviction of hypocrisie, 1 Cor. 13.1. There bee many donations of the Spirit: Though I spake with tongues of men: so many tongues as that divine Poet wrote of Queene Elizabeth:
That Rome, Rhine, Rhone, Greece, Spain, and Italy; Plead all for right in her nativity.
That Rome, Rhine, Rhone, Greece, Spaine, and Italy; Plead all for right in her nativity.
Yea, of Angels, Si quae sint Angelorum linguae, Jeron. If at least the Angels have any language. Yet if we have not charity, we are as sounding Brass or a tinkling Cymbal. Like Balaam's Ass, that spake to better her master, not her self. Or the Sermon-bell that rings others to Church, while it self still hangs in the steeple, and hears nothing. Though we had the gift of prophecy; so Balaam, Saul, Caiaphas prophesied; yet wanting Charity; the first loved gold more than God: the second, his lusts more than his obedience: the last condemned JESUS CHRIST. Though we had all knowledge, yet wanting Charity; we might like the Pharisees, open the door for others, and not go in our selves. Without Charity we are nothing; nothing In esse Gratiae, how great soever In esse Naturae, Aquin. Yea, though we gave our bodies to be burned; though we not only speak but suffer; not do, but die. Of all sufferings death is the most terrible, of all deaths, Burning. Now Si tradidero, If I give; not by compulsion, but of mine own accord; as it is said of CHRIST; Tradidit seipsum,