A00665:553
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 there could be a godliness destitute of this, it should never be welcome to Christ.
If there could be a godlinesse destitute of this, it should never bee welcome to Christ.
Secondly, for the definition of this Philadelphia; It is a love to the faithful; to §2such as profess the same faith with us, and by that faith are adopted heirs to the same God, through the brother-hood of the same CHRIST. It is distinguished from charity by the nearness and dearness. By nearness, I mean not local, but mystical: Charity hath a great latitude, and is like the heaven that covers all: brotherly kindness like the sun that shines upon the one half at one. The firmament sends influence to more than the sun, but the sun comes nearer to that object it blesseth, than the firmament. By dearness, for the bond of nature is not so strong as the bond of Grace. Our creation hath made us friends, and given us amity: our Redemption hath made us brethren, and given us unity, Gal. 3.28. We are all on in Jesus Christ. Therefore though we are formerly bound, to do good to all; yet here by a new bond, especially to them that are of the household of faith. Be good to every man, more good to a Christian, most good to a faithful christian; for thou art tied to him in the bond of the nearest fraternity.
Secondly, for the definition of this Philadelphia; It is a love to the faithfull; to §2such as professe the same faith with us, and by that faith are adopted heires to the same God, through the brother-hood of the same CHRIST. It is distinguished from charitie by the nearentsse and dearenesse. By nearenesse, I meane not locall, but mysticall: Charitie hath a great latitude, and is like the heaven that covers all: brotherly kindnesse like the sunne that shines upon the one halfe at one. The firmament sends influence to more than the sunne, but the sunne comes nearer to that object it blesseth, than the firmament. By dearenesse, for the bond of nature is not so strong as the bond of Grace. Our creation hath made us friends, and given us amitie: our Redemption hath made us brethren, and given us unitie,