A00665:582
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.
The Dignity follows. It is munus regale; yea, opus divinum▪ a royal office, a divine §2practise. Mercy or charity is the sole work communicable to man with God. The Lord is content to acknowledge himself the charitable mans debtor; He hath lent to the Lord, and he will pay him again, Prov. 19.17. But still this payment is not deserved of man, but conferred of God. It must needs be an excellent thing, that brings God to an acknowledgement. There is an Usury in the world much applauded, more defended, most of all practised; the very shame of Christendom. It was a shame for a Galatian to be a circumcised Christian: it is more shame for a Christian to be a baptized Jew. It is a Jewish sin, send it back to the owners: we traffic many things, it were a blessed ship that could quite transport Usury. I will tell you of a lawful Usury, (not that the world runs mad upon, but rather runs from) a practise that needs no patron to defend it, it will reward and protect it selfe. Foenerare, non fratri, sed Domino: hae enim usurae regnum, illae gehennam praparant, Chrys. Put forth thy goods for usury to God, not to thy brother: that Usury shall bring thee a kingdom of peace; the other shall procure thee a place in torment. Below perhaps thou contentest thy self with ten in the hundred, above thou shalt have an hundred for one. Now if it be true, thatc the borrower is a servant to the lender; then by lending to him, in charity to his, after a sort we have a hand upon God himself. And this is the dignity of charity, the great acceptation with God: so Christ honours it, Matth. 25. Come ye blessed &c. excellent grace, that is so gracious with Christ!
The Dignity followes. It is munus regale; yea, opus divinum▪ a royall office, a divine §2practise. Mercy or charity is the sole worke communicable to man with God. The Lord is content to acknowledge himselfe the charitable mans debtor; He hath lent to the Lord, and he will pay him againe,