A00665:588
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.
To whom extends our charity; this munificent part of it to the poor. We §3favour and feast those who are recommended to us by their own greatness: Who feasts those that are recommended by CHRIST?i When thou makest a feast, call the poor, lame, blind; and thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot recompense thee: but God will, at the resurrection of the just. To do good to them that do good to us, Luke 6.33 Such kindness a man may take up in the streets of Turkey. But how if they be vagrants and lewd persons? yet be charitable to them, for these reasons: 1. It is better one unworthy creature should receive, than ten worthy should miss. The gracelessness of some beggars is too true, but many make this a general excuse to spare their purses. Thy own conscience in this is thy best guide. 2. Thy reward is not lost, though thy gift be fallen like good seed upon bad ground. Thy harvest is not in the man, but in Christ; not on earth, but in heaven. As our Saviour said, Luke 10.6. When ye come to an house, say, Peace be to this house. If the Son of Peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: If not, it shall turn to you again. So if the poor man be good, thy alms shall do him good: if not, thy charity shall turn to thee again. Howsoever the man be evil, yet the Lord is good. The unworthiness of the receiver, takes not away the reward of the giver.k When they were sick, I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. I prayed for them, I was heard for my self. If thy charity do them no good, it shall do thee good. 3. Duty binds us to give obedience to evil Princes, in conscience of GODS ordinance. And as an evil subject serves GOD for his Princes sake, so a good subject serves his Prince for GODS sake. Thus obedience is given, if not Principi, yet Principatui; If not to the Person, yet to the Office. So because GOD commends and commands charity, we must give though to evil men: Do homini, non moribus: We give to the man, nor to the manners. He is a man, his Maker will requite me: he is a Christian, I know where to fetch my reward.
To whom extends our charitie; this munificent part of it to the poore. Wee