A00665:739
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.
Brethren. This is a word of relation, betwixt the persons to whom, and the persons from whom, this admonition is sent. This declares in the Apostle two virtues; his Humility, and his holy Policy: both attribute to us some dignity, and require from us some duty.
Brethren. This is a word of relation, betwixt the persons to whom, and the persons from whom, this admonition is sent. This declares in the Apostle two vertues; his Humilitie, and his holy Policie: both attribute to us some dignitie, and require from us some dutie.
For his Humility; he prefers not himself to the rest of Gods Saints, but calls them all Brethren. How contemptibly would he judge of the Popes arrogated Primacy! What sacrilegious pride would be take it, to be called Pater omnium, the Father of all men; which is incommunicably proper to GOD himself? Indeed GOD bestowed upon Abraham this title;1 to be called The Father of all them that believe. But this was Paternitas exempli, non causae; A father-hood of example only. He might be a Father in respect of generation to the Jews; he can be Father in respect of regeneration to none. Himself was the son of Faith, though called the Father of believers. But Isaiah 63.16. Doubtless, O LORD, thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us. And this our title, to the Father-hood of GOD, and brother-hood of Christians, is through CHRIST: who is both Pater noster, and Frater noster; Our Father, Hebr. 2.13. Here am I, and the children which thou hast given me. Our Brother, Hebr. 2.11. He is not ashamed to call us brethren. See here then, the different Spirit of Saint Peter and the Pope: one calls himself the Brother, the other the Father of the Saints. Indeed the Pastor may call his people, Children; and Paul calls Timothy his son, when he commends himself to him, 1 Tim. 1. Unto Timothy my own son in the faith: when he commends him to others, he calls him Brother,