A00665:849
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.
Thus by degrees of comparison, and by arising from things inferior to things higher; if a kingdom of substitution under Christ be so great, what is the eminence of Christs own Supremacy? Kings are above other men, Christ is above all Kings, above all things. Now in the second place let us consider our own safety and security under him. We have a King to rule us; a King of Majesty, a King of mercy. It is an happiness to have a King: as the people said to David, 2 Sam 18.3. Thou art worth ten thousands of us; and thou art the light of Israel. Any King is better than no King, Tyranny is better than Anarchy. Judg. 17.6. In those days there was no King in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.. In the reign of a bad King, no man can do the good he would; but under no King every man doth what evil he list. The Israelites would have a King: their very first was a tyrant; yet were they then in better case than when they had none. Christians are safe, they have a King. It is a greater happiness, that they have a good King: a• evil Prince is a plague to the people for their sins; Ut malos puniat malus, that one evil man may punish another. Rom. 13.4. He is a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. They hurt much by their unjust commands, but more by their bad ⟨p. 241⟩examples. For the Common-wealth, like a fish, first rots at the head. It was the King of Syria's charge to his Captains; Fight neither against small nor great, but only against the King of Israel. Scanderbeg would aim at none but the General: he said that he never knew body could move without a head. A Prince falls like a great tree, that quasheth down all the under-wood about it. Sometimes the people sins, and the Prince smarts. God charged Moses to Take the heads of the people, and to hang them up before the Lord, Numb. 25.4. The hand steals, the throat drinks, the head pays for it. Such was our King to us: we offended, he was plagued. Isaiah 53.6 We like sheep have gone astray, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. It is reported of a certain King, who knowing that either himself must perish, or all his people; disguised himself like a mean soldier, entered the thickest troupes of the enemy, invited danger, and was entertained with death.