A00665:895
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 stir you up.] This is the third motive to his diligence; an argument fetched from the security of men; who sleep till they be wakened, and when they •re wakened, sleep again: therefore they need Stirring. Wicked ones are dead, weak ones sleep, even the best have their naps. To the first you may cry as loud •s the Idolatrous Priests did to Baal; but they will not waken. To the second, though we call once and again, they will not stir; but let us give them no rest. He that to ⟨p. 254⟩such a one knocks not mainly, knocks vainly: at last they will rise. Luke 11.8. Because of our importunity they will rise. To the last an easy stirring serves: his nap is not so long, nor his sleep so deep; but Cor vigilat. Cant. 5.2. I sleep, but my heart waketh. An Ox hath strength enough, but dullness withal; there must be a goad to prick him on. The spirit is ready, but the flesh is heavy: we must be stirred upward, and spurred forward. Every good Sermon hath in it two things; a Bridle, and a Spur. To meet with two dispositions in men; Inclination to evil, averseness from good. For the former precipice; there is a bridle, for the latter; dullness a spur: hi pressi, illi repressi; these must be strained, those restrained. Some run so fast as they can from Christs Ensign, and treacherously confederate with his adversary Satan; these be desperate offenders. Others will not oppose him, so, nor take part with him, but cowardly stand and look on. Like the cursed inhabitants of Meroz, Judg. 5 23. that came not to the help of the Lord against the mighty. If a ma• could borrow of the one a little swiftness, to quicken the others laziness: and of the other a little coolness, to allay the former's heat: this might make up a reasonable and indifferent temper.
To stirre you up.] This is the third motive to his diligence; an argument fet•hed from the securitie of men; who sleepe till they be wakened, and when they •re wakened, sleepe againe: therefore they need Stirring. Wicked ones are dead, weake ones sleepe, even the best have their naps. To the first you may crie as lowd s the Idolatrous Priests did to Baal; but they will not waken. To the second, though we call once and againe, they will not stirre; but let us give them no rest. He that to