A00665:995
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.
Yet is it a thousand times better, that our good lives should prevent it, than our great learning be driven after to confute it. Psalm. 50.16. Unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes? Though it be truth thou preachest, yet thou art not fit to preach it. Christ reproved the Devil, even confessing truth, Mark 1.24. I know thee who thou art, the holy one of God. This was truth, yet saith JESUS; Hold thy peace, keep thy breath to cool thy torment. The true Prophet is he; Cujus in ore verbum vitae, cujus in more vita verbi; In whose mouth is the Word of life, in whose behaviour is the life of the Word.
Yet is it a thousand times better, that our good lives should prevent it, than our great learning be driven after to confute it. Psalm. 50.16. Vnto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to doe to declare my Statutes? Though it be truth thou preachest, yet thou art not fit to preach it. Christ reproved the Devill, even confessing truth, Marke 1.24. I know thee who thou art, the holy one of God. This was truth, yet saith IESUS; Hold thy peace, keepe thy breath to coole thy torment. The true Prophet is hee; Cujus in ore verbum vitae, cujus in more vita verbi; In whose mouth is the Word of life, in whose behaviour is the life of the Word.
Otherwise men seem to propound doctrines impossible to be kept. Act. 1.1. Of all that Jesus did both do and teach. It is said of Christ, that he did first Do, and then Teach. The question to the Minister shall be at last; not how many books he hath read, but what life he hath led: not only how he hath preached, but how he hath lived. They must not be like scribbling school-boys, that write fair with the fore-finger, and blur it with the hind-finger. Indeed rank hypocrites often mask in sheep's clothing: and as Physicians that would minister a draught of bitter potions to children, anoint the brims of the cup with honey, or some well tasted liquor. So these paint the exterior appearance, that men may more easily swallow their drugs and dregs of heresy. But we may soon discern these wolves in lamb-skins; for shear them, and their wool will grow no more. Yet must not the lamb put off his fleece, because the wolf hath worn it. Lest he divert Dispensationem in dissipationem; his office of gathering the flock together, into a scattering them asunder. Every Shepherd hath a Scrip, a Staff, and a Whistle: so a Minister must have Maintenance to live on, Sanctimony to live by, Doctrine to enliven others. Worldlings that mind the purse, and neither preach fervently, nor live charitably; have lost the Staff and the Whistle, and only keep the Scrip: Neither doth well asunder, all do very well together: yet what ever becomes of the Scrip, keep we a good Staff, and a good Whistle: that we may out-preach sin; out-live sin; and be our reward in the hands of Jesus Christ.