A25280:1538
An analytical exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustratedAn analyticall exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustrated
An analytical exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustrated by doctrines out of every text and applied by their uses for a further progress in holiness / by ... William Ames ...An analyticall exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustrated by doctrines out of every text and applyed by their uses for a further progresse in holinesse / by ... William Ames ...
London: printed by E.G. for John Rothwell, 1641London: printed by E.G. for Iohn Rothwell, 1641
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.
Verse 9. But he that lacketh these things, is blind, and cannot see far off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Verse 9. But he that lacketh these things, is blinde, and cannot see farre off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sinnes.
The Analysis.
This is the second argument whereby the exhortation of the Apostle is confirmed; and it is taken from the disprofits that befall all those that are strangers to these virtues. And these disprofits are contrary to those profits whereof mention was made in the former verse. For the Apostle would say that they which have not these virtues, are quite barren and unfruitful. But he doth not barely express this, but sets it forth by the causes thereof. And the causes are two, blindness and forgetfulness. For he that is blind, must needs be barren and unfruitful, and unfit to do those businesses especially, which require the eye sight: and he that forgets the benefit which he hath received, it is no wonder, if he bring forth no fruit worthy of that benefit. Their forgetfulness is set forth by the object or benefit which they should remember, that is, their purification from their old sins. By blindness in this place is meant, not the privation of their corporal sight, or of their natural understanding, but of that spiritual perfection, whereby we come to the saving knowledge of those things that pertain to the kingdom of God, and our eternal life. By those things that are far off, are meant things truly spiritual which as touching their nature and condition, are as far off from carnal men as heaven is from earth.