An analytical exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustratedAn analyticall exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustrated

Doct. 9. The faithful must seek not only to have an entrance into the kingdom of God, but also an entrance in a plentiful and abundant manner.

Doct. 9. The faithfull must seeke not only to have an entrance into the kingdome of God, but also an entrance in a plentifull and abundant manner.

Men may be considered to be in a fourfold condition in ⟨p. 169⟩respect of the kingdom of God. For some are very far off from it: namely, such as the Apostle speaks of, Ephes. 2. 12. That are without Christ, and without God, aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise: such are all those that either understand nothing at all of those things which pertain unto this kingdom, or else nothing care for them, having their consciences feared as it were with a hot iron, as the Apostle speaks, 1 Tim. 4. 2. Others there are which come near unto the kingdom of God, although they are not partakers of it, such as that Scribe was of whom Christ saith, Mark 12. 34. that he was not far from the kingdom of God; and King Agrippa, Acts 26. 28. Others there are that enter into the kingdom of God by faith and repentance, John 3. 3. He that is borne again seeth the kingdom of God, that is, he enters into it, as it is, verse 5. But then again others there are, (with whom also in that respect God is very well pleased,) that do not only enter into it, but enter in a plentiful and abundant manner, as in this place. The difference betwixt these two last sorts is such, as is betwixt those that make entrance only into the borders of a country, and those that go even into the most inward parts of it: or as is betwixt those that make entrance only into a discipline, and those that have throughly learned, and do exercise the very mysteries thereof. This Doctrine is confirmed,