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

The same exhortation that the Apostle had before proposed, he doth here again repeat and press, and that not simply and barely, but by that principle and means, whereof there may and ought to be very good use made. For by occasion of those things, which he had lately spoken of the word of God, he stirs up all the ⟨p. 34⟩faithful to the right use of this word, by whose help they might persist and grow in that grace, wherein they stood. The occasion and connection of this exhortation with the words going before is intimated in that phrase or particle, Wherefore. The exhortation it self is to a desire or love of the word of God, which he had before commended, verse 2. Which exhortation he doth so lay down, that in the first place he shows, that the vices which are contrary to this duty, must be laid aside, and taken heed of which a•e five: malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies, evil-speakings, verse 1. And in the second place he gives reasons agreeable thereunto, to stir us up unto this duty, (to wit, a desire of the word.) The first reason is taken, from the use or effect of this word in respect of them, that it makes much for the edification of the faithful: and this Use is allegorically set forth, verse 2 where the regenerate faithful are compared to infants newly borne, and the word to sincere milk; and the edification which is made by the word, is compared to that action, which infants obtain by the use of wholesome milk•. The second reason is taken, by a continuation of the same allegory, from the object of the word, which he proposed to be tasted, and that is God himself and our Saviour Jesus Christ: whose perfection and fitness for edification is declared. Verse 3 where he is said to be gracious: and is confirmed also by the experience and testimony of all the faithful, who are said to have tasted this graciousness, ibid. if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

THe same exhortation that the Apostle had before proposed, he doth here againe repeat and presse, and that not simply and barely, but by that principle and meanes, whereof there may and ought to be very good use made. For by occasion of those things, which he had lately spoken of the word of God, he stirres up all the ⟨p. 34⟩faithfull to the right use of this word, by whose helpe they might persist and grow in that grace, wherein they stood. The occasion and connexion of this exhortation with the words going before is intimated in that phrase or particle, Wherefore. The exhortation it selfe is to a desire or love of the word of God, which he had before commended, verse 2. Which exhortation he doth so lay downe, that in the first place he shewes, that the vices which are contrary to this duty, must be laid aside, and taken heed of which ae five: malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies, evill-speakings, verse 1. And in the second place he gives reasons agreeable thereunto, to stirre us up unto this duty, (to wit, a desire of the word.) The first reason is taken, from the use or effect of this word in respect of them, that it makes much for the edification of the faithfull: and this Use is allegorically set forth, verse 2 where the regenerate faithfull are compared to infants newly borne, and the word to sincere milke; and the edification which is made by the word, is compared to that action, which infants obtaine by the use of wholesome milk. The second reason is taken, by a continuation of the same allegory, from the object of the word, which he proposed to be tasted, and that is God himselfe and our Saviour Jesus Christ: whose perfection and fitnesse for edification is declared. Verse 3 where he is said to be gracious: and is confirmed also by the experience and testimony of all the faithfull, who are said to have tasted this graciousnesse, ibid. if so be yee have tasted that the Lord is gracious.