An analyticall exposition of both the Epistles of the Apostle Peter : $b Illustrated by doctrines out of every textAmes, William
Religion
An analyticall exposition of both the Epistles of the Apostle Peter : $b Illustrated by doctrines out of every text
Ames, William
Bible. Peter -- Commentaries -- Early works to 1800
_Vse_ 1. This may serve to comfort the faithfull, who should think with
them selves, and often call to minde, unto what a great happinesse they
are called. For that which _David_ said heretofore, _1 Samuel 18.23_,
_Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a Kings sonne in law?_ that
may all the faithfull say of themselves in respect of this kingdome,
that it is not a light thing to be made Citizens of this kingdome,
and especially seeing we are poore and vile creatures, the greater
will our comfort be, when we consider the glory and eternity of this
kingdome. The glory is such that the kingdomes of _David_ and _Solomon_,
even in the greatest glory that ever they had, were but imperfect
representations and shadowes as it were of this kingdome. For they were
but types of it. So great is the glory of this kingdome, that all the
Citizens and Subjects thereof are in some sort Kings, _Apocalypse 1.6._
The eternity is such, that neither in whole nor in part is it lyable
unto an end, or any essentiall change. Compare all the kingdomes of the
_Persians_, _Medes_, and _Grecians_, all which are abolished; this
kingdome of God alone continues for ever.
2. To reprove those, that professe themselves Christians, and yet live
so as if they were under no lawes, & did acknowledge no King. For as
this is reckoned as the cause that the Israelites did runne into all
kind of wickednesse, because there was no king in Israel, but every one
did that which was right in his owne eyes, _Iudges 17.6._ & _18.1._ So
also do these men as it were proclaime, that they neither acknowledge
Christ nor God for their King, while they do that which seemes right
in their own eyes, not caring whether it do please God, or displease
him. Such men must expect that sentence of Christ, which is laid downe,
_Luke 19.27._ _Those mine enemies which would not that I should reigne
over them, bring hither and slay them before me._
3. To exhort all to seeke this kingdome of God above all other things,
according as Christ bids us; _first seeke the kingdome of God._ And
not only the happinesse of those that are admitted to be partakers
of this kingdome, but also the misery of all those that are excluded
from it, should be an argument to perswade hereunto: for there are two
spirituall kingdomes, and every man must needs be a subject of one of
them: the kingdome of light and the kingdome of darknesse; the kingdome
of righteousnesse and grace, and the kingdome of sinne; the kingdome of
God, and the kingdome of the Devill, who is called the Prince of this
world. All those that are excluded out of the kingdome of God, of grace
and salvation, are necessarily included in the kingdome of the Devill,
sinne and darknesse; and deservedly doth this befall all unbeleevers
and impenitent men, according to that commination, _Deuteronomy 28.45._
Doctrine 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._
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