For the time past he affirmes, that we lived according to the manner of the Gentiles in all the lusts of the flesh, verse 3. And for the time to come, he denies that we should follow those lusts, but that we should live unto the will of God. Verse 2. and the beginning of the 3. _It may suffice us_ &c. where he intimates a reason also, why we should now leave off such courses, namely; Because we have too much offended God already in the time past, and if we should abuse his mercy and patience any longer, we could expect nothing else but the revelation of his just anger and indignation, to our eternall confusion. The same conclusion and Comparison is farther illustrated by anticipation of an objection and difficulty, which might take off our desires and endeavours to change our lives, and live contrary to the fashion of others. And the objection is this; that it will seeme strange unto many; and for this very cause will they revile us, and speake evill of religion it selfe, verse 4. The answer is, that this is not our fault, but theirs; and they shall give an account for it unto God at the day of judgement, verse 5. Which judgement is set forth by a distribution of the object, and upon occasion of that distribution he makes a new argument to remove the fore-named difficulty out of our minds; namely, because the Gospell had the same end, and the same effect amongst the faithfull that are now dead; to wit, that they being condemned by men, did patiently beare that condemnation, and lived according to God in the spirit, verse 6. The Doctrines arising herehence. Doctrine 1. _We should all arme our selves with such meditations, as the contemplation of Christs death ♦affords us._ ♦ “affoords as” replaced with “affords us” This is gathered from verse 1. _Reason_ 1. Because we are thereunto called, that we should be made conformable unto Christ. 2. Because Christs death, or Christ crucified is a briefe Epitome of all saving knowledge, _1 Corinthians 2.2._ 3. Because by such meditations we doe more and more put on Christ, and by his power are our minds strengthened and fore-armed, as with a compleat armour, against all kind of temptations, and in this respect is this phrase, _arme your selves_, used in the text. _Vse_ 1. This may serve to admonish us, to arme our mindes daily with godly and Christian meditations, that so we may not be exposed to the danger of temptations unarmed and naked; in the bearing of a blow, or suffering any violence, there is great difference betwixt a man that is armed, and one that is not armed. 2. To direct us, in our meditations chiefely to contemplate upon Christ, and those things which pertaine unto his death and resurrection. Doctrine 2. _He that hath true communion with Christ, hath ceased from sinne, and by meditation thereupon doth daily more and more cease from it._ This is gathered from verse 1. at the end.