Page:An analytical exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter, illustrated by doctrines out of every text .. (IA analyticalexposi00ames).pdf/100

 Reason 1. Because in these men do most of all pamper the flesh, and have no regard at all unto the soule. 2. Because by these the soule is drowned, as it were in the pleasures of the flesh, so that it cannot lift up itself unto God, and to divine things. 3. Because these make way for the devill, and all devilish sinnes; and thereupon abominable idolatry seemes to be joyned with them in the text, because by them many were brought to be present at idolatrous feasts, and so to honour the idols themselves, though in their consciences they made no reckoning of them. Vse. This may serve to admonish us, to beware of these wicked courses. Doct. 6. It seemes very strange to the men of the world, that the godly should refuse to live after that manner, as they live.

Reason 1. Because they think there is a kinde of happinesse in that kinde of life, which for any man to dislike, they cannot but wonder at it.

2. Because as long as they are carnall, they cannot rightly discerne those spirituall reasons, which make the faithfull to abhorre such conversation.

3. Because they measuring others by themselves, thinke that all men do greedily desire such kinde of pleasures.

Vse. This may serve to admonish the faithfull, 1. Not to thinke that they do live so, as their calling or profession doth require, unlesse they do so farre estrange themselves from the common courses of worldly men, that they make them to wonder at them. 2. Not to be troubled at such opinions of men, but to take their dislike, as a token of Gods good liking and approbation.

Doct. 7. By this alienation of mindes, which ariseth from the difference of the conversation, betwixt the beleevers and the unbeleevers, the regenerate and the unregenerate, it oftentimes comes to passe, that the unregenerate speake evill of the truth of God.

This is gathered from verse 5 at the end. For although some are so taken with the splendour of piety whlch shines forth in the godly, that they glorifie God, as it is chap. 2. ver. 12. and it becomes a meanes of winning them, as it is chap. 3.