Page:An analytical exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter, illustrated by doctrines out of every text .. (IA analyticalexposi00ames).pdf/174

 3. God can and will defend those that flye unto him, and that seeke him in his wayes. Hither tend those frequent promises, such as are Psal. 15. the last words, and Psal. 16.8. Doct. 6. The more we are freed from the fals of sinne, the more are we assured of our calling and election. This is gathered from the opposition, which is made betwixt the assurance of our calling and our fals. Reason. The reason is taken from the contrariety; for like as the more the darknesse is dispelled, the more the light increaseth, and on the contrary; so is it in these things. Doct. 7. Look what progresse we make in grace and vertue, so much progresse do we make in glory and happinesse.

This is gathered from the connexion of the eleventh verse with the former, the force whereof consists in this, that by adding vertue unto faith, and knowledge unto vertue, we shall adde also something unto that participation, which we have in the kingdome of God: where it is to be observed that the same word is used in this eleventh verse, where he speakes of glory, that was used, verse 5. where he spake of vertue; there it was [Greek: epichôrêgêsate], here [Greek: epichôrêgêthêsetô].

Reason. The reason is, because as in evill the sinne is never separated from the punishment, but in the sinne it selfe there is the spot or blemish, which is like unto misery; so also in good the obedience and vertue is never separated from the reward. For it hath alwayes joyned with it that consolation which pertaines to the reward of happinesse. Use 1. This may serve to comfort us against the afflictions of this life; for although the faithfull receive no reward from this world, by reason of the iniquity of men, but hatred, disgrace, contempt, and persecutions: yet they may rest well contented in this, that they shall not only receive an ample reward in the life to come, but also they shall receive it in some sort in this life present, Matth. 5.10.12. & 19.29. 2. To exhort us to labour to increase in piety, for as much as this labour is not in vaine, but hath its reward even in this present world, 1 Cor. 15 last. Doct 8 This happinesse consists in being made partakers of the everlasting kingdome of God.

By the kingdome of God is meant properly that condition