Page:An analytical exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter, illustrated by doctrines out of every text .. (IA analyticalexposi00ames).pdf/208

 This is gathered from these words, He spared not.

Reason 1. Because sinners alwayes abuse the goodnesse of God. 2. They spare not the glory of God, but themselves. Vse 1. This may serve to instruct us, to ascribe it unto the grace and mercy of God, that he hath hitherto spared us. 2. To exhort us, not to contemne this long-suffering of God, but thereby to be led unto repentance, Rom. 2.4. Doct. 4. By sinne a sinner is cast downe from the place and condition which he had before.

This is gathered from these words; cast down to hell.

Reason. Because sin is an aversion from God. Now as the communion which we have with God, makes us to ascend into a high condition, even into Heaven it selfe, so that our conversation is in heaven, as it is Phil. 3.20. So also aversion from him makes us to descend, even untill we come unto hell it selfe. Vse. This may serve to admonish us, not to trust the devill, nor our own imaginations, as if we could ever attain any good by sinning. For so our first parents were deceived, when they thought to make themselves like unto God by sin, they were made like unto the devill. Doct. 5. The darknesse of misery followes the darknesse of sinne.

This gathered from these words; delivered them into chaines of darknesse.

Reason. Because the light is the same, whereby we are directed, and whereby we are perfected; therefore the privation of perfection and happinesse followes the privation of direction. Use. This may serve to admonish us, alwayes to walk in the light, as children of the light, if we desire to avoid utter darknesse. Doct. 6. Sinners are held in sinne and in their misery, as it were with bonds.

This is gathered from that: Chaines.

Reason. Because the sins themselves are the snares of the devill, 2 Tim. 2.''last. Lam.'' 1.14. There are other reasons given of this thing in the Analysis.