Page:An analytical exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter, illustrated by doctrines out of every text .. (IA analyticalexposi00ames).pdf/39

 Reas. 1. Because it is the word of God, (as it is in the Text;) which liveth and abideth for ever; whose nature it resembleth in this, that the operation thereof is not momentany or temporary, but it abideth for ever. 2. Because to speake properly, it is the word of eternall life, Iohn 6.68. for the end and use thereof is, to bring men to eternall life. 3. Because where it is once truly received, it never faileth. Iohn 4. 14. Use. 1. This may serve to refute the errour of those, which hold that they that are truly regenerated, usually fall away from the grace of God, and so are borne againe and againe, after they have beene regenerate: This is contrary, not only to the promise and covenant of God, that he will keepe the faithfull, that they shall not depart from him Ier. 32. 40. and to that comfort which Christ gives his members, that no man shall pluck them out of his hand, Iohn 10. 28. But also to the operation of the spirit in the hearts of the faithfull, and to the nature of the life it selfe, that is communicated unto them, which is incorruptible and eternall, as it is in the Text. 2. To comfort us against all those feares and terrours, that may arise from the consideration of our own infirmities; for although of our selves we are continually falling to corruption, yet there is something borne in us, if we be truly faithfull, which is incorruptible and shall abide unto eternall life. 3. To exhort us to carry our selves answerable in all Christian duties, that is, to be constant and incorruptible in performing them: and this is it at which the Apostle doth especially aime at in this place, when he stirres up the faithfull to a fervent and constant love one of another, by this argument, because they are borne againe by the incorruptible word. Doct. 17. The condition wherein the faithfull are put by this incorruptible regeneration of the word, is farre more excellent then all the glory of this world.

This is gathered from verse 24, 25. where there is a comparison made betwixt, flesh, grasse, the flower of grasse, and the glory of man, on the one side, and the word of God on the other; not as the word is considered in it selfe, but as it is received by the faithfull, and translates them into the kingdome of God.