An analyticall exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustrated by doctrines out of every text and applyed by their uses for a further progresse in holinesse / by ... William Ames ...

Verse 10. Of which salvation the Prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you,

Verse 11. Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie, when it testified be∣forehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

Verse 12. Vnto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things which are now re∣ported unto you by them that have preached the Gospell un∣to you, with the Holy Ghost sent downe from Heaven, which things the Angels desire to looke into.

TO confirme and illustrate the grace and salvation, that hath hitherto beene spoken of, the Apostle in these ver∣ses brings the testimony of the Prophets; which is set forth, 1. By the principall object thereof, which is nothing else but this selfesame salvation and grace, wherein the faith∣full Christians now stand, in these words: of which salvation that should come unto us they prophesied. 2. By the manner how they were imployed about this object; They did it with great care and diligent heed, in these words, they enquired and search∣ed diligently. 3. By the singular description of that object whereabout they were imployed, vers. 11. and the manner how. The object, to wit, salvation and grace before spoken of, is described by the efficient cause thereof, namely, the me∣diation of Christ, consisting of two parts, his humiliation and exaltation at the end of the verse. And the manner how the Prophets are said to have been imployed about this cause of our salvation, consisted in two things: 1. That they did not only desire to know the very thing it selfe, but also the ve∣ry moment of time wherein it should be reveal'd, in these words, what, or what manner of time. 2. That it did not de∣pend

upon various and uncertaine conjectures, but they did religiously ask counsell of the Spirit of Christ, that was pre∣sent with them, as of one that did foreknow and could fore∣tell of all things that should happen, in these words, the Spirit of Christ which was in them, that testified beforehand, did sig∣nifie.

The testimony it selfe of the Prophets is proposed in the 12 verse, to wit, that this grace and salvation was to be revealed at that very time wherein it appeared, and no other: which testimony of the Prophets is also set forth by the like testimo∣nies of the Apostles and Angels. The similitude that is be∣twixt the Apostles and the Prophets is shewed herein; that as the Prophets prophesied of these things by the Spirit of Christ, that was in them, that foretold it; so the Apostles de∣clared the same things by the holy Ghost sent downe from Hea∣ven. The similitude that is betwixt the Angels and the Pro∣phets is shewed herein; that as the Prophets enquired and searched diligently concerning this salvation; so also the An∣gels did desire to look into it, all and each of which make ve∣ry much for the setting forth of this grace.

The Doctrines drawne from hence are these.

Doct. I. The chiefe part of the prophesies of all the true Pro∣phets that have beene from the beginning of the world, was concer∣ning the grace and salvation that should come by Iesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

This is gathered from the tenth Verse. The like you may see, Acts 3. 18, 20. and 7. 52.

Reason I. Because the salvation of the Church in all ages depended upon Christ: Now it was the office of the Prophets to direct the Church in the seeking of their salvation.

2. All the Prophets were Ministers of Christ, and were led by his Spirit, Verse 11. and therefore ought to seeke his ho∣nour.

3. Because after this manner were mens mindes to be pre∣pared by degrees for the receiving of Christ that was to come: for what is said of Iohn the Baptist, doth in some sort belong unto all the Prophets, that they did prepare the wayes of the Lord.

Vse 1. This may serve for Information, to confirme and

establish the true faith, not only against the Heathens and Jewes, but also against the Papists themselves, who say that this true doctrine of the grace revealed in Jesus Christ, is a new doctrine, and never heard of before these times; for we acknowledge no other grace, but that which those Prophets alwayes prophesied of from the beginning of the world.

2. To exhort us, continually to meditate upon this grace our selves, and as occasion shall serve, to shew it forth unto o∣thers, with all freenesse and readinesse of minde. for this doth become us much rather then those, that lived so long before the comming of Christ, and beheld him only afar off.

Doct. 2. Those ancient Prophets did not only prophesie of this grace, but they did also enquire and search diligently into it.

This is gathered from the same words.

Reason 1. Because it seem'd unto them, as indeed it is, a very great mystery of godlinesse, 1 Tim. 3. 16. therefore they saw that they must use the very utmost of their endeavours, to come to some measure of the knowledge of that which did lye hid therein, both for their owne comfort and the edifica∣tion of the Church.

2 Because this truth was proposed unto them in a more obscure manner under types and shadowes so that they could not look into the thing it selfe without great care and labour.

Vse 1. This may serve for information, hereby we may un∣derstand what manner of men the true Prophets of God were heretofore: they did not utter words without sense, or un∣derstanding, or care-taking of those things that did lye be∣fore them, as the diabolicall Prophets of the Heathens were wont to do in their fury: but they did wholly apply their minds to what they did.

2. To exhort us therefore to lay aside all sloth and sluggish∣nesse, and to use all care and diligence in the enquiring and searching after these divine things: for this industry is much more requisite for us, then it was for them, to whom the holy Ghost did immediately dictate all things.

Doct 3. The foundation of all this gr••c•• and salvation, lies in the humiliation and exaltation of our Lord Ie••us Christ.

This is gathered from the eleventh Verse.

Reason. Because the whole mediation of Christ, whereby

our salvation is procured, is contained in those two parts.

Vse 1. This may serve to exhort us, alwayes to joyne those two things together, in the seeking of our salvation: for they are in their owne nature so conjoyned, that if they should be separated, our faith and hope would be made altogether void. This is the rock of offence at which the Jewes did, and to this day do stumble, in that they look for outward glory and ma∣jesty in their Messias, even without any suffering or humiliati∣on going before.

2. To exhort us alwayes in all things to build upon this foundation.

Doct. 4. Not only the essence it selfe of this mystery is usu∣ally enquired after by the godly, but even all the circumstances thereof, as far forth as they may be comprehended.

This is gathered from those words: searching what or what manner of time.

Reason 1. Because in this mysterie there is nothing of so small consequence, as that it may be neglected without losse to our selves.

2. Because love is careful to enquire into al things that per∣taine to the thing beloved, though otherwise they may seeme to be very small.

Vse. This may serve to admonish us, not to think it enough to have some confused knowledge of the common principles of the Gospell, but to exercise our selves to come to a more full and distinct knowledge of every grace of God.

Doct. 5. All these things were alwayes declared only by the Spirit of Christ that was in the Prophets.

This is gathered from the eleventh Verse.

Reason. Because as no man knowes the things of man, but the Spirit of man, so no man knowes the things of Christ, but the Spirit of Christ, 1 Cor. 2. 11.

Vse 1. This may serve for information, hereby we may confirme our selves in the truth of Christs divine nature, be∣cause the Spirit of God which spake in the Prophets from the beginning, is here expresly called the Spirit of Christ.

2. To exhort us, to depend upon Christ, and from his Spirit to seek for all light in searching the Scriptures, and inquiring after divine things.

Doct. 6. Although saving grace was the same, that was in the Church from the beginning of the world, yet notwithstanding great is our prerogative in this grace above the Prophets, and those to whom they prophesied before the comming of Christ.

This is gathered from the twelfth Verse, Not unto them∣selves, but unto us they did minister.

Reason 1. It is by reason of that clearer light which ac∣companied the comming of the Sunne, and continues from that time.

2. By reason of the greater efficacy of the holy Ghost, as it is in the text.

3. By reason of the larger communication of this grace, which is now extended unto all Nations.

Vse 1. This may serve for to comfort us, because we doe abound in this grace, our hearts ought to be strengthened a∣gainst all terrours.

2. To exhort us, that as this grace doth abound, so should our thankfulnesse also abound in all practise of piety; for he that hath received much, of him is much required.

Doct. 7. So great is the excellency of the grace and salva∣tion offered unto us by Christ, that even the Angels themselves desire to looke into it.

This is gathered out of those words, which things the An∣gels desire to look into. So 1 Tim. 3. 16. you may see it proved.

Reason. Because there are some things in this mysterie, which the Angels themselves are yet ignorant of, Matth. 24. 36. into those things they desire to look, that they may know them: into other things that they do know they desire also to looke that they may delight themselves in beholding the glo∣ry of God, as it were in a glasse.

Vse. This may serve to admonish us, never to be weary of searching into these holy mysteries, whether it be in hearing the Word of God in publick, or in reading and meditating upon it in private.