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 11. But these as naturall bruit beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evill of the things that they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their own corruption.

The Analysis.

THe other part of the comparison is contained in this verse, wherein the sin of the false teachers desp••••ng and speaking evill of dignities, is aggravated by a new comparison of the like, so that in this verse there is both a shewing of the dissimilitute, and also a whole similitude explained by its parts. The proposition of this similitude containes a descrip∣tion of naturall bruit beasts: the Apodosis contains a descrip∣tion of false teachers, according to those qualities which they have proportionably with those bruit beasts. The de∣scription of the bruit beasts contains three things: 1 Their inward nature, which is expressed by a negation, that they are void of reason, bruits. 2. Their acts or operations, which are said to proceed, not from counsell, but from nature, naturall. 3 Their end and destruction, that they are taken and destroyed. To these there are three also answerable in false teachers: 1 That they are void of judgement, they understand not. 2 That they are carryed with a naughty passion to speak evill, speak evill of the things that they understand not. 3 That they bring upon themselves destruction; they shall perish in their own cor∣ruption.

The Doctrine arising herehence.

Doct. 1. Sin, where it reignes, turnes a man into a bruit beast as it were.

This is shewed in all those places of Scripture, where wic∣ked men are compared unto bruit beasts, either in generall, or in speciall, to Horses, Mules, Dogs, Swine, Foxes, Wolves, Beates, Lions, &c. Yea, they that are in greatest honour and esteeme in this world, are accounted no otherwise of by God, then as bruit beasts. The Monarchs, in Daniel, are alwayes compared unto wild beasts; and the Roman Emperours that persecuted the Church, are pointed out in the Apocalyps by

the name of the Dragon. And the Pope is not only called a beast, but is described as a very great monster among the beasts, with seven heads, and ten hornes.

Vse 1. This may serve to condemn those, that please them∣selves in their sins.

2. To admonish us, so much the more to beware of sinne, lest at length with Nebuchadnezzar we be cast downe from the greatest glory to the lowest condition of all.

Doct. 2. The fountaine of all this sin and misery is the want of a right and spirituall judgement.

Vse. This may serve to admonish us, diligently therefore to betake our selves unto prayer, and other means, that are sanctified by God, for the enlightning of our mind, and keep∣ing it sound.

Doct. 3. A signe of such a condition, that is, of a man turn∣ing to a bruit beast, is, to follow the passions of corrupted nature, without reason.

Vse. This may serve to convict and condemne many, that seeme unto themselves to be excellent men.

Doct. 4. Such men do corrupt also whatsoever naturall goodnesse they have in them.

This is gathered from this word, corruption, as it is explain∣ed, Iude v. 10.

Vse. This may serve to admonish us, therefore to hate and detest such courses.

Doct. 5. Such sinners are entangled in their sins, and kept unto destruction, like as bruit beasts in their snares, wherewith they are taken.

So 2 Tim. 2. 26. Lament. 1. 14.

Vse. This may serve to admonish us, to flye from all cor∣ruption, as we would from the snares of eternall death.