Doct. 7. Lust is the essentiall cause of this corruption, which is in the world.
For it is not from the fabrick of heaven and earth, nor in any created substance, but in the naughty affections and dispositions, together with the actions flowing therehence, so that every man carries this world in his owne bowels. And the reason why this wickednesse is signified by concupiscence or lust, is:
Reason 1. Because in mans conversion to worldly and unlawfull things, sinne is more manifest then in a simple aversion from God. 2. Because this desire of unlawfull things is most contrary to that affection, which we should have towards God, and divine and heavenly things. Vse. This may serve to exhort us, to use great diligence to subdue and root out our own lusts and concupiscence. Verse 5. And besides this, giving all diligence, adde to your faith, vertue; and to vertue knowledge;
Verse 6. And to knowledge continence; and to continence, patience; and to patience, godlinesse;
Verse 7. And to godlinesse, brotherly kindnesse; and to brotherly kindnesse, charity.
The Analysis.
Now the Apostle comes unto that which he chiefly aimed at in this Epistle: and the scope of the Epistle is shewed expresly, Chap.3. verse 1. namely, to stirre up the pure mindes of the faithfull, by way of remembrance; and verse the last, more distinctly, that they should grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ. This same thing he proposeth in these verses, 5,6,7. and confirmes it in the rest of the Chapter, and in the two following Chapters, he vindicates it from those things which crosse this purpose, namely, the seducings of false teachers, chap.2. and the derisions of prophane scoffers, chap.3. Now his scope and purpose, as it is explained in these three verses, is, to exhort the faithfull, to apply themselves
