time, wherein it should be expected, to wit, in the day of visitation: Now this whole exhortation, that it might be the more effectuall, and the more acceptable unto them, is set forth with a double affection, in the manner of proposing it; of love or charity, in that title which is given unto them, Dearely beloved; and of humility, in that he doth not so much commad these things, as intreat them, I beseech you.
The Doctrines arising herehence.
Doct. 1. All the faithfull are strangers and pilgrims in this world.
Reas. 1. Because their father, and their countrey is not here, but in heaven.
2. Because they doe not desire to stay long here.
3. Because their wealth and their friends are not in this world.
4. Because the world accounts them strangers, and that because their conversation is not according to the fashion of the world.
Use. 1. This may serve to admonish us, not to place our inheritance or our treasure in the things of this World. 2. To exhort us, to lift up our hearts alwayes towards our heavenly countrey; and to gaine all those things, that may helpe us forward and further us in our journey thereunto, Doct. 2. All the faithfull ought to abstaine from the lusts of of the flesh.
But by this phrase are signified not only the inclinations of the body, but all those that belong to the old man: for there is something to be sanctified even in the very spirit of our minds, 1 Thes. 5.23. and therefore some lust of the flesh is seated in the spirit; but these lusts are in generall said to be of the flesh, because they are most of all manifested in those things which belong to the body and the flesh: for most men care for and looke after nothing else almost but those things that belong to this present life.
Reas. 1. Because the flesh together with the lusts thereof was crucified with Christ.
2. Because all the faithfull in their baptisme and by their profession have denyed the flesh.
