Verse 1. For as much then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arme your selves likewise with the same mind: for that he that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sinne:
Verse 2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh, to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
Verse 3. For the time past of our life, may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousnesse, lusts, excesse of wine, revellings, banquettings, and abominable idolatries.
Verse 4. Wherein they thinke it strange, that you run not with them to the same excesse of riot, speaking evill of you:
Verse 5. Who shall give account to him, that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
Verse 6. For, for this cause was the Gospell preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.
The Analysis.
HE Apostle having set before us the example of Christ, in this place he concludes therehence, that which he proposed to be concluded chapter 3. verse 17. and before that verse 11. that is, that all Christians should eschew evill, & follow that which is good. And this conclusion he layes downe in such manner, that if a due proportion be observed betwixt Christ as our example, and Christians that are regenerated, and renewed according to his image, he shews it doth necessarily depend upon & flow from the example of Christ. He concludes with such a Syllogisme, as this: