THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF ST. PETER. The writer of this and the following Epistle was St. Peter, who styles himself an apostle of Jesus Christ, not the universal bishop and head of the church; no where do we find this holy and humble apostle assuming, though we often find the apostate church of Rome giving him, an uncontrollable monarchy and sovereign dominion over the whole church of Christ, and over the apostles themselves, and their successors and accordingly to interpret those words of our Saviour to St. Peter, St. John xxi. Pasce oves, "feed my sheep," in such a rampant sense as they have done, could never with any confidence have been offered to the reason of mankind, had not these men subdued their reason to their interest, and subjected both to an implicit faith and blind obedience. St. Peter, being the apostle of the circumcision, writes this Epistle to the believing Jews and proselyted Gentiles, who were of the dispersion, scattered abroad in divers countries, of whom he had an especial charge, and of whose conversion he had been a principal instrument. The design of the Epistle is to confirm them in the christian religion, to encourage them to constancy - under the sharpest persecutions and fiery trials for the same, and to excite them to the practice of particular duties incumbent upon them in every capacity and relation in which they stood, beautifying and adorning their holy profession by an holy and becoming conversation. And accordingly thus be writes unto them: CHAP. I. PETER an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Grace unto and peace, you, be multiplied. Observe here, 1. The penman of this epistle described by his name, Peter; by his office, an Apostle; by the author of his office, Jesus Christ. This name Peter was given him by our Saviour, and signifieth a stone, a rock, probably for his confession and acknowledgment of Christ, the rock upon whom the christian church was built; his call to the office, first of a disciple, and then of an apostle, was from Christ himself. It is a singular support to the ministers of the gospel of Christ, under all their discouragements, to consider whose officers they are, and from whom they have both their mission and their message, their authority and their abilities, for the sacred function: Peter an apostle of Je sus Christ. Observe, 2. The persons to whom the epistle is directed, to the strangers scattered abroad in Pontus, Galatia, &c. that is, to such of the converted Jews and proselyted Gentiles as were dispersed into several countries, exiled and banished from house and home, for the sake of Christ and his holy religion, which they made a faithful profession of. Learn hence, That a state of exile and banishment from outward comforts and privileges, has been, and may be, the lot and portion of a people that are exceeding dear to Almighty God: To the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Observe, 3. How he comforts them in this their persecuted condition, by declaring to them the great things which God had done for them in their election, vocation, and sanctification: assuring them that God had chosen them out of the world, according to his foreknowledge and unsearchable counsel, and effectually called them to the participation of his grace, sanctifying them by his Spirit that they should obey the truth, and by faith be sprinkled with the blood of Christ, and thereby be brought into a state of perfect peace and reconciliation with God. Learn hence, 1. That God has certainly chosen some to happiness as the end, are also chosen to holiness as the mean : Elect through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience. Sanctification is the fruit of our election, and obedience the end of our sanctification. Learn, 3. That sanctification and justification always accompany one another; here is sanctification and sprinkling with the blood of Christ joined together: where note, Christ, as mediator, has blood, his blood was shed, his blood that was shed must be sprinkled, and by faith applied; and we can never discern our interest in the blood of Christ, till we are sanctified by the Spirit of Christ, and our hearts and lives wrought unto obedience. Justification and sanctification, though distinct in their na ture, yet are inseparable in their subject. Observe, lastly, The salutation here sent to these dispersed saints, Grace and peace be multiplied. Where note, 1. The connexion, grace and peace. 2. The order, first grace, and then peace. 3. The option, be multiplied. The blessings prayed for, are the choicest, the sweetest, and the best of blessings, grace and peace: together with the augmentation and abundant increase of both, Grace and peace be multiplied. Learn, That there is nothing that the ministers of Christ do more passionately desire and more earnestly endeavour, than to see their people brought into, and preserved in, a state of favour and peace with God, and enjoying a multiplied increase of all spiritual and temporal blessings from him. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Observe here, 1. How our apostle breaks forth into gratulation and thankfulness to God, for those special blessings, which, by his ministry, were conferred upon these converted christians, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Blessing and praise are due to God for the least mercies received from God, because we are less than the least, much more for spiritual and eternal blessings, which are the greatest mercies that cither God can VOL. II. give, or we receive. Observe, 2. The special mercy which he thus solemnly blesses, and gives thanks to God for, namely, their regeneration for begetting them to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Christ, to an inheritance incorruptible, &c. according to his abundant mercy. Where note, 1. The benefit declared, that they were begotten again to an hope of salvation: by means of sin, all influences of grace were suspended, and all hopes of salvation were cut off. Christ's interposure for us makes our condition hopeful, and the fallen angels hopeless. Note, 2. The qualification of that hope which christians are begotten to; it is a lively hope, in opposition to a dead hope, and to a languid and languishing hope: the christian's hope is an effectual hope, which proceeds from faith and pro. motes holiness. A lively hope is an hope that makes us lively, joyful, and comfortable in our lives; an hope that puts life into us. Note, 3. The means whereby we are begotten to this hope, and that is, by the resurrection of Christ from the dead; not by the bare act of his resurrection, but by the virtue and power of it, we are raised to a spiritual life by it, and our hopes of eternal life are thereby strengthened and confirmed. The justification of our persons, the regeneration of our natures, the resurrection of our bodies, the glorification of our souls and bodies, are singular fruits and benefits of Christ's resurrection. Well might the apostle then say, that we are begotten to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Note, 4. The moving and impulsive cause from which regeneration, and all other spiritual blessings, do proceed and flow: the mercy and goodness of God, According to his abundant mercy he hath begotten us again. In the matters of salvation nothing is owing to our merit; for demerit cannot merit, but all is due to divine goodness, and undeserved mercy; that is the fontal cause of all our favours. Note, 5. The nature of that happiness which believers are begotten to a lively hope and expectation of; it is here styled an inheritance. Heaven is an inheritance, and as such it is given to children, to all God's children, to none but his children; it is an inheritance dearly purchased, yet freely given: Christ is the sole purchaser of it; no joint-purchasers with him; the saints are called joint-heirs with Christ, but never joint-purchasers: yet remember, that though we cannot purchase this inheritance in a 2 Z way of merit, we may forfeit it by our demerit, and provoke our heavenly Father to disinherit us. Note, 6. The properties and excellences of this inheritance which believers are raised by Christ to the expectation of it is an inheritance incorruptible; an enduring possession; not subject to decay, having nothing in it that can corrupt it, or corrupt us in the enjoyment of it. Undefiled, heaven is an holy habitation; the holiness of heaven is the most considerable part of its happiness; sinners therefore that despise holiness, despise the richest jewel in the crown of glory. It fadeth not away, it withereth not; glory is a flower which will eternally retain its freshness and verdure. Reserved in the heavens for us: heaven is the country where the saints' inheritance lies; here it is reserved or laid up safe, by the purpose and pleasure of God, by the purchase, possession, and intercession of Christ; and to be able to say, For us, and be particularly assured of heaven, is a special comfort. 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time: Here our apostle seems to pre-occupate and prevent an objection. Some might say, "Though the saints' inheritance be safe in heaven, yet they are in danger here on earth:" Be it so, as if our apostle had said, yet they are and shall be kept by God's power, and their own faith, to eternal salvation. Note here, 1. We are kept; it implies we are in danger, in great danger of missing salvation, by reason of the number, power, and policy, of our spiritual enemies, corruption and sin within, the devil and the world without; but we are kept as in a garrison; so the word signifies saints are preserved like besieged cities; the general whom they fight under, and hold out for, preserves them, by sending in fresh recruits, supplies from the Holy Spirit, and by cutting off such succours as our lusts and spiritual enemies would send forth against us, so that they starve, and shall not vanquish us, but we them. We are kept; eternal thanks for such a keeper! Note, 2. What it is believers are kept and preserved to, namely, salvation: he does not say they are or shall be kept from trouble and affliction; that their fingers shall not ache in this world: he has made no such promise, and we must expect no such preservation, but the contrary: In the world ye shall have tribulation, says Christ, the captain of our salvation, John. xvi. But safety and rest, happiness and ease, shall be our portion in the coming world. Note, 3. The means by which we are thus kept unto salvation. I. On God's part, almighty power. If left one moment to ourselves, we become a prey to every temptation. How did the devil baffle and befool Adam in innocency, when he had his wits about him, by being left in the hand of his own counsels ! Lord, in a worse hand thou canst not leave us than our own! 2. On our part we are kept through faith. Our own endeavour must accompany God's power, in order to our preservation. We are kept by the power of God through faith; by both jointly, by neither singly. God's power will not keep us without our care, neither can our care secure us without the help of his power. We and our faith must be kept by the power of God; what God does for us, he does by us; he requires the use of our faculties, and the concurrence of our own endeavours, in order to our salvation. Note, 4. The time when, the saints' complete salvation shall be revealed to them, and they have the full and final fruition of that ; - Ready to be revealcd in the last time. Mark, the saints' salvation in heaven is a mystery, an hidden mystery, not yet revealed; revealed only to saints on earth by faith, to saints in heaven by sight; but the full revelation is not to be, expected and enjoyed by glorified saints before the day of judgment, called here the last time; Ready to be revealed in the last time. Our apostle told us, verse 4. it was reserved in heaven for us, kept safe for us, but kept close in heaven; it is an inestimably rich treasure; they that are heirs of it on earth, yea, they that are possessed of it in heaven, do not as yet fully understand and know the transcendency of it, but it shall be revealed to them at the last day. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Wherein ye greatly rejoice: That is, in the belief and expectation of which glorious and incorruptible inheritance in heaven, ye now joy and rejoice here on earth; plainly intimating, that a believer may be assured of his title to the glorious inheritance above, and both may and ought to rejoice in it abundantly below. Observe, farther, By what way and method God brings his people to heaven, it is by heaviness, by afflictions, yea, by manifold afflictions. As if he had said," you that are the present candidates for heaven, the heirs of salvation, must not think yourselves past the rod and the ferula; and that you are to expect nothing but comfort, and to do nothing but rejoice in the hopes of your salvation. But I tell you, you may have need of heaviness before you get to heaven, and of manifold temptations for the mortifying your corruptions, before you enter upon an inheritance incorruptible." Observe, 3. The supposition made concerning the necessity of a believer's afflictions: If need be. Intimating, 1. That we should never feel any affliction from the hand of God, never be in heaviness, if there were not need. And, 2. That there is need that the holiest in this world should some times be made heavy, and that heaviness should be upon them for a season. We should always have calms and fair weather, never any storms or tempests from God, did not our needs call for it. As we need our daily bread, so verily do we need a daily rod, both the rod of God's mouth to admonish and reprove us, and the rod of his hand to chasten and correct us: Ye are in heaviness for a season, if need be, through manifold temptations. Hence learn, That the trials and afflictions which God exercises his children with, are many, yet they never feel them but when they need them, and then only for a season. As the coldness of the winter kills the weeds in our grounds, so the cold blasts of affliction (under the mortifying influences of the Holy Spirit) kill our corruptions in our souls. Perpetual shinings and fair seasons are reserved for heaven: cold blasts and nipping frosts are needful and useful here on earth: Ye are in heaviness for a season, if need be. Learn farther, That as God doth not afflict us but when there is need, so he will not afflict us more than there is need. Ye are in heaviness for a season; we shall not be afflicted an hour longer, nor shall our cross be a drachm or a grain heavier, than God thinks needful. Observe, 4. The happy effect and fruit of the saints' manifold temptations: they all work for their advantage; they receive good and not hurt by them; no more hurt than the gold receives by the fire. That the trial f your faith: that is, that your tried faith, being more precious than gold. Faith is more precious than gold, because more pure, more durable, especially when purified in the furnace of affliction. A good man is no loser, but a great gainer, by being tried. He, who before had much dross in him, comes out of the furnace as gold, without losing any thing either of its weight or worth; nothing is consumed but the dross and rubbish of his corruptions. O happy consumption! Grace is not only grace still, but more gracious, yea, glorious, after trial. That the trial of your faith being much more precious than that of gold that perisheth. Observe, lastly, That faith must be tried on earth, before it be crowned in heaven; and after it is tried, it shall certainly be crowned, and found unto praise, honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Learn hence, That the trial of a christian's faith in their manifold afflictions and temptations now, will bring abundance of honour and glory to God in the day of Christ; yea, not only to God, but to ourselves. Our light afflic tions, which are but for a moment now, will work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory then. 8 Whom having not seen, ye love: in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: In these words our apostle commendeth the faith and love of those Jews to whom he wrote; that although they had never seen Christ in the flesh, as others did, yet they did truly love him, and their faith caused them to triumph and rejoice in him. Learn hence, That it is the property and practice of a believer to love an unseen Saviour, and to rejoice in him, and in the hopes of eternal life by him. Inference, If such as never saw Christ but with a believing eye, do yet love him superlatively, and rejoice in him unspeakably, how will they love him and rejoice in him, who shall see him with a glo rified eye, and behold him face to face! 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired, and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you. 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified be- Observe here, 1. The end, that is, the re- author and contriver of the work of redemption, they admire the subjects redeemed, they admire the manner and method of our redemption, they admire the finally glorious state which the redeemed are brought into, and possessed of, and they pry into these things, as the cherubims looked upon the ark, with a curious and accurate inspection, with an earnest and affectionate inspection; they holily admire the wisdom of this glorious contrivance, though even their raised and enlarged capacities can never be able fully to comprehend it. 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ: Our apostle having laid before them their high and glorious privileges in the foregoing verses, comes now to excite them to the practice of several needful and important duties in this and the following verses. The first of which is vigilance and watchfulness, preparation and readiness of mind: Gird up the loins of your mind: an allusion both to runners and waiters; to such as run in a race, and to such as wait upon their master; who both gird up their clothes (which in those eastern countries they wore down to their heels) that they might not hinder or trouble them, either in running or waiting. Next, to be sober, and keep up their hope stedfastly and perseveringly to the end, for that grace and salvation, for that perfection in holiness and glory, which God will certainly give us at the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ. Here note, 1. The grace and duty which they are exhorted to be found in the exercise of, and that is, hope; to persevere in hope unto the end. That is a divine grace, and necessary duty, whereby a believer for Christ's sake expects and waits for all the great and good things which God has promised, but the christian at present not received. Note, 2. The direction given in order to the exercise of this grace and duty of hope, Gird up the loins of your mind. Habits of grace are altogether unprofitable to us, without they be excited by us, and stirred up in us. When we pray, when we hear, we must gird up our loins in praying and hearing; or in the prophet's phrase, Stir up yourselves to take hold on God. A man upon his sick bed must gird up the loins of his mind to bear his affliction, else he will never profit by it, nor answer the end of God in it. No grace can be exer |