BibleWare/BibWare.bin/bibref/mhc.exe/1PE.TXT

Text File | 1996-06-12 | 28KB | 487 lines

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** The same great doctrines, as in St. Paul's epistles, are here
applied to same practical purposes. And this epistle is
remarkable for the sweetness, gentleness, and humble love, with
which it is written. It gives a short, and yet a very clear
summary, both of the consolations and the instructions needful
for the encouragement and direction of a Christian in his
journey to heaven, raising his thoughts and desires to that
happiness, and strengthening him against all opposition in the
way, both from corruption within, and temptations and
afflictions without.

* The apostle blesses God for his special benefits through
Christ. (1-9) Salvation by Christ foretold in ancient prophecy.
(10-12) All are exhorted to holy conversation. (13-16) Such as
is suitable to their principles, privileges, and obligations.
(17-25)

#1-9 This epistle is addressed to believers in general, who are
strangers in every city or country where they live, and are
scattered through the nations. These are to ascribe their
salvation to the electing love of the Father, the redemption of
the Son, and the sanctification of the Holy Ghost; and so to
give glory to one God in three Persons, into whose name they had
been baptized. Hope, in the world's phrase, refers only to an
uncertain good, for all worldly hopes are tottering, built upon
sand, and the worldling's hopes of heaven are blind and
groundless conjectures. But the hope of the sons of the living
God is a living hope; not only as to its object, but as to its
effect also. It enlivens and comforts in all distresses, enables
to meet and get over all difficulties. Mercy is the spring of
all this; yea, great mercy and manifold mercy. And this
well-grounded hope of salvation, is an active and living
principle of obedience in the soul of the believer. The matter
of a Christian's joy, is the remembrance of the happiness laid
up for him. It is incorruptible, it cannot come to nothing, it
is an estate that cannot be spent. Also undefiled; this
signifies its purity and perfection. And it fadeth not; is not
sometimes more or less pleasant, but ever the same, still like
itself. All possessions here are stained with defects and
failings; still something is wanting: fair houses have sad cares
flying about the gilded and ceiled roofs; soft beds and full
tables, are often with sick bodies and uneasy stomachs. All
possessions are stained with sin, either in getting or in using
them. How ready we are to turn the things we possess into
occasions and instruments of sin, and to think there is no
liberty or delight in their use, without abusing them! Worldly
possessions are uncertain and soon pass away, like the flowers
and plants of the field. That must be of the greatest worth,
which is laid up in the highest and best place, in heaven. Happy
are those whose hearts the Holy Spirit sets on this inheritance.
God not only gives his people grace, but preserves them unto
glory. Every believer has always something wherein he may
greatly rejoice; it should show itself in the countenance and
conduct. The Lord does not willingly afflict, yet his wise love
often appoints sharp trials, to show his people their hearts,
and to do them good at the latter end. Gold does not increase by
trial in the fire, it becomes less; but faith is made firm, and
multiplied, by troubles and afflictions. Gold must perish at
last, and can only purchase perishing things, while the trial of
faith will be found to praise, and honour, and glory. Let this
reconcile us to present afflictions. Seek then to believe
Christ's excellence in himself, and his love to us; this will
kindle such a fire in the heart as will make it rise up in a
sacrifice of love to him. And the glory of God and our own
happiness are so united, that if we sincerely seek the one now,
we shall attain the other when the soul shall no more be subject
to evil. The certainty of this hope is as if believers had
already received it.

#10-12 Jesus Christ was the main subject of the prophets'
studies. Their inquiry into the sufferings of Christ and the
glories that should follow, would lead to a view of the whole
gospel, the sum whereof is, That Christ Jesus was delivered for
our offences, and raised again for our justification. God is
pleased to answer our necessities rather than our requests. The
doctrine of the prophets, and that of the apostles, exactly
agree, as coming from the same Spirit of God. The gospel is the
ministration of the Spirit; its success depends upon his
operation and blessing. Let us then search diligently those
Scriptures which contain the doctrines of salvation.

#13-16 As the traveller, the racer, the warrior, and the
labourer, gathered in their long and loose garments, that they
might be ready in their business, so let Christians do by their
minds and affections. Be sober, be watchful against all
spiritual dangers and enemies, and be temperate in all
behaviour. Be sober-minded in opinion, as well as in practice,
and humble in your judgment of yourselves. A strong and perfect
trust in the grace of God, is agreeable with best endeavours in
our duty. Holiness is the desire and duty of every Christian. It
must be in all affairs, in every condition, and towards all
people. We must especially watch and pray against the sins to
which we are inclined. The written word of God is the surest
rule of a Christian's life, and by this rule we are commanded to
be holy every way. God makes those holy whom he saves.

#17-25 Holy confidence in God as a Father, and awful fear of him
as a Judge, agree together; and to regard God always as a Judge,
makes him dear to us as a Father. If believers do evil, God will
visit them with corrections. Then, let Christians not doubt
God's faithfulness to his promises, nor give way to enslaving
dread of his wrath, but let them reverence his holiness. The
fearless professor is defenceless, and Satan takes him captive
at his will; the desponding professor has no heart to avail
himself of his advantages, and is easily brought to surrender.
The price paid for man's redemption was the precious blood of
Christ. Not only openly wicked, but unprofitable conversation is
highly dangerous, though it may plead custom. It is folly to
resolve, I will live and die in such a way, because my
forefathers did so. God had purposes of special favour toward
his people, long before he made manifest such grace unto them.
But the clearness of light, the supports of faith, the power of
ordinances, are all much greater since Christ came upon earth,
than they were before. The comfort is, that being by faith made
one with Christ, his present glory is an assurance that where he
is we shall be also, #Joh 14:3|. The soul must be purified,
before it can give up its own desires and indulgences. And the
word of God planted in the heart by the Holy Ghost, is a means
of spiritual life, stirring up to our duty, working a total
change in the dispositions and affections of the soul, till it
brings to eternal life. In contrast with the excellence of the
renewed spiritual man, as born again, observe the vanity of the
natural man. In his life, and in his fall, he is like grass, the
flower of grass, which soon withers and dies away. We should
hear, and thus receive and love, the holy, living word, and
rather hazard all than lose it; and we must banish all other
things from the place due to it. We should lodge it in our
hearts as our only treasures here, and the certain pledge of the
treasure of glory laid up for believers in heaven.
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* A temper suitable to the Christian character as born again, is
recommended. (1-10) Holy conversation among the Gentiles
directed. (11,12) Subjects exhorted to pay all proper obedience
to their civil governors. (13-17) Also servants to their
masters, and all to be patient, according to the example of the
suffering Saviour. (18-25)

#1-10 Evil-speaking is a sign of malice and guile in the heart;
and hinders our profiting by the word of God. A new life needs
suitable food. Infants desire milk, and make the best endea