22 Who is gone Jesus Christ from the dead; Who is now set sECT. into heaven, and is down at the right hand of God, being gone into vii. on the right hand of God; angels, and heaven, there to take possession of the glory authorities and pow- prepared for him, where he reigns supreme 2 ers, being made over all worlds; all the angels, and authorities, subject unto him.

IV. 1 Forasmuch

the flesh, hath ceased from sin;

and powers, which are there enthroned, being
made subject to him, and humbly bowing before
his superior dignity and authority.

1 Pet.

As Christ therefore has suffered for us in the IV.1 then as Christ hath flesh such extreme and amazing sufferings as suffered for us in the are not to be described, and even when their Hesh,arm yourselves likewise with the weight lay heaviest upon him, even in the ago same mind: for he ny of death, persisted in his generous design that hath suffered in to accomplish all that was needful for our redemption and salvation; I beseech you, arm yourselves likewise with the same fortitude and resolution of mind in his cause, whatever extremities you may be called out to endure. And let this engage you, on the like principles, to mortify all your irregular desires, and to die to sin; for he who hath, in conformity to our Lord Jesus Christ, suffered this crucifixion in the flesh of which I now speak; he has ceased from the habitual practice of all sin whatsoever,h and considers himself as absolutely and finally dead to it, so as never to return to it 2 That he no any more: And no longer to live [his] remain- 2 longer should live ing time in the flesh, whether it be shorter or in the flesh, to the longer, according to the lusts of men, those lusts lusts of men, but to by which they are too frequently and generally governed; but according to the will of God, in a holy conformity and obedience to the Divine precepts, how contrary soever they are to his own carnal and sensual inclinations, or to his 3 For the time worldly interests. For surely the time of life 3 past of our life may that is past, [may] appear to [be] sufficient, and wrought the will of more than sufficient for us, to have forgotten the Gentiles, when the great end for which life was given, and to have wrought the will of the Gentiles; following those pleasures and pursuits to which the hea

the rest of his time

the will of God,

suffice us to have

214

1 Pet.

We should live according to God in the spirit.

not with

SECT. thens that know not God, are addicted; when we walked in lasvii. ye walked in all the variety of lasciviousness, in- civiousness, lusts, ordinate desires, excess of wine, banqueting, ellings, banquetings, excess of wine, reviv. 3 drunkenness, and unlawful detestable idolatries:i and abominable idolatries: 4 In respect to which abominable course of life, they who were once your partners in such enor- think it strange that 4 Wherein they mities, now think it strange that you run not you run with them, as ye once did, into the same profu- them to the same exsion of the most profligate riot speaking evil cess of riot,speaking evil of you 5 [of you,] wretched creatures as they are, Who, 5 Who shall give though forgetful of the true honour and hap- account to him that piness of the human nature, shall nevertheless is ready to judge the quick and the dead. give an account of all this disorder and abuse, to him who is ready in a little time to appear, that he may judge the living and the dead: 6 For it was to this purpose that the gospel was 6 For, for this preached also to the dissolute Gentiles, who cause was the gosmight truly be said to be dead in trespasses them that are dead, pel preached also to and sins, that they might be judged according to that they might be men in the flesh,m that they might be brought judged according to to such a state of life, as their carnal neighbours men in the flesh, but will look upon as a kind of condemnation and God in the spirit. death; but might live according to God in the

verse.

spirit, might be brought to a truly spiritual and

Unlawful idolatries.] Considering latter clause, " That they might condemn how very averse the Jews were, in the their former life, and live a better." But apostle's times, to idolatry, I cannot think this does not preserve the force of agido, in this passage he hath a respect to them, nor the opposition between xar' avogares, and therefore I look upon this as one ar- and xar v. Sir N. Knatchbull supgument among many, which might be urg- poses of to be understood before xala, and ed, to prove that this epistle was written renders it, "That they who are according to Gentile, as well as Jewish Christians. to men in the flesh, that is, live a sensual Think it strange: Viovral.] Raphe life, may be condemned; and they who lius (Annot. ex Polyb. in loc.) and others, live according to God in the spirit, (that have observed that the original word is is, a holy life,) may live." No interprevery emphatical, and expresses a perfect tation seems more singular than that of amazement and consternation of mind. Mr. Saurin; who seems to consider it as The same word is used below at the 19th referring to chap. iii. 19, and understands it of the sinners of the old world, and founds upon this text some hopes of the salvation of some of them; as if the meaning were, God sent his message to them with a kind design, that though their bodies perished, their souls might be saved; and he fancies that for this reason the flood came gradually upon them. Saur. Diss Vol. I. p. 112. if that interpretation be preferred, which refers it to those actually dead, it will be, (as Mr. Baxter observes,) a proof of the existence of spirits in a separate state. The chief objection against the sense I have chosen, is, that it changes the signification of the word dead so soon.

■ Profusion of riot.] This is a very literal translation of Archbishop Leighton.

That they might be judged, &c.] This interpretation, which is preferred by Brennius and Dr. Whitby, appeared to me, on a full examination, most probable; though the text must be confessed to be extremely difficult. Some have thought the apostle refers to those who then suffered martyrdom for Christianity; as if he had said, "It was gospel indeed, good tidings, even to those who died for it; for though men condemned their bodies, yet the salvation of their souls, which is of infinitely greater importance, has been secured by it." Dr. Whitby renders the

Reflections on the benefits we receive by Christ's death.

215

Divine life and if when men hear of the gos- SECT.
pel, they will not receive and improve it for this vii.
important purpose, they must expect to render
to God an impartial and severe account for
their abuse of it, and must stand by all the ter-
rible consequences of their folly.

IMPROVEMENT.

LET our devoutest meditations frequently dwell on the bene- chap. fits we receive by the death of Christ, and the wonderful manner in which they are conveyed. The important end, for which he suffered, the just for the unjust, was to introduce us into the presence and favour of God: let us rejoice, that we are brought iii. 18 nigh to the Infinite Majesty of heaven, the indefectible source of perfection and blessedness; and always live as in a state of nearness and intimacy with him; dreading the most distant approach to that disobedience to the heavenly message, which even after the patience of God waited on them, proved fatal to the sinful in- 20 habitants of the old world. That patience indeed waits upon us; but as their time was limited, so is ours. For ever blessed be the Father of mercies, that by Christ he hath made provision for our salvation, as he did of old for Noah and his family, by commanding him to prepare an ark. But then let us remember, the baptism that saves, is not the putting away the filth of the 21 flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God. If we have this inward witness, let the resurrection of Christ, and his exaltation to supreme glory at the right hand of the Father, encourage our sublimest hopes; and let us triumph in him as our all sufficient Saviour, who, though he were once crucified, now sits on the throne of his glory, principalities and powers being made subject to him.

22

Let the recollection of his bitter sufferings excite our zeal iv. 1 and courage in his sacred cause, and arm us with a conformity, of sentiments and resolutions to his own; that we may cease 2 from sin; that we may spend the residue of our lives, not in fol-. lowing the lusts of the flesh, but in fulfilling, in all respects, the will of our God. Let us often reflect, that, perhaps, we were long insensible of his sacred authority, and in many instances were the sport of irregular appetites and passions: let the past part of our lives suffice, and be deemed more than sufficient, to 3 be spent in this inglorious and detestable slavery. By mortifi cation let us assert our liberty. And though others wonder at our abstinence, severity, and self denial, let us not envy that excess of riot into which, with unbridled eagerness, they allow 4 themselves to run. But seriously considering the awful account 5 they must render, (though alas! so ill prepared for it,) to the great Judge of quick and dead; let us readily choose, and cheer

216

As the end of all things is at hand ;

SECT. fully submit to the severest mortification which God may require vii. of us. Let us rather embrace a life which infidels would esteem death, than expose our immortal souls to the judgment of God, to his condemnation, from which there lies no appeal, and which will consign over impenitent sinners to an execution infinitely dreadful, beyond their utmost fears and apprehensions.

verse

6

SECT. viii.

1 Pet.

SECT. VIII.

The apostle exhorts the Christian converts to watchfulness and to fidelity, that they might rightly improve their several talents, and discharge the duties of their respective stations in the church; and to courage and fortitude amidst their discouragements and persecutions; and by way of inference from the trials to which good men were exposed, he observes that a tremendous inevitable destruction will overwhelm the impenitent and unbelieving. 1 Pet. IV. 7-19.

HOW

1 PETER IV. 7.

1 PETER IV. 7.

strongly are vain and sinful men at- BUT the end of

tached to the amusements and interests all things is at of this mortal life, and to the gratification of fore sober, and watch hand be ye theretheir lusts! But the important end of all things unto prayer. is at hand, when this earthly globe, and all things which are therein, shall be burnt up, when the eternal state of all its inhabitants shall be determined, and immutable happiness, or misery, shall be their final portion. Be sober therefore, and watch, against all occasions of intemperance, and of impurity, and endeavour to preserve your souls in so Divine a posture, as that you may be habitually qualified for joining in prayer and those other exercises of devotion, which have such an influence on 8 our whole conduct. And above all things be 8 And above all careful to remember the distinguishing badge things have fervent charity among yourof your religion, having and maintaining fervent love towards one another; which as it will be very comfortable and honourable to yourselves, will be very pleasing and acceptable to God; for on the whole, as the wise man as

a The end of all things, &c.] I cannot think this signifies the destruction of Ferusalem; an event, in which most of those to whom the apostle wrote, were comparatively but little concerned. It must undoubtedly signify either death, which may be considered as the end of the whole

world to every particular person; or the consummation of all things, which may be said to be at hand, in the sense in which our Lord, long after the destruction of Jerusalem, says to the church, "Behold, I come quickly." Rev. xxii. 7, 20.

titude of sins.

they should perform the duties of their stations.

the same one to an

217

selves for charity sures us, love will cover a multitude of sins; it SECT. shall cover the mul- will cause us to excuse them in others, and viii. it will entitle us through Divine mercy to the 1 Pet. expectation of forgiveness for numberless slips iv. 8 9 Use hospitality and failings. Be hospitable to each other, with- 9 one to another, with out grudging the expense which may attend out grudging. the exercise of a virtue which in present cir10 As every man cumstances is so important and necessary. As 10 hath received the every one has received the free gift of God, exgift, even so minister ercise it towards each other, as becomes those other, as good stew. who know they are not themselves proprietors, ards of the manifold but merely stewards, of what they possess, and grace of God. who desire to approve themselves good stewards of the manifold grace of God, with which 11 If any man they have the honour to be intrusted. If any 11 speak, let him speak one speak in public assemblies, discoursing on if any man minister, the great topics of the gospel, [let him handle let him do it as of the the subject] with seriousness and reverence, and ability which God as becomes one who knows that sublime disgiveth: that God in all things may be pensation contains no discoveries of doctrine or glorified through Je. duty, but what are indeed the oracles of God. sus Christ, to whom If any one minister in any office of kindness to be praise and domin- others, and particularly in the work of a deacon, [let it be] according to the utmost ability which God supplies; that God may in all things be glorified by Jesus Christ, who has called us to his service, and to the hope of enjoying him for ever; to whom, as our great Redeemer and Saviour, be glory and dominion ascribed for ever and ever. Amen.

as the oracles of God;

ion for ever and ever.

Amen.

12 Beloved, think

it not strange con

And now, my beloved brethren, let me seri- 12 ously caution you, that you be not surprised at cerning the fiery the fiery trial, at the dreadful series of furious

have, it cheerfully encourages our hopes of finding many merciful allowances from God in our final account with him, which those who are destitute of this Divine principle, in which so much of the image of God consists, must never expect, whatever faith or sanctity they may pretend to. Compare Mat. vii. 1, 2; James ii.

Love will cover a multitude of sins.] This is agreeable to the interpretation given of the parallel text, James v. ult. For the further illustration of it, compare Ecclus iii. 20; Psal. xviii. 25; Prov. x. 12; Dan. iv. 27. It would be monstrous to imagine, that acts of liberality to the poor can procure the pardon of sin, while men continue in a course of impenitence 13. and unbelief; for by this the whole gospel would be subverted. But where acts of charity to the souls and bodies of men, spring from an inward principle of love to God, and faith in Christ, with that humble regard to his atonement and rightcousness, which every true Christian will

The fiery trial: @vgwois.] This is a metaphor, borrowed from chemical operations, and very emphatically expresses the nature of those trials, in the furnace of affliction, which were intended to refine their graces, and separate all the dross and alloy from the pure gold.