266 Not wresting the scriptures to our destruction. 2 Pet. SECT. as designed for you, and for the general use V. of all Christians: I mean that in which he expressly testifies, that the goodness of God iii. 15 leadeth to repentance: (Rom. ii. 4.) As also 16 As also in all 16 in all [his] other epistles; speaking in them of his epistles, speaking in them of these such persons as I have now described; for unthings; in which are doubtedly the words are peculiarly applicable some things hard to them: In which writings of his, and par- to be understood, ticularly in that from whence these words are which they that are taken, there are some things hard to be under- ble wrest, as they do stood, which the unteachable and unstable torture also the other scripand wrest, as they also do other scriptures, wheth- tures, unto theirown er belonging to the Old Testament or the New, to their own destruction; putting such perverse interpretations upon them, with some shew or colour of reason, as no candid man would on the whole have thought of, or will admit. unlearned and unsta destruction. 17 You therefore, dearly beloved, knowing [these 17 Ye therefore, things] before, knowing especially, in how aw- beloved, seeing ye ful a manner the scene will close, and what know these things bedreadful vengeance will be executed on all wick ed men, and especially on those that pollute the * Has written to you] Lord Barrington eral manuscripts of considerable authority is of opinion, that this refers to some which read was, which expressly refers epistle not now extant, which St. Paul to St. Paul's epistles. It is remarkable, wrote to the proselytes of the gate; imagin- that Barclay explains this of the ninth chaping the converting and edifying them to have been a mixed province, partly managed by the apostles of the circumcision, and partly by those of the uncircumcision. Mis cell. Sacra. Ess. II. p. 110 But as I think the whole foundation of this distinction groundless, I look upon this passage as a very instructive admonition to all Christians, to consider St. Paul, and the other apostles, as writing to them in their epistles, so far as a similarity of circumstances would admit. In which view it is of infinite importance that we should consider them, as written to us, in like manner as St. Peter tells us, even the ancient prophets considered the great subjects of which these epistles treat as relating to them. 1 Peter i. 12. Some things hard to be understood.] Some by evo understand not the epistles of Paul, but the things spoken of But as these are plainly mentioned as spoken of in the scriptures, this interpretation will still leave us under a necessity of vindicating the perspicuity of some part of scripture. Not to mention that there are sev ter of the Romans, in which there are some things which seem to be contrary to God's long suffering to all, and which are very liable to be perniciously wrested, See Barcl. Apol. p. 155. It is by many writers justly remarked, that the difficulty is said to affect, chiefly auabus and aspixlos, unteachable and unsteady men, whose prejudices indispose them for admitting the truth, or whose levity prevents their due solicitude to retain it; but not persons of humble teachable minds, resolute in pursuing and maintaining the truth. And the remedy prescribed, is not laying aside the scriptures on account of their obscurity, as some would persuade us to do; but a concern to grow in grace, &c. (ver. 18.) The expression spilason, wrest, or torture, as on the rack, plainly implies, that violence is done, by these bad men, to some passages of scripture, to make them speak an unnatural sense, which may answer their own purposes. And truly he must know little of the history of theological controversies, who hath not observed many deplorable instances of this. Reflections on the character and danger of scoffers: v. 267 fore, beware; lest ye church of Christ, into which they have pro- SECT. also, being led away fessed to enter; guard [yourselves,] that ye may wicked, fall from not, being entangled with the error of the ungod your own steadfast- ly, fall from your own steadfastness, which by 17 God's assistance you have hitherto retained. with the error of the ness. 2 Pet. 18 But grow in But grow in grace, more and more, advancing 18 grace, and in the from one stage of practical religion to another, knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Je- and increasing daily in the knowledge of our Disus Christ. To him vine Lord and almighty and all gracious Sabe glory both now and viour, Jesus Christ: to him [be] glory throughout all the churches, and all the creation of God, both now and for ever. Amen. for ever. Amen. IMPROVEMENT. 10. WHO is there, that can be so sluggish and lethargic, as not to verse be in some measure awakened and alarmed by the awful views 5 here given, of the dissolution, as well as the creation of the world, by the word of God! Who must not even tremble, when he turns his eye back to the dreadful ruin brought on it by the universal deluge; when that element, which had been, and is, the means 6 and instrument of life to the whole animal creation, at the Divine signal, became the means and instrument of death! Who can be unaffected, when he seriously reflects on the heavens passing away with a great noise? on the elements melting with fervent heat? on the burning up the earth, and all things therein ? Let scoffers who walk after their own lusts, madly deride the promise of his coming; let them deliver over their taunts and in- 3 sults to each other, through the succession of a thousand years: were his coming at the distance of ten thousand generations, or a yet remoter distance, they who have any just impression on their minds, of the eternity of God, or the immortality of the 8 human soul, would discern the important day of final retribution, as immediate and present to their view. While they scoff and deride the tremendous reality, let us hear the declaration of its approach with the profoundest attention; and let our souls enter deeply into the alarming and important reflection. If indeed 11 we look for such great things as these, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness, that we may be found of him in peace, without spot or blemish? And if we desire this blessedness, (as who can fail earnestly to desire it, who hath a firm and steady persuasion of its reality?) can we possibly live in tolerable composure, if we have little or no reason to conclude we shall obtain an interest and share in it? Let us be all concerned that we may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour; by the 11 knowledge of whom every grace will be greatly revived and 14 268 V. verse And on the patience and long suffering of God. SECT. strengthened. On these lively and important subjects of meditation let our thoughts frequently dwell, and let us endeavour, that the sentiments which result from them, may be wrought 15, 16 into our hearts, and controul our lives. And as for those hard sayings, which occur either in St. Peter or St. Paul, or any other sacred and inspired writer, let us neither wrest nor torture them to our own mischief and destruction, nor be so curiously and sedulously diving into their meaning, as to neglect these, and the like plain and serious admonitions, this sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby. May all the powers of our souls be exerted in securing their deliverance from wrath to come, that so the patience of God and his long suffering toward us, may indeed prove salvation. And if that be indeed the case, the light of heaven will mightily illustrate those mysteries both of the Divine word and Providence, which our weak and defective organs of vision have not enabled us clearly to discern and unfold, while by the comparatively fainter, though in itself glorious, light of revelation, we are guided through this dark and gloomy valley. The END of the FAMILY EXPOSITOR on the SECOND CATHOLIC THE FAMILY EXPOSITOR; OR, A PARAPHRASE ON THE FIRST CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN; WITH CRITICAL NOTES, AND A PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENT OF EACH SECTION. |