A Commentary on 1 Peter 1-3, Exposition of chapter 1 · Exposition of verse 2
Verse 3.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us againe unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead.
HItherto of the salutation: the substance or the body of the Epistle followes: the doctrine whereof is two wayes to be considered,The order of the body of the Epistle. 1. as it is propounded, 2. as it is repeated: Three things are principally propounded, and the same also repeated, or gone over againe. For there is first matter of consolation, 2. Matter of exhortation. 3. Matter of dehortation. The consolation is from this third verse to the thirteenth of this Chapter. The exhortation is from ver. 13. of this Chapter, to ver. 8. of the 3. chap. The Dehortation is from ver. 8. of the 3. chap. to the end of that chapter.
Then doth the Apostle a little changing the order goe over the same three things againe. For he exhorts from ver. 1. of chap. 4. to the 12. ver. of the same chap. and then he comforts from ver. 12. to the end of the 4. chap. and the Dehortation he lodgeth under request to the Elders, and the people chap. 5.1. to 12.
In this first part he intends to comfort, where I consider, first, the Proposition of comfort, ver. 3, 4, 5. Secondly, and the confirmation of that comfort, ver. 6, to the 13.
In the Proposition I observe, first, the maner of propounding, and the arguments themselves, by which he would comfort.
The maner of the Proposition is, that it is expressed in forme of thankesgiving in these words: Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Iesus Christ. The arguments of consolation are 3. The first is taken from our Regeneration ver. 3. the second from our Glorification ver. 4. the third from our Preservation unto glory ver. 5.
Blessed be God, 2. Observation from the coherence.&c. Two things I observe from the coherence of these words: First, that a Christian can be in …o such distresse, but hee hath still cause to be thankfull to God for many blessings, though he be a stranger and used like a stranger, though he be scattered and driven to and fro: yet in all the dayes of his dispersion hee may observe many memorable things, for which he ought to blesse God. Secondly, that a Christian should never thinke of spirituall blessings, but his heart should kindle in him with desire to praise God for them.
Blessing is diversly taken or caryed: sometimes man blesseth aPsal. 129.8.man: sometimes God blesseth man bPsal. 67.1.: sometimes man is said to blesse God: and so here.
Man blesseth God three wayes: 1. In his heart, Man blesseth God 3. wayes.when being refreshed with Gods favour, and inflamed with the joyes of his presence, and nourished with the sense of his blessings, hee doth lift up his heart within him inwardly with affection, striving to la…d God and acknowledge his mercy▪ 2. In his tongue, when he taketh to him words and openeth his lips to confesse and praise God either in secret, or openly: either privately or publikely. 3. In his workes, and that 4. wayes: …. When hee sets up memorialls of Gods great workes or deliverances. 2. When hee receives the Sacrament, setting himselfe apart to celebrate the memory of Christs death, by which the covenant of God was confirmed, and the fountaine of all grace opened. David when hee would render thankes unto God takes the cup of cPsal. 1 16.12.salvation. And the Sacrament is called the Eucharist from giving of thankes, and so the cup is called the cup of d1 Cor. 10.16.blessing: 3. By the obedience of his life striving to glorifie God in a holy conversation. 4. And lastly by shewing mercy, and thereby causing the hearts and lives of others to blesse God.
Great reason hath man to blesse God▪ 1. For God is blessednesse it selfe,Reasons of blessing God. and whether should the water runne but into the sea, from whence it is originally taken. 2. Besides the Lord hath required our praise, as the chiefe meanes of ePsal. 50.23.glorifying him: 3. And thirdly he hath blessed us, and therefore we have great reason to blesse him. He hath blessed us in the creatures: blessed the worke of our hands: blessed the fruits of our loines: blessed us in his sonne: blessed us by his Angells: blessed us by his Ministers: blessed us in the blessings of the Gospell, and blessed us in the fruits of the earth: blessed us in his house, and in our owne houses: blessed us in our Sabbaths, Sacraments, the Word, Prayer, &c. blessed us in our soules, bodies, states, names, &c.
And therefore let the people praise thee O God, yea let all the people praise fPsal. 67.3.thee. Vse.All thy workes praise thee, and the Saints shall sing of thy praise, and of the glory of thy power, and the majesty gPsal. 145.10, 11, 12.of thy kingdom….
The God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, &c.
This periphrasis is used to distinguish our God from the god of Turkes, Jewes, and Pagans.
The Lord was used to be knowne to the olde Church by the names of the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob: but now in the Church of the Christians he is celebrated by the name of the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ.
Two things are here affirmed, 1. that God is the God of Christ. 2. that he is the Father of Christ: It is not against the use of Scripture to say, that God is the God of Christ, for (Iohn 20.1.) Christ saith, I goe to your God, and to my God, and Psal. 45.7. it is said of Christ, God even t…y God hath annointed thee with the oyle of gladnesse above thy fellowes. Now if any aske, how this can be;How God is the God of Christ. that God is the God of Christ, I answer by distinguishing the natures in Christ. If you consider Christ in his divine nature, he is God of himselfe, foreign but not foreign.but not sonne of himselfe: His person is of the Father: but his essence is of himselfe: but I thinke that this is properly taken or meant of his humane nature, for that he received from God by the mighty working and over shadowing power of the holy Ghost.
How God is the Father of Christ.And as he is the God of Christ, so he is the Father of Christ: his God in respect of his humane nature, and his father in respect of his divine nature: such an high Priest it became us to have, as was after the order of Melchisedech without father or mother. For so wa… Christ without father, as man, without mother, as God: now in that he is here said to have a father, it is to be understood of his divine nature,How Christ is without father or mother. in respect of which by an eternall generation the person of the Son was begotten of the Father: dreadfull is this mystery, and most difficult to be understood, or conceived, and the rather because nothing c…rnall or earthly is here to be imagined. For the Son was not begotten, as sons amongst men are: but after a more admirable and more excelling maner, neither know I how to expresse a way of conceiving of this generation better then by way of negation, denying unto it, whatsoever hath imperfection.
There is a threefold generation.
A threefold generation. Per se, de se, & extra se.The first is corporeall, called i… Schooles Logicall and predicamentall, and this i… of bodily things, which by themselves, and out of themselves, and without themselves doe beget. The second is transcendent and metaphysicall, and this is of spirits, and is men…ll. For here the minde as an uncomp…unded subject, doth not o… of it selfe, but by it selfe, and in it selfe beget, and thus it begets contemplation or reason, thoughts or affections. The third is supre… and singular, N… de se, sed per se, i… se.or …, and that is that generation, by which the Father in himselfe, and by himselfe, by nature, and not by faculty or power, begets the Son, and this is th…t, which in this place is to bee conceived of: so that we must as…e…d highe…, then the geni…u… of bodies, or soules, and when we are come to the Ocean, that is beyond and highes, then either of those, we must rest and wonder, especially taking heed to our thoughts, a… in other things, so that in three things we imagine no likenesse betweene the Father begetting the Son in the Trinity, and earthly fathers begetting their sonnes in the world.
First here is no priority in time betweene the father and th… sonne,Three things wherein Christs generation is not like ours. as in some sense there is in corporeall generations. For Christ is of the Father, but not after the father.
Secondly, there is no inequality: the son is not lesser, then the father. For Christ is coequall, as well as coeternall.
Thirdly, here is no division: the son is not divided from the father. For Christ is not only like the father foreign, but of the same substance with the father, he is foreign.Vses.
The consideration of this doctrine, that Christ is Gods son, may serve for divers uses. For as it may confirme us in the detestation of the blasphemous wickednesse of the Jewes, that would never receive the doctrine, that hIohn 5.18. & 6.42. & 8.19Christ was the son of God: so it may diversly both instruct, and comfort: It may instruct us three wayes. For first, here we may see, that it is a matter of necessity to be beleeved, and accordingly we should labour to informe our selves aright in this doctrine, as being a point should bee illustrious in the Churches of the Christians, and the rather because of that promise, that whosoever shall confesse that Iesus is the son of God i1 John 4.15., God dwelleth in him, and hee in God. Secondly we may hence gather our owne dignity. For if this bee an honour unto Christ to have God to be his father, then what reason have poore Christians to rejoyce, considering that whatsoever they are in this world, yet they have no worse then the true God, the great I…ovah to be their father also? Thirdly, from hence by inference we may learn our duty to God: For by this doctrine we heare, that God is the father of Christ, now by other Scriptures we may observe, how Christ …ryed himselfe toward his father, and from him we may learne, how to order our behaviour also.
Three things are memorable in Christ. 1. Hi… …. 2. His patience and humility. 3. And his willingnesse to die:In three things we should learn of Christ to carry our selves towards God as towards our Father. all inferred upon this consideration, that God was his father. For first, kIo…. ….17, 1… ▪ & 6.…8.If the father worke, the sonne work…th also, yea whatsoever the Father did, the Son did also. Yea Christ did not desire to be beleeved, when he said, he was Gods son, further, then he proved it, lIohn 10.…6.by doing the workes of his father. And for his patience and humility it was admirable. This son of God had not whereon to lay his head: hee endured the impious contradictions of vile sinners, hee would not tempt God by presumptuous trusting upon extraordinary support, when ordinary meanes was mM…. 4.3.offered▪ he was to be co…secrated through afflictions, and nHeb. 2.10.to learne obedience by what he suffred ▪ and when he had suits to God his father, he doth in all humility pray and importun…, yea h… used strong cryes in the dayes of his …esh, and left his father to expound the meaning of his prayer: oHeb. 5.7, 8.also by the good pleasure of his own will …ven to honor him, as he thought best for him. And for his willingnesse to die in the …3. of Iohn hee useth that as a reason, why he could gladly goe out of the world, because it was nothing el…e, pIohn 13.1.but to goe to his father.
In all these we, that are yonger brothers, should learne, how to order our selves aright toward God. If we call God father, we should do the works of our father, and never desire to be longer reputed the children of God, then by our workes we could shew our generation to be of God by resembling his holinesse. And for patience and humility, we are specially charged with it by Christ, even to learne of him to be lowly and meeke, and it is a great shame for us to make so much adoe about our crosses, when we consider the patience of Christ, or to thinke it much if we bee not heard in our prayers at the first, or as we would have it in the letter of our desires, when we observe the cariage herein of God towards Christ the son of his love.
And as this doctrine doth instruct, so it doth comfort, and that especially three wayes: 1. For first it may comfort us against all the difficulties of sanctification, and against all the power of Satan. For as this doctrine tells us, that Christ is the son of God, so other Scripture doth assure us, that he will mightily prove himselfe to be the son of God by the spirit of sanctification, shewing his power in throwing downe and dissolving qRom. 1.4. 1 Iohn 3.8.the workes of the Devill. 2. Secondly, it may comfort us in all our suits to God. For as by other Scriptures we know, that Christ is our advocate and hath taken upon him to present our prayers to God: so by this doctrine we may gather the successe. We are sure to speed well, when we have the Kings son to put up our petitions, and the rather because Christ doth desire to shew his greatnesse with his Father by obtaining our requests at his hands. For thereby the Father is glorified in his son, and God loves us so much the better, because wee love Christ, and beleeve, that he came from his Father, and shew it by using rIohn 14.12, 13, 14, 16, 23, 24, 26, 27.him as our Mediator: and indeed what need we any other to the King, then the Kings son. And thirdly, it may comfort us in respect of the hope of preferment by his service: we cannot serve a more honourable Lord. Many times if we serve earthly Princes, they may neglect us. For we seldome see all the followers of the greatest Princes come to preferment: but if Princes on earth were never so honourable, that they did purpose to exalt every one of their servants, yet under that hope men may consume all their meanes, and in the end die beggers, because the Prince may dye, before they get their preferment; but it is not so with Christians in their service of Christ. For as for greatnesse he is the King of all kings, and himselfe Lord of all lords ▪ so for well, he never neglected any, that served in truth and sincerity, and besides he cannot die. For hee hath life in himselfe, and therefore blessed are they, that serve him, and trust in his goodnesse. For he ever liveth to make request for … have …tten them to himselfe, that where hee is, there they may be also.
Thus of the maner of propounding: The places or arguments of Consolation follow. The first is taken from their regeneration, which is amplified here, 1. by the impulsive cause, the abundant mercy of God: 2. by the effect, a lively hope: 3. by the cause of merit, or efficacy, the resurrection of Iesus Christ.
The necessity of the new birth.Two things may be noted from the coherence: 1. the necessity of the new birth: 2. the honor of it. The necessity, in that it is so chained and linked, that it is apparant, we can no way have sIohn 3.5. 2 Cor. 5.17.mercy from God, nor glory in heaven, unlesse we be borne againe. 2. The honor of it may appeare, in that it is a worke, that stands in relation to the mercy of God, the glory of heaven,The honor of the new birth. the resurrection of Christ, the power of God, &c. all which belong to this admirable worke of the new birth.
In the handling of these words, I consider of them, as they lye in order, and so here are foure generall heads of doctrine to be thought of, 1. The mercy of God. 2. The regeneration of man. 3. A lively hope. 4. The resurrection of Christ Jesus.
Which according to his abundant mercy, &c.
Gods mercy is abundant.The main proposition is, that there is abundance of mercy in God, he is full of compassion, and of great mercy tPsal. 145.8, 9.his mercy is over all his workes: It is so great, it cannot be expressed. uPsal. 36.5, 6, 7The clouds may commend the extent of his faithfulnesse, and the mountaines may shadow out his righteousnesse, and the deepes resemble his judgements: but who, or what can expresse the excellencie of his goodnesse? It cannot be fully discerned any way, but in heaven.
Gods mercy is abundant: 1. In the fountaine in himselfe,1. In the fountaine. there is an Ocean of mercy in God: It is infinite in him, as his nature is; yea it is his nature it selfe to be so: 2. In the streames, and that either generally considered,2In the stream…s to all. and so it flowes to all the creatures reasonable and unreasonable, good and bad, *Psal. 33.5. Mat. 5.The whole earth is full of his goodnesse: or more specially, as it flowes to the faithfull. Now Gods mercy is abundant to the faithfull 3. wayes: 1. In the kindes of mercy:2. To all the godly, and that three wayes. for the Lord xPsal. 32.10.compasseth them about with variety of all sorts of mercy. 2. In the extent of mercy: Hee did not spend all his mercy on David, or Abraham, or the like: but he keepes and reserves mercy for thousands, even for all the thousands in all ages, that beleeve yExod. 20.with faithfull Abraham, and will zEsay 55.4. Acts 13.heare and doe all Gods will with obedient David: He is plenteous in mercy to all that call upon him aPsal. 86.5.3. In the continuance of mercy bPsal. 100.4.: for his mercy is as himselfe everlasting: and it must needs appeare to be so, that God is wonderfull abundant in mercy, because it is he, that is the father c2 Cor. 1.3.of all the mercy in the world, and it is he, that requireth mercy in men.
The use that may be made of the meditation of Gods abundance of mercy, may be both for instruction, and consolation. 1. For instruction two wayes principally: For first it may teach us therefore to run unto God in all misery, to seeke, desire, pray for, dPsal. 123.2, 3.waite for, and trust upon his mercy: Here is enough, and therefore woe unto us, if we will not seeke it, when it may thus plentifully be had: Our confusion is just, if we neglect and forsake our owne mercy, it being opened and offered in such plenty: and secondly, this should teach us, how to shew mercy, even to doe it in all possible abundance, both for continuance, and extent, and for all the kindes both of corporall and spirituall mercies: for we should bee eLuke 6.36.mercif…ll, as our heavenly father is mercifull.
But especially this doctrine is intended for the singular comfort of all humble, and godly Christians; and how can it but be comfortable, if they consider, how exceeding abundant it is, … i…, how …der his pitty is, how full his goodnesse is, how constant and large his treasures of grace are, how slow he is to anger, how willing he is to forgive all sorts of sinnes, yea and to multiply pardon too fExod. 34.6, 7 Mich. 7.18. Esay 55.8. Zeph. ….17.: how he passeth by transgression, and taketh away iniquity, how wonderfully he is pleased in himselfe with sh…wing mercy, and how he quieteth himselfe, and rests in his love.
Ob. But some man may say, that this is a doctrine of liberty.Object.
Answ. It is not: For this doctrine is restrained for that;Solut. both if we respect godly men, and if we respect wicked men. If we respect godly men:How mercy is no occasion of liberty, either to godly, or wicked men. It is certaine, that though the Lord will not deny his mercy, or take away his goodnesse from them; yet if they breake his commandements, he will visite them with the rod gPsal. 89., and make them to know by his strokes, how bitter … thing it is to abate of their care to feare, and serve God: 1. And for wicked men, it is wonderfull cleare, that the Lord for all this goodnesse in himselfe, or unto good men, will not by any meanes hExod. 34.7.cleare the wicked. If they blesse their hearts against his threatnings, he will not be mercifull to them iDeut. …9 19.: It is true, that power and mercy belongeth to God; yet it is as true, that kPsal. 62.12.he will give to every man according to his worke: they onelyonly shall finde lProv. …8.13.mercy, that confesse and forsake their sinnes: while they mIonas 2.8.follow foolish vanities they forsake their owne mercies: nEsay 27.11.He that made them will not pitty them, and he that formed them, will not have mercy upon them: God is gracious, and mercifull, slow to anger, &c. but it is onelyonly to such, as turne to him with fasting, weeping, and mourning oIoel 2.…2, 13..
Quest. But doth the Lord shew no mercy to wicked men?Quest.
Answ.Answ. Yes, he doth: but deceive not thy selfe, he doth not shew them this mercy to forgive their sins, or save their soules: and that thou mayest know distinctly, what mercy God doth shew, I will instance in one onelyonly place of Scripture,What mercy God shewes to the wicked. and that is the 9. of Nehemiah: for there thou maist see, what mercy the Lord shewed to the wicked and rebellious Israelites. To omit the extraordinary: he gave them good lawes, ver. 13. and made known to them his holy sabbaths, ver. 14. and forsooke them not, when they dealt proudly against him, ver. 16, 17. and gave his good spirit to instruct them, ver. 20. and for a long time multiplied his outward blessings upon them, ver. 21, 25. and when they wrought great provocations he sent them enemies to afflict them, ver. 26, 27. and when they cryed sent them Saviours to deliver them, ver. 27. and after often revoltings, he was often intreated, ver. 28. and did withhold his worst and consuming judgements for a long time, ver. 30, 31. these and such like mercies, the Lord may, and doth shew to wicked men.
Hath begotten us againe, &c.]
Hitherto of the mercy of God: now it followes, that I should intreat of the regeneration of man. As for the necessity, and honor of the worke of the new birth, I have touched it before; I onelyonly here propound three things to be considered of: 1. The meanes: 2. The lets: and 3. the signes of the new birth.
The meanes of the new birth.For the first: the ordinary meanes, by which God doth beget us againe, is the word preached, as these places doe evidently shew. Rom. 10. 14. 1 Pet. 1.23. 1 Cor. 1.21. Gal. 3.2. Esay 55.4.
The lets of the new birth.For the second: this great worke is marvellously hindered, and that diversly: For first many men are seduced: seduced I say, either with hope of mercy howsoever, or with the colours of civill honesty and some good they doe: or with pretence of after-repentance: or with the examples of wise, learned, and great men: or with prejudice conceited by reason of slanders cast upon such, as are converted: or with the common charity of the world, …, when they die: or with false opinions, as that men have all their regeneration by Baptisme: or that reformation will prove an enemy to their credit, or profit, or contentment: or else, that they are as they should be, because they are better then they were, and have more liking of Sermons, or care of religion, or such like.
Secondly, multitudes of men are senselesse and ignorant, and through wretched inconsideration weare out their dayes without care or conscience: they never consider either the number, filth, or guilt of their sinnes: or the greatnesse and fiercenesse of Gods wrath and threatnings against their sins: or of the certainty and dreadfulnesse of the vengeance to come: or of the nearenesse of death, or terror of judgement: nor consider they, the very effects of sin, that are already upon them, they perceive not their death in sin, and the sleep of their conscience; and the inefficacy of all Gods ordinances, and the absence of Gods spirit, and the impotency of all the faculties of their soules unto that which is good.
Thirdly, many are hindered through irresolution, and sluggish inconstancy: they have many pangs of remorse, and are neare the birth, and give it over againe. For either they forget it, or neglect it upon experience of difficulties, or objections against it; or else because they finde more required, then stands with their ease, or credit, &c.
Fourthly, worldlinesse is a monstrous let in many: I say not covetousnesse, which is an excessive desire of having super…luities: but a vaine over-loading of the minde with continuall cares about businesses in the world▪ The love of earthly things, and the cares of life choake all the sense, they get in Gods house. For they suffer their businesse to eate up their thoughts and consideration, whence flowes forgetfulnesse and hardnesse of heart.
Fifthly, this worke hath many and great adversaries, if wee respect it in the truth and sincerity of it: It is opposed mightily by devills invisible, and by wicked men of all sorts visible; sometimes by learned men, sometimes by the prophane multitude: Satan strives to overwhelme the beginnings of it in many with the floods of reproach, and disgracefull oppositions.
Lastly, it is hindered in the most men by the perver…e love of some speciall sin, with which men are besotted, and unto which they are so ingaged, as God must have them excused, till they finde time to give it over.
Thus much of the lets.
3. Now for the signes of new birth: amongst many, I instance in foure.Foure signes of new birth. The first is the washing of mortification, by which I meane a serious, secret, and unfeigned voluntary godly sorow for all sin, striving in particular to bewaile those sinnes, unto which they have been most prone, or in which they have most corrupted themselves. This is to be borne of water and of the holy Ghost pIohn 3.5.: This is the washing of the new birth qTi…. 3.5..
The second is the imitation of Christ, by which we rMat. 19.28.follow him in the regeneration. Now this imitation of Christ must have in it three things. First a willingnesse to deny our ease, profit, credit, will, or what else can be, taking up any crosse, that sLuke 9.24. Iohn 15.18. Rom. 8.29. 1 Iohn 5.4.we may shew our desires to be like him in sufferings: secondly, humility and tMat. 11.29.lowlinesse, which will shew it selfe, not onelyonly in a continued base opinion of our selves, by reason of our corruptions; but also in the meeknesse and quietnesse of our affections, and in readinesse to doe the meanest office in the service of Christ, or his members: thirdly, innocency of life, or a constant care to be holy as he is holy, hungring after righteousnesse, and loving purity, and seeking the contentment of all wel-doing.
The third signe is the love of all such▪ as are u1 Iohn 3.14. 5.1.begotten againe of God: For whosoever is borne of God, loves all those, that are borne of God: but this love of Gods children is such a love, as shewes it selfe: first by a desire to love God and keep … *1 Iohn 5.2.godly doe: secondly, by a willing and ready Apology for such as feare God: thirdly, by fellowship with them xPhil. 1.5.in the Gospell: fourthly, by sympathy or compassion in yRom. 12.16.their joyes, or sorowes: and fifthly, by an estimation of them, as zPsal. 16.3.the onelyonly excellent ones.
The fourth signe is the inbred native desire after the sincere milke of the word a1 Pet. 2.2.. By the desire to suck you may discerne a living childe from an abortive birth: but then it is to be observed, what kinde of desire it is. For the comparison sheweth, it must be a constant desire, such as is renewed every day, as we see it to be in the infant; and besides, it must be such a desire, as is joyned with a secret and sound contentment in the word: The childe doth almost nothing else, but suck and sleep, in the strength of that it hath sucked; and further, if it be a true desire, it is after the word, as it is milke and sincere, it affecteth plainenesse, and acknowledgeth no wisdome like Gods, nor effectualnesse of speech more powerfull, then the words of sacred scripture; and lastly it is such a desire, as intends growth in knowledge, wisdome, utterance, prayer, grace, and holy duties.
Thus much of the signes.
The consideration of the glory and necessity of the worke of our newThe Vse. birth, may exceedingly reprove the wretched, and wilfull neglect of it in thousands of people, especially of such, as be continuall hearers, and cannot be ignorant of the doctrine of it; how many are the souls, that like the blackamoores will not be made white? the spots of whose sinnes are like the spots of the Leopard, which will not be gotten out. These have had promises to allure them, and precepts to divert them, and threatnings to humble them, and yet are never a whit the better: woe unto them, they have not sought their peace in the day of peace: yea are there not many, who heare their own lets opened, and yet goe away unreformed? Oh the depth of the deceitfulnesse and wickednesse of mans heart!
VntoUnto a lively hope, &c.
Foure things may be here noted: three of them I will but touch.
First, that there is hope unto the righteous: He can be in no such estate, or distresse, but there is hope, the poorest Christian hath aIob 5.16., his hope, and if hee were inclosed with crosses, yet he is bZach. 9.11.a prisoner of hope: and therefore wee should pray God to shew us the cEphes. 1.18.hope of our calling, and should the more willingly suffer afflictions, dRom. 5.3.rejoycing in hope.
Secondly, none have hope, but converted Christians▪ For all carnall men are eEphes. 2.12.without hope in the world; I meane without true hope. For the hope that wicked men have, though they leane upon it, is but fIob 8.13.as the house of a spider, and therefore woe unto them; for their hope, when they shall most need it, will be, as the giving up of the ghost gIob 11. ult..
Thirdly, there is one hope unto all Gods children: they hope for the same glory, as they have the same faith, and therefore we should live, and love so together, as they that hope to raigne together in heaven hEph. 4.3, 4, 5..
But the fourth thing is the chiefe, and that is, that there is a lively hope, and a dead hope. For the one is expressed, and the other is manifestly implied: There is in godly men a lively hope; there is in wicked men, but a d…ll and a dead hope.The differences betweene a lively hope, and a dead hope in sixe things. Now if any aske, what difference there is between a lively hope, and a dead hope; or between the true hope, and the false: I answer, that they differ in six things. First, in the use of the meanes: for a lively hope will use all the meanes, that are appointed of God, and not that only, but it seeketh and expresseth the iLam. 3.25. to 31.affections requisite to the right use of the meanes, and it will be painefull and patient: Now the common hope of carnall men betrayes it selfe in this, that they thinke to g…e to heaven, though they never use the …, or …, nor with any paines or patience. Secondly, in adversity a lively hope plainely shewes it selfe: For it will make a man to runne to God, and powre out his heart before him,Psal. 62.10. resting satisfied if it can get comfort, and a promise from God; whereas the dead hope is of no use, when miseries and adversity comes: It delights not in prayer, and will not brooke to come in Gods sight; it runs to carnall and devillish helps, and if it faile in them, it excites impatient murmuring, or despaire. Thirdly, a lively hope is attended with lively joyes: when God workes the hope of heaven, he workes also at some time or other, more or lesse the joyes of heaven, which hee utterly denies to wicked men. Fourthly, mans hopes may be tryed by …he object: A…ke a wicked man, what is the thing he would have in heaven, and he must answer, it is the joyes and happinesse of heaven: But aske a godly man, what he would have in heaven, and he soon answers, it is the holinesse of heaven, hee would be there, because he would sin no more: but the wicked would be there, because they would suffer no more: it kGal. 5.5.is righteousnesse that hope waiteth for. Fifthly, the true hope lTit. 1.1, 2.will acknowledge the truth, which is according to godlinesse: but the false hope thinkes it enough to know it; it will not adventure it selfe to be so forward as to professe it. Lastly, whosoever hath the true hope, m1 John 3.3.purgeth himselfe, that he may be pure, as Christ is pure: but the dead hope cannot abide much mortification.
Vse.The use of all this may be to instruct both carnall men, and godly men: Carnall men should take notice of this difference, that so they might addresse themselves to seeke this true and lively hope, which that they may obtaine, or attaine; they must shun hypocrisie, and deny all ungodlinesse, and worldly lusts, and labour for true grace: for the nIob 8.hypocrites hope shall perish, and we can never attaine unto the blessed hope, unlesse we resolve to oTit. 2.12, 13.live soberly, and righteously, and religiously in this present world; and this everlasting consolation and good hope p2 The…. 2.16.is had onelyonly by grace: and the godly should here learne to hold fast their lively hope, as one of the excellentest fruits of their regeneration, and their daily refuge should be to nourish qHeb. 6.18.and strengthen themselves in it, and to that end acquaint themselves constantly with the comforts of the scripture, which were penned especially to that end, that they rRom. 15.4.might have hope.
And thus much of the third thing.
By the resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead.
Concerning the resurrection of Christ, as it may here be considered of, … propound foure things. 1. In what sense it is here to be understood. 2. How his resurrection hath relation to us, in that our new birth is here ha…ed upon it. 3. I answer a question or two, which here may be moved: and then I make use of all.
For the first: Some have understood by the resurrection of Christ here synecdochically, the whole worke of redemption: Some understand the words, of his spirituall resurrection in our hearts by faith through the operation of the spirit of grace: for as he dyeth in us by infidelity; so he riseth in us by faith, But I …ake it here, as it is commonly taken, even for the resurrection of his own person, even for that work, by which he did shake off the power of death, and quicken his dead body restoring the soule to it, and receiving to himselfe in his humane nature, a blessed, celestiall, and glorious life. In the beleefe of this we differ from Pagans: They can beleeve, that he dyed; but we must beleeve, that he rose againe. This was solemnly foretold by sPsal. 16.10.David, and foreshewed by tMat. 12.40.Io…ah; manifested by an uMar. 16 6.Angell; recorded by the Evangelists; published by the Apostles; and demonstrated by *1 Cor. 15.5. &c.six severall apparitions.
Now for the second: The resurrection of Christ i… … fountaine of singular benefits unto us: For from thence flowes, 1. our glorification: for hee went away to provide a place for us,Foure benefits of the resurrection of Christ even to prepare yIohn 14.3.those heavenly mansions for us. 2. The resurrection of our bodies: for the spirit that raised Christ from the dead, hath thereby given us assurance, that he will raise our zRom. 8.11. 1 Cor. 15.mortall bodies also. 3. The confirmation of our faith, and that in divers things: For his resurrection assures us that he is the promised Messias, and aRon. 1.4.sonne of God: and that our debt is payed, and that hee hath discharged the uttermost farthing (for else he had not beene let out of prison,) and that he hath vanquished all our spirituall enemies, and utterly foiled and disarmed them, in that they could not keepe him downe, when they had him in the grave: but he hath triumphed over them. 4. Our justification, and regeneration: for so the Apostle shewes in the 4. to the Romans, that bRom. …. ult.he rose againe for our justification, and here it is expresly said, that we are begotten againe through the resurrection of Iesus Christ.
Quest. But may some one say: If this be true,Quest. that we are begotten again by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; then it seemes, men were not b…gotten againe in the old Testament; or else not by the resurrection of Christ: For he was not then risen.
Answ. For answer hereunto,Answ. wee must consider in the resurrection of Christ two things: 1. The act of his resurrection, and 2. the vertue of it: we are not regenerate by the act of his resurrection:Christ risen in the old Testament 3. wayes. and for the vertue of it, Faith could receive it, aswell as the act was to come, as now in us it doth the act being past: Christ was risen in the old Testament three wayes: 1. In the counsell of God. 2. In the word of prophesie. 3. In the efficacie of it.
2Quest.Quest. But how doth it follow, that we are regenerate, because Christ is risen?
Answ. How our regeneration depends upon Christs resurrection.Answ. I answer: Christ must be considered two wayes: first naturally as man: secondly mystically as head. If Christ be considered barely as a man, it doth not follow; but if he bee considered in the mysticall union with his members, as he sustaineth their person, and was surety for them it will follow, he rose againe to this end, that he might receive power to raise our soules by the first resurrection, and our bodies at the last day. Or more plainely thus: Our regeneration depends upon the resurrection of Christ three wayes: 1. As his resurrection was a pledge, and assurance, that he would raise us; he shewed his power, that he could doe it, he laid downe his body before our eyes, and quickned it againe before our faces, and gave us that signe to assure us, of what he could doe fo…us. 2. As by his resurrection, he merited ours. 3. The spirit of Christ applies the vertue of Christs resurrection for the quickening of us, and the accomplishment of our whole vivification, and new obedience.
VsesThe uses of Christs resurrection are both for consolation, and instruction. It may comfort us against all the accusations, or temptations of Satan, or the censures of the world; who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen? who shall condemne them? Is not Christ dead or rather risen againe, and sitteth at the right hand of God, and maketh request for us? hath hee not paid our debt? hath he not fully triumphed over death, sinne, and hell? Againe: would we have a signe, that in Christ all the promises of God shall be yea and Amen? we need no other signe, then this, that as Ionas was three dayes and three nights in the belly of the whale; so the sonne of man was three dayes in the heart of the earth, and the third day rose againe. Finally, why should we now be afraid of death, or any other spirituall, or terrible enemy? why should those last things dismay us? hath not Christ had a most glorious … them in a most …e…rible m…nomachy, when they did the worst they could? and therefore we may solace our selves in the conquest, and say insultingly: O death where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Is not death swallowed up into victory? thankes be to God, which hath given us victory also through Iesus Christ our Lord.
But if we would have benefit of Christs resurrection, we must then seek the vertue of it to our selves, as the Apostle shewes in his owne practise, Phil. 3.9.
Quest.Quest. But how may we extract vertue out of Christs resurrection?
Answ. How we may get vertue from the resurrection of Christ.Answ. We may get out the vertue of his resurrection by meditation, seriously thinking of it, and of the end of it; by found contemplation, pondering of it, and by prayer begging the working of the spirit therein; but especially laying hold upon it by faith, and glorifying God by beleeving, that it shall be according to Gods promise effectuall unto us: And we must also attend to the motions of the spirit, yeelding our selves over to bee framed by them, and we must not thinke much to suffer the labours of Gods messengers to worke upon our stony hearts, as the Angells of God rowling away the stone that lyeth sealed upon our hearts by nature. And thus much of the resurrection of Christ, and of the first argument of our consolation. Now the second followes in the fourth verse.