A Commentary on 1 Peter 1-3, Exposition of chapter 1 · Exposition of verse 4
Verse 5.
Which are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, which is prepared already to be shewed in the last time.
HItherto of our glorification. The third argument followes, and that is taken from our preservation unto glory, which is this Verse: It is two wayes amplified. First by the meanes of our preservation, and secondly by the end of our preservation. The meanes are twofold: First in God his power, and secondly in us our faith: The end is salvation, which is also amplified first by the things which goe before it, viz. preparation, and revelation: It is prepared to be revealed: Secondly by the time, in the last time.
From the coherence and generall consideration of these words three things may be briefly noted.
First, that such is our wretched condition in this world in respect of corruption, adversaries, temptations, &c. that were it not for Gods mercy and power, neither present grace would hold out, nor the glory of heaven ever be enjoyed.
Secondly, that the same God, that of his mercy begot us againe, and provided an incorruptible inheritance, doth undertake also to preserve it, hee takes it upon himselfe to see it accomplished; which should bee a singular comfort ….
Thirdly, that Gods children may draw many arguments of consolation, and get great experience of joy from the very observation of Gods providence in preserving them.
foreignKept] The word in the originall signifieth properly to keep as a towne is kept from the enemies in the time of war with a garrison and so it is rendered 2 Cor. 11.32. where it is said Aretas kept the City with a garrison: In the aGal. 3.23.third of the Galathians the word is used metaphorically to expresse our condition under the Law, he saith we were kept under the Law, that is, the sinner having transgressed was kept by the Law, as it were under a strong garrison, that he could not possibly escape, unlesse he be delivered by Christ, the law will hold him so fast, he shall not possibly get away; now here it is used to expresse the wonderfull safety of all men, and women truly converted, they are kept with a garrison, wherein two things may bee noted.
1The Christians condition here is a military condition.First, that the dearest of Gods children in this world are in continuall war, they are ne…er at such rest and peace, as to discharge their garrison: seldome or never but they are continually in war either outward with the world of wicked men, or with crosses, that daily assaile them, or else inward with temptations: Heaven properly is the rest of the godly: or if they bee at any time free: yet they are in danger, and therefore still stand upon their guard, which should teach us under either afflictions or temptations never to account it strange, and if at any time God give us some little breathing, not to grow secure, but rather be still providing for the war againe.
Secondly, that Gods children have a garrison to defend them. 2A fivefold garrison of the Christian.Now if any would know distinctly how this is true, I will endeavour to shew it to be true five wayes.
1. For first we see, that sometimes they are fenced and protected by the godly, who as an holy army rise up in their defence to help them, either by Apologie, succour, or prayers.
2. Sometimes the unreasonable creatures protect and avenge the righteous. God can send the armies of silly creatures, as a valiant garrison to defend Israel, and offend Pharaoh, and they are strong, that doe Gods worke.
3. It is sure, that the Angels are alwayes in garrison for the Elect, pitching their tents round bPsal. 34.about them, that feare God. That which Elisha and his man saw with bodily eyes every beleever may be assured of by faith.
4. God can raise up in them even an army of powerfull thoughts and meditations, so as their very inward tranquillity, arising from the testimony of a good conscience, and the knowledge of Gods excellent love, can make, and cPhil. 4.….keepe them secure and sound.
5. But lastly, in all these, and above all these, God himselfe is the Christian mans garrison, dPsal. 18.2.as David saith, God is his rocke, his fortresse, his strength, his buckler, his high tower, and his deliverer.
All this may very fitly serve for two uses.Vses. 1. First for consolation to the godly, and that two wayes: First if they consider how carefully God hath provided for their safety, and that he is e2 Thess. 3.3.faithfull and will doe it: Secondly if they observe, what is implyed hereby, for in that God plants a garrison about his people, it imports, that they are wonderfully deare unto him, Jewels of great price, which God would by no meanes lose, yea great Princes, that are preserved with such a continuall guard: If Gods government towards his people were every way visible and manifested, the meanest Christian would appeare to be no whit inferiour to the greatest Monarch.
2. Secondly this implies terror and amasement to all the wicked. For it imports, that God cares not for them, and takes no charge of them, yea thathe accounts them as enemies, and yet they are not without their …rison neither: But what is it? they have their hearts kept by the devill, as a strong man armed for their ruine, and the law keepes them with a strong guard, till the day of Christ.
By the power of God.]
The word translated, power, is rendered fMat. 7.22. 11.20, 21. 13.54.58.mighty workes, sometimes hGal. 3.5. 4 Questions about the power of God keeping us.miracles, &c. but ordinarily it is meant as here, power: The maine doctrine is, that the preservation and keeping of the faithfull depends upon Gods power. Now for explication of this doctrine, I must answer divers questions.
First some one might say doth it follow, God hath power to keepe us, therefore he will?
It doth not simply follow, but in two respects:1 Quest. Answ. 1. First in respect of the intercession of Christ; he hath iIohn 17.mediated for our preservation, and the father will grant what he askes, and therefore so long, as he hath power hee will continually doe it. 2. Secondly in respect of Gods promises, he hath promised to use his power for our preservation, and therefore as sure as God hath power, so sure are we to be preserved.
Quest. Now if any aske, how it may appeare,2 Quest. that Gods power is engaged to keep us?
Answ. I answer, it may appeare evidently by these scriptures,Answ. 2 Cor. 12.9. & 1 Cor. 4.8. Heb. 1.3. Ephes. 3.20. Heb. 7.16. Mat. 6.13. Rom. 1.4. Iude 24.
Quest. Now if any yet ask,3 Quest. which way God doth shew his power in our preservation?
Answ.Answ. I answer, the Lord doth exercise his power in keeping us three wayes. 1. In his word, making that a glorious instrument to keep us to salvation, it is as it were the arme of God, it is called expresly kRom. 1.16.the power of God unto salvation. For by the word is the demonstration of the spirit and of power l2 Cor. 2 4., as the Apostle speakes; and thus Christ liveth still on earth m2 Cor. 13.4.by the very power of God in the word: yea there is an effectuall working of power nEphes. 3.7.given to the word. 2. The Lord exercises his power in keeping us by the grace of his spirit in us o2 Cor. 12.9., by making grace to be sufficient for us: strengthening our saith, and establishing us with every needfull grace, especially in times of tryall. For a Christian hath p2 Tim. 17.received the spirit of power, and of a sound minde. 3. In the workes of his providence, by his disposing and raising meanes to protect, and uphold the faithfull against, in, or out of all troubles, &c.
4 Quest.Quest. But may some one say: Is the promise of Gods power in the preservation of the faithfull so absolute, as doe what they will, Gods power will keep them?
Answ.Answ. No: For if Christians would have God to keep them, they must themselves keepe that which is committed to them: they must keep the word, even the patterne of wholesome words in faith and love: they must stirre up the grace of God in them; and waite upon God by prayer, and the constant use of all the meanes, and here they must live by faith: they must keepe themselves in their wayes, or else they must not wonder, that the Lord doe as it were tumble downe the wall of their protection and seeme to leave them to themselves.
Vses.The use hereof is divers: 1. First it may serve for confutation of that false opinion of the Papists about their doctrine of free-will. For marke it: The very Saints have not power to keep themselves, no not after calling, and therefore much lesse before calling. 2. And further it may confute the very confidence of all the adversaries of Gods people: they insult many times over the godly, because they are so few, so meane persons, so simple, and weake, and pride themselves in the conceit of their owne greatnesse, and power to compasse all their plots and malicious intendments against the godly: But they doe notably deceive themselves. For godly men are preserved not by their owne might, or meanes, or friends, or sufficiency, but q1 Sam. 29. Esay 41.10, 11, 12.by the power of God: grossely therefore are they deluded, if they thinke to prevaile finally against them. 3. Yea this might fully and at once confute the objections of the weake Christian: Oh he hath so many infirmities, and temptations, and allurements, and corrupt inclinations, so many lets and discouragements, and so wanteth the meanes, that hee can never persevere to the end: these are his feares, and this workes his unbeleefe. But all this is soone answered: Thou standest not by thine owne strength, but by the power of God, and therefore I must apply that speech of Christ to the Sadduces to them: a little turning them: you erre, not knowing the promises of God in the scriptures, nor the power that is in Gods nature.
Secondly, this may serve for information: For it may shew us the impotency of all earthly things, nothing but Gods power can keepe us to salvation. His worke it is to preserve, whose will it is to save. Mans naturall life stands not in the rLuke 12.15.abundance of the things, he doth possesse: neither is our spirituall life sustained by the bare having of abundance of meanes.
Thirdly, it may serve for instruction, and that divers wayes: 1. First, we should beg of God the spirit of wisdome, and revelation, to shew the exceeding greatnesse of his power sEph. 1.18, 19., that we might discerne it, and beleeve it by faith; seeing we doe not observe it by sense and reason: 2. Secondly, we should daily ascribe power unto God, even acknowledging continually his power in keeping us from day to day, as our Saviour Christ teacheth us in the tMat. 6.13.Lords prayer, when hee teacheth us to ascribe kingdome, power, and glory to him: and with Peter wee should learne to put off praise from our selves unto God, as hee did in the cure of the Cripple, saying, uActs 3.12.not by our power is this man made whole. 3. Thirdly, wee should particularly of God seeke the experience of his power. As for example, we should not rest in *2 Tim. 3.5. 2 Cor. 6.7.the forme, or shew of godlinesse, but seeke the power of it: wee should not only get a little faith, but strive with God by prayer, till he x2 Thess. 1.11.fulfill the worke of faith with power: we should not thinke it enough to pray, but we should seeke the spirit of prayer, and to doe it with power yZach. 12.12., even to be made by the annointing of Christ, Priests after the power of endlesse life: so we should seeke the power of conference, and utterance in the confession of the truth, in admonition, instruction, consolation, or propounding of our owne doubts: for z1 Cor. 4.20.the kingdome of God is not in word, but in power. 4. Fourthly, we should hence learne to be undaunted in afflictions, though it were to adventure all, even life it selfe for the Gospell; seeing we are kept by Gods power, we may say in any distresse, as Paul did: a2 Tim. 1.2.8.I know whom I have beleeved, and he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him, till the day of Iesus Christ. If God keep our soules, it matters not, what else be in danger. 5. Fifthly, Ministers should hence learne to preach with power, and strive after it: For it is not the ordinance of God, but the power of God, that preserves the hearers: It is not preaching, but powerfull preaching, that keepes the soules of men, till the day of Christ. 6. And lastly, the people should learne to place their faith not in the wisdome, learning, paines, or b1 Cor. 2.4.graces of men; but in the power of God.
Lastly, this serves for consolation to all Gods servants against all their feares, troubles, adversaries, temptations, or what else might make them doubt their perseverance: For God is able to doe above all that they can aske, or think, according to his power cEphes. 3.20., which worketh in them: The divine Power gives us all things d2 Pet. 1.3.needfull to life and godlinesse, and though they have but a little strength, yet the Lord can open a doore of knowledge, and grace, and comfort unto them, which no eRev. 3.9.man, nor devill can shut; and therefore let us from our hearts give praise unto the onelyonly wise, and strong God, that is able to support us from falling, and to present us faultlesse before the presence of his glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ fJude 24..
By faith, or, through faith.]
The meanes in us to preserve us is our faith, and that this will keepe us through the power of God, is apparant by the scriptures: gIohn 3.36.Hee that beleeveth on the sonne of God hath everlasting life: (he is as sure of it, as if he had it) and he shall not come into condemnation hIohn 5.24., but is passed from death to life: Christ is the bread of life (for nourishment) and he that commeth to him by faith shall iJohn 6.35.never hunger nor thirst: He that commeth to Christ shall in no wise be cast out: Christ will be so far from losing any one soule, that beleeveth in him, that not so much as his flesh, or any part thereof shall bee lost, but the kIoh. 6.37, 39.whole body, that is delivered to the grave, shall be raised at the last day: whosoever lIohn 11.26.beleeveth in Christ shall never die: For hee that mRom. 10.9.confesseth with his mouth, and beleeveth with his heart shall be saved: God will keep that which by faith is committed to him, and Christ n2 Tim. 1.2.will bee at the last day made marvellous in all that beleeve: but that this point may bee more plainly understood, I propound three things. 1. First what faith doth for our preservation. 2. Secondly, how it doth it. 3. What kinde of faith doth it, and then the uses.
For the first, there are tenne things, which faith worketh, by all which,Faith doth 10. things to further our preservation. and every of which, wee are greatly helped, and furthered in our preservation.
First, it inflames in God a singular tendernesse of care to remove out of the way, what might be an occasion of falling, and therefore our Saviour Christ shewes, that God so loveth the weakest Christian, that is truely humble and beleeveth, that if any whosoever shall offend him, that is, cast any stumbling block in his way; in respect of the sore judgements of God upon those, by whom such offences come, it were better a milstone were hanged about their neckes oMat. 18.6., and they cast into the bottome of the Sea. 2. Secondly, as it procureth the healing of the soule of temptations, even of all the wounds of the serpent, quenching his fiery darts by shewing us Christ pIohn 3.15.16 Ephes. 6.the true brazen Serpent of our recovery. 3. As it is the daily hand and mouth of the soule, by which we feed upon Christ the bread of life, and so are by the strength of that precious nourishment, kept to qIohn 6.35. 17.8. Rom. 1.16.life everlasting. 4. As it lighteth us the way to heaven. For as there is a light apprehended by sense, and a light of reason: so there is a light of faith, by vertue of the promise of Christ, who said I am come a light into the world, rIohn 12.46.that whosoever abideth in me, should not abide in darknesse. 5. As it bringeth us within the compasse of Christs intercession. For when hee prayed the father to keepe them from evill, hee expounds his meaning to be, to extend that his intercession not onelyonly to his ApostlessActs 10.43., Iohn 17.15.20.but to all that should beleeve through their word. 6. As it procures the pardon of all sins according to that of Peter; to him gave tActs 10.45.all the Prophets witnesse, that through his name whosoever beleeveth in him shall receive remission of their sins. 7. As it will excite and compell a Christian in all suits to seeke his owne help. If a man beleeve, his faith will make him speake both by confession, and u2 Cor. 4.17. Acts 18.19.prayer to God, and by inquiry and counsell, and reproof to men. 8. As it procures the seale of the holy spirit of promise, and the earnest of the inheritance purchased *Eph. 1.14, 15. Iohn 7.38, 1 Iohn 5.10.. Faith opens such a fountaine of joy and incouragement within a man, that it makes him breake through at length all doubts and difficulties, having a witnesse within himselfe, even the witnesse of the spirit of adoption. 9. As it procures strength to suffer adversity, so as a man shall not faile or sink under crosses, or wrongs. For he that hath given us to beleeve in his … xPhil. 1.27., gave … also strength to suffer for him. 10. Lastly as it overcomes the world, yJohn 5.4.that is, it fortifieth a Christian against all, pleasures, profits, carnall friends, hopes, feares, dangers, or whatsoever it is, that either by inticement, or inforcement, the world might draw them away by.
How …aith doth this.Now for the second: If any aske, how faith doth all this: I answer, it doth it, first as in generall it assures a Christian of Gods love, and that God is his father, and will love him to the end, and this assurance is wrought by the knowledge and application of Gods promises, and the observation of the signes of those promises in himselfe. Secondly as it renewes upon every occasion a particular perswasion, that God in such and such a crosse or temptation, &c. will for his promise and sons sake keepe, and deliver him in particular: For God stands upon this particular faith: I will not instance only in these cases extraordinary, mentioned in these Scriptures, Mat. 8.13. and 9.28. Mark. 5.36. and 11.23. John 4.20. but it is true also in cases ordinary: A perswasion, that God will help, and keep us, will keep us indeed. zHeb. 2.5.For the just lives by his faith, and it shall be to us according to our faith: so as he that beleeveth, or is so perswaded, aRom. 9.shall not be ashamed.
All bMarke 9.23.things are possible to him that beleeveth, and the true reason, why many things are not obtained, is because we are not perswaded, they shall be obtained: as for extraordinary things the same God that hath determined, that miracles shall cease, hath caused that kinde of perswasion to cease too. Thirdly it doth it, as it sets meditation and prayer aworke, meditation I say, as it lookes upon Christ, and the former promises of God in him, and prayer, as it begs performance in all humility warranting hope upon that generall promise cMat 21.22.whatsoever you aske the Father in my name beleeving it, you shall have it.
Now for the third, it must greatly be pondred, what kinde of faith,What faith will not preserve us. or perswasion can effect all this? This I unfold negatively, and affirmatively: negatively, it is not a verball faith, will doe it: By a verball faith I meane a bare affirming, that a man hath faith without all reason or discerning, that inwardly there is any such thing in his soule; and this abounds every where amongst the ignorant sort, that take beleeving to be nothing else, but to say they doe beleeve: but this will availe nothing: Nor is it a forced faith, that will worke this: by a forced faith I meane such, as the faith of devils, when a man is compelled to beleeve some truth, not for love, or desire after the truth, but out of a servile disposition, because he cannot tell, how to deny it, or object against it: dJam. 2.19.The devills beleeve and tremble, and so doe many wicked men. Nor is it a partiall faith; I am driven to use these tearmes, that by them I might expresse the severall humors of men: by partiall faith I meane this, when a man will beleeve some truthes, but not all, as some men will beleeve Moses c… 5.46., but not Christ: the Law, but not the Gospell: the truth of directions for life, but not the assurance in particular by the promises in Jesus Christ: and contrariwise some will beleeve Christ, but not Moses, they thinke the promises are true, but they will never beleeve, that such and such threatnings can be so: God will be more mercifull. Againe some men will beleeve in prosperity, while they see meanes fIohn 9.3 5., but not in adversity, when they want what they desire, or when their confidence may bring them into disgrace, or trouble: Nor is it a limiting faith, that will appoint, how it shall be before it bee beleeved. The Jewes will gIohn 4.48. 6.30.beleeve, but then Christ must worke wonders at their appointment: The Pharises will beleeve in the Messias, but then he must be such a one, as they will describe: many could beleeve, if God will doe it by such meanes, or at such times, or in such measure, as they could name hLuke 22.67.. Thomas will beleeve, but then he must first see Christ: but it iIohn 1.50. Mat. 27.42.was otherwise with Nathaniel. Nor is it a dead faith that Iames kIames 2.speakes of, that is without workes, that will effect this: Nor will the lLuke 8.13. Gal. 3. Iohn 2.23, 24.temporary faith doe it. Lastly, the wavering faith, hath but little force, I meane a faith, that is tossed with so many fancies, and so many doubts, that hath a kinde of habit of inconstancy, which may be found in many Christians, that perhaps in the generall have a true faith: my meaning is this that when we give liberty to the power of every fancy, or temptation, or doubts, or impediments, or affliction: so as if any thing fall in our way, that in the least measure might seeme to crosse our desires, we are presently out of all heart, or perswasion, and usually are never setled, but when nothing opposeth us; this kinde of wavering and weaknesse is wonderfully scourged with want of sense and experience of Gods mighty working, or at best it gives but dishonourable entertainment to the greatest meanes of God. For though perhaps great mercies are greatly affected for the present, yet the sense of them is instantly gone, and every trifling crosse turnes the heart out of contentment, and so out of perswasion too for all, that is not yet had: mIohn 11.40. Rom. 4.18. Iam. 1.6, 7.These are unstable in all their wayes.
But contrariwise that perswasion, that is thus mighty through Gods power to keep us, is a perswasion nRom. 10.14.originally begotten by the word, prepared oMat. 21.31.by repentance, witnessed p1 Iohn 5.10.by the spirit, confirmed qMa…. 16.16.by the Sacraments, renewed rMat. 11.23, 24by prayer, attended s1 Cor. 13.7.with the love of God, encouraged by tRom. 5.3, 4.experience within our selves u1 Tim. 1.16.or others, and continued by *Luke 8.12. Iohn 8.32.some seed of the word.
The use of all this is threefold: 1. First for terror to all those, that live without faith, and for humiliation to all those, that live without the setled assurance of faith: Here men may see, what by faith might be had,Vses. and the need of it. Now what can be the estate of such, as neglect it and willingly sit downe in unbeliefe, but even the condemnation hereunto belonging: He that xIohn 2.16.18bele…veth not is condemned, and this is the condemnation of worlds of men, even their wretched sinning against faith and assurance of Gods promises: This is the true reason, that theyyIohn 8 24. dye in their sinnes, this iszIohn 10.26. a signe they are not of Christs sheep. For if they were, they would beleeve in him; yea and the wretched wilfulnesse of many in confirming themselves in the neglect of assurance, causeth many times these fearefull judgements, that they should be given over to such an estate, as they should neither see nor understand: the Lord being as it were madeaIoh. 12.38, 39 unwilling, that they should bee converted: yea this very unbeliefe may cause God to repent of his mercies, and destroy menbIud. 5. even after many singular favours bestowed upon them: what shall I say, if we out of this text consider the use and need of faith, may not Christ wonder at our unbeliefe cMat. 6.6., if still we will goe on in security?
Secondly, we should all then be perswaded to settle about this work of faith and assurance, knowing the singular worth and use of it, and to this end pray unto God to shew us the greatnesse of his power in them that beleeve, and withall make use of the light, while we have it to walke in it, that …o the Lord may still owne us, as the children of light, &c.
Lastly, it may be a great comfort to all, that have gotten assurance. Hee dRom. 10.11.that beleeveth is in such an estate for happinesse, as he needs not be ashamed, no the Lord will so performe all things according to his faith, that he shall never be ashamed. A man need be ashamed of nothing but his unbeliefe; and of every such Christian it may be said, as once it was of one,eLuke 1.45. Blessed is she that beleeved. For there shall be a performance of those things, which were told her from the Lord.
VntoUnto salvation.
This is the end of our preservation.
From the coherence and generall consideration of the words three things may be noted.
First converted Christians shall be saved.
Secondly, unlesse we endure to the end, all is vaine: It will not profit us to be kept for a time, or a long time, but it must be till the very moment of salvation.
Thirdly, here we may note a lively difference betweene a temporary faith, and a justifying faith.
Difference betweene temporary faith, and justifying faithThis is best at last; the other is most lively, when it is first hatched.
This is sorowfull at first, but leads to joy: The other is joyfull at first, but leaves men in such a case, as they must lye downe in sorow.
This is onelyonly in such, as shall be saved: the other in such as may be damned: note, I say may may be, not shall be.
This is a strong garrison to guard us in the evill day: the other is confident, till evill come, and then it betrayes men.
This will not rest without assurance of salvation to come: the other is secured with probabilities, and hopes, and conjectures present.
This is a great discerner of wants, and therefore beares it selfe upon Gods power: The other lookes chiefly outwards, and considers not his fall, till he be falling.
Thus in generall.
VntoUnto salvation] Salvation is threefold: 1.fActs 7.25. Corporeall: 2.gLuk. 1.71. &c 19.9 spirituall in this life: or 3.hHeb. 9.28. Of salvation, and what is imported in the word. eternall in heaven. It is eternall salvation is here meant, and so salvation properly notes the negative part of our happiness in heaven that is, that there we shall be made safe, that is, we shall be out of the reach of Satan, evill men, the flesh, sinne, infirmity, sorow, paines, reproach, evill example, discouragemēt, death, hell: but by synecdoche it notes the whole happinesse of a Christian for ever in glory: but this is named, because it is easier to tell what shall not be in heaven, then what shall be there.
The Uses are both for instruction and terror:Vses. For instruction this may teach us two things: first to acknowledge Gods great mercy, in that hee gives us the meanes of salvation, which wasiIob. 4.22. Act. 13.26. Rom. 1.16. 2 Tim. 3▪15. wont to be the sole honor of the Jewes: If carnall men had such availeable meanes for earthly things, how would they esteeme them? how rich and great would they be? secondly, our hearts desire and prayer unto God should be, thatkRom. 10.1. we might be saved, even that we might have it as well as heare of it: and to this end
First, we should shake off that naturall security, and drowsie sleeplRom. 13.11. that is upon our hearts, especially we should not deceive our selvesmRom. 13 13. For many a man thinks he should be saved, when he hath little reason for it.
Secondly, wee should use all diligence to get the knowledge of heavenly things: For Christ will never be salvation nAct. 3 47. Luk. 1 77.79., where he is not first light.
Thirdly, we should be especially carefull to seek the knowledge of Gods favour in the remission of our owne sins. For God giveth knowledge of salvation by oLuk. 1.77.remission of sinnes; and to this end wee should imploy our selves in p2 Cor. 7.10.repenting us of our sins.
Fourthly, as a singular furtherance hereunto wee should be wise in discerning the seasons, fearfull toq2 Cor. 6.2. stand out the day of salvation. For our repentance and assurance might be at some times speeded with singular successe, whereas delay may breed either losse or difficulty.
Fiftly, our hearts should be so set upon heaven, that we should alwaies be ready to obey both present and absent,rPhil. 2.12. working out our salvation with feare and trembling. Those daring, venturous, bold spirits that dare live in any evill, so it stare not in their faces, and have not a heart fearfull of the last evill, aspire not to immortality: they expresse not the care, or hope of heaven.
And as it serves for instruction, so it may serve for terror and great reproof to all wicked persons, that doe shift off andsH…b. 2.3. neglect so great salvation, and frustrate the meanes of savingtH…b. ….7, 9. their owne soules.
Prepared.] Salvation is prepared five waies:Salvation may be said to be prepared five waies. 1. By preordination, and so it wasuMat. 25.34. prepared before the world was, as*Esay. 30 33. Topheth was prepared of old for the wicked. 2. By creation, and so it was prepared when the Lord made of nothingxProv 8 27. that glori…us place above these visible heavens. 3. By the mission of Ch…ist, who by his obedience and sacrifice meritedyI…h. 3.16. Heb. 5.7.8▪ 9. Eph. 1.14. for the elect this eternall salvation. 4. By regeneration: for so we are said in the verses before to be begotten againe to an immortall inheritance: for therein the Lord breaths into us that lively hope and other immortall graces. 5. And lastly by justification, forgiving us all our sinnes that might keep us out of heavenzLuk 1.77. Rev. 19 7, 8. Eph ….5, 6., and clothing us with the righteousnesse of Christ, and accepting us thereupon as his adopted children in Christ.
2. Preordination is the fruit of Gods counsell: Creation of Gods power: regeneration of Gods word: Christs mission of Gods love: and justification of Christs resurrection. Preordination, and creation, and Christs mission are past, and so salvation is prepared: Regeneration and justification are present, and so it is preparing; now there is a preparation which remaines yet, and that shall be in the last time, by the citation of the world, by the last trump, by the collection of all Nations from the foure winds of heaven, after they are raised: But I think this is not meant here.
The Use is threefold: First wee should acknowledge Gods great love, that thus provideth for us so long before, and say with the Prophet, Lord what is man that thou art so m…ndfull of him! Secondly, we should kindle our desires after an estimation of this salvation: for certainly it must needs be excellent that is so long in preparing. But thirdly and principally, we should learne to prepare for it. For if God prepare it for us, wee should much more prepare our selves for it: yea it may be, that God writes this for our instruction: we heare what God doth, that we might learn what to doe our selves.
Quest.Now if any should aske, what we must doe in preparing for salvation?
Answ. We prepare for salvation five wai…s.I answer, we must prepare five waies. 1. ByaMat. 3.2.3. repentance for our sinnes. 2. By procuring the assurance of it in the signesbHeb. 6.9, 11, 12., seales, and pledges of it. 3. By the labour of love, endevouring with speed to dispatch Godsc…ph. 6 13. Pr…v. 24.27. 2 Tim 4 8. work, even the taske that God hath set us to. 4. By laying up treasures in heaven, both by sending our prayers thither before, and by conversing in heaven by meditationdMat. 6.19 20. H…w many wayes s…l…ation is h…d. and desires. 5. Lastly, by speciall preparation for death, waiting till the time of our changing do… come.
Thus of preparation: The revelation followes.
To be revealed.] Two thing… are here implied, and one expressed: The things implyed are, first, that the salvation of the soule is a hid mysterie. It is not yet revealed, and so it is first in the doctrine of it to Pagans, secondly in the assurance of it to wicked men in the Church, they sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death, sometimes for want of meanes, but alwaies foreGal. 3.22, 23. want of faith to beleeve it in their owne case: nay they see not clearly the happinesse of the elect in general: for the glory of their salvation is darkned by their afflictions and disgraces in the world: thirdly, it is in some respects hid, and not yet revealed to the faithfull: For first, many of the children of God want the knowledge of it, which they might have, through neglect either of the means of assurance, or the order of life. For God doth in the brightnesse of it shew fP…al. 50 ult.his salvation to them that dispose their waies aright.
Secondly, none of the children of God know it, as it shall be, and that if we respect either the instant of time, when God willgMat. …4. accomplish it, or the full perfectionh1 Cor. 13.9▪ 10, 11, 12. of the glory of it. 2. That it shall never be fully revealed till the last time.
Quest.But, is it not at all revealed in this life?
Answ. To whom salvation is revealed, and how. …I answer, it is: But then consider to whom, and how, and in what things. It is revealed to the godly in a moreiIoh. …7.6. particular manner: for the wicked have but a generall glimpse of it. It is revealed by the wordk2 Tim. 3.15., which teacheth it: by the spiritl1 C…. 2 10., which sealeth it, and causeth us by the word to understand our right in it; and by the graces of Christ, which as signs prove i…. And for the last it is revealed three waies: 1. by way of negation: for in this life, wee see by the word, what shall not be in heaven, as not sinne, sorrow, sicknesse, death, &c. 2. In respect of the assurance of faith and h…p…. 3. In …sp…t of the f…st fruits, and pledges, and beginnings of salvation in saving graces.
Salvation … be revealed …t the last day 3. wayes.The doctrine expressed is, that salvation shall be revealed at the last day, and that three waies: fi…st by the voice of Christ, who in the lastmMat. 25. sentence shall set out the glory of Gods mercy before men and Angels, describing the worth of the Kingdome of God, which he hath prepared for the elect. 2. God will then inlarge, and perfect the understandings of the faithfull in full conceiving of the worth of eternall things. 3. It shall be revealed, in that it shall be enjoyed. The revelation of it shall be the possession of it, and this is principally meant here.
Vses.The Uses of this doctrine concerning the revelation of salvation are divers: First it is exceeding comfortable unto Gods children, and thi… comfort may be concluded out of this doctrine three waies: First from the generall, they may hence be greatly heartned, that those great things which are promised, shall one day be revealed: They are now the sonnes of God, but it doth not appeare what they shall be: their miseries are revealed now, but their salvation is but prepared to be revealed. Secondly, here is comfort in particular against slanders and reproaches, and the evill censures and surmises of men, and wretched imputations. Their innocencie shall one day be revealed, and the sinnes and secret plots of adversaries shall one day be discovered;nMat. 10 24, 25, 26. There is nothing covered, that shall not then be revealed: that day shall try mens works. And also against all sorts of erosses might this doctrine comfort us: For if we did thinke of the things that are not seene as yet, they would make us hold all our afflictions light and momentary, in comparison of what we expect. And thirdly, from the lesse to the greater, they may hence deduce singular comfort: For if now at some times, when it is but in preparation to be revealed, Gods people doe find so much comfort, what shall that superabundant happinesse be, when that Abyssus shall be broken up,Abyssus. and the mines of treasure shall be discovered and possessed?
Here is also implyed by the contrary wonderfull terror to the wicked men: they little know what shall befall them, the Lord now treasures up much for them, and anDeu. 32 34, 35 Rom 2.5. day will come, when it shall be revealed. If that anger, that God in this world doth oRom. 1.18.reveale from heaven by his threatnings, or by his judgements be so terrible, oh what shall it be in the last day, they shall call for the mountains to cover them, when the Lambe shall sit upon his throne to open the mysterie of their iniquity and Gods anger; and it is a misery added to their misery, that they cannot discerne it, but for the most part die without knowledge pIob 36.12., and sinke into perdition before they be aware: But especially woe shall then be to the hypocrite,qLuk. 12.1, 2. for his maske shall then be pulled off.
Thirdly, this doctrine may serve for instruction, and that two waies: First, we should be thankfull, if God have in any measure revealed unto us his love, and this mysterie of our salvation: For there are many wise men, and great men, to whom in the secrets of his judgement thatrMat. 11.25. knowledge is denied: Secondly, we should with earnest expectation wai… for the revelation of the sons of God, seeing that that is the time of glorious and unexpressiblesRom. 8.19, 21, 22. liberty.
And thus of the revelation of salvation.
In the last time.]
These words are diversly accepted in Scripture: Sometimes they note in definitely any time that istGen. …9 1. Deut. 4.30. far off: sometimes they note the whole space of time from Christs first comming to theuEsay … 2. H…s 3.5. Heb … 2. 1 Ioh. 2.18. second: sometimes they note the later age of the world neerer the second*1 Tim 4 1. 2 Tim. 3.1. 2 Pet. 3.3. comming of Christ: sometimes it notes the time after the resurrection, till the end of thexI…h. 11.24, 12, 48. judgement, and so it is here.
Before I come to the particular consideration of these words, there are divers things may be noted in the generall.
First, that Gods last workes are his best works, which should teach us to imitateyRev. 2.19. God, and never feare the forbearance of God; time cannot change him, he will be never the worse, or the colder for delay.
Secondly, if woe marke, what daies these last daies are, wee may also note, that God doth his best workes, when men doe their worst. For of these last daies it is, that thez2 Tim. 3.1. 2 Pet. 3.3. Apostle speaks, that they should be such wicked and perillous daies: and this we should learne of God also, to let our piety and patience then shine most, when impiety and violence doe beare most sway.
Thirdly, there is a time when God will at once fully deliver, and save his servants,aDeut. 32.…6. to 44. Luk. 18.18. and judge for them, and thereforebGal 6 9, 10. wee should not be weary of well-doing.
Fourthly, Gods servants must not think to be fully delivered, till these last times, and therefore they must walk circumspectly redeeming the time, and alwaiescRev. 16.15. stand upon their guard; seeing the daies will be ever evill, wee should remember, and hold fast, and lay up provision for many daies.
Fiftly, it is the will of God that the day of Judgement should not be known to any man or Angell for the moment of it, and therefore it is here described by ages not by dayes and howers,dAct. 1. which may confute curiosity, and teach us to watch at all times.eLuk. 21.9. Mat. 24.44, 45, 46.
Sixtly, the world shall have an end, there is a last time, there will be an end of all perfection, and therefore we should learne tof1 Cor. 7.29. 1 Ioh. 2.15, 16. use the world, as if we used it not, and therefore woe is to them that so greedily mindgIer. 17.11. Iam. 5.1, 2. transitory things, and that place all their happinesse in the things of this life.
1 Quest.Why is the time of the last Judgement called the last time.
Answ. Why the day of judgement is called the last time.It is called the last time, 1. because time shall thenceforth be no more. 2. Because after that day there shall be no space left for repentance, or salvation for wicked men. 3. Because Christians shall be delayed no longer, but then all their wrongs shall be righted, all their sinnes shall be pardoned, all their wants shall be supplyed, all their infirmities shall be removed, all their promises shall be fulfilled,☞ all their graces shall be perfected, all their desires shall be satisfied. 4. Because all things shall then be fully determined, ended, and finally ordered.
2 Quest.But why is this time deferred so long?
Answ. Why the last judgement is deferred so long.First to demonstrate Gods wonderfull patience, and to cleare his justice, in that eternall vengeance shall then be exercised on the wicked. For by this deferring, it will be made manifest, that hee did it not suddenly, or passionately, or privately, or before hee had used all other meanes. Secondly, it is forborne, till all Gods eternall decrees in the government of the world be accomplished; especially it is stayed, til the number of the Elect be gathered, and the fulnesse both of Gentiles and Jewes be come in.
And thus much of this verse, and so of the first part of the consolation, that is to say, the proposition of arguments: now followeth the confirmation.