Analytical Exposition of Peters Epistles, Letter 2 · Chapter 1 · Verse 19-21
Verse 19. We have also a more sure word of prophesie; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, untill the day dawne, and the day-starre arise in your hearts.
Verse 20. Knowing this first, that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation:
Verse 21. For the prophesie came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost.
The Analysis.
PEter had before proved the certainty of the Gospell by the testimony of the Apostles, who were eye-witnesses and eare-witnesses of it; now he proves the same certainty by the testimony of the word of prophesie; which he sets forth, 1. By the adjunct of stability, and that in comparison to the testimony of the Apostles, in respect whereof this word of prophesie is said to be more sure. 2. By the duty adjoyned which is due unto this word of prophesie, namely, a religious heed and attention which should be given unto this word. Wch attention is declared, 1. By the end and use of this word of prophesie, which is by way of comparison set forth by the use of a light, 2. by the helping cause, 3. By the esteeme which we should have of the Prophesie of Scripture, verse 20, 21. namely, that it is by the instinct of the Holy Ghost▪ which is set forth by those Prophesies that are contrary thereunto, namely, such, as are of private interpretation, or by the will of man. By prophesie is meant, not the foretelling of those things, that depend upon any naturall causes, (for so the Astrologers and Physitians can foretell many things, being skilfull in the naturall causes,) nor of those things that depend upon the will of any creature (for so those that know other mens counsell, may foretell many things, probably at least) but prophesie is a fore-telling of those things, that depend only upon the will of God, and can be knowne by God alone, and those to whom he hath revealed it. By the word of Prophesie is meant the Prophesie of holy Scripture, as it is expresly set downe, verse 20. which is distinguished in this respect not only from false prophesies, but also from other true ones, which were never in the Canon of the Scripture.
The Doctrines rising herehence.
Doct. 1. The word of Prophesie is a more sure testimony then the testimony of any men, or of those things that our senses themselves can give us.
This is gathered from the comparison which is here made betwixt this testimony and that which went before. But it is said to be more sure, not more true: because that which the Apostles witnessed, was as true; but their testimony did not carry with it so great a confirmation of the truth.
Reason 1. Because it appeared not so much to be a divine testimony, being not as yet expressed in the Scriptures.
2. Because it could not prevaile so much upon the mindes of the Jewes, as the word of prophesie, which had now for many ages bin as it were habitually confirmed in their minds.
3. Because the testimony of one that foresaw the truth, hath more divine operation in it, then the testimony of him that witnesseth what he hath seen or heard being present, Ioh. 5. 36, 39. There are three degrees of testimonies, 1 Of Iohn. 2. Of the workes of Christ. 3. Of the Scripture or word of prophesie. The testimony of works is said to be greater then the testimony of Iohn, and the testimony of the Scripture by way of gradation is intimated to be greater then both.
Vse 1. This may serve to instruct us, in all those things that pertaine unto faith and our salvation to depend only upon the Scriptures, because nothing can be more sure.
2. To exhort us, to give God thankes, that he hath not only made knowne unto us his truth, but hath also confirmed it by strong and sure reasons, and in all respects hath had regard to and provided for the weaknesse of our faith.
3. To reprove many Christians, which do too much stagger and doubt of these truths. For there appeares such a wavering and doubting of the minde, where the life is doubtfull and uncertaine, and is not surely grounded and ordered according to the rules of Christ. Now we should be as sure of these matters of faith by the Scriptures, as we are of those things that we our selves see now present before our eyes; and go on as firmely and constantly in the way of Christ, as if we did now with our eyes see Christ himself, and all those things that he hath promised us; or as if we did now heare that voice, Arise ye dead and come to judgement.
Doct. 2. The prophesie of the Old Testament gives a most sure testimony of the power and comming of Christ.
This is gathered from the reference which this 19 verse hath to verse 16. So Luke 1. 20. Acts 3. 18, 24. & 10. 43.
Reason. 1. The greatnesse of this mystery, which was such, that it must not be shewed on a sudden to the world, but, for dignity sake, as it were, by such like messengers going before.
2. That it might the more appeare that these things come from God, who was the only author of such like prophesies.
3. Because the salvation of the people of God from the beginning of the world depended upon the beleeving of this mysterie.
Vse 1. This may serve to instruct us, to confirme our faith more and more by such like arguments.
2. To exhort us, highly to esteeme of this mysterie, because God himselfe alwayes made such reckoning of it, that he would have his Prophets from the beginning of the world to be exercised in the declaration of it.
3. To admonish us, that it should never seeme tedious unto us, to heare and meditate upon those things, which pertain unto this mysterie, seeing God would have this alwayes pressed by all his Prophets.
Doct. 3. It is most praise-worthy in Christians alwayes to give diligent heed unto the Prophesies and the rest of the Scripture.
This is gathered from these words: Ye do well that ye take heed. By taking heed is meant, 1. A search and inquiry after the sense of the Scriptures, or the truths that are contained in them. 2. An applying of those truths unto the ends and uses whereunto they serve. 3. A religious affection of the minde, whereby the conscience is subdued unto those truths as unto the rules of faith and manners: now they do well, that do thus give heed unto the Scriptures.
Reason 1. Because this obedience pleaseth God.
2. Because they provide well for themselves, to be directed unto eternall happinesse.
Vse 1. This may serve to refute the Papists, and some other foolish men, who deny that they do well, which give heed unto the Scriptures.
2. To reprove all profane and worldly men, who take great care about their worldly profits, or their carnall pleasures, but give little or no heed at all unto the Scriptures.
3. To exhort us, to stirre up in our selves daily this care of attention.
Doct. 4. The Scripture is a light shining unto those that religiously give heed unto it.
This is gathered from these words; Take heed as unto a light that shineth. Now it is called a light,
Reason 1. Because it is cleare and manifest in it selfe.
2. Because it makes all other things cleare and manifest.
3. Because it enlightens also the eyes of our minde, so that we are able to behold the heavenly mysteries of the kingdome of God.
Vse 1. This may serve to refute the Papists, who tax the Scriptures of obscurity.
2. To reprove and condemne those, that walk in the midst of this light, and yet perceive no more of the things of God, then as if they were in darknesse.
3. To exhort us, 1. To give God thanks for so great a benefit. For God now deales with us, as he did heretofore with the Israelites, in whose dwellings there was light, when in all the land of the Egyptians there was thick darknesse, Exod. 10. 22. 23. 2. To walke in this light, not to sleepe or have fellowship with the workes of darknesse, as it is Ephesians 5. 8. 11. 14.
Doct. 5. The whole condition of this our life hath much darknesse in it.
This is gathered from these words; A light shining in a darke place. We may see the explication of these words in Calvin.
Reason. Because without the light of the Scriptures and faith we are nothing but darknesse; seeing therefore this light is communicated unto us but imperfectly in this life, there must needs be as yet much darknesse.
Vse 1. This may serve to admonish us, not to puffe up our selves with the opinion of knowledge, but humbly to acknowledge our imperfections.
2. To exhort us, so much the more diligently to give heed unto the light.
Doct. 6. We must give heed unto the Scriptures, untill a greater light be communicated unto us, then we can have out of the Scriptures, that is, untill the last end of this life.
This is gathered from these words, untill the day downe. Although they were very strongly confirmed, verse 12. Yet they must still give heed unto the Scriptures. Daniel himselfe, though a Prophet, gave heed unto the Prophesies of Ieremy, Daniel, 9. 2. Peter himselfe gave heed unto the Epistles of Paul, c. 3. v. 15. Paul himselfe had great care of the Parchments, that is, of the volumes and books of Scripture, 2 Tim▪ 4. 13.
Vse 1. This may serve to refute the Anabaptists, who say that the Scriptures are only profitable for novices and young beginners, and not for the stronger.
2. To reprove those, that rest in that knowledge of the Scriptures, which they have, and seeke no farther.
Doct. 7. Very great knowledge, light and cleerenesse shall be communicated unto us in the life to come.
This is gathered from the comparison that is made betwixt the life present and the life to come: In the present we have a light as it were in a darke place, but in that to come we shall have full noone as it were, 1 Cor. 13. 12.
Vse. This may serve to exhort us earnestly to desire to come unto that perfection, and in the meane time to exercise our selves in those things that lead thereunto.
Doct. 8. The light of the Scripture profiteth none but the faithfull.
This is gathered from these words: Knowing this first, that is, beleeving, Hebr. 4. 2. No great or noble effect is produced, unlesse the matter, or the object wherein it should be produced, be prepared before: the seed it selfe that is cast into the ground, doth not grow, unlesse the ground be plowed and harrowed. Besides, whereas the Scripture is a testimony, and the strength of the testimony depends upon the authority of him that witnesseth, the Scripture can be of no force, if the authority of God be not acknowledged in it.
Vse. This may serve to direct us, when we come to the reading or hearing of the Scriptures, alwayes to lift up our mindes unto God, and stirre up true faith in our hearts.
Doct. 9. The first thing to be believed is, that the Scriptures are not of any inhumane interpretation, but of divine revelation.
This is gathered from these words: Knowing this first, &c.
The Papists and some others gather from this place, that the interpretation of Scripture doth not belong unto private men, but unto the Church, that is, the Pope and the Councels whom he approves of: but in this sense this place makes most against them: for first it is not here said that a private man may not interpret the Scriptures, but that he may not make an interpretation of his owne; now by a mans owne interpretation is meant a humane interpretation, that is made by the will of man; as it evidently appeares by the opposition, verse 21. So that the Prophets themselves, although they were publick Doctors of the Church, yet if they should have said any thing of themselves without the revelation of God, that would have beene their owne, that is, a humane interpretation: whence also it followes that every interpretation of the Pope, which he takes not from cleare Scripture, or hath it not by some extraordinary revelation, is his owne in that sense as this word is taken in this place. Secondly, By interpretation in this place is not meant the interpretation of Scripture, that was before revealed, but the revelation it self, as it appears by the 21 vers where this interpretation is made to consist therein, that the Prophets spake their prophesies as they were moved by the holy Ghost. 3 Peter himselfe, who in the opinion of the Papists was at that time head of the Church, bids the faithfull here, search the Scriptures, he doth not bid them depend upon him, and alwayes look for interpretatio…. 4 He attributes more and greater strength unto the Scripture, then to his own testimony. 5 He cals the Scripture a light, and the condition of the Church a dark place▪ the Papists on the contrary attribute darknesse unto the Scripture, and light and clearnesse unto the Church. 6 He commends the vulgar sort of the faithfull, that they did take heed unto the Scriptures, in these words, Ye do well. But the Papists by this interpretaion debarre the faithfull from the reading of the Scripture.
Vse 1. This may serve to refute the Papists, that put the Church before the Scripture, and say that the first thing to be believed is, that the Church cannot erre.
2. To exhort us, to lay this foundation firme and sure in our hearts.
Doct. 10. The holy Ghost moved those men that were authors of the Scriptures.
This is gathered from these words: As they were moved by the holy Ghost.
Vse. This may serve to instruct us, by continuall prayer to seek for the aid of the Spirit, for the understanding of the Scriptures. The Scripture must be understood by the help of the same Spirit, by whom it was dictated, as Hier. Eodem spiritu debet intelligi Scriptura, quo fuit dictata.
Doct. 11. The men which the holy Ghost made use of, to deliver the Scriptures, were holy men of God.
Holy, because they were sanctified inwardly, & also set apart to this most holy work. Men of God they were, because they were called by God to this office, and they did declare the will of God, and they did labour also to bring men unto God.
Vse. This may serve to exhort us, to labour to be like unto them, according to our ability, both in holinesse, and in zeale of the Lord.