Practical Commentary of 1 Peter Volume 1, Chapter 1 · Verse 7
Verse. 7.
That the tryal of your faith being much more precious then of Gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and Glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ.
THe way of the Iust (saith Solomon) is as the shining light that shineth more and more to the perfect day. Still making forward, and ascending towards perfection, moving as fast when they are clouded with affliction as at any time else, yea, all that seems to work against them, fu…thers them. Those graces that would possibly grow heavy and unweildy, by too much ease; are held in breath and increase their activity, and strength by Conflict. Divine grace even in the heart of weak and sinful man, is an invincible thing. Drown it in the waters of Adversity, it rises more beautiful, as not being drowned indeed, but only wash't throw it into the furnace of fiery tryals, it comes out purer, and loses nothing but the dross which our corrupt nature mixes with it. Thus here the Apostle expounds the (if need be) of the former verse, and so justifies the joy in Affliction, which there he speaks of, by their utility and Faiths advantage by them, 'tis so tried that it shall appear in its full brightnes… at the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
The peculiar treasure of a Christian, being the Grace that he receives from Heaven, and particularly that Soveraign Grace of Faith, whatsoever he can be assur'd will better him any way in this, he will not only bear it patiently, but gladly imbrace it. Rom. 5.3. Therefore the Apostle sets this before his Brethren in those words of this verse. where is; 1. The Worth and Excellency of Faith. 2. The usefulness of Temptations in relation to it.
The trial of Faith, is call'd more precious, a work of more worth then the tryal of Gold; because Faith it selfe is of more value then Gold, the Apostle chuses this comparison, as fitting his purpose for both, for the Illustration of the worth of Faith, and likewise the use of Temptations, representing the one by Gold, and the other by the trying of Gold in the Fire.
The worth of Gold is. 1. Real, the purest and preciousest of all mettals; having many excellent properties beyond them, as they that write of the nature of Gold observe. 2. Far greater in the Esteem and Opinion of Men. See how Men hurry up and down, over Sea, and Land unwearied in their pursuit with hazard of life, and often with the loss of Uprightness, and a good Conscience; and not only thus Esteem it in it self; but make it the Rule of their Esteem, one of another, valuing Men less, or more, as they are more, or less furnish't with it, and we see at what a height that is, for things we would commend much, we borrow its name to them, viz. Golden Mediocrity, and that Age which they would call the best of all, they name it the Golden Age, and as Seneca observes describing heavenly things (as Ovid the Suns Pallace, and Chariot) still Gold is the word for all.
And the Holy Scriptures descending to our reach, do set forth the Riches of the new Ierusalem, by it. Rev. 21. And the Excellency of Christ. Cant. 5.11.14. And here the preciousness of Faith, whereof Christ is the Object, is said to be more precious then Gold.
I will not insist in the parallel of Faith with Gold in the other Qualities of it, as that it is pure, and sollid, as Gold. And that 'its most ductile, and malleable as gold, beyond all other mettals, it plies any way with the Will of God. But then Faith truly Enriches the soul, And as Gold Answers all things, so Faith gives the Soul propriety to all the rich Consolations of the Gospel, to all the promises of Life, and salvation, to all needful Blessings, it draws vertue from Christ to strengthen it self, and all other Graces.
And thus 'tis not onelyonly precious as Gold, but goes far above the Comparison 'tis more precious, yea much more precious. 1. in its Originall, the other is dig'd out of the bowels of the Earth: but the Mine of this Gold is above, it comes from Heaven. 2. In its Nature, answerable to its Originall, it is Immateriall, Spirituall and pure, we refine Gold, and make it purer, but when we receive Faith pure of it self, we mix dross with it, and make it Impure, by the allay of Unbelief. 3. in its Endurance flowing from the former, it perisheth not, Gold is a thing in it selfe Corruptible, and perishing, and to particular owners, it perisheth in their loss of it, being depriv'd of it any way.
Other Graces are likewise tryed in the same Furnace: but Faith is named as the Root of all the rest▪ Sharp afflictions give a Christian a tryal of his Love to God, whether it be single, and for himself or not; for then it will be the same when he strikes, as when he Embraces, and in the fire of affliction will rather grow the hotter, and be more taken off from the world and set upon him. Again the Grace of Pa…ience is put particularly upon triall in distresses: but both these spring from Faith. for Love rises from a right and strong belief of the Goodness of God, and patience, from a persuasion of the Wisdom and Love of God, and the truth of his promises. He hath said, I will not fail thee. And that we shall not be tempted above our strength, and he will give the Issue. Now the belief of those, Causes patience. The triall of faith worketh Patience. Iam. ….3. For therefore doth the Christian resigne up himselfe, and all that concerns him, his triall, the measure and length of them all, unto Gods dispose, because he knowes that he is in the hands of a wise and loving Father. Thus the trial of those, and other particular Graces, doe still resolve into this, and are compris'd under it, the triall of Faith.
This tryal (as … of Gold) may be for a … …old end. 1▪ for Experiment of the truth, and p…reness of a Christians faith. 2. for r…fining it ye… more▪ and to raise it to a higher pitch or degree of p…reness.
1. The furnace of Affliction shows upright …eal Faith to be such indeed, remaining st…ll the same even in the fire, the same tha… it was, undiminished, as good Gold … none of its quantity in the fire. Doubtless many are deceiv'd in time of ease and prosperity with imaginary Faith, and Fortitude: so that there may be still some doubt while a Man is under▪ set with outward helps, as Riches, Friends, Esteem &c. whether he leanes upon those, or upon God who is an Invisible support though stronger then all that are visible, and is the peculiar, and alone stay of Faith in all Conditions. But when all these outward props are pluckt away from a Man, then it will manifest, whether something else upholds him or not▪ for if there be nothing else then …e falls, but if his mind stand firm and unremoved as before; then 'tis evident he laid not his weight upon these things he had them about him but was built upon a foundation though not seen, which is able alone to stay him although he be not only frustrated of all other supports, but beat…n upon with stormes and tempests; as our Saviour sayes, the house fell not because it was founded upon a rock. Mat. 7.25.
This testified the truth of Davids Faith, who found it staying him upon God, when there was nothing else near that could do't I had fainted unless, I had believ'd. Psa. 27.13. So in his strait. 1. Sam. 30.6. Where its said, that David was greatly distressed: but he encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Thus Psa. 73.26. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart and portion for ever. The Hearts naturall strength of spirit and Resolution may bea… up under outward weakness, or the failing of the flesh: but when the Heart it self fails, that is the strength of the flesh, what shall strengthen it? nothing but God; who is the strength of the heart and its portion for ever. Thus Faith worketh alone, when the Case suites that of the Prophets Haback. ….17. Although the fig tree shall not Blossom neither shall fruit be in the vine &c. yet vers. 18. I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
In spirituall tryalls that are the sharpest and fieryest of all, when the furnace is within a Man, when God doth not onelyonly shut up his loveing kindness from its feeling; but seems to shut it up in hot displeasure, when he writes bitter things against it, yet then to depend upon Him, and wait for his salvation, this is not onelyonly a true, but a strong, and very refined Faith indeed, and the more he smites, the more to cleave to him; well might he say When I am tried I shall come forth as Gold, who could say that word, though he slay me yet will I trust in him; though I saw (as it were) his hand lifted up to destroy me, yet from that same hand would I expect salvation.
As the furnace shews faith to be what it is, so also it betters it, and makes it more precious and purer then it was.
The Graces of the spirit as they come from the hand of God that infuses them are nothing but pureness: but being put into a heart where sin dwells, (which till the body be dissolved and taken to pieces, cannot be fully purg'd out) there they are mixed with Corruption and dross. And particularly Faith is mixed with Unbelief, and Love of earthly things, and dependance upon the Creature, if not more then God, yet together with him, and for this, is the furnace needfull, that the soul may be purified from this dro…s, and made more sublime and spirituall in believing. Tis a hard talk and many times comes but slowly forward to teach the heart by discourse and speculation to sit loose from the world at all sides, not to cleave to the best things in it, though we be compass'd about with them, though Riches do increase, yet not to set our hearts on them, not to trust in such uncertain things as they are, as the Apostle speaks. Therefore God is pleas'd to chuse the more effectual way to teach his own the right and pure exercise of Faith, either by witholding, or withdrawing those things from them, makes them relish the sweetness of spirituall Comfort, by depriving them of those outward Comforts wherein they were in most danger of excess to have doted on them, and so forget themselves and him; when they are necessitate, and experimentally train'd up easily to let go their hold of any thing Earthly, and to stay themselves onelyonly upon their Rock, this is the very refining of their faith, by those losses and afflictions wherewith they are exercised; they that learn bodily Exercises, as fencing &c. Are not taught by sitting still, and hearing Rules, or seeing others practise, but they learn by exercising themselves. The way to profit in the art of believing or comeing to this spirituall activity of faith, is, to be often put to that work, in the difficultest way, to make up all wants and losses in God, and to sweeten the bitterest griefs with his loving kindness.
Might be found unto praise and honour and glory] This is the end that is intended, and shall be certainly obtain'd by all these hot trials. Faith shall come through them all and shall be found unto praise. &c. An unskillfull beholder may think strange to see Gold thrown into the fire, and left there for a time, but he that puts it there would be loath to lose it, his purpose is to make some costly piece of work of it,; every believer gives himself to Christ, and he undertakes to present them blameless to the Father, not one of them shall be lost, nor one dram of their faith, they shall be found, and their Faith shall be found when he appears. That faith that is here in the furnace shall be then made up into a Crown of pure Gold, it shall be found unto praise and honour and Glory.
This Praise, and Honour, and Glory may be referr'd to believers themselves according to the Apostle S. Pauls Expression Rom. 2.7. or to Christ that appears: but the two will agree well together, that it be both to their Praise, and to the Praise of Christ; for certainly all their praise and glory, shall terminate in the Glory of their Head Christ; who is God blessed for ever, they have each their Crown, but their Honour is, to cast them all down before his Throne. He shall be glorified in his Saints and admired in them that believe ▪ They shall be glorious in Him, and therefore in all their glory he shall be glorified, for as they have derived the…r glory from him, it shall all return back to him again.
At the appearance of Iesus Christ] This denotes the Time when this shall come to pass. For Christ is faithfull and true, he hath promised to come again, and to Judge the World in Righteousness, and he will come, and will not tarry, he shall Judge Righteously, in that day, that was himself unrighteously judged here on Earth. Tis called the Revelation; all other things shall be Revealed in that day, the most hidden things, good and evil unvail'd, but 'tis eminently the day of His Revelation, it shall be by his Light, by the brightness of his coming that all other things shall be reveal'd but he himself shall be the worthiest sight of all: All eyes shall behold Him. He shall then gloriously appear before all Men, and Angels, and shall by all be acknowledged to be the son of God, and Judge of the World, some shall with joy know him, and acknowledge him to be fo… others …o their Horrours, and amazement.
How beautifull shall he be to those that Love him; when he as the glorious Head shall appear with his whole body mysticall together with him?
Then the Glory and Praise that all the Saints shall be honoured with, shall recompense fully all the Scorns and Ignominies, and Distresses they have met with here. And they shall shine the brighter for them, Oh! if we Consider'd often of that solemn day, how light would we se… by the opinions of Men, and all ou…ward hardships that can befall us, digest dispraise and dishonour here, and pass through all cheerfully, providing we may be then found in him, and so partakers of Praise, and Glory, and Honour in that day of his appearing.