Practical Commentary of 1 Peter Volume 2, Commentary · Chapter 1 · Verse 13
Verse 15.
15. But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
IMplying the cause of all our fears and troubles to be this, our ignorance and disregard of God, and the due knowledge and acknowledgment of him to be the only establishment and strength of the mind.
In the words consider these three things. 1. This respect of God as 'tis here express'd. Sanctifie the Lord God. 2. The seat of it, in your hearts. 3. The Fruit of it, the Power that this, sanctifie God in the heart, hath to rid that heart of those fears and troubles to which 'tis here opposed as their proper remedy.
Sanctifie] He is holy, most holy, the Fountain of Holiness, 'tis he, he alone powerfully sanctifies us, and then, and not till then we sanctifie him. When he hath made us holy, we know and confess him to be holy, we worship and serve our holy God, we glorifie him with our whole Souls, and all our Affections, we sanctifie him by acknowledging his Greatness, and Power, and Goodness, and which is here more particularly intended, we do this by a holy fear of him, and faith in him, these confess his Greatness, and Power, and Goodness, as the Prophet is express, sanctifie him, and let him be your fear and your dread. And then adds, if thus you sanctifie him, you shall further sanctifie him, he shall be your Sanctuary, you shall account him so in believing in him, and shall find him so in protecting you, you shall repose on him for safety, and these particularly cure the heart of undue fears.
In your hearts] To be sanctified in our Words and Actions, but primely in our Hearts, as the Root and Principle of the rest. He sanctifies his own throughout, makes their Language and their Lives holy, but first and most of all their Hearts, and as he chiefly sanctifies it, it chiefly sanctifies him, acknowledges and worships him often when the Tongue and Body do not, and possibly cannot well joyn with it, Fears, and Loves, and Trusts in him which properly the outward Man cannot do, tho' it does follow and is acted by these affections, and so hath share in them in its capacity.
Beware of an external superficial sanctifying of God, for he takes it not so, he will interpret that a prophaning of him and his name, be not deceived, he is not mocked, he looks through all Visages and Appearances in upon the Heart, …ees how it entertains him, and stands affected to him, if it be possess'd with reverence and love more than either thy tongue or carriage can express, and if it be not so, all thy seeming-worship is but injury, and thy speaking of him, i… but babling, be thy Discourse never so Excellent, and the more thou hast seemed to sanctifie God while thy heart hath not been chief in the business, thou shalt not by such service have the less, but the more fear and trouble in the day of trouble, when it comes upon thee. No estate so far off from true consolation, and so full of horrors, as that of the rottenhearted Hypocrite, his rotten Heart is sooner shakt to pieces, than any other. If you would have heartpeace in God, you must have this heart sanctifying of him. 'Tis the heart that is vex'd and troubled with fears, the disease is there, and if the prescribed remedy reach not thither, 'twill do no good, but let your hearts sanctifie him, and then he shall fortifie and establish your hearts.
This sanctifying of God in the Heart, composes the Heart and frees it from fears.
1. In general, the turning of the Heart to consider and regard God, takes its off from those vain, empty, windy things that are the usual causes and matter of its fears, it feeds on wind, and therefore the bowels are tormented within, the Heart is subject to disturbance, because it lets out it self to such things, and lets in such things into it self as are ever in motion, and full of instability and restlesness, and so cannot be at quiet till God come in and cast out these, to keep the Heart within, that it wander out no more to them.
2. The particulars of Fear and Faith, work particularly in this.
1. That Fear, as greatest, overtops and nullifies all losser fears, the Hear… possess'd with this fear, hath no room for the other, it resolves the Heart in point of duty, what it should and must do, not offend God by any means, lays that down as indisputable, and so eases it of doubtings and debates in that kind, whether shall I comply with the World, and abate somewhat of the sincerity and exact way of Religion to please Men, or to escape persecution or reproaches; no, 'tis unquestionably best, and only necessary to obey him rather than Men, to retain his favour be it with displeasing the most respected and considerable Persons we know, yea, rather chuse the universal and highest displeasure of all the World for ever, than his smallest discountenance for a moment; counts that the only indispensible necessity to cleave unto God and obey him. If I pray, I shall be accused, might Daniel think, but yet pray I must, come on't what will, so if I worship God in my Prayer, they will mock me, I shall pass for a Fool, no matter for that, it must be done, I must call on God and strive to walk with him; this puts the mind to an ease, not to be hanging betwixt two, but resolv'd what to do,D…n. 3. 16. we are not careful, said they, to answer thee, O King, our God can deliver us: but however, this we have put out of deliberation, we will not worship the Image: As one said, non oportet vivere sed oportet navigare, 'tis not necessary to have the Favour of the World, nor to have Riches, nor to Live; but 'tis necessary to hold fast the Truth, and to walk Holily, to sanctifie the name of our Lord, and Honour him whether in Life or Death.
2. Faith in God clears the mind, and dispels carnal fears, the most sure help, what time I am afraid (says David) I will trust in thee. It resolves the mind concerning the event, and scatters the multitude of perplexing thoughts that arise about that, what shall become of this and that? what if such an enemy prevail? what if the place of our abode grow dangerous, and we be not provided as others are for a removal? no matter says Faith, though all fail, I know of one thing will not, I have a Refuge, that all the strength of Nature and Art cannot break in upon, or demolish, a high Defence, my Rock in whom I trust, &c. Psal. 62. 5, 6. The firm belief of, and resting on his Power, and Wisdom, and Love, gives a clear satisfying answer to all doubts and fears. It suffers us not to stand to jangle with each triffling grumbling objection, but carries all before it, makes day in the Soul, and so chases away those fears that vex us only in the dark, as affrightful fancies do. This is indeed to sanctifie God, and give him his own Glory, to rest on him; and it is a fruitful homage done to him, returning us so much Peace and Victory over Fears and Troubles, perswades us that nothing can separate from his Love, and that only we fear'd, and so the things that cannot reach that, can be easily despised.
Seek to have the Lord in your Hearts, and sanctifie him there, he shall make them strong, and carry them through all dangers, though I walk, says David, through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no ill, for thou art with me, Psal. 23. so Psal. 27. 1. What is it makes the Church so firm and stout, though the Sea roar, and the Mountains be cast into the midst of the Sea: yet we will not fear, that's it, God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. No wonder, he immoveable, and therefore doth establish all where he resides. If the World in the middle of the Heart, it will be often shaken, for all there is continual motion and change, but God in it keeps it stable.
Labour to get God into your Hearts, residing in the midst of them, and then in the midst of all Conditions they shall not move.
In your hearts.] Our condition universally exposed to search and troubles, and no man so stupid but studies and projects for some Fence against them, some Bulwark to break the incursion of Evils, and so put his mind to some ease, ridding it of the fear of them, thus the most vulgar Spirits in their way, for even the Brutes from whom such do not much differ in their actings and course of Life too, are instructed by Nature to provide themselves and their young Ones of Shelters, and the Birds their Nests, and the Beasts their Holes and Dens. Thus men gape and pant after gain, with a confus'd ill-examin'd fancy of quiet and safety in it, once to reach such a day as to say with him in the Gospel, Soul take thine ease, thou hast much Goods laid up for many years, &c. though warn'd by his short ease there, and by many watch words, yea, by daily experience, that days may come, yea, one day will, where fear and trouble shall rush in, and break over the highest Tower of Riches, that there is a day call'd the Day of Wrath, wherein they profit not at all, thus Men seek Safety in Greatness, or Multitude, or supposed Faithfulness of Friends, seek by any means to be strongly underset this way, to have many, and powerful, and confident Friends.
But wiser m…n perceiving the unsafety and vanity of these, and all external things, have cast about for some higher Course, they see a necessity of retiring, a Man from externals that do nothing, but mock and deceive most those that trust most to them, but they cannot well tell whither to direct him, the best of them bring him into himself, and think to quiet him so, but the Truth is, he finds as little there, nothing truly strong enough within him, to hold out against the many sorrows and …ears that still from without do assault him, so then though 'tis well done to call off a a Man from outward things, as moving Sands, that he build not on them, yet 'tis not enough done, for his own spirit is as unsettled a piece as is in all the World, and must have some higher strength than its own to fortifie and fix it. This is the way that is here taught, fear not, &c. but sanctifie the Lord, &c. and if you can attain this latter, the former will follow of it self.
1. Generally, God taking the place formerly possess'd by things full of motion and unquietness, solids and establishes the Heart.
2. Particularly, Consider, 1. Fear of him. 2. Faith in him.
His Fear turns other fears out of doors, no room for them where this great Fear is, and being greater than they all, yet disturbs not as they do, yea, brings as great quiet as they brought trouble, 'tis an ease to have but one thing for the heart to deal withal, for many times the multitude of carnal fears is more troublesome than their weight, as flies that vex most by their number.
Again, This fear is not a terrible apprehension of God as an Enemy, but a sweet composed reverence of God as our King, yea, as our Father, very great, but no less good than great, so highly esteeming of his favour, as fearing most of all things to offend him in any kind, especially if the Soul have been formerly either under the lash of his apprehended displeasure, or on the other side have had some sensible tastes of his love, and hath been entertained in his Banqueting-House, where his Banner over it was Love. Faith carries the Soul above all doubts, that if sufferings, or sickness, or death come, nothing can separate it from him, this suffices, yea, what though he may hide his face for a time, the hardest of all, yet no separation. His Children fear him for his Goodness, are afraid to lose sight of that, or prejudge themselves of any of its influences, desire to live in his favour, and then for other things they are not much thoughtful.
2. Faith sets the Soul in God, and if there be not safety, where is it? rests on those perswasions it hath concerning him, and that interest it hath in him. Believes that he sits and rules the Affairs of the World with an all-seeing Eye, and all-moving Hand: the greatest Affairs surcharge him not, and the very smallost escape him not, orders the march of all Armies, and the events of Battels, and yet thou and thy particular condition slips not out of his view, the very hairs of thy head are numbred, are not all thy steps and the hazards of them known to him? and all thy desires before him, doth he not number thy wandrings? every weary step thou art driven to, and put thy tears in his Bottle, thou mayest assure thy self that however thy matters seem to go, all is contriv'd to subserve thy Good, chiefly thy chief and highest Good, there is a regular Motion in them, though the Wheels do look to run cross, all those things are against me, said old Iacob, and yet they were all for him.
In all estates I know no hearts ease, but to believe, to sanctifie and honour thy God in resting on his Word; if thou art perswaded of his Love, sure that will carry above all distrusting fears, if thou art not clear in that point, yet depend and resolve to stay by him, yea, to stay on him, till he shew himself unto thee, thou hast some fear of him, thou canst not deny it without gross injury to him and thy self, wouldst willingly walk in all well-pleasing unto him, well then, who is among you that feareth the Lord, though he see no present light, yet let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God. Press this upon thy Soul, for there is not another charm for all its fears and unquiet, therefore repeat it still with David, sing this still, till it be stilled, chide thy distrustful heart into believing, why art thou cast down, O my Soul! why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God, for I shall yet praise him, though I'm all out of tune for the present, never a right string in my Soul, yet he will put to his hand and redress all, and I shall yet once again praise, and therefore even now I will hope.
'Tis true, God is a safe shelter and refuge, but he is holy, and holy Men may find admittance and protection, but can so vile a sinner as I look to be protected and taken in under his safe guard? Go try, knock at his Door, and take it not on our word, but on his own, it shall be opened to thee, and once thou shall have a happy life on't in the worst times. Faith hath this priviledge never to be asham'd, it takes Sanctuary in God, and sits and sings under the shadow of his wings, as David speaks, Ps. 63.
Whence the unsettledness of minds in trouble, when 'tis near? but because they are far off from God, the heart shak't as the leaves of the Tree with the wind, no stability of Spirit, God not sanctified in it, and no wonder, for not known. Strange! the ignorance of God and the precious Promises of his word, the most living and dying strangers to him, when trouble comes have not him a known refuge, but are to begin to seek after him, and to enquire the way to him, cannot go to him as acquainted, and ingaged by his own covenant with them, others have empty knowledge and can discourse of Scripture, and Sermons, and Spiritual Comforts, and yet have none of that fear, and trust that quiets the Soul, notions of God in their heads, but God not sanctified in their hearts.
If you will be advised, this is the way to have a high and strong spirit indeed, and to be above troubles and fears, seek for a more lively and Divine Knowledge of God than most as yet have, and rest not till you bring him into your hearts, and then you shall rest indeed in him.
Sanctifie him by fearing him, let him be your fear and your dread, not only outward gross offences, fear an Oath, fear to prophane the Lord's Holy Day: but fear all irregular earthly desires, the distemper'd affecting any thing, entertaining any thing in the secret of your hearts that may give distaste to your beloved, take heed, respect the great Person you have in you Company and lodges within you, the holy Spirit, grieve him not, for it will turn to your own grief if you do: for all your comfort is in his hand, and flows from him, if you be but in heart dallying with sin, it will unfit you for suffering, outward troubles, and make your spirit low and base in the day of tryal, yea it will fill you with inward trouble and disturb that peace which I am sure you that know, esteem more of, then all the peace and flourishing of this World. Outward troubles do not molest nor stir inward peace, but an unholy unsanctified affection doth, all the winds without, cause not an earth quake, but that within its own bowels doth. Christians are much their own enemies in unwary walking, prejudge themselves of those comforts they might have in God, and so are often almost as perplex'd and full of fears upon small occasions as worldlings are.
Sanctifie him by believing, study the main question your reconcilement with him, labour to bring that to some point, and then in all other occurrences Faith will uphold you by relying on God as now yours: for those three things make up the Souls peace. 1. To have right apprehension of God, looking on him in Christ and according to that covenant that holds in him. And 2. A particular apprehension, that is laying hold on him in that covenant as gracious and merciful, as satisfied and appeased in Christ, smelling in his sacrifice, which was himself, a savour of rest, and setting himself before me that I may rely on him in that notion. 3. A perswasion that by so relying on him my Soul is at one, yea is one with him, yet while this is wanting, as to a Believer it may be, the other is our duty to Sanctifie the Lord in believing the word of Grace, and believing on him, reposing on his Word, and this even sever'd from the other doth deliver in a good measure from distracting fears and troubles, and sets the Soul at safety.
Whence is it that in times of Persecution or Trouble, Men are troubl'd within and rackt with fears, but because instead of God, their hearts are gl…ed to those things that are in hazard by those troubles without, their estates or their ease, or their lives; the Soul destitute of God esteems so highly of such things, that it cannot but exceedingly feel when they are in danger, and fear their loss most, gaping after some imagin'd good, and Oh! i… I had but this I were well; but then such or such a thing may step in and break all my Projects; and this troubles the poor Spiri… of Man that hath no higher designs, but such as are so easily blasted, and still as any thing in Man lists up his Soul to vanity, it must needs fall down again into vexation. There is a word or two in the Hebrew for Idols, that signifie withal Troubles and Terrors, and so 'tis certainly: All our Idols prove so to us, fill us with nothing but anguish and troubles, with unprofitable cares and fears that are good for nothing but to be fit punishments of that folly, out of which they arise. The ardent love or wilful desire of Prosperity, or Wealth, or Credit in the World carries with it, as inseparably ty'd to it, a bundle of fears and inward troubles. They that will be rich (says the Apostle) fall into a snare and many noysome and hurtful lusts, and as he adds in the next Verse, they pierce themselves through with many sorrows. He that hath set his Heart upon an Estate, or a commodious Dwelling and Lands, or upon a healthful and long Life, cannot but be in continued alarms of renewed fears concerning them, especially in troublous times, the least rumor of any thing that threatneth his deprivement of those advantages strikes him to the heart; because his heart is in them, I am well seated, thinks he, and I am of a sound strong constitution, and may have many a good day. Oh! but beside the Arrows of Pestilence that are flying round about, the Sword of a cruel Enemy is not far off, this will affright and trouble a heart void of God; but if thou wouldst readily answer and dispel all these and such like fears, Sanctifie the Lord God in thy Heart, the Soul that eyes God renounces these things, looks on them at a great distance, as things far from the Heart, and therefore that cannot easily trouble it, but looks on God as within the Heart, sanctifies him in it and rests on him.
The Word of God cures the many foolish hopes and fears that we are naturally sick of, by representing to us hopes and fears of a far higher Nature, which swallow up and drown the other, as Inundations and Land…oods, do the little Ditches in those Meadows that they overflow, fear not (says our Saviour) him that can kill the Body, what then, fear must have some work, he adds, but fear him that can kill both Soul and Body. Thus in the passage cited here, fear not their fear, but sanctifie the Lord and let him be your fear and your dread. And so for the hopes of the World, care not to lose them for God, there is a hope in you (as it follows here) that is far above them.
Be ready always to give an answer.] The real Christian is all for Christ, hath given up all right of himself to his Lord and Master, to be all his, to do and suffer for him, and therefore sure will not fail in this which is least, to speak for him upon all Occasions, if he sanctifie him in his Heart, the Tongue will follow, and be ready, [foreign] to give an Answer, a Defence or Apology. Of this here four things,
1. The need of it, Men will ask an account.
2. The Matter or Subject of it, the hope in you.
3. The manner, with meekness and fear.
4. The faculty for it, be ready.
1. Religion is always the thing in the World that hath the greatest calumnies and prejudices cast upon it, and this engages those that love it to endeavour to clear and disburden it of them, this they do chiefly by the Tract of their Lives, the Saints by their blameless Actions and patient Sufferings, do write most real and convincing Apologies, yet sometimes 'tis expedient, yea, necessary to add verbal Defences, and to vindica…e not so much themselves, as their Lord and his Truth, suffering in the Reproaches cast upon them: for did they rest in their Persons,Spreta vile…cerent. a regardless contempt of them were usually the fittest answer, but where the holy Profession of Christians is likely to receive either the main or the indirect blow, and a word of defence may do any thing to award it, there we ought not to spare do it.
Christian Prudence goes much in the regulating of this: for holy Things are not to be cast to Dogs, some are not capable of rational Answers, especially in Divine Things, they were not only lost upon them, but Religion indignified by contesting: but every one that enquires a reason or an account, which supposes something receptive of it, we ought to judge our selves engaged to give it, be it an Enemy if he will hear, if it gain him not, it may in part convince and cool him, much more be it one that ingenuously enquires for satisfaction, and possibly inclines to receive the Truth; but is prejudic'd against it by false misrepresentations of it, as Satan and the prop…ane World are very inventive of such shapes and colours as may make Truth most odious, drawing monstrous misconsequences out of it, and belying the Practices of Christians, making their Assemblies horrible and vile by false imputations, and thus are they often necessitated to declare the true Tenor, both of their Belief and Lives in Confessions of Faith, and Remonstrances of their carriage and custom.
The very name of Christians in the Primitive Times was made ha…eful by the foulest a…ersions of strange wickednesses committed in their Meetings, and past credibly through with all that were not particularly acquainted with them, thus the Waldenses, and so both were forc'd to publish Apologies, and as here, every one bound seasonably to clear himself and his Brethren and Religion.
Be always ready] So not always to be done to every one, but being ready to do, 'tis to be considered, when, and to whom, and how far.
2. But all that they are to give account of, is compris'd here under this, the hope that is in you. Faith is the Root of Graces; and of all Obedience and Holiness, and Hope is so near in Nature to it, that the one is commonly named for the other, for the things that Faith apprehends and lays hold on as present in the Truth of Divine Promises, Hope looks out for as to come in their certain performance, to believe a promise to be true before it be perform'd, is no other but to believe that it shall be performed, and hope expects that.
Many rich and excellent things do the Saints receive even in this mean despised condition they have here, but their hope is rather mention'd as the subject they may speak and give account of with most advantage, both because all they receive in present, is but as nothing to what they hope for, and because such as it is, it cannot be made known at all to a natural Man, and is so clouded with their afflictions and sorrows, these he sees, but their Graces and Comforts he cannot see; and therefore the very ground of higher hopes, somewhat to come, though he knows not what it is, speaks more satisfaction: To hear of another life and a happiness hoped for, any man will confess it sayes something, and de…erves to be considered.
So then the whole Sum of Religion goes under this word, the hope that is in you, for two Reasons. 1. For that it doth indeed all resolve and terminate into things to come, and leads and carries on the Soul towards them by all the Graces in it, and all the exercise of them, and all through ser…ices and sufferings, and aims at this as its main scope, to keep that li…e to come in the Believers eye, till he get it in his hand, to entertain the hope of it, and bring him home to possess it. Therefore the Apostle calls Faith, the substance of things hoped for, that which makes them be before they be, gives a solidity and su…stance to them. The name of hope in other things …arce suits withal, bu… …ounds a kind of uncertainty, and is somewhat airy, … of all other hopes but this 'tis a very true Word,[Spes est nomen boni incerti. Sen.] that 'tis the name of an uncertain good; but the Gospel being entertain'd by Faith, furnishes a hope that hath substance and reality in it, and all its Truths do concenter into this, to give such a hope. There was in St. Paul's word, besides the fitness for his stratagem at that time, a Truth suitable to this, where he assigns his whole Cause for which he was in question by the name of his hope of the resurrection.Acts. 23.
And indeed this Hope carries its own apology in it for it self and for Religion. What can more pertinently answer all exceptions against the way of Godliness than this, to represent what hopes the Saints have that walk in that way. If you ask whither tends all this your preciseness and singularity; why can't you live as your Neighbours and the rest of the world about you? Truly the reason is this, we have somewhat further to look to than our present condition, and far more considerable than any thing here; we have a hope of Blessedness after time, a hope to dwell in the presence of God, where our Lord Christ is gone before us, and we know, that as many as have this hope, must purifie themselves even as he is pure. The City we tend to is holy, and no unclean thing shall enter into it, the hopes we have cannot subsist in the way of the ungodly world, they cannot breath in that air, but are choak'd and sti…'d with it, and therefore we must take another way, unless we will forego our hopes and ruin our selves for company. But all that busle of Godliness you make, is but oftentation and hypocrisie: that may be your judgment,Matth. 6. but if it were so, we had but a poor bargain, they have their reward, that which they desire (to be seen, of Men) is given them, and they can look for no more; but we wo…ld be loath it were so with us, that which our eye is on, is to come, our hopes are the thing upholds us, we know that we shall appear before the Judge of hearts, where shews and formalities will not pass, and we are perswaded, that the hope of the hypocrite shall perish, no Man shall be so much disappointed and ashamed as he, but the hope that we have makes not ashamed: and while we consider that so far are we from the regard of Men's Eyes, that were it not we are bound to profess our hope and avow Religion, and to walk like it even before Men, we would be content to pass through altogether unseen and desire to pass as if it were so, as regardless either of the approbation, or of the reproaches and mistakes of Men, as if there were no such thing, for it is indeed nothing.
Yea the hopes we have make all things sweet, therefore do we go through disgraces and sufferings with patience, yea with joy, because of that hope of Glory, and joy laid up for us. A Christian can take joyfully the spoylings of his Goods, knowing that he hath in Heaven a better and an enduring substance.
The hope.] All the estate of a Believer lyeth in hope, and 'tis a Royal estate, for outward things, the Children of God have what he thinks fit to serve them, but those are not their portion, and therefore he gives often more of the World to these that shall have no more hereafter; but all their flourish and lustre is but a base advantage, as a Lacquey's gaudy Cloaths that usually make more shew than his that is heir of the estate. How often under a mean outward condition and very despicable every way, goes an heir of Glory, born of God, and so Royal, born to a Crown that fadeth not, an estate of hopes, but so rich and so certain hopes, that the least thought of them surpasses all the World's Possessions. Men think somwhat for present, a bird in hand, as you say, the best on't, but the odds is in this, that when all present things shall be past, and swept away, as if they had not been, then shall these Hopers be in et…rnal possession, they only shall have all for ever, that seem'd to have little or nothing here.
Oh! how much happier to be the meanest Expectant of the Glory to come, than alone Possessor of all this World, these are often held short in earthly things, and had they the greatest abundance of them yet cannot rest in that; so all the spiritual blessings that they do possess here, are nothing to the hopes that is in them, but as an earnest penny to their great inheritance; so indeed it confirm… their hope and assures it them of that full estate, and therefore be it never so small, they may look on it with joy, not so much looking on it as simply in it self, as what it is in relation to that which it feals and ascertains the Soul o…; be it never so small, yet is it a pledge of the great glory and happiness which we desire to …hare in.
'Tis the grand comfort of a Christian to look often beyond all that he can possess or attain here, and as to answer others, when he is put to it concerning his hope, so to answer himself concerning all his present griefs and wants, I have a poor travellers lot here, little friendship, and many straits, but yet I may go cheerfully homewards, for thither I shall come, and there I have riches, and honour enough, a Palace and a Crown abiding me, here nothing but deep calling unto deep, one calamity and trouble, as waves following another: but I have a hope of that rest that remaineth for the people of God, I feel the infirmities of a mortal state, but my hopes of immortality content me under them, I find strong and cruel assaults of tentations breaking in upon me, but for all that I have assured hope of a full victory, and then of everlasting peace. I find a law in my members rebelling against the law of my mind, the worst of all evils, so much strength of corruption within me, yet there is withal a hope within me of deliverance, and I look over all to that, I li…t up my head, because the day of my redemption draws nigh. This I dare avow and proclaim to all, and not be ashamed to answer concerning this blessed hope.
But this to be done with meekness and fear. Meekness towards Men, and reverent Fear towards God.
With Meekness] Not therefore blustring and flying out into invectives, because he hath the better on't against any Man that answers touching this hope, as some think themselves certainly authoriz'd to rough speech, because they plead for truth, and are on its side, on the contrary, so much the rather study meekness for the glory and advantage of the truth, it needs not the service of passion, yea nothing so disserves it, as passion when set to serve it; the spirit of truth is withal the Spirit of meekness, the Dove that rested on that great Champion of truth, who is the Truth it self, and from him is derived to the lovers of truth, and they ought to seek the participation of it. Imprudence makes some kind of Christians lose much of their labour, speaking for Religion, and drive those further off that they would draw into it.
And fear] Divine things never to be spoke of in a light perfunctory way, but with a reverent grave temper of Spirit, and for this reason some choice to be made both of time and persons. The confidence that is in this hope makes the Believer not fear Men, to whom he answers, but still he fears his God for whom he answers, and whose interest is chief in those things he speaks of. The Soul that hath the deepest sense of spiritual things and Knowledge of God, is most affraid to miscarry in speaking of him, most tender and wary how to acquit it self when engaged to speak of and for God.
Ready] In this, knowledge and affection, and courage. For Knowledge, not requir'd of every Christian to be able to prosecute subtilties, and encounter the s…phistry of Adversaries, especially in obscure points, bu… all bound to know so much, as to be able to aver t…a… hope that is in them, the main Doctrine of Grace and …, wherein the most of Men are lamentably ignorant.
Affection sets all on work, whatsoever faculty the mind hath, it will not suffer it to be useless, and it harden's it against hazards in defence of the truth.
But the only way so to know and love the truth and have courage for it, is that, to have the Lord sanctified in the heart. Men may dispute stoutly against Popery and Errors, and yet be strangers to God and this hope, but sure 'tis the liveliest defence, and only that which returns comfort within, when it ar…ses from the peculiar interest of the Soul in God, and in those truths, and that hope that is question'd; 'tis then pleading for the nearest friend, and for a Man's own rights and inheritance, and these will a…mate and edge it when no… for a hope you have heard or read of barely, but a hope in you, and not a hope in B…lievers in general but in you in a particular, s…me of that hope within.
But altho you find it not so strong in you for your particular interest, yet are you seeking after it, and desiring it mainly as your chief design to attain, then forbear not if you have occasion to speak for it, and commend it others, and mantain the sweetness and cerainty of it.
And to the end you may be the more establish'd in it, and so the stronger to answer for it, not only against Men, but that great Adversary that seeks so much to infringe, know the right foundation of it, build it never on your selves nor any thing in you.
The work of Grace may evidence to you the truth of your hope, but its ground it fastens on is Jesus Christ, in whom all our rights and evidences hold good; his death assuring us of freedom from condemnation, and his life and possession of glory the foundation of our hope, Heb. 6. 19.
If you would have it immoveable rest it there, lay all this hope on him, and when assaulted, fete… all your answers for it from him, for 'tis Christ in you that is your hope of glory. Coloss. 1. 27.