Practical Commentary of 1 Peter Volume 2, Commentary · Chapter 1 · Verse 11
Verse 13.
13. And who is he that will harm you, if you be followers of that which is good?
THis the Apostle adds, as a further reason of the safety and happiness of that way he points out from its own nature. There is something even intrinsecal in meek, and upright, and holy carriage, that is apt in part to free a Man from many evils and mischiefs that the ungodly are expos'd to, and do readily draw upon themselves: your spotless and harmless deportment will much bind up the hands even of your enemies, and sometimes possibly somewhat allay and cool the malice of their hearts, that they cannot so rage against you as otherwise they might, 'twill be somewhat strange and monstruous to rage against the innocent, who is he that will harm you, &c. Here are two things. 1. The carriage 2. The advantage of it 1. Their carriage express'd, followers, &c. The word is imitaters.
There is an imitation of men that is impious and wicked, taking the copy of their sins; again an imitation that though not so grosly evil, yet is poor and servile being in mean things, yea sometimes descending to imitate the very imperfections of others, as …ancying some comeliness in them, as some of Basil's Scholars that imitated his slow speaking, which he had a little in the extream and could …ot help; but this is always laudable and worthy of the best minds to be imitaters of that which is good, wheresoever they find it, for that stays not in any mans person as the ultimate pattern, but arises to the highest Grace, being mans nearest likeness to God, his Image and Resemblance, and so following the example of the Saints in Holiness, we look higher than them, and consider them as receivers, but God as the first Owner and Dispenser of Grace, bearing his stamp and superscription, and belonging peculiarly to him in what hand soever it be found, as carrying the mark of no other Owner but his only.
The Word of God hath our Copy in its perfection, and very legible and clear, and so the imitation of good in the compleat Rule of it is the regulating our ways by the Word: but even in it we find besides general Rules, the particular Tract of Life of divers eminent holy Persons, and those on purpose set before us that we may know Holiness not to be an idle imaginary thing, but that m…n have really been holy, though not altogether sinles…, yet holy and spiritual in some good measure, that have shined as light amidst a perverse Generation, as greater Stars in a dark night, and yet men, as St. Iames says of Elias, like …s in Nature, foreignand the sra…lty of it; subject to like passions as we are Why may we not then aspire to be … as they were, and attain to it, although we should fall short of the degree, yet not stopping at a small measure, but running further, pressing still forward towards the mark, following them in the way they went though at a distance, not reaching them, and yet walking, yea, running after them as fast as we can. Not judging of Holiness by our own sloth and natural averseness, taking it for a singularity fit only for rare extraordinary Persons, such as Prophets and Apostles were, or as the Church of Rome fancies those to be, that it vouchsafes a room to in the Roll of Saints; do you not know that Holiness, is the only Via regia, this following of good, that path wherein all the Children of God must walk, one following after another, each striving to equal, and if they could to outstrip even those they look on as most advanced in it. This is amongst many other, a misconceit in the Romish Church, that they seem to make Holiness a kind of impropriate good, that the common sort can have little share in, almost all piety shut up within Cloy…terwalls, as its only fit dwelling: but it hath not liked their lodging it seems, but is flown over the Walls away from them, for there is little of it even there to be found, but however the opinion of it places it there, as having little to do abroad in the World.
Whereas the Truth is, that all Christians have this for their common task, though some are under more peculiar obligations to study this one copy; look on the Rule of Holiness, and be followers of it, and followers or imitaters one of another so far as their carriage agrees with that Primitive Copy, as writ after it, be ye *foreignfollowers of me, says the Apostle, even to the meanest Christian among those he wrote to, but thus, as I am of Christ.
Is it thus with us, are we zealous and emulous followers of that which is good, exciting each other by our example to a Holy and Christian Conversation, prov…king one another (so the Apostles word is) to love, and to good works. Or are not the most mutual corrupters of each other, and the Places and Societi… where they live; some leading, and others following in their ungodliness, not regarding the course of those that are most desirous to walk holily, or if at all, doing it with a corrupt and evil eye, not to study and follow what is good in them, their way of Holiness; but to espy any the least wrong step, to take exact notice of any imperfection, and sometimes malign'd only, and by this either to reproach Religion, or to hearten or harden themselves in their irreligion and ungodliness, seeking warrant for their own willing licentiousness in the unwilling failings of God's Children.
And in their converse with such as themselves, following their prophane way, and flattering, and blessing one another in it. What need we be so precise, and if I should not do as others, they would laugh at me, I should pass for a fool: well thou wilt be a fool in the most wretched kind, rather than be accounted one by such as are fools, and know not at all wherein true Wisdom consists.
Thus the most carried with the stream of this wicked World, their own inward corruption easily agreeing and suting with it; every man as a drop falling into a Torrent, and easily made one and running along with it, into that dead Sea where it empties it self.
But they whom the Lord hath a purpose to sever and save, he carries a contrary course even to that violent s…ream, and these are the Students of Holiness, the Followers of Good, that le…d their endeavours thus, and look on all sides diligently, on what may animate and advance them, on the example of the Saints in former times, and on the good they espy in those that live together with them, and above all studying that perfect Rule in the Scriptures, and that highest and first pattern, there so often set before them, even the Author of that Rule, the Lord himself, to be holy as he is h…ly, foreign Pyth.to be bountiful and merciful as their Heavenly Father, and in all labouring to be, as the Apostle exhorts, Fellowers of God as dear Children: As Children that are beloved of their Father, and do love and reverence him, will be ambitious to be like him, and particularly aim at the following any Vertues or Excellency in him: now thus 'tis most reasonable in the Children of God, their Father being the highest and best of all Excellency and Perfection.
But this Excellent pattern is drawn down nearer their view in the Son Iesus Christ, where we have that highest Example made low, and yet losing nothing of its perfection, may study God in Man, and read all our Lesson, without any blot even in our own Nature, and this truely the only way to be the best Proficients in this following and imitating of all good. In him all even those blessings that men most despise, God teaching them by acting them and calling us to follow; Learn of me, for I am …eek and lowly in heart: but this is too large a subject. Would you advance in all Grace, study Christ much, and you shall find not only the pattern in him, but strength and skill from him to follow it.
2. The Advantage, who is he that w…ll harm you.
The very name of it says so much, a good worthy the following … it self: but there is this further to perswade it, that besides higher benefit, it oftentimes cuts off the occasions of present evils and disturbances that otherwise men are incident to Who is he? Men even evil men will often be overcome by our blameless and harmless behaviour.
1. In the Life of a Godly Man taken together in the whole body and frame of it, there is a grave beauty or comeliness, that oftentimes forces some kind of reverence and respect to it, even in Ungodly minds.
2. Though a Natural man cannot love them spiritually, as Graces of the Spirit of God, for so only the partakers of them are Lovers of them; yet he may have, and usually hath a natural liking and esteem of some kind of vertues which are in a Christian, and are not in their right nature in any other to be found; tho a Moralist may have somewhat like them, Meekness, and Patience, and Charity, and Fidelity, &c.
3. These and other such-like Graces do make a Christian life so inoffensive and calm, that except where the matter of their God or Religion is made the Crime, malice it self can scarce tell where to …asten its Teeth or lay hold, hath nothing to pull by, though it would, yea, oftentimes for want of work or occasions, 'twill fall a sleep for a while, whereas Ungodliness and Iniquity sometimes by breaking out into notorious Crimes, draws out the Sword of Civil Justice, and where it rises not so high, yet it involves Men into frequent contentions and quarrels, Prov. 23. 29. how often are the lusts, and pride, and covetousness of men paid with dangers, and troubles, and vexations, that besides what is abiding, do even in present spring out of them; now these the Godly pass free of by their just, and mild, and humble carriage; whence so many jars and strifs amongst the greatest part, but from their unchristian Hearts and Lives, from their lusts that war in their members, their self-love and unmortified Passions, he will bate nothing of his Will, nor the other of his. Thus where Pride and Passion meets on both sides, it cannot be, but a fire will be kindled, when hard Flints strike together, the sparkles will fly about: but a soft mild spirit is a great preserver of its own peace, kills the power of contest, as Wooll packs or such like soft matter most dea… the force of Bullets. A soft answer turns away wrath, says Solomon, beats it off, breaks the bone, as he says, the very strength of it, as the bones are in the body.
And thus we find it, they that think themselves high-spirited, and will be…r least as they speak, are often, even by that, forc…d to low most, or to burst under't; while Humility and Meekness escape many a burden, and many a blow, always keeps peace within, and often without too.
Obs. 1. If this were duely considered, might it not do somewhat to induce your minds to love the way of Religion, for that it would so much abate the turbulency and unquietness that abounds in the lives of men, a great part whereof the most do procure by the earthliness and distemper of their own carnal minds, and the disorder in their ways that arises thence.
2. You, whose hearts are set towards God, and your Feet entred into his ways, I hope you find no reason for a change, but many to commend and endear that way to you every day more than another, and amongst the rest even this in them you escape many even present mischiefs, that you see the ways of the World are full of. And if you will be careful to ply your Rule, and study your Copy better, you shall find it more so, the more you follow that which is good, the more shall you avoid a number of outward evils that are ordinarily drawn on upon men by their own enormities and passions: keep as close as you can to the genuine even Tract of a Christian walk, and labour for a prudent and meek behaviour,Matt. 10. adorning your holy Profession, and this shall adorn you, and sometimes gain those that are without, yea, even your Enemies shall be constrain'd to approve it.
'Tis known how much the spotless Lives and patient Sufferings of the Primitive Christians did sometimes work upon their Beholders, yea, on their Persecutors, and perswaded some that would not share with them in their Religion, yet to speakand write for them.
Seeing then that Reason and Experience do joyntly aver it, that the Lives of Men conversant together, have readily very much influence one upon another; for example is an animated or living Rule, and is both the shortest and powerfullest way of teaching.
Obs. 1. Whosoever are in exemplary or leading place in relation to others, be it many or few, be ye first followers of God, set before you the Rule of Holiness, and withal the best and highest examples of these that have walkt according to it, and then you will be leading in it, those that are under you, and bent to follow you in so doing, will follow that which is good. Lead and draw them on by admonishing, and counselling, and exhorting; but especially by walking. Pastors, foreign ensamples, as our Apostle hath it, that they may be stampt aright, taking the impression of your Lives, sound Doctrine alone will not serve, tho the Water you give your Flocks be pure, yet if you lay spotted Rods before them, it will bring forth spotted Lives in them, either teach not at all or teach by Rhetorick of your Lives. Elders*foreign Naz. be such in grave and pious carriage whatsoever be your years, for young Men may be so, and possibly gray Hairs may have nothing under them but gaddishness and folly many years old, habituated and inveterate ungodliness. Parents and Masters, let your Children and Servants read in your Lives the Life and Power of Godliness, the Practice of Piety, not lying in your Windows or corners of your Houses, and confin'd within the Clasp of the Book, bearing that or any such like Title, but shining in your Lives.
2dly, You that are easily receptive of the impression of example, beware of the stamp of unholiness, and a carnal formal course of profession, whereof the examples are most abounding, but though they be fewer that bear the lively Image of God impress'd on their hearts, and express'd in their Actions, yet study these, and be followers of those as they are of Christ. I know you will espy much irregular and unsanctified carriage in us that are set up for the Ministry, and look round will find the World lying in wickedness, yet if there be any that have any sparks of divine light in them converse with those and follow them.
3. And generally this to all, for none so compleat, but may espy some imitable and emulable good even in meaner Christians, acquaint your selves with the Word the rule of holiness, and then with an eye to that look on one another, and be zealous of progress in the ways of holiness, choose to converse with such as may excite you and advance you both by their advice and example. Let not a corrupt Generation in which you live, be the worse by you, nor you the worse by it, as far as you necessarily ingage to some conversation with those that are unholy, let them not pull you into the mire, but if you can, help them out; and let not any custome of Sin about you, by familiar seeing, gain upon you so as to think it fashionable and comely, yea, or so as not to think it deform and hateful, know that you must row against the Stream of wickedness in the World, unless you would be carried with it to the dead Sea or Lake of Perdition; take that grave counsel given, Rom. 12. be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, which is the daily advancement in renovation, purifying and refining every day.
Now in this way you shall have sweet inward peace and joy, and some advantage outward, that Men, except monstruously cruel and malicious, will not so readily harm you, 'twill abate much of their rage, but however if you do not escape suffering by your holy carriage, yea if you suffer even for it, yet in that are ye happy.