Exposition of the Two Epistles of Peter, Epistle and exposition 1 · Chapter 2 · Verse and commentary 21
Verſ. 21. For even hereunto were ye called: becauſe Chriſt alſo ſuffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye ſhould follow his ſteps.
Here are ſome further arguments, to preſſe upon Chriſtians patient ſuffering for the Truth of Chriſt, and Duty to Him. The third, in number is, That they were by the Goſpel called to follow Chriſt with a croſſe upon their back. The fourth is, That Chriſt hath in their room born all the wrath that's due to them for their ſins. And the fifth, is, That he hath caſt a ſweet copy and patern of a right way of ſuffering for all His own to imitate: and therefore they ſhould hold on in their duty, notwithſtanding of ſufferings. Hence Learn, 1. As Chriſt's Followers are called by the Goſpel, to enjoy a ſweet fellowſhip with Him here, 1 Cor. 1.9. and to the obtaining of glory with Him hereafter, 2 Theſſ. 2.14. So, are they alſo called to endure a ſuffering lot in the world for following their duty to Him: for, to thoſe who were ſuffering wrongfully for well-doing, the Apoſtle thus ſpeaketh, Even hereunto were ye called. 2. Chriſt doth not hide this hard lot of ſuffering from His Followers, till they meet with it; but when firſt He invites them to engage with Him, He gives them fore-warning of the worſt that may befall them in His ſervice, that ſo they may not be offended at it when it comes, Job. 16.1. that they may give proof of their eſteem of Him, by conſenting to take up a croſſe for Him, Mat. 10.37, 38. and by their former conſent to follow Him upon theſe tearms, may be the more ſtrongly engaged to adventure upon ſuffering for Him, Joh. 21.18. 2 Pet. 1.14. for, the Apoſtle brings this, as an argument to patient and conſtant ſuffering, that even hereunto were they called. 3. Jeſus Chriſt hath ſuffered in the room and place of the Elect, ſo that none who are one with Him have any part of vindictive wrath to undergo, whatever fatherly diſpleaſure they may be exerciſed with to humble them in the ſenſe of ſin, and wrath due to them, that ſo they may flee to Him, Pſal. 89.30. becauſe Chriſt alſo hath ſuffered for us. 4. Chriſt's ſuffering thus for Believers, doth ſtrongly oblige and encourage them to ſuffer for Him, when they muſt either ſuffer, or ſin againſt Him, ſeing His ſufferings for them, hath freed them from wrath, Gal. 3.13. and made everlaſting bleſſedneſſe ſure for them, Rom. 8.34, &c. for, this is the Apoſtle's fourth argument, to ſuffer for well-doing, becauſe Chriſt alſo hath ſuffered for us. 5. Although it be high preſumption in any▪ to aim at imitation of Chriſt in theſe acts of His, which He did for ſatisfying the Father's juſtice for ſinners, for proving of His Deity, and the like, it being altogether impoſſible to imitate Him in theſe, Joh. 15.24. Yet Chriſtians are bound to imitate Chriſt in theſe actions of His, which being in themſelves moral, are purpoſely propounded in Scripture for Chriſtians to imitate, ſuch as meekneſſe, Mat. 11.29. humility, Joh. 13.12, 13. ſelf-denial, Rom. 15.2, 3. and here, patient and conſtant ſuffering for well-doing: Chriſt hath ſuffered for us, leaving us an example, that we ſhould follow His ſteps. 6. Although the beſt will ſtill be far ſhort of conformity to their patern Chriſt Jeſus, even in theſe things wherein they are to imitate Him, and in which ſome meaſure of conformity may be attained; Yet ought we not to give over, but ſtill aim at the next time to come nearer our copy, which is perfect in it ſelf, and able to change thoſe who by Faith look on it, 2 Cor. 3.18. for, there is a metaphor in the word here, taken from an exact copy which is caſt to Children, whereunto they are ſtill to ſtudy more conformity, though after many eſſayes they be very unlike it; leaving us an example that we ſhould follow. 7. Jeſus Chriſt doth not call His Followers to ſtep any hand ſtep in His ſervice, but ſuch as He hath trod before them himſelf, whoſe paths drop fatneſſe to them, Pſal. 65.11. and who by His Spirit doth yet go along with them through the hardeſt, Cant. 4.8. for his ſteps, here ſpoken of, are both the ſeveral kinds of His ſufferings from wicked men, which He went through, and the particulars of the right way of ſuffering wherein we are to imitate Him, who hath left us an example that we ſhould follow his ſteps.