Exposition Upon 1 Peter, Biblical exegesis · Chapter 4 · Verse 17
Verse 17. For the time is come, that judgement must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God?
HEre are more Reasons to the same purpose; 1. From the time; God will now since Christs coming, exercise his Church with greater tryals and trobules, then the ages before his coming in the flesh. 2. The necessity of it, Judgement must come. 3. By making comparison between the state of Gods children persecuted, and their persecuters; yea, and all the wicked, for though these be chastened a while, yet the end of the ungodly will be most fearful, which he sets not down affirmatively, but with much more vehemency and earnestness, by interrogation, What shall the end be, &c?
For the time is come, The Churches troubles are more now then heretofore.&c.] The Church is appointed to more crosses and tryals since Christ under the Gospel, then before. True, it hath been persecuted even from the beginning, and every true believer hath had crosses and tryals, and the people of God have been persecuted both of the prophane among themselves, and of others, yet never so sorely nor commonly as since Christ, witness the ten bloody Persecutions, with those which the Church hath since suffered by Heathen, Turks, Papists.
Reasons. 1. Because this time hath clearer promises, and a more fuller revelation of Gods will, and Heaven as it were set open, and Christ and all his benefits so set before our eyes, as we have much more means of comfort and believing, and so of love to God, and courage, and therefore may well undertake greater tasks; the time of the Law, was the time of the infancy of the Church; the time of the Gospel, the time of the maturity thereof: Therefore well may God require and look for more obedience, and not in doing onelyonly, but suffering;Acts 2. 17. for God will not have the graces of his Spirit in his Servants to rust. 2. The Lord hath promised great things of the people in time of the Gospel:Isaiah 4. 2. 27. 9. He will pour out his Spirit upon them, knowledge shall abound, yong men shall see visions, Heb. 12. 10.&c, Now seeing its foretold, we should be holy in these times, the Lord therefore must use the best means to effect the same, whereof afflictions are one.
1. This confuteth that opinion of the Papists,Use 1. that teach, That the Church in the New Testament should always so prosper and flourish in wealth, and be conspicuous and glorious, and have victory over the enemies thereof, which is rather the mark of the synagogue of Satan, which is ever greater in number, and more pompous, for though God give his Church breathings to be gathered, and to edifie themselves, yet is it scarce at any time free from troubles.
2. It rebuketh those among our selves,Use 2. that the Gospel should bring all peace and ease, and therefore when they see any troubles come for it,Amos 9. 9, 10, &c. they are offended: Its true, God gives peace and plenty, as handmaids to wait upon the Gospel, yet either for chastisement for the contempt of the Gospel, or tryal of his Servants profiting; the Gospel hath troubles, and men must be content, and take the Gospel with whatsoever troubles, and thank God too, and think they be gainers: But many would have the rose, not the prickle, follow Christ for loaves, and in hope for preferment, but hearing that he hath no where to rest his head, they will be gone; These be but Hypocrites, and such as never tasted indeed of the Gospel, for if they had, they would part with all for it.
3. It should teach us all in these days,Use 3. not to conceit of ease, credit, &c. for the Gospel brings a Sword, and therefore we must prepare for hardship, yea, the Gospel brings enough with it, to make us willing to suffer for it; The not thinking hereof, causeth unpreparedness, and both either a flying from God, or else to bear them impatiently.
That judgement must begin] By judgement is not meant plagues or punishments for sin, as pieces of Gods wrath, and forerunners of condemnation (for such are those laid on the wicked) but merciful chastisements,1 Cor. 11. 32. and loving corrections, whereby we are moved to judge our selves that we be not judged of the Lord, and condemned with the world.
1. These afflictions must begin with Gods-Servants;Afflictions must begin with Gods Servants. Jacobs house first, afterwards the Egyptians felt the Famine; first the Israelites were oppressed, but afterwards the Egyptians themselves plagued; the Jews were first carried into captivity, but afterwards the Assyrians were destroyed by the Medes and Persians. 1. In respect of their sins, they are full of terror and anguish of Spirit ere they can get any comfort, and when they have obtained it, its often eclipsed, and they go mourning. 2. They are subject to many sicknesses, grievous pains, diseases, losses, crosses, disgrace, persecution at the hand of the wicked, &c. And thus will God have his Church afflicted, either by his own hand, or by the wicked. 1. To humble them for sin past, as Josephs brethren. 2. To fetch them into the way from wandring, and teach them obedience, as David and Jonah. 3. To humble them. 4. To mortifie their lusts, wean them from the world, and quicken them to duty. 5. Hereby also God sheweth that he will not bear with sin in his dearest Servants, as he did not in David, Moses, Miriam. 6. To confute the Devil, and shew that Gods people serve him not for wages. 7. To shew them their happiness is to come, and that if God thus school his Servants, that then he will deal severely with the wicked, so that this may be a looking-glass to them.
1. Seeing God will have it thus,Use 1. and that his course is to begin with his Children, we must not refuse the chastening of the Almighty, neither conclude against our selves, that we be none of the Lords, because of this, as Gideon, but if we can prove it by other reasons, let not this dismay; This is rather an argument we are the Lords, though not of it self (because the wicked are also thus met with) yet to be taught hereby to labor to see the Lords minde, and to make use, and be patient, is a good sign, and know, seeing we be chastened here, we have happiness remaining for us.
2. That none bless himself to be in Gods favor because of his great prosperity,Use 2. or for that his eyes stand out with fatness:Psal. 73. 7. For Ishmael had the fat of the Earth, Iob 21. 7, 8, 9, &c.and Esau the dew of Heaven, and Judas carryed the bag: They might rather conclude, seeing they live wickedly, and be not punished but prosper here, that therefore there remains a fearful answer for them, and so there doth, as in the next clause appeareth.
3. Neither ought Gods children envy or be discouraged at the prosperity of the wicked;Use 3. for they may from thence conclude, that judgement is coming on them; but for themselves, that there's happiness laid up for them; for if God can afford his enemies the blessings of this life (which oftentimes even his own have in a scant measure) how great happiness will he bestow upon them in the life to come?
2. Its of necessity that Gods Servants must here suffer troubles;Why Gods children must here suffer afflictions. and that 1. In respect of Gods will, he hath appointed us thereunto. 2. In respect of our necessity: Sin is so rivited into us, and in our very nature, as it must be no small nor easie thing to pluck it out from us: O our infidelity, pride, hypocrisie, self-love, frowardness, &c. how near do these cleave to us,Psal. 32. 3, 4. and how fast do they hang on? nay, what a while is it ere an affliction works any thing to the purpose, which therefore must either be long continued, or have another joyned therewith: Who hath not need to have his heart more mollified? to be weaned from the world, to be quickned to his duty &c. how soon do we forget an affliction, and therefore who hath not need to be remembred?
Therefore let us not be against the Lords chastning:Use. Its better to have a strong purgation, then to fall into spiritual diseases and dangers, whereunto we shall else be subject; there's no rule in the world among children without rods: Neither use we untimely means, or make over much haste to get out of them, but crave rather to be better renewed and increased in Faith, Patience, Humility, &c. our care is comfortable.
At the house of God;] Gods Church is his house.that is, The Church of God, as its said of Moses, Numb. 12. 7.That he was faithful in Gods house. God walks in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks:Rev. 1. 13. He is among his people, and in his Church, to direct, comfort, protect and provide for it, as a careful housholder for his family: He is with us to the end of the world, and dwells in every Believer by his holy Spirit.
1. This serves for instruction to duty,Use 1. both to God our Housholders and other our fellow-servants: Towards God, 1. We must behave our selves, as such as belong to such a Family; Joshua and Cornelius had godly Families, God will have none that shall behave themselves unseemly, or not be subject to the Orders of his House; we must not be away at meals, when the Family meet; If God finde our place empty, when it should be full, as at Word and Sacrament, he will be much provoked; if the second time, beware, &c. 2. We must follow our work hard, that our Master sets us about, for he hath no idle persons in his Family; we must therefore know what is our work in our general calling, as that we must walk holily, righteously and soberly; what in our particular, as a Magistrate, Minister, Housholder, Servant, Husband, Wife, &c. He will pay well, and therefore looks to have his work done well and faithfully; neither must we refuse any work he sets us about, as some skemish Servants do in our time, but do whatsoever he requires, knowing that he appoints no work but whats fit and meet; and we must be at his hand always, not as retainers, (God hath no such) but houshold Servants, up-rising and down-lying. 3. We must bear patiently the rebukes of our Master, and his corrections when we have done amiss; yea, learn to amend there by, not murmuring nor answering again. 4. We must take our Masters part when we see him misused, or his goods imbezeled, he will else pull our coats over our ears as unfaithful ones.
Towards each other. 1. There must be no contentions between us, an honest Housholder will not endure it in his Family, much less can the Lord away that there should be in his; How shall then the work go forward? 2. We must love and joyn together against the Enemies, and defend one another in goodness; not hinder, but further one anothers works, and not envy that any of our fellow-servants do more work then we; let us do what we can, and when we cannot, yet be glad that our Masters work go forward.
2. It serves for comfort to all that be of the Lords Houshold;Use 2. They shall want no good thing, no direction, comfort, strength against temptation; If we use the means, and make known our wants to God, he that requires us to work, will not suffer us to want wherewithal; yea, for outward things, we shall not want what is meet: He that bids us provide for our Families, and saith, he is worse then an Infidel that doth not, will not fail us in our lawful endeavors: Haply he will not always give all we desire, but what is meet; and hereafter we shall be taken up to his other house in Heaven, when we have been sufficiently purged here.
3. It may be for terror to all that misuse Gods Servants,Use 3. or reproach and buffet them, when they be at their work; God will not put it up, but defend even the meanest Servant in his Family.
4. It may be for direction;Use 4. let us prove our selves his true Servants, Covenant-Servants, and no hang-by's; for as about Princes and great Mens Houses, be many that be not in Covenant for wages, nor are setled Servants, of whom any charge is taken: So in the Church, the Lords House, there are a number that work not the Lords work, but the Devils, and are of his Family; for he hath two Families, one of reprobate souls in Hell, the other of unbelievers and wicked here on Earth: These work earnestly for the Devil, yet they will come into Gods House, and the Devil is content they should, so long as they keep their heart and life to him; yea, they will put over their leg, and sit down at the table to eat of the bread prepared for the Lords Family, but he will come in and view them, and finding them without a wedding Garment, and such as be not in Covenant with him, he will cause them to be bound hand and foot, and cast into utter darkness; These shall have their wages where they have done their work: Hast thou been such a one? humble thy self before God, bid adieu to thy old master, and come in good earnest, and enter Covenant, and purpose to be a true and dutiful Servant to God, and he will have mercy on thee, and take thee into his Service, and then mayest thou have comfort, and challenge the priviledge of the Family.
If it first begin at us, &c.] Here note,
1. That the Apostle puts himself in the number of such as were of Gods House;Assurance of Salvation possible. So that its possible for us to come to be assured that we are of the Lords Family.
Labor we therefore to attain hereunto,Use. else what joy can we have of our lives?2 Pet. 1. 10. we are bid make our calling and election sure, and why do we it not? wouldst thou know to what family thou dost belong, thou mayest by the works thou doest: If we work the works of God,Iohn 8. 44. of Holiness and Righteousness in our general callings, and be faithful in our special callings, then are we of Gods Family; if the works of sin, then are we of our Father the Devil: You may come into Gods House, as many an hypocrite and Beast doth, but of his house you be not; try whose work thou doest: Thou doest some work of Gods, and some of the Devils; no, if we do any work willingly for the Devil, we do none for God aright, nor that he accepts. Again, if thou dost not believe nor repent, thou art none of Gods Family; if thou art an unrighteous person, thou art none of his, yea, if we be of Gods house, we cannot abide to hear our Master ill spoken of, nor any of our fellow-servants for their goodness, but our hearts will rise against it; contrarily, if we be such as dishonor God, reproach the sincerity of the Gospel, and power of Religion, with them that desire so to walk, yea, or can hear them ill spoken of, and are not grieved thereat, its a sign we be none of Gods Family, but the Devils.
2. That there's no small difference between the state of Gods children and the wicked;The state of the godly and ungodly much different. even the state of the godly, notwithstanding the many troubles wherewith their life is filled, is to be preferred before the state of the wicked, notwithstanding their present jollity: The state of the godly is infinitely better then the wicked's, both in this life, in death, and at the day of Judgement: Those are freed from the curse and wrath of God, and all evil, are reconciled and made the children of God, and are covered with Christs righteousness: These are in danger of all condemnation, remain children of the Devil, Enemies to God, altogether in their own filthiness; all Creatures both in Heaven and Earth are at Peace with those, but all at odds with these; Angels guard the one, the other are a prey to the Devil; the one working the works of holiness, are acceptable to God, and shall have eternal life, the other the filthy scullery of the Devil,Psal. 11. 6. shall have Hell; the one are beloved of God, the other hated; the person and prayers of the one are acceptable to God, the others abominable in his sight; of the one all things, their afflictions,Rom. 8. 28. yea, their sins turn to their good, to the other, the mercies of God,Isaiah 4. 5. yea, his holiest Ordinances turn to their hurt: Those are called the glory,Psal. 1. 3, 4. these dross; those are as a tree planted by the rivers of waters, &c. these as the chaff which the wind driveth away; those are as wheat for the garner, these cockle and tares to be bundled up for the fire: the wicked seem more excellent outwardly, but they are like painted Sepulchres, like rotten wood shining in a dark night; the godly are like a plain leather Casket, with a precious Pearl therein of unspeakable worth: Turn them which way you will, if both in prosperity, infinite odds, one being the childe of God, the other of the Devil; the godly hath more joy and peace in well-doing, then the wicked of all their jollity; the ones prosperity is a pledge of better things in Heaven, the others is sent in wrath to fat them to their destruction: If both in adversity alike, yet infinite odds; the one chastened of God, as a Father doth his children, for their great good, the other pursued in vengeance, by a just Judge, as fore-goers of greater plagues; for the one Gods arrows are dipt in poyson, for the other, the poyson is taken away in Christs Sufferings; On the one God hath promised to lay no more then they are able to bear, the other have no such promise; the one have Gods promise to comfort and uphold them in them, as also assurance, as of good by it, so of a good and happy end, and after this life their joys to begin, that never shall end, but the other have no such promises; nay, when this life ends, then shall begin their Torments, which shall never end; nay, put the godly in the greatest misery that can be, and the ungodly in the greatest jollity, like Dives and Lazarus, or if ye will chain the one in a Dungeon about his feet, middle and neck, and let the other ride in all pomp, and with all the attendance and honor that the world can afford, yet the one is infinitely more happy then the other. In death the Righteous have hope, the wicked none, but are either full of horror or blockish: After death these go to Hell, those to Heaven; the children are taken up into the Chambers of Christ, the Dogs and ungodly are cast out of doors: At the day of Judgement, the one shall stand with comfort on the right hand, the other with terror on the left, both being raised up: The wicked shall have the wound that death gave them healed up (as Traytors be healed of their hurts, that they may come to execution) and thereupon both in body and soul shall be cast into Hell fire; though the one begin with joy, yet they end with wo; and though the other begin heavily here, yet they end with joy in Heaven, and this life is nothing to that's to come: Could we discern this, we would reverence the one highly, and no less pity the others; yea, should the ones troubles here, infinitely exceed the others jollities, or the troubles of the godly be here greater then they are, as also the jollity of the wicked, we would not change with them.
1. This confuteth the blinde world,Use 1. that esteemeth basely of Gods servants, and of their state; but let us never think the worse of our estate for them, as a plain rich man doth not, when a vain bragging fellow in brave apparel goes swaggering scornfully by him.
2. This may and ought wonderfully to comfort Gods servants,Use 2. that hath advanced them to this high dignity, passing by so many others: O that we would walk worthy hereof in an holy and pure conversation.
3. This may be a choak to the wicked,Use 3. notwithstanding all their jollity, and make them weary of their condition, laboring to become godly, and of Gods house, that so they may be truly happy.
What shall the end of them be that obey not the Gospel of God?] Here's implyed,
1. That though the afflictions of Gods people be many and great, yet they are nothing in respect of the miseries which shall befal the ungodly:The afflictions of the godly not comparable to the miseries of the ungodly. The Lord is Judge of all the world, and he will deal justly and equally, even give every one according to their works: If therefore he afflict his children with rods, he will plague his enemies with scourges;Gen. 18. 5. if he will not bear with sin in his own servants that are careful to please him,Rom. 2. 6. and stand in awe, and yet be overtaken, then he will be dreadfully revenged of those that make a trade of sin; if his children in their conversion, and often afterward upon any sin committed, have gripes of Conscience, and suffer the terrors of God,See Psal. 78. 55. 65. then shall the wicked have a gnawing Worm that shall never dye;Isa. 27. 27. if those be brought, as it were, along by Hell, these shall be left and swallowed up of Hell:Ier. 25. 29. and 49. 12. The Lord began with the Israelites in Captivity, but ended with the Egyptians, in drowning them in the Red-sea; the three Children were put into the fiery Fornace, not burnt, but fire seized on them that put them in; Daniel was put into the Lyons Den, but his Enemies and Accusers were devoured; Israel was carried Captive, but Ashur destroyed; the children are beaten with the rod, thereafter its burnt; God chastens his for a few days here to their amendment, but the wicked shall be cast into eternal fire. In reading, hearing and seeing what grievous things the Lord hath laid on his own children, the wicked may see, as in a glass, the woful state that abides them.
2. That the torments prepared for the ungodly in death and at the day of Judgement,The ungodly's misery cannot be expressed. are such as cannot be expressed: The Apostle knew that they should have a fearful end; but utter the further end of it, and lay it out to the full, he could not, therefore is forced to say, What shall be the end? 1 Iohn 3. 2.Its a wonderful love of God, that he hath made us his Children, but yet its not manifest what we shall be, that is,1 Cor. 2. 9. it cannot be exprest what happiness is prepared for us: Eye hath not seen, nor ear hath not heard, what God hath prepared for his children: So cannot any decypher the fearfulness of the wo prepared for the ungodly: Such shall be separated from God and from his Saints, and have their portion with the Devil and damned: O the universality of their torments, both in respect of their bodies and souls! O the greatness of their pangs, tormented with fire and brimstone! O the eternity of them! They shall be world without end: If a man in pain should shed a tear or drop of water from his eye once in a thousand years, and no more, yet sooner should he make a whole Sea, before this time will end.
1. O what an iron scourge should this be to drive the wicked to repentance,Use 1. not resting till they know they be freed from this woful lake! O let them never glory in their prosperity, as long as they are in danger hereof! If any will not break off their sins and fear, they will prove costly profits and pleasures; and they that will not believe and fear here, shall feel them to eternal destruction hereafter.
2. How should this glad the hearts of all Gods people,Use 2. that know themselves freed from this fearful lake, and make them walk chearfully and obediently all their days, to the honor of him that by his sufferings hath freed them therefrom; yea, should we not bear our few afflictions patiently, being freed from these endles and easeles ones, and not to envy at the prosperity of the wicked, seeing it shall have such an end? let their beginning be what it will be, if this be their end, God keep us from having any part therein.
That obey not the Gospel of God.] Disobedience to the Gospel a grievous sin.The wicked are described by their disobedience to the Gospel, and these are indeed the most wicked, and and have the fearfullest answer to make, and the lowest or worst place in Hell; they shall speed worst, for their sin is greatest: For what a favor of God is it, not onelyonly to give Christ to the world, but then to publish him by the Gospel, being the glad tidings of Salvation, to all of what sort soever, though never so mean, never so great sinners, there is mercy upon their unfained humiliation, and such God sends his Ministers to beseech men to be reconciled: O this is an unspeakable f…vor, as that the contempt thereof must needs deserve a fearful damnaton! That men should continue yet in their sins, and have no minde … Christ as a King and Savior,Simile. is fearful: If a company of Rebels…ad a pardon proclaimed, and sent out to so many as would come in, fany would stand out and refuse the Kings grace and favor, were he …t worthy to be cut-off? It shall be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah in …e day of Judgement, then for these people:Heb. 2. 2. If they that despised the…aw were not unpunished, how shall they be dealt withal that desp… the Gospel? The higher they are lift up, the lower they shall be casdown.
1. This rebuts the most part;Use 1. Howsoever they talk of the Gospel, and come…t Church, and cry, The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, yet …ey yield not obedience thereto, but continue in their sins: There are …w that come to see any such need of Christ, as highly to prize him, a… most earnestly to seek him; though some would have Christ the Savior, and will have Jesus Christ in their mouths, yet few will sto… to his yoke, to renounce all their lusts, and yield up themselves in abbedience to his will, but either will live in all their sins, or onelyonly yid in what they list, and so trample the precious blood of Christ unde…eir feet, and despise the gracious offer of mercy: One would think th…very man hearing such a gracious voice, and offer of a Savior, sh…ld flie to it, and that it should suffer violence, every one saying, O …me embrace it, let me, as they did at the Pool of Bethesdai: Iohn 5. 4.O …t at the stirring of the water some might step in; There might b…ne at once, but here if an hundred would, they should all be closed.
2. O then me your benefit of the Gospel,Use 2. by yielding obedience thereto; Belie and repent, and then happy are ye that ever ye heard, else you shall c…t the time that ever you heard the Gospel: O ungrateful world! unhappy company! It will vex them, and encrease their torment, …ee that mercy was offered so often, and yet they like woful caytiffs despise the same; to obey the Gospel, is the note of a good christian: let appear by thy hearty obedience thereto, that thou art such a one.