Exposition Upon 1 Peter, Biblical exegesis · Chapter 4 · Verse 5
Verse 5. Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
HEre is the answer to the objection, whereby he heartneth on the good, not to be discouraged at all for the wonderments and ill speakings of the world, even for that they shall one day answer for this, when they shall not be able to stand; though they can now abuse Gods servants at their pleasure, yet they shall answer it before him that will judge quick and dead at the last and dreadful day, when they shall receive the dreadful sentence of eternal destruction for their labor. From the whole note we thus much, that
The enemies and hard dealers with Gods servants,The enemies of Gods children shall not scape unpunished. shall not escape unpunished, nay, even they that do but speak ill of them, shall not go scot-free; Michol mocking David, was stricken with barrenness, and David often comforts himself in this case, that God would take the matter into his own hand: If he that calls any one fool and Raca, deserves Hell fire,See Ier. 18. 18. what do they deserve which speak evil of Gods children?Iude v. 14, 15. If they shall answer for every idle word, then much more for every railing reproachful word against the Saints of God; its to speak ill of the way of God, to speak ill of them that walk in it for so doing; as he that calls one an Heretick, calls his Opinion and Religion Heresie; and he that calls men fools, calls their course foolishness; Its to hinder men from coming to God, or to drive them away being come: Now this must needs be fearful, for if they that win souls to God, shall be rewarded in Heaven, what shall become of them that do the contrary? And if he that gathereth not, scatters, and he that brings not to God by words, counsel, encouragement and example, is counted as an enemy, and such shall be punished at the day of judgement, how much more they that have professedly hindred men from heaven? what are those but Factors for the Devils Kingdom? deep enemies they are to God, that will not onelyonly not serve him themselves, but mislike, and would hinder them that do, like the Devil, who fell himself, and then would perswade man so to do, that God might have no Creature to serve him: He were an odde servant (and whom his Master would assuredly call to an account) who neither would work,Luke 15. 9. nor suffer his fellows. The conversion of a sinner makes the Angels rejoyce,Iames. 5. 20. therefore the putting them from God makes them heavy,See Acts 9. 4. and the Devils merry▪ He that converts a sinner, saves a soul,Heb. 11. as he that puts men from God destroys them: Besides, whatsoever is either done or said against any of Gods children,Mat. 25. 42. its accounted as done to God himself; and if they that have done them no good shall be condemned, much more they that have injured them.
1. Let those repent in time that are guilty this way,Use 1. else they shall be called to a reckoning when they have forgot it, and where shall they appear when God shall come to judgement? O they shall wish the hills to fall on them: Its a fearful thing to fall into his hands; he is a consuming fire, wo unto them if his wrath be kindled but a little. They that have not been helpers of the servants of God, have a fearful answer to make, what have they then that have misused them? assuredly a deep place in hell.
2. Let all take heed that they never give their tongues leave,Use 2. no, nor move their lips against a childe of God, as to mock them, revile them, term them precise fools, humerous people, Puritans, &c. Do it not on any ground, for lightly God suffers not such to go unbranded even in this life, but to be sure, there's a day they shall not escape.
3. This may well stay the mindes of God servants,Use 3. not onelyonly not to be discouraged,See Heb. 10. 14 and 11. 10, 26, 35. and 12. 2. but to persevere, God will take their parts, and right their wrongs; their day is a coming, when both before Angels and men they shall be arraigned, convicted and condemned, and we shall lift up our heads, and receive our full reward: It would be no small comfort and encouragement to us, if we would thus live by faith.