Commentary on the Epistles and Revelation of John, Commentary 16

Commentary on the Epistles and Revelation of John · Commentary 16

p. 431A COMMENTARY OR EXPOSITION VponUpon the firſt Epiſtle generall of S. PETER.

CHAP. I. Verſe 1. To the ſtranger…]

THat is, To the provinciall Jew. See the Note on Jam. 1.1.

Verſe 2. Through ſanctification unto obedience] To the means as well as to the end … ſanctification as well as to ſalvation. Some there be (ſaith M^r Philpot in an Epiſtle of his to the Congregation) that for an extream refuge in their evil doings, run to Gods election, ſaying, If I be elected I ſhall be ſaved, whatever I do.Act, and Mon… fol, 1663. But ſuch be great tempters of God, and abominable bl…ſphemers of his holy election: Theſe caſt themſelves down from the pinatle of the Temple in preſumption, that God may preſerve them by his angels thorow predeſtination. Gods election ought to be with a ſimple eye conſidered, to make us more warily walk according to his Word, and not ſet cock in the hoop, and put all p. 432on Gods back, to do wickedly at large. Thus he.

Verſe 3. Bleſſed be the God] A ſtately proeme, and ſuch as can hardly be matched again, unleſſe it be that of S. Paul to the Epheſians, chap. 1.3.

Ʋnto a lively hope] Sure and ſolid, clearing the conſcience, and cheating the ſpirit.

Verſe 4. Ʋndefiled, and that fadeth not] The two Greek words here uſed are alſo Latine: Amiantus is a precious ſtone (ſaith D.Iſidor E…ym. 1.16.….4. Playfire out of Iſidore) which though it be never ſo much ſoiled, yet it cannot be blemiſhed. And Amarantus is the name of a flower,Paedagog. l.1. c 8. which being a long time hung up in the houſe, yet ſtill is freſh and green, as Clemens writeth. To both theſe poſſibly the Apoſtle might here allude. And it is as if he ſhould ſay, the crown that you ſhall receive, ſhall be ſtudded with the ſtone Amiantus, which cannot be defiled: and it is garniſhed, with the flower Amarantus which is freſh and green, &c.

Verſe 5.foreign. Who are kept] As with a guard, or as in a gariſon, that is well fenced with walls and works, and ſo is made impregnable.

By the power of God] Much ſeen in the Saints perſeverance. My father is ſtronger then all: none therefore can take you out of my hand…, ſith I and the Father am one, Joh. 10.

Verſe 6. If need be, ye are in heavineſſe] When our hearts grow a grain too light, God ſeeth it but needfull to make us heavy through manifold temptations. When our water (as it were) looks but a little too high, our heavenly father, a Phyſitian no leſſe cunning then loving (ſaith one) doth diſcern it, and quickly ſits us,Baynes letters whom he moſt tendereth, with that which will reduce all to the health ſome temper of a broken ſpirit.

Verſe 7. that the triall of your faith] If affliction (which is the triall of our faith) be ſo exceeding precious, what is faith then, and the promiſes whereon faith laies hold? There are that by the triall of faith underſtand here a well-tried faith, which is called gold tried in the fire, Rev. 3.18.

Verſe 8.Parae…. Whom having not ſeen] They had not been, belike, at the feaſt of the Paſſeover (at which time our Saviour ſuffered) but came up to the feaſt of Pentecoſt, and were converted, Act. 2.

And full of glory]foreign. Gr. Glorified already; a piece of Gods Kingdome and heavens happineſſe afore-hand. O the joy! the p. 433joy! the inexpreſſible joy that I finde in my ſoul, ſaid a dying Saint.

Verſe 9. The end of your faith] The period and perfection, the reward and meed of it, in all fulneſſe. See Pſal. 19.12. Prov. 22.4.

Verſe 10. The Prophets have enquired] This highly ſets forth the weight and worth of it, ſith ſuch men took ſuch pains about it. Baſe ſpirits are buſied about light matters;Numb. 14.24.Num 14:24 as Domitian ſpent his time in catching flies, Artaxerxes in making knive-hafts: Not ſo Caleb, who had another spirit, and followed God Wholly: So did the ancient Prophets, as Iſaiah: whiles the merry Greeks were taken up at their Olympick games in the year 1540.Buchol. Chron. from the floud, the Prophet Iſaiah ſeeth that heavenly viſion of Chriſt ſitting on his throne, and heareth that thrice happy Triſagion, Iſa. 6.1, 2, 3.

Verſe 11. Searching What, &c.]foreign. With greateſt ſagacity and induſtry, as hunters ſeek for game, and as men ſeek for gold in the very mines of the earth.

The ſufferings of Chriſt, &c.] Macarius was utterly out, in ſaying that the prophets knew that Chriſt ſhould be born for mens redemption, but that they knew nothing of his death and ſufferings. Iſaiah writes of them more like an Evangeliſt then a Prophet, and is therefore called the Evangelicall Prophet.

Verſe 12. Not unto themſelves] In regard of the accompliſh-of thoſe oracles that they uttered: And yet to themſelves, in regard of their right and intereſt therein.

They did miniſter] None muſt hold themſelves too good to ſerve the Saints.

The Angels deſire to look into] To look wiſhly and intently, as the Cherubims of old looked into the Mercy-ſeat,foreign Prono capite, & propenſo collo accura…e …roſpicere. Exod. 25.18, 19.

Verſe 13. Wherefore gird up, &c.] We are ſeldome comforted, but we have need to be exhorted. So apt are our hearts to ſecurity, and ſo apt is Satan to interrupt our joyes, with his baſe injections.

Gird up the loins of your minde] Gird your ſelves and ſerve God, Luk 17.8. A looſe diſcinct and diffluent minde is unfit for Gods ſervice. Girding implies, 1. Readineſſe. 2. Nimbleneſſe, handineſſe, handſomeneſſe.

p. 434Hope to the end] Gr. Hope perfectly or entirely, q. d, Do not …y halves,foreign. let there not be any odde reckonings between God and you; but work out your ſalvation, Phil. 2.12. See the Note th…e.

For the grace] That is, for the glory.

That is to be brought unto you] It muſt be brought unto us (ſuch is out duines) we will ſcarce go ſeek it, hardly be perſwaded to live happily, raign everlaſtingly.

Verſe 14.foreign. Not faſhioning your ſelves] As a plaier is faſhioned to the o… ſeene ſpeeches and carriages of him, whom he perſonateth.

In your ignorance] Men may remain groſſely ignorant amidſt abundance of means, as theſe Jews did. Who is blinde but my ſervant? or deaf as my meſſenger &c? Iſa. 42.19, 20.

Verſe 15. In all manner of converſation] Our very civilities muſt favour of ſanctity, and our common converſation relliſh of religion.foreign. S. Pauls civil converſation was in heaven, Phil. 3.20. Holines muſt be written upon our bridles when we war, upon our cups when we drink Zach. 14.20, 21. It is ſaid of a certain Scotch-Divine, that he did even eat, and drink, and ſleep eternall life.

Verſe 16. Be ye holy] i.e. Separate from ſin and dedicated to God; in conformity to whom ſtands our happineſſe. See the Note on Mat 5 48.

Verſe 17.foreign Inco…tus, con… …oratio. Of your ſojourning] Having your commoration on earth, but your converſation in heaven. Fugiamus ad coeleſtem patriam, &c. could a Heathen ſay.

In fear] Thoſe that fear of all others are likely to hold out, Jer. 32.4….

Verſe 18. Received by tradition] Children are very apt to follow their parents example, whether of good or evil. Me ex ea opinione quam amajoribus accepi de cultu deorum, nullius unquam movebit oratio, ſaith Tully. I will never for ſake that way of divine ſervice, that I have received from my fore fathers.

Verſe 19. Without blemiſh] Of originall pollution.

And without spot] Of actuall ſin.

Verſe 20. Who verily, &c.] So carefull was God to make all ſure concerning our redemption in Chriſt, ſaith one here.

Verſe 21. Might be in God] And ſo in a ſafer hand then cur own. He hath laid help upon one that is mighty.

Verſe 22. Ye have purified] Animabus veſtris caſtificatis, &c. A metaphor from the legall purifications.

p. 435Verſe 23. Born again] A man ſhall never have occaſion to curſe the day of his new birth.

Verſe 24. A…fl…ſh is graſſe] To live is but to lie a dying. Can a picture continue that is drawn upon the ice?

Verſe 25. The Word of the Lord, &c.] This ſentence is the Motto of the Dukes of Saxony. See Pſal. 119.89.Manl…ee co…. 4 19.

CHAP. II. Verſe 1. All malice and all guile]

OUt with this leaven utterly, 1 Cor. 5.7. Howſoever we otherwiſe fail, let us not in theſe be found faulty at all. Theſe are not the ſpots of Gods children, Deut. 32.5.

Verſe 2. Deſire the ſincere] As in children, all ſpeaks and works at once, hands, feet, mouth, See Davids deſire, Pſa 42.foreign.1 & 119.20, 40, 131.

The ſincere] Gr. Guileleſſe, unmixed milk, not ſugred or ſophiſticated with ſtrains of wit, excellency of ſpeech, &c. 1 Cor. 2.1.

That ye may grow thereby] After generation (1 Pet. 1.23.) Augmentation. That word which breeds us feeds us: As the ſame bloud of which the babe is bred and fed in the womb, ſtrikes up into the mothers breſts, and there, by a further concoction, bebecometh white, and nouriſhethe it. And as milk from the breſts is more effectually taken, then when it ha…h ſtood a while, and the ſpirits are gone out of it: So the word preached rather then read, furthereth the ſouls growth.

Verſe 3. If ſo be ye have tasted] As babes taſte the milk they take down, Iſa. 66.11. We are bid to ſuck and be ſatisfied with the breſts of conſolation, to preſſe and oppreſſe the promiſes, till we have expreſſed, and even wrung the ſweetneſſe out of them. This will make us even ſick of love, our ſleep will be pleaſant unto us, and our hearts filled with gladneſſe. The Saints taſte how good the Lord is, and thence they ſo long after him. Optima demonstratio est a ſenſibus, as he that feels fire hot, and that taſtes honey ſweet, can beſt ſay it is ſo.

Verſe 4. As unto a living ſtone[Living and all quickning, as Act. 7.38. Lively, that is life-giving oracles. He that hath the Son hath life, 1 Joh. 5.12.

p. 436Diſallowed indeed of men] for the Cock on the dung-hill knoweth not the price of this jewel.

And precious]In vita Apol. l 3. c. 14. Alſted. Chronel. p. …09. Far beyond that moſt orient and excellent ſtone Pantarbe. celebrated by Philoſtratus; or that precious adamant of Charls Duke of Burgundy, ſold for 20000 duckets, and ſet into the Popes triple-crown.

Verſe 5. Ye alſo as lively ſtones] Gods houſe is built of growing ſtones, of green timber, Cant. 1.

To offer up spirituall ſacrifices] Such as are praiers, Pſal. 141.2. Praiſes, Heb. 13.5. Alms, Heb. 13.16. Our ſelves, Rom. 12.1. Our Saviour, whom we preſent as a propitiation for our ſins, 1 Joh. 2.1. laying our hands on his head, ſeeing him bleed to death, and conſumed in the fire of his Fathers wrath for our ſins.

Verſe 6.foreign. Wherefore it is contained] The Jews were ſo well verſed in Scripture, that in quoting of texts, there was need to ſay no more to them then, It is Written, It is contained, &c. they could tell where to turn to the place preſently: And this was a great furtherance to the converſion of many of them, by the preaching of the Apoſtles.

Shall not be confounded] the Hebrew text hath it, Shall not make haſte, Iſa. 28.16. Haſte makes waſte, as we ſay, and oft brings confuſion. Children pull apples afore they are ripe, and have worms bred of them.

Verſe 7.foreign. He is precious] Gr. He is a price, or an honour. If you had not found all worth in him, you would never have ſold all for him.

Verſe 8. And a rock of offence] Like that rock, Judg. 6.21. out of which comes fire to conſume the reprobate.

Which ſtumble at the Word] An ill ſign, and yet an ordinary ſinne.

Verſe 9. But ye are a choſen generation] A pickt people, the dearly beloved of Gods ſoul: ſuch as he firſt choſe for his love, and then loves for his choice.

Aroiall Priesthood] Or (as Moſes hath it, Exod. 20.6.) kingdome of Prieſts. Prieſts Gods people are in reſpect of God Kings in reſpect of men. The righteous are Kings, M…ny righteous men have d fired, &c. ſaith Matthew, chap. 13.17. Many Kings, ſaith Luke, chap 10 24. Indeed they are ſomewhat obſcure Kings here, as was Melchiſedech in the Land of Canaan: but Princes they are in all lands, Pſal. 45.16. and more excellent p. 437then their neighbours, let them dwell where they will, Prov. 12.26.

A peculiar people] Gr. A people of purchaſe: ſuch as comprehend, as it were, all Gods gettings,foreign. his whole ſtock that he makes any great reckoning of.

Shew forth the praiſes] Gr.foreign. Preach forth the vertues by our ſuitable practice. the picture of a dear friend ſhould be hung up in a conſpicuous place of the houſe: ſo ſhould Gods holy image and grace in our hearts.

Verſe 10. Which in time paſt Were not] If Plato thought it ſuch a mercy to him that he was a man, and not a woman, a Grecian, and not a Barbarian, a ſcholar to Socrates, and not to any other Philoſopher, what exceeding great cauſe have we to praiſe God, that we are born Chriſtians, not Pagans, Proteſtants not Papiſts, in theſe bleſſed daies of Reformation, &c?

Verſe 11. As pilgrims and ſtrangers] Excellently doth Juſtin Martyr] deſcribe the Chriſtians of his time;…piſt … Ding. they inhabit their own countries, ſaith he, but as ſtrangers; they partake of all as Citizens, and yet ſuffer all, as forraigners; every ſtrange land is a Countrey to them, and every countrey a ſtrange land.

And ſtrangers abſtain] Thoughts of death will be a death to our luſts, Lam. 1.9. Her filthineſſe is in her skirts, and all becauſe ſhe remembreth not her laſt end. As the ſtroaking of a dead hand on the belly cureth a tympany, and as the aſhes of a viper applied to the part that is ſtung draws the venome out of it: ſo the thought of death is a death to ſin.

From fleſhly luſts] Thoſe parts in our bodies that are the chiefeſt and neareſt both ſubjects and objects of luſt and concupiſcence, are like unto the dung-gate, 1 Chron. 26 16. whereby all the fil…h was caſt out of the Temple. God hath placed them in our bodies like ſnakes creeping out of the bottome of a dung-hill, and abaſed them in our eyes, that we might make a baſe account and eſtimation of the deſires thereof, as one well obſerveth.

Which warre againſt the ſoul] Only man is in love with his own bane (beaſts are not ſo) and ſights for thoſe luſts,Ca…ell of temptation. that fight againſt the ſoul. And whereas ſome might ſay that other luſts fight againſt the ſoul, as well as fl…ſhly lusts, it is anſwered that other luſts fight againſt the graces, but theſe more againſt the peace of the ſoul.

Verſe 12. Having your converſation honest] Leading p. 438convincing lives, the beſt arguments againſt an Atheiſt adverſary.foreign.

They speak evil of you See the Note on Mat. 5.11.

Which they ſhall behold] Whiles they pry and ſpie into your courſes (as the Greek word imports) to ſee what evil they can finde out and faſten on.

In the day of viſitation] When God ſhall effectally call and convert them. See the Note on Ma,. 5 16.

Verſe 13.Full. anſw. to D Fern. Submit to every ordinance] That is, Although the Ordinance or Government, in the manner of its conſtitution be from man, yet becauſe of the neceſſity of its inſtitution it is from God; ſubmit to it, though of man, for the Lords ſake.

Verſe 14. Or unto Governours] In the kingdome of Chriſt this is wonderfull,Miſeel …p ded ſaith Zanchy, that he wils and commands all Princes and Potentates to be ſubject to his Kingdome, and yet he wils and commands likewiſe that his Kingdome be ſubject to the Kingdoms of the world.

Verſe 15.foreign. Ye may put to ſilence] Gr. Muzzle, or halter up, button up their mouths, as we ſay. See the Note on Mat. 22.34.

Verſe 16, As free] See the Note on Gal. 5.13.

Verſe 17. Honour all men] As made in the image of God, as capable of heaven, and as having ſome ſpeciall talent to trade with.

Honour the King] i.e. The Roman Emperour, who diſclaimed the name of a King, to avoid the hatred of the people, and yet ſought the full right of Kings, and ſo to deſtroy the liberty of the people. But Kings that will be honoured muſt be juſt, Ruling in the fear of God.2 Sam …3 3. Tortuoſis, curvis foreign2 Sam 3:3

Verſe 18. To the froward] Croſſe, crooked, frample, fooliſh. The Greek word comes of an Hebrew word, that ſignifies, a fool.

Verſe 19. This is thank-worthy] God accounts himſelf hereby gratified, as it were, and even beholding to ſuch ſufferers: this being the loweſt ſubjection, and the higheſt honour men can yeeld unto their maker.

Verſe 20. For What glory is it] In peace-offerings there might be oil mixt, not ſo in ſin-offerings. In our ſufferings for Chriſt there is joy; not ſo when we ſuffer for our faults.

p. 439Verſe 21. Leaving us an example] Gr. A copy or patern. foreign.Chriſts actions were either morall, or mediatory. In both we muſt imitate him. In the former, by doing as he did. In the later, by ſimilitude, tranſlating that to our ſpirituall life, which he did as Mediatour; as to die to ſin, to riſe to righteouſneſſe, &c. and this not only by example (as Petrus Abeſardus held of old, and the Socinians at this day) but by vertue of Chriſts death and reſurrection working effectually in all his people;Anton. Tract. 17 cap 1 paragr 5. not as an exemplary cauſe only, or as a moral cauſe by way of meditation, but as having force obtained by it, and iſſuing out of it, even the Spirit that kils ſin, and quickens the ſoul to all holy practice.In vita ejus a…u… Su…um There is a ſtory of an Earl called Eleazar, a paſſionate Prince, that was cured of that diſordered affection by ſtudying of Chriſt and his patience. Crux pendentis, cathedra docentis, Chriſt upon the croſſe is a Doctour in his Chair, where he reads unto us all a lecture of patience. The Eunuch, Act 8.32. was converted by this praiſe in Chriſt. It is ſaid of Hierome, that having read the godly life and Chriſtian death of Hilarion, he folded up the book, and ſaid, Well, Hilarion ſhall be the Champion whom I will follow. Should we not much more ſay ſo of Chriſt?

Verſe 22. Who did no ſinne] S. Paul ſaith, He knew no ſinne, 2 Cor. 5.21. to wit, with a practicall knowledge (we know no more then we practiſe) with an intellectuall he did: for elſe he could not have reproved it.

Neither was guile found in his mouth] Which imports, that they ſought it. The wicked ſeek occaſion againſt that godly.

Verſe 23. But committed himſelf] Or, The Whole matter. We alſo ſhall do our ſelves no diſſervice, by making God our Chancellour, when no law elſe will relieve us. And indeed the leſſe a man ſtrives for himſelf, the more is God his Champion. He that ſaid, I ſeek not mine own glory, adds, but there is one that ſeeketh it, and judgeth. God takes his part ever; that fights not for himſelf.

Verſe 24. Who his own ſelf] Without any to help or uphold him, Iſa. 63.5. he had not ſo much as the benefit of the Sun-light, when in that three hours darkneſſe he was ſet upon by all the powers of darkneſſe.

Bar our ſins] Gr. Bare them aloft, viz. foreign.When he climbed up his Croſſe, and nailed them thereunto. Surely he hath borne p. 440our griefs, and carried our ſorrows, Iſa. 53 4 He taketh away the ſins of the world, Joh. 1.29.

That We being dead to ſinne] Or,foreign. Separated from ſinne, or unmade to it, cut off from it, the old frame being utterly diſſolved.

By Whoſe ſtripes] Or, Wales. This he mentioneth to comfort poor ſervants, whipt and abuſed by their froward Maſters. Sanguis medici fàctus eſt medicina phrenctici, The Phyſicians bloud became the ſick mans ſalve. We can hardly believe the power of ſword ſalve. But here is a myſtery that only Chriſtian religion can aſſure us of, that the wounding of one ſhould be the cure of another.

Verſe 25. As ſheep] Then the which no creature is more apt to ſtray, leſſe apt and able to return. The Oxe knoweth his owner, &c.

CHAP. III. Verſe 1. Be in ſubjection to your husbands]

YEt with a limitation: Subject the wife muſt be to her huſbands lawfull commands and reſtraints. It is too much that Plutarch laies as a law of wedlock on the wife, to acknowledge and worſhip the ſame gods, and none elſe, but thoſe whom her husband doth.

Be Wonne by the converſation] i. e. Be prepared for converſion; as Auſtins father and himſelf were, by the piety of his mother Monica.

Verſe 2.foreign. Whiles they behold] Curiouſly pry into. Carnall men watch the carriages of profeſſours, and ſpend many thoughts about them.

Your chaste converſation] When Livia the Empreſſe was asked, how ſhe had got ſuch a power over her husband that ſhe could doe any thing with him? She anſwered, Multâ modestiâ, by my much modeſty. A prudent wife commands her husband, by obeying.D…o. in Auguſt.

Verſe 3. Whoſe adorning] Mundus muliebris. See Iſa. 3.18. where the Prophet as punctually inveighs againſt this noble vanity, as if he had viewed the Ladies wardrobes in Jeruſalem.

p. 441Let it not be that outward] Veſtium curioſitas, deformitatis mentium & morum indicium est, ſaith Bernard. Exceſſive neatneſſe is a ſign of inward naſtineſſe. It was a true ſaying of wiſe Cato, Cultus magna cura, magna eſt virtutis incuria. They are never good that ſtrive to be ſo over-fine. Superfluous apparel ſaith Cyprian, is worſe then whoredome.

Verſe 4. But let it be the hidden] Veſtite vos ſerico pietatis, byſſino ſanctitatis, purpur â pudicitia, Talitèr pigmentata Deum habebitis amatorem. It is Tertullians counſel to young women,Lib. de cult ſoe…; Cloth your ſelves, ſaith he, with the ſilk of piety, with the ſattin of ſanctity, with the purple of modeſty: So ſhall you have God himſelf to be your ſutor.

In that Which is not corruptible] Or, In the incoruption of a meek a quiet spirit, &c. a garment that will never be the worſe for wearing, but the better.

Of great price] God makes great reckoning of a quiet minde, becauſe it is like himſelf. He promiſeth earth to the meek, and heaven to the incorrupt or ſincere, and pure in heart.

Verſe 5. Who truſted in God] And therefore would not by unlawfull means ſeek to get or keep their husbands love and favour; but truſted God for that. So Hezekiah truſted in God, and pulled down the brazen ſerpent, 2 King. 18.4, 5. oppoſing his preſence to all peril.

Verſe 6. Calling him Lord] See here, how in a great heap of ſin, God can finde out his own, and accept of it. There was no good word in all the whole ſentence, but this, that ſhe called her husband, Lord. God is pleaſed to ſingle out this, and let it as a precious diamond in a gold ring, to Sarah's eternall commendation.

And are not afraid, &c.] Fear they muſt, verſ. 2. and yet they muſt not. Fear God, but not their husbands undeſerved checks or threats for obeying God. One fear muſt expell another, as one fire drives out another.

Verſe 7. Likewiſe ye] Officium aſcendit, amor deſcendit.

According to knowledge] Where ſhould w…dome be but in the head? This muſt be ſhewed, Ʋxoris vitium out tollendo, aut tolerando, ſaid Varro, either by curing, or at leaſt covering his wives weakneſſes.

As unto the Weaker veſſel] Glaſſes are to be tenderly handled: p. 442a ſmall knack ſoon breaks them. So here. Viperavirus ob venerationem unptiarum evomit, ſaith Baſil. The Viper, for the honour of coupling with his mate,Et tu duritiom animi, ſu ferila tem, tu c…le… tatem ab untouls revereatiam non depo …s? caſts up his poiſon: and wilt not thou for the honour of marriage, caſt away thy harſhneſſe, roughneſſe, cruelty to a conſort?

As being heirs] Souls have no ſexes, Gal. 3.28.

That your praiers be not hindered] Iſaac praied in the preſence of his wife. This courſe of praying together, apart from others, being taken up by married couples, will much encreaſe and ſpiritualize their affection one to another. But jarring will make them leave praying, or praying leave jarring.

Verſe 8.foreign. Be courteous] Gr. Friendly-minded, ready to any good office.

Verſe 9. Or railing, for railing] Convitium convitio regerere, quid aliud est quam lutum luto purgare? ſaith one. To render railing for railing, is to thinke to waſh off dirt with dirt.

That ye ſhould inherit a bleſſing] Bleſſings by words,foreign. properly. They that will ſpeak good words to men, ſhall hear good words from God: they ſhall have his good word for them in all places, and in the hearts of their greateſt enemies, as Jacob and Job had.

Verſe 10. Love life] Man is foreign, a creature that loves life, ſaith Ariſtotle. Who is the man that willeth life? ſaith David, Pſal. 34 12. And hereunto every man will be ready to anſwer, Ego, I doe, as Auſtin obſerveth. But when the condition ſhall be added, Cohibe linguam, &c. Refrain thy tongue, &c. then, ſaith he, ſcarce any will appear, or accept the motion.

And ſee good daies] That is, Proſperous and peaceable daies: for all the daies of the afflicted are evil, Prov. 15.15. a joyleſſe life is no life. Rebecca was weary of her life, and ſo was Eliah when he ſat under the Juniper. Multi etiam magni viri ſab Elia Juniper… ſedent: It is many a good mans caſe.

Verſe 11. Seek peace, and enſue it] A contentious man never wants woe: Ʋt habeas quietum tempus perde aliquid, was a Proverb at Carthage, as Auſtin relates it: Et concedamus de jure ut careamus lite. For a quiet life let a man part with his right ſometimes.

p. 443Verſe 12. His ears are open unto, &c.] Gr. His ears are unto their praiers, q…d. though their praiers are ſo faint that they cannot come up to God, God will come down to them. He can feel breath, when no voice can be heard, Lam. 3.56. Fletu ſapè agitur non affatu.

Verſe 13. And who is he that will, &c.] Naturall conſcience cannot but doe homage to the image of God, ſtamped upon the natures and works of the godly, as we ſee in the carriage of Nebuchadnezzar and Darius toward Daniel. M. Bolton.I have known ſome (ſaith a grave Divine) the firſt occaſion of whoſe converſion was the obſervation of their ſtoutneſſe under wronge and oppreſſions, whom they have purpoſely perſecuted with extreameſt hate and malice.

Verſe 14. But and if ye ſuffer] q. d. Say you meet with ſuch unreaſonable men made up of meer incongruities and abſurdities,2 Theſſ. 3.3.2 Thess 3:3 that will harm you for well-doing, yet you ſhall be no looſers.

Verſe 15. Sanct fie the Lord God] Conſider and conceive of him, as he ſtands deſcribed in the Scriptures, and as related to his people: reſting upon his power and love, for ſafety here, and ſalvation hereafter.

Ready alwaies to give an anſwer] Gr. To make apology, a bold and wiſe profeſſion of the truth, with due obſervation of juſt circumſtances. To diſſemble is ever a fault: but not to profeſſe, is then only a fault, when a man is ſilent, Intempestivè & loco minimè idoneo, at an unfit time and place. Let me be counted and called proud, or any thing, Modò impij ſilentij non arguar, ſaid Luther, ſo I be not guilty of a ſinfull ſilence.

A reaſon of the hope] Not every trifling queſtion, or malicious cavil. Chriſt anſwered the Governour not a word to ſome things, and yet he Witneſſed a good confeſſion before Pontius Pilate, 1 Tim. 6.13.

With meekneſſe and fear] Leſt you ſhould diſhonour a good cauſe by an ill carriage.

Verſe 16. Having a good conſcience] Which you cannot have, if you deny or but diſſemble the truth. George Marſh the Martyr being examined before the Earl of Darby, kept himſelf cloſe in the point of the Sacrament. But after his departure, thus he writes. I departed much more troubled in my ſpirit then before, becauſe I had not with more boldneſſe confeſſed Chriſt;Act. and Mon fol. 1419. but in ſuch ſort as mine adverſaries thereby thought they ſhould prevail p. 444againſt me; whereat I was much grieved: for hitherto I went …, as much as in me lay, to rid my ſelf out of their hands, if by … without open denying of Chriſt and his Word, that co…ed …e, &c.

…-doers] Malefactours not Martyrs.

…he… may be aſhamed that falſly accuſe] This is an excellent … ſtopping an open mouth. Oh theſe reall apologies are very …owerfull. Thus did the Primitive Chriſtians plead for themſelves, Non aliundè noſcibiles quam de emendation… vitiorum pristinorum, ſaith Tertullian, known from all others by their reformed lives. Thus did thoſe old Proteſtants the Waldenſes, In moribi… ſunt compoſiti & modesti, &c. ſaid that Popiſh Inquiſitour their profeſſed adverſary. Their doctrine, ſaid he, is naught, but their lives are unblameable. The mans life (ſaith Eraſmus concerning Luther) is approved of all men: his verieſt adverſaries cannot accuſe him for any thing in point of practice. Lewis King of France, Necho…es reperia… quod calumnien…u….having received certain complaints againſt the Proteſtants of Merindoll and Chabriers, ſent certain to enquire into the buſineſſe,Anno Dom. 1513. and hearing what they related to him, he ſwore a great oath that they were better men then either himſelf was, or any other of his ſubjects.

Verſe 17. That ye ſuffer for well-doing] The cauſe, and not the pain makes the Martyr. Together with the Lord Cromwell was beheaded (in Henry the eighths time)Speeds Chron the Lord Hungerford, neither ſo Chriſtianly ſuffering, nor ſo quietly dying for his offence committed againſt nature. What a ſad thing was that related by Euſebius, that the cruell perſecution under Diocletian was occaſioned chiefly by the petulancy, pride, and contentions of the Paſtours and Biſhops: which gave occaſion to the tyrant to think that Chriſtian religion was no better then a wretched deviſe of wicked men.

Verſe 18. That he might bring us] To reconcile and bring men again to God, was the main end of Chriſts coming and ſuffering. This is the wonderment of Angels, torment of devils, &c.

Verſe 19. He went and preached] Righteouſneſſe, i. e. Repentance, 2 Pet. 2.5. and the faith of the Goſpel, 1 Pet. 4.6. whereby ſome of thoſe many that periſhed in the waters, arrived at heaven. Nunquam ſerò ſi ſeriò. Chriſt went to them as an Embaſſadour ſent by his Father, and ſpake to their hearts.

p. 445Verſe 20. Which ſometimes were diſobedient.] Gr. Vnperſwadable, uncounſellable. They jeared where they ſhould have feared, and thought Noah no wiſer then the Prior of S^t Bartholomews in London, Holinſhead.who upon a vain prediction of an idle Aſtrologer, went and built him an houſe at Harrow on the hill, to ſecure himſelf from a ſuppoſed floud, fore-told by that Aſtrologer.

Verſe 21. Baptiſme doth alſo now ſave] It is of permanent uſe; and effectuall to ſeal up ſalvation whenſoever a man believes and repents. Hence we are once baptized for all. See Epheſ. 5.26. Tit. 3.5. The Popes decrees ſay, That Confirmation is of more value then Baptiſme, and gives the holy Ghoſt more plentifully and effectually.

Not the putting away] That none bear himſelf bold upon his Chriſtendome: Unregenerate Iſrael is to God as Ethiopia, Amos 9.7. A man may goe to hell with baptiſmall water on his face.

But the anſwer] The Stipulation, or confident interrogation, foreign.ſuch as is that of the Apoſtle, Rom. 8.33, 34, 35. and of Jeremy pleading with God, Chap. 12.1, and reaſoning the cauſe with him. David from his circumciſion promiſed himſelf victory over that uncircumciſed Philiſtim, ſo may we from our baptiſme, againſt all ſpirituall wickedneſſes.

Verſe 22. Angels and authorities] Pſal. 68.17. The word rendered Angels ſignifieth Seconds, as being ſecond to Chriſt, or next to him. See Dan. 10.13.

CHAP. IV. Verſe 1. Chriſt hath ſuffered]

AS Chap. 3.18.

In the fleſh] In humane nature, ſo muſt we ſuffer in ſinfull nature, ſubduing it to God, and ceaſing from ſin, nailing it and nailing it to the croſſe of Chriſt.

Verſe 2. That he no longer, &c.] To ſpend the ſpan of this tranſitory life after the waies of ones own heart, is to periſh for ever.

Verſe 3. In laſciviouſneſſe, luſts, &c.] The true picture of a Pagan converſation, which yet is too too common among thoſe p. 446that call themſelves Chriſtians. The world is now grown perfectly profane, and can play on the Lords-day without book; making it as Bacchus Orgies, rather then Gods holy day, with piping, dancing, drinking, drabbing, &c. We may ſay as once Alſted of his Germans, that if the Sabbath-day ſhould be named according to their obſerving of it, Demoniacus potiùs quam I) ominious diceretur, A…ſted. Encyl.it ſhould be called not Gods-day, but the devils.

Exceſſe of Wine] Or,foreign Red and rich faces, as they call them.

Revellings] Stinkes ſaith the Syriack: Drunkards are ſtinkards.foreign.

Banquettings] Gr.foreign. Compotations, or good-fellow-meetings: ſome render it, bibbings, ſippings, tiplings, ſitting long at it, though not to an alienation of the minde.

Verſe 4.foreign. They think it ſtrange] Gr. That they think it a new world, marvelling what is come to you alate. It is I, ſaid the harlot,Arego nonſu…. but it is not I, ſaid the convert.

Into the ſame exceſſe] Gr.foreign. Bubbling or boiling, as the raging ſea, ſoaming out its own filth.

Verſe 5. Who ſhall give account] Of their ungodly deeds and hard ſpeeches, Jude 15. Angels did their firſt execution in the world upon luxurious Sodomites: they will be very active doubtleſſe againſt ſuch at the laſt day. See 2 Pet. 2.10. and mark that word, Chiefly.

Verſe 6. For, for this cauſe] See the Note on 1 Pet, 3.19.

That they might be judged] Either by God chaſtiſing them, 1 Cor. 11.32. or by themſelves, verſ. 31. The Goſpel melts the hearts of Gods elect with voluntary grief for ſin, it makes them condemn themſelves in the fleſh.

But live according to God] The Father of ſpirits, with whom the ſpirits of juſt men departed are made perfect, Heb. 12.23. Euſebius and Auſtin make mention of certain Arabians, who ſaid that the ſoul dies with the body, and revives not again till the reſurrection of the body.Euſeb. l. 2. c. 20. Angto… 6 de haereſ. This old hereſie is now, among many others, digg'd out of the grave, and held by certain Sectaries amongſt us.

Verſe 7. Be ye therefore ſober, &c.] To be ſober in praier (ſaith one) is to pray with due reſpect to Gods Majeſty, without trifling or vain babbling: To let our words be few, Eccleſ. 5.3. p. 447Alſo it is to keep Gods counſell, not to be proud or boaſt of ſucceſſe, or ſpeak of the ſecret ſweetneſſe of Gods love without calling: It is to conceal the familiarity of God in ſecret.

And watch unto praier] Againſt dulneſſe of body, drouſineſſe of ſpirit, ſatanicall ſuggeſtions, diſtractive motions, which elſe will muſter and ſwarm in the heart like the Flies of Aegypt.

Verſe 8. Charity ſhall cover] This is meant of mutuall love, whereby we forgive offences one to another, and not that which ſhould juſtifie us before God in a Popiſh ſenſe, as appears by the precedent words, and by Prov. 10.12.

Verſe 9. Without grudgings] Without ſhucking and hucking. See 2 Cor. 8 12. with the Note there.

Verſe 10. Even ſo miniſter] Clouds when full, pour down, and the ſpouts run, and the eaves ſhed, and the preſſes overflow, and the Aromaticall trees ſweat out their precious and ſoveraign oils, and every learned Scribe brings out his rich treaſure, &c.

Verſe 11. If any man speak] i. e. Preach. Every ſound is not muſick, ſo neither is every Pulpit-diſcourſe preaching.

At the Oracles of God] Thoſe lively and life-giving oracles,Act 7.38.Acts 7:38 the holy Scriptures. Theſe he muſt expound with all gravity and ſincerity, not ſeeking himſelf, nor ſetting forth his own wit and eloquence, ſo putting the ſword of the ſpirit into a velvet ſcabber'd, that it cannot prick and pierce the heart.

Which God giveth] Liberally and magnifically.foreign.

Verſe 12. Think it not ſtrange] Ne tanquam hospites percellumini, Stand not wondering, and as if ſtruck into a maze. Fain would this fleſh make ſtrange of that which the Spirit doth embrace (ſaith M^r Saunders Martyr, in a letter to his wife.)Act. and Mon. fol. 1360. O Lord how loth is this loitering ſluggard to paſſe forth in Gods path. It fantaſieth, forſooth, much fear of fray-bugs. And were it not for the force of faith which pulleth it forward by the rain of Gods moſt ſweet promiſe, and of hope which pricks on behinde, great adventures there were of fainting by the way. But bleſſed, and everlaſtingly bleſſed be our heavenly Father, &c.

Concerning the fiery triall] John Brown of Aſhford, through the cruell handling of Archbiſhop Warrham, and Fiſher Biſhop of Rocheſter, was ſo piteouſly entreated (ſaith M^r Fox) that his p. 448bare feet were ſet upon the hot burning coals, to make him deny his faith:Act. and M…n. fol. 1…77. which not withſtanding he would not do, but patiently abiding the pain, continued in the Lords quarrel unremoveable. See the like of Roſe Allen, Act. and Mon. 1820.

As though ſome ſtrange thing] Fore-caſt afflictions, which being fore-ſeen come no whit the ſooner, but far the eaſier: It is a labour well loſt, if they come not, well ſpent if they do; whereas coming upon the ſudden, they finde weak mindes ſecure, make them miſerable, leave them deſperate. Biſhop Latimer ever affirmed, that the preaching of the Goſpel wovld coſt him his life, to the which he no leſſe chearfully prepared himſelf, then certainly was perſwaded, that Winchester was kept in the Tower for the ſame purpoſe; and the event did too truly prove the ſame. Being ſent for to London by a purſuivant, and coming thorow Smith field, he merrily ſaid,Act and Mon, fol 1579. That Smithfield had long groaned for him. To the Leiutenant of the Tower he ſaid, You look I think, that I ſhould burn; but except you let me have ſome fire I am like to deceive your expectation: for I am like here to ſtarve for cold.

Verſe 13. But rejoyce] As the Apoſtles did, Act. 5.41. See the Note there.

With exceeding joy] Gr. Dancing a galliard, Leaping Levalto's, foreign.lifting up your heads, becauſe your redemption draweth nigh. Vincentius laughing at his tormentours, ſaid, that death and tortures were to Chriſtians, Jocularia & ludicra, matters of ſport and paſtime;Luther. and walking upon hot-burning coals, he boaſted that he walked upon roſes: Other Martyrs ſaid, that they felt no more pain in the fire, then if they lay upon a bed of down. Conſtantine embraced Paphnutius, and kiſſed his loſt eye: So will Chriſt deal at laſt day by his ſuffering ſervants.

Verſe 14 Happy are ye] See the Note on Mat. 5.11, 12. The word ſignifies,foreign. Ye are out of harms-way, out of the reach of danger.

Resteth upon you] With great delight and content.foreign How ſtrangely were the holy Martyrs ſpiritualized and elevated, carried out of themſelves, and beyond themſelves, as were eaſie to inſtance?

Verſe 15. As a buſie-body] Gr. A biſhop in another mans Dioceſſe, a pragmaticall perſon that meddleth with other mens matters, without call or commendation.

p. 449Verſe 16. Suffer as a Chriſtian] Under the Emperour Antoninus the Philoſopher, there fell out a very bitter ſtorm of perſecution in France, which ſwallowed up ſundry Martyrs,Bucholc. as Maturus, Pothenus, Attalus and Blandina: which good woman in the midſt of all her ſufferings, oft cried out, Chriſtiana ſum, I am a Chriſtian. By which word ſhe gathered new ſtrength, and became more then a Conquereſſe. So Sabina, another glorious Roman Martyr, crying out when ſhe was in priſon,Iob. Manl. and being asked by the Jailour, how ſhe would endure the fire next day, that made now ſo much ado in her travel? Very well ſaid ſhe, I doubt not: for now I ſuffer as a ſinner, but then I ſhall ſuffer as a Chriſtian.

Verſe 17. Judgement must begin] The mortality at Corinth began at the believers, 1 Cor. 11.30. infidels ſcaped ſcot-free. Gods cup is firſt ſent to Jeruſalem. There was bread in Moab, when there was none in Iſrael, Ruth 1.1. The ſtormy ſhowr lighteth firſt on the high-hils: and having waſhed them, ſettleth with all the filth in the valleys.

Verſe 18. Scarcely be ſaved] Hard and ſcarce: not at all from outward miſeries (whereof he is ſure to have his back-burden) and not without ſomewhat adoe from hell-torments. The wiſe Virgins had no oil to ſpare: the twelve Trib s ſerved God inſtantly and conſtantly day and night, and all little enough, Act. 26.7.

Where ſhall the ungodly, &c.] Surely no where: not before Saints and Angels, for holineſſe is their trade. Not before God, for he is of more pure eyes, &c. Not before Chriſt: for he ſhall come in flaming fire rendering vengeance. Not in heaven, for its an undefiled inheritance, &c.

Verſe 19. Commit the keeping] As a precious depoſitum. So did our Saviour both in his life time, Pet. 2.23. and at his death, Luk. 23 46.

As unto a faithfull] Who will rather unmake all,Pſal. 114.8.Ps 114:8 then we ſhall miſcarry.

p. 450CHAP. V. Verſe 1. Who am alſo an Elder]

GR.Leo 1. Petrum in conſortium individu… Trinitatis aſſumptu… j…lavir. foreign A fellow Elder, not a Commander, a Lord paramount, a Compeer and Conſort to the bleſſed Trinity, as Pope Leo the firſt, and Nicolas the third blaſphemouſly ſaid he was.

Verſe 2. Feed the flock] Being both learned and loving. The Greek word for a ſhepherd, ſignifieth one that earneſtly deſireth after his ſheep.

Not by conſtraint, but willingly] It is with the Paſtours of Germany for moſt part, ſaith Melancthon, as with him in Plautus, that ſaid, Ego non ſervio libentèr herus meus me non habet li…e…èr, tumen utitur me, ut lippis oculis.

Verſe 3. Neither as being Lords] About the year 1260. the Clergy and Laity of England, ſet themſelves againſt the Popes exactions: and when the Legat alledged that all Churches were the Popes,J… vius in vit. Po… Magiſter Leonardus made anſwer, Tuitione non fruitione, deſen ſione, non diſſipatione.

Verſe 4. Ye ſhall receive a crown] A crown imports perpetuity, plenty, dignity, the height of humane ambition. Quarta perennis erit was S^r Thomas Bodly his poſie.

Verſe 5. Yea all of you be ſubject] In regard of love and modeſty, not of change and confuſion of offices.

Be cloathed with humility] The Greek word imports,foreign that humility is the riband or ſtring, that ties together all thoſe precious pearls the reſt of the graces: if this ſtring break, they are all ſcattered. Humility, as charity, is the band of perfection: yea the word here uſed ſignifies no… only alligare, but innodare, ſay ſome; to tie knots,foreign. as delicate and curious women uſe to do of ribands to adorn their heads or bodies:M. Cawdrey as if humility were the knot of every vertue, and the grace of every grace. Contrariwiſe, how ugly and unſeemly is pride on the back of honour, head of learning, face of beauty, &c? Chryſoſtome calleth humility the root, mother, nurſe, foundation and band of all vertues.foreign. Baſil the ſtore-houſe, treaſury of all good.

God reſiſteth] See the Note on Jam. 4.6.

And giveth grace] i.e. Honour and reſpect: as appears by the oppoſition, and by Pro. 3.34, 35.

p. 451Verſe 6. Ʋnder the mighty hand of God] If God can blow us to deſtruction, Job 4.9. nod us to deſtruction, Pſal. 80.16. what is the weight of that mighty hand of his, that ſpans the heavens, and holds the earth in the hollow of them?

That he may exalt you] The lower the ebbe, the higher is the tide, A deluge of ſorrows may aſſault us, but they ſhall exalt us. And the lower the foundation of vertue is laid, the higher ſhall the roof of glory be over laid.

In due time] In the opportunity of time, in a fit ſeaſon. The very Turks, though remorſleſſe to thoſe that bear up, yet receive humiliation with much ſweetnes.

Verſe 7. Caſting all your care] Your carking care,Act. and Mon. fol. 1743. your care of diffidence. I will now with you ſing away care (ſaid John Careleſſe Martyr in a letter to M^r. Philpot) for now my ſoul is turned to her old reſt again, and hath taken a ſweet nap in Chriſts lap. I have caſt my care upon the Lord which careth for me, and will be Careleſſe, according to my name.

Verſe 8. Your adverſary the devil] Satan envies our condition, that we ſhould enjoy that Paradiſe that he left, the comforts he once had. Hence he diſturbs us, and is reſtleſſe, out of his infinite hatred of God and goodneſſe: as the Scorpion ſtill pu…s forth his ſting, and as the Leopard beareth ſuch a naturall hatred againſt men, that if he ſee but a mans picture, he ſlies upon it, and tares it, Annibal, whether he conquered, or was conquered, never reſted. Satan is over-overcome, and yet he walks up and down ſeeking to devour: he commits the ſin againſt the holy Ghoſt every day, and ſhall lie loweſt in hell: every ſoul that he drew thither by his temptation ſhall lie upon him, and preſſe him down as a milſtone under the unſupportable wrath of God. The word here rendered an adverſary, properly ſignifies an adverſary at law. Againſt whom we have an Advocate Jeſus Chriſt the juſt one, 1 Ioh. 2.2. who appears for us, Heb. 9.24. to non-ſuit all accuſations, and to plead our cauſe.

Whom he may devour] Gr. Whom he may drink up at one draught.

Verſe 9. Stedfaſt in the faith] Gr. Stiff, ſolid, ſettled.foreign Plutarch.

That the ſame afflictions] Art not thou glad to fare as Phocion, ſaid he to one that was to die with him? Ignatius going to ſuffer, triumphed in this, that his bloud ſhould be found among the mighty Worthies, and that when the Lord maketh inquiſition for p. 452bloud, he will recount from the bloud of righteous Abel… not only to the bloud of Zacharias ſon of Barachias, but alſo to the bloud of mean Ignatius.

Verſe 10 But the God of all grace] Thus the Apoſtle divides his time betwixt preaching and praier, according to his own advice, Act. 6.4. and the practice of thoſe ancient Miniſters, Deut. 33.10.

Verſe 11. To him be glory, &c.] Non loquendum de Deo ſine lumine, ſaid the Heathen, we may not mention God, but with praiſe to his name, ſay we.

Verſe 12. I have written briefly] Gr. In few. The holy Scripture hath fulneſſe of matter in fewneſſe of words, the whole counſel of God ſhut up in a narrow compaſſe. The Lord knows that much reading is a wearineſſe of the fleſh, Eccleſ. 12.12. and hath therefore provided for our infirmity.

Verſe 13. The Church that is at Babylon] At Rome ſay the Papiſts, that they may prove Peter to have been Biſhop of Rome. But though this be far ſet, yet here they grant us, that Rome is that myſticall Babylon mentioned in the Revelation. It is probable that S. Peter meant no other Babylon then the Metropolis of Chaldaea, where he, being the Apoſtle of the circumciſion, preached to thoſe diſperſed Jews, and other Gentiles that he had converted.

Verſe 14. With a kiſſe of charity] So called, becauſe their love to one another was by this ſymbol or ceremony both evidenced and encreaſed.