NOTES

THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF ST. PETER.

There is a wonderful weightiness, and yet liveliness and

sweetness, in the epistles of St. Peter. His design in both is,

to stir up the minds of those to whom he writes, by way of

remembrance, # 2Peter 3:1, and to guard them, not only against

error, but also against doubting, # 1Pet 5:12. This he does by

reminding them of that glorious grace which God had vouchsafed

them through the gospel, by which believers are inflamed to

bring forth the fruits of faith, hope, love, and patience.

The parts of this epistle are three:-

I. The inscription, C. i. 1, 2

II. The stirring up of them to whom he writes:

1. As born of God. Here he recites and interweaves

alternately both the benefits of God toward

believers, and the duties of believers toward God:

1. God hath regenerated us to a living hope, to an

eternal inheritance, 3-12

Therefore hope to the end, 13

2. As obedient children bring forth the fruit

of faith to your heavenly Father, 14-21

3. Being purified by the Spirit, love with a

pure heart, 22-C.ii.10

2. As strangers in the world, abstain from fleshly desires, 11

And show your faith by,

1. A good conversation, 12

a. In particular,

Subjects, 13-17

Servants, after the example of Christ, 18-25

Wives, C. iii. 1-6

Husbands, 7

b. In general, all, 8-15

2. A good profession,

a. By readiness to give an answer to every one, 15-22

b. By shunning evil company, C. iv. 1-6

(This part is enforced by what Christ both did

and suffered, from his passion to his coming

to judgment.)

c. By the exercise of Christian virtues, and by a

due use of miraculous gifts, 7-11

3. As fellow-heirs of glory, sustain adversity, let each

do this,

1. In general, as a Christian, 12-19

2. In his own particular state, C. v. 1-11

The title beloved divides the second

part from the first, ii 11, and the

third from the second, iv. 12.

III. The conclusion, 12-14

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Verse 1. To the sojourners-Upon earth, the Christians, chiefly

those of Jewish extraction. Scattered-Long ago driven out of

their own land. Those scattered by the persecution mentioned

# Acts 8:1, were scattered only through Judea and Samaria,

though afterwards some of them travelled to Phenice, Cyprus,

and Antioch. Through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and

Bithynia-He names these five provinces in the order wherein they

occurred to him, writing from the east. All these countries lie

in the Lesser Asia. The Asia here distinguished from the other

provinces is that which was usually called the Proconsular Asia

being a Roman province.

V. 2. According to the foreknowledge of God-Speaking after the manner

of men. Strictly speaking, there is no foreknowledge, no more than

afterknowledge, with God: but all things are known to him as present

from eternity to eternity. This is therefore no other than an instance

of the divine condescension to our low capacities. Elect-By the free

love and almighty power of God taken out of, separated from, the world.

Election, in the scripture sense, is God's doing anything that our merit

or power have no part in. The true predestination, or fore-appointment of

God is,

1. He that believeth shall be saved from the guilt and power of sin.

2. He that endureth to the end shall be saved eternally.

3. They who receive the precious gift of faith, thereby become the sons

of God; and, being sons, they shall receive the Spirit of holiness to

walk as Christ also walked.

Throughout every part of this appointment of God, promise and duty go hand

in hand. All is free gift; and yet such is the gift, that the final issue

depends on our future obedience to the heavenly call. But other

predestination than this, either to life or death eternal, the scripture

knows not of. Moreover, it is.

1. Cruel respect of persons; an unjust regard of one, and an unjust

disregard of another. It is mere creature partiality, and not

infinite justice.

2. It is not plain scripture doctrine, if true; but rather, inconsistent

with the express written word, that speaks of God's universal offers

of grace; his invitations, promises, threatenings, being all general.

3. We are bid to choose life, and reprehended for not doing it.

4. It is inconsistent with a state of probation in those that must be

saved or must be lost.

5. It is of fatal consequence; all men being ready, on very slight

grounds, to fancy themselves of the elect number. But the doctrine

of predestination is entirely changed from what it formerly was.

Now it implies neither faith, peace, nor purity. It is something that

will do without them all. Faith is no longer, according to the modern

predestinarian scheme, a divine "evidence of things not seen," wrought in

the soul by the immediate power of the Holy Ghost; not an evidence at all;

but a mere notion. Neither is faith made any longer a means of holiness;

but something that will do without it. Christ is no more a Saviour from

sin; but a defence, a countenancer of it. He is no more a fountain of

spiritual life in the soul of believers, but leaves his elect inwardly

dry, and outwardly unfruitful; and is made little more than a refuge from

the image of the heavenly; even from righteousness, peace, and joy in the

Holy Ghost. Through sanctification of the Spirit-Through the renewing

and purifying influences of his Spirit on their souls.

Unto obedience-To engage and enable them to yield themselves up to all

holy obedience, the foundation of all which is, the sprinkling of the

blood of Jesus Christ-The atoning blood of Christ, which was typified

by the sprinkling of the blood of sacrifices under the law; in allusion

to which it is called "the blood of sprinkling."

Verse 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

-His Father, with respect to his divine nature; his God, with

respect to his human. Who hath regenerated us to a living hope

-An hope which implies true spiritual life, which revives the

heart, and makes the soul lively and vigorous. By the

resurrection of Christ-Which is not only a pledge of ours, but

a part of the purchase-price. It has also a close connexion

with our rising from spiritual death, that as he liveth, so

shall we live with him. He was acknowledged to be the Christ,

but usually called Jesus till his resurrection; then he was also

called Christ.

Verse 4. To an inheritance-For if we are sons, then heirs.

Incorruptible-Not like earthly treasures. Undefiled-Pure and

holy, incapable of being itself defiled, or of being enjoyed by

any polluted soul. And that fadeth not away-That never decays

in its value, sweetness, or beauty, like all the enjoyments of

this world, like the garlands of leaves or flowers, with which

the ancient conquerors were wont to be crowned. Reserved in

heaven for you-Who "by patient continuance in welldoing, seek

for glory and honour and immortality."

Verse 5. Who are kept-The inheritance is reserved; the heirs

are kept for it. By the power of God-Which worketh all in all,

which guards us against all our enemies. Through faith-Through

which alone salvation is both received and retained. Ready to

be revealed-That revelation is made in the last day. It was

more and more ready to be revealed, ever since Christ came.

Verse 6. Wherein-That is, in being so kept. Ye even now

greatly rejoice, though now for a little while-Such is our whole

life, compared to eternity. If need be-For it is not always

needful. If God sees it to be the best means for your spiritual

profit. Ye are in heaviness-Or sorrow; but not in darkness; for

they still retained both faith, # 1Pe 1:5, hope, and love; yea,

at this very time were rejoicing with joy unspeakable, # 1Pe 1:8.

Verse 7. That the trial of your faith-That is, your faith which

is tried. Which is much more precious than gold-For gold,

though it bear the fire, yet will perish with the world. May be

found-Though it doth not yet appear. Unto praise-From God

himself. And honour-From men and angels. And glory-Assigned

by the great Judge.

Verse 8. Having not seen-In the flesh.

Verse 9. Receiving-Now already. Salvation-From all sin into

all holiness, which is the qualification for, the forerunner

and pledge of, eternal salvation.

Verse 10. Of which salvation-So far beyond all that was

experienced under the Jewish dispensation. The very prophets

who prophesied long ago of the grace of God toward you-Of his

abundant, overflowing grace to be bestowed on believers under

the Christian dispensation. Inquired-Were earnestly inquisitive.

And searched diligently-Like miners searching after precious

ore, after the meaning of the prophecies which they delivered.

Verse 11. Searching what time-What particular period. And what

manner of time-By what marks to be distinguished. The glories

that were to follow-His sufferings; namely, the glory of his

resurrection, ascension, exaltation, and the effusion of his

Spirit; the glory of the last judgment, and of his eternal

kingdom; and also the glories of his grace in the hearts and

lives of Christians.

Verse 12. To whom-So searching. It was revealed, that not for

themselves, but for us they ministered-They did not so much by

those predictions serve themselves, or that generation, as they

did us, who now enjoy what they saw afar off. With the Holy

Ghost sent down from heaven-Confirmed by the inward, powerful

testimony of the Holy Ghost, as well as the mighty effusion of

his miraculous gifts. Which things angels desire to look into

-A beautiful gradation; prophets, righteous men, kings, desired

to see and hear what Christ did and taught. What the Holy Ghost

taught concerning Christ the very angels long to know.

Verse 13. Wherefore-Having such encouragement. Gird up the loins

of your mind-As persons in the eastern countries were wont, in

travelling or running, to gird up their long garments, so gather

ye up all your thoughts and affections, and keep your mind always

disencumbered and prepared to run the race which is set before

you. Be watchful-As servants that wait for their Lord. And

hope to the end-Maintain a full expectation of all the grace-The

blessings flowing from the free favour of God. Which shall be

brought to you at the final revelation of Jesus Christ-And which

are now brought to you by the revelation of Christ in you.

Verse 14. Your desires-Which ye had while ye were ignorant of

God.

Verse 16. # Lev 11:44.

Verse 17. Who judgeth according to every man's work-According

to the tenor of his life and conversation. Pass the time of

your sojourning-Your short abode on earth. In humble, loving

fear-The proper companion and guard of hope.

Verse 18. Your vain conversation-Your foolish, sinful way of life.

Verse 19. Without blemish-In himself.

Without spot-From the world.

Verse 21. Who through him believe-For all our faith and hope

proceed from the power of his resurrection. In God that raised

Jesus, and gave him glory-At his ascension. Without Christ we

should only dread God; whereas through him we believe, hope,

and love.

Verse 22. Having purified your souls by obeying the truth

through the Spirit, who bestows upon you freely, both obedience

and purity of heart, and unfeigned love of the brethren, go on

to still higher degrees of love. Love one another fervently

-With the most strong and tender affection; and yet with a pure

heart-Pure from any spot of unholy desire or inordinate passion.

Verse 23. Which liveth-Is full of divine virtue. And abideth

the same for ever.

Verse 24. All flesh-Every human creature is transient and

withering as grass. And all the glory of it-His wisdom,

strength, wealth, righteousness. As the flower-The most

short-lived part of it. The grass-That is, man. The flower

-That is, his glory. Is fallen off-As it were, while we are

speaking. # Isaiah 40:6, &c.

Verse 1. Wherefore laying aside-As inconsistent with that pure

love. All dissimulation-Which is the outward expression of

guile in the heart.

Verse 2. Desire-Always, as earnestly as new born babes do,

# 1Pet 1:3.

The milk of the word-That word of God which nourishes the soul

as milk does the body, and which is sincere, pure from all guile,

so that none are deceived who cleave to it. That you may grow

thereby-In faith, love, holiness, unto the full stature of

Christ.

Verse 3. Since ye have tasted-Sweetly and experimentally known.

Verse 4. To whom coming-By faith. As unto a living stone-Living

from eternity; alive from the dead. There is a wonderful beauty

and energy in these expressions, which describe Christ as a

spiritual foundation, solid, firm, durable; and believers as a

building erected upon it, in preference to that temple which the

Jews accounted their highest glory. And St. Peter speaking of

him thus, shows he did not judge himself, but Christ, to be the

rock on which the church was built. Rejected indeed by men-Even

at this day, not only by Jews, Turks, heathens, infidels; but by

all Christians, so called, who live in sin, or who hope to be

saved by their own works. But chosen of God-From all eternity,

to be the foundation of his church. And precious-In himself, in

the sight of God, and in the eyes of all believers.

Verse 5. Ye-Believers. As living stones-Alive to God through

him. Are built up-In union with each other. A spiritual house

-Being spiritual yourselves, and an habitation of God through

the Spirit. An holy priesthood-Consecrated to God, and "holy

as he is holy." To offer up-Your souls and bodies, with all

your thoughts, words, and actions, as spiritual sacrifices to God.

Verse 6. He that believeth shall not be confounded-In time or

in eternity. # Isaiah 28:16.

Verse 7. To them who believe, he is become the head of the

corner-The chief corner stone, on which the whole building

rests. Unbelievers too will at length find him such to their

sorrow, # Matt 21:44.

# Psalm 118:22.

Verse 8. Who stumble, whereunto also they were appointed-They

who believe not, stumble, and fall, and perish for ever; God

having appointed from all eternity, "he that believeth not

shall be damned."

Verse 9. But ye-Who believe in Christ Are-In a higher sense

than ever the Jews were. A chosen or elect race, a royal

priesthood-"Kings and priests unto God,"

# Rev 1:6. As princes, ye have power with God, and victory over

sin, the world, and the devil: as priests, ye are consecrated to

God, for offering spiritual sacrifices. Ye Christians are as

one holy nation, under Christ your King. A purchased people-Who

are his peculiar property. That ye may show forth-By your whole

behaviour, to all mankind. The virtues-The excellent glory,

the mercy, wisdom, and power of him, Christ, who hath called you

out of the darkness of ignorance, error, sin, and misery.

Verse 10. Who in time past were not a people-Much less the

people of God; but scattered individuals of many nations.

The former part of the verse particularly respects the gentiles;

the latter, the Jews.

Verse 11. Here begins the exhortation drawn from the second

motive. Sojourners: pilgrims-The first word properly means,

those who are in a strange house; the second, those who are

in a strange country. You sojourn in the body; you are pilgrims

in this world. Abstain from desires of anything in this house,

or in this country.

Verse 12. Honest-Not barely unblamable, but virtuous in every

respect. But our language sinks under the force, beauty, and

copiousness of the original expressions. That they by your good

works which they shall behold-See with their own eyes. May

glorify God-By owning his grace in you, and following your

example. In the day of visitation-The time when he shall give

them fresh offers of his mercy.

Verse 13. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man-To every

secular power. Instrumentally these are ordained by men; but

originally all their power is from God.

Verse 14. Or to subordinate governors, or magistrates.

Verse 15. The ignorance-Of them who blame you, because they do

not know you: a strong motive to pity them.

Verse 16. As free-Yet obeying governors, for God's sake.

Verse 17. Honour all men-As being made in the image of God,

bought by his Son, and designed for his kingdom. Honour the

king-Pay him all that regard both in affection and action

which the laws of God and man require.

Verse 18. Servants-Literally, household servants. With all

fear-Of offending them or God. Not only to the good-Tender,

kind. And gentle-Mild, easily forgiving.

Verse 19. For conscience toward God-From a pure desire of

pleasing him. Grief-Severe treatment.

Verse 21. Hereunto are ye-Christians. Called-To suffer

wrongfully. Leaving you an example-When he went to God.

That ye might follow his steps-Of innocence and patience.

Verses 22, 23. In all these instances the example of Christ is

peculiarly adapted to the state of servants, who easily slide

either into sin or guile, reviling their fellowservants, or

threatening them, the natural result of anger without power.

He committed himself to him that judgeth righteously-The only

solid ground of patience in affliction.

# Isaiah 53:4,6,7,9.

Verses 22, 23. In all these instances the example of Christ is

peculiarly adapted to the state of servants, who easily slide

either into sin or guile, reviling their fellowservants, or

threatening them, the natural result of anger without power.

He committed himself to him that judgeth righteously-The only

solid ground of patience in affliction.

Verse 24. Who himself bore our sins-That is, the punishment due

to them. In his afflicted, torn, dying body on the tree-The

cross, whereon chiefly slaves or servants were wont to suffer.

That we being dead to sin-Wholly delivered both from the guilt

and power of it: indeed, without an atonement first made for

the guilt, we could never have been delivered from the power.

Might live to righteousness-Which is one only. The sins we

had committed, and he bore, were manifold.

Verse 25. The bishop-The kind observer, inspector, or overseer

of your souls.

Verse 1. If any-He speaks tenderly. Won-Gained over to Christ.

Verse 2. Joined with a loving fear of displeasing them.

Verse 3. Three things are here expressly forbidden: curling the

hair, wearing gold, (by way of ornament,) and putting on costly

or gay apparel. These, therefore, ought never to be allowed,

much less defended, by Christians.

Verse 4. The hidden man of the heart-Complete inward holiness,

which implies a meek and quiet spirit. A meek spirit gives no

trouble willingly to any: a quiet spirit bears all wrongs

without being troubled. In the sight of God-Who looks at the

heart. All superfluity of dress contributes more to pride and

anger than is generally supposed. The apostle seems to have his

eye to this by substituting meekness and quietness in the room

of the ornaments he forbids. "I do not regard these things," is

often said by those whose hearts are wrapped up in them: but

offer to take them away, and you touch the very idol of their

soul. Some, indeed only dress elegantly that they may be looked

on; that is, they squander away their Lord's talent to gain

applause: thus making sin to beget sin, and then plead one in

excuse of the other.

V. 5. The adorning of those holy women, who trusted in God, and

therefore did not act thus from servile fear, was,

1. Their meek subjection to their husbands:

2. Their quiet spirit, "not afraid," or amazed: and

3. Their unblamable behaviour, "doing" all things "well."

V. 6. Whose children ye are-In a spiritual as well as natural sense,

and entitled to the same inheritance, while ye discharge your conjugal

duties, not out of fear, but for conscience' sake.

# Gen 18:12.

V. 7. Dwell with the woman according to knowledge-Knowing they are

weak, and therefore to be used with all tenderness. Yet do not despise

them for this, but give them honour-Both in heart, in word, and in

action; as those who are called to be joint-heirs of that eternal life

which ye and they hope to receive by the free grace of God. That your

prayers be not hindered-On the one part or the other. All sin hinders

prayer; particularly anger. Anything at which we are angry is never more

apt to come into our mind than when we are at prayer; and those who do not

forgive will find no forgiveness from God.

V. 8. Finally-This part of the epistle reaches to # 1Peter 4:11.

The apostle seems to have added the rest afterwards.

Sympathizing-Rejoicing and sorrowing together. Love all believers

as brethren. Be pitiful-Toward the afflicted. Be courteous-To all

men. Courtesy is such a behaviour toward equals and inferiors as shows

respect mixed with love.

V. 9. Ye are called to inherit a blessing-Therefore their railing

cannot hurt you; and, by blessing them, you imitate God, who blesses you.

Verse 10. For he that desireth to love life, and to see good

days-That would make life amiable and desirable.

# Psalm 34:12, &c.

Verse 11. Let him seek-To live peaceably with all men.

And pursue it-Even when it seems to flee from him.

Verse 12. The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous-For good.

Anger appears in the whole face; love, chiefly in the eyes.

Verse 13. Who is he that will harm you-None can.

Verse 14. But if ye should suffer-This is no harm to you, but a

good. Fear ye not their fear-The very words of the Septuagint,

# Isaiah 8:12,13. Let not that fear be in you which the wicked

feel.

Verse 15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts-Have an holy

fear, and a full trust in his wise providence. The hope-Of

eternal life. With meekness-For anger would hurt your cause as

well as your soul. And fear-A filial fear of offending God,

and a jealousy over yourselves, lest ye speak amiss.

Verse 16. Having a good conscience-So much the more beware of

anger, to which the very consciousness of your innocence may

betray you. Join with a good conscience meekness and fear, and

you obtain a complete victory. Your good conversation in Christ

-That is, which flows from faith in him.

Verse 17. It is infinitely better, if it be the will of God, ye

should suffer. His permissive will appears from his providence.

Verse 18. For-This is undoubtedly best, whereby we are most

conformed to Christ. Now Christ suffered once-To suffer no more.

For sins-Not his own, but ours. The just for the unjust-The

word signifies, not only them who have wronged their neighbours,

but those who have transgressed any of the commands of God; as

the preceding word, just, denotes a person who has fulfilled,

not barely social duties, but all kind of righteousness. That

he might bring us to God-Now to his gracious favour, hereafter

to his blissful presence, by the same steps of suffering and of

glory. Being put to death in the flesh-As man. But raised to

life by the Spirit-Both by his own divine power, and by the power

of the Holy Ghost.

Verse 19. By which Spirit he preached-Through the ministry of

Noah. To the spirits in prison-The unholy men before the flood,

who were then reserved by the justice of God, as in a prison,

till he executed the sentence upon them all; and are now also

reserved to the judgment of the great day.

Verse 20. When the longsuffering of God waited-For an hundred

and twenty years; all the time the ark was preparing: during

which Noah warned them all to flee from the wrath to come.

Verse 21. The antitype whereof-The thing typified by the ark,

even baptism, now saveth us-That is, through the water of

baptism we are saved from the sin which overwhelms the world

as a flood: not, indeed, the bare outward sign, but the inward

grace; a divine consciousness that both our persons and our

actions are accepted through him who died and rose again for us.

Verse 22. Angels and authorities and powers-That is, all

orders both of angels and men.

Verse 1. Arm yourselves with the same mind-Which will be

armour of proof against all your enemies. For he that hath

suffered in the flesh-That hath so suffered as to he thereby

made inwardly and truly conformable to the sufferings of Christ.

Hath ceased from sin-Is delivered from it.

Verse 2. That ye may no longer live in the flesh-Even in this

mortal body. To the desires of men-Either your own or those of

others. These are various; but the will of God is one.

Verse 3. Revellings, banquetings-Have these words any meaning

now? They had, seventeen hundred years ago. Then the former

meant, meetings to eat; meetings, the direct end of which was,

to please the taste: the latter, meetings to drink: both of

which Christians then ranked with abominable idolatries.

Verse 4. The same-As ye did once. Speaking evil of you

-As proud, singular, silly, wicked and the like.

Verse 5. Who shall give account-Of this, as well as all their

other ways. To him who is ready-So faith represents him now.

Verse 6. For to this end was the gospel preached-Ever since it

was given to Adam. To them that are now dead-In their several

generations. That they might be judged-That though they were

judged. In the flesh according to the manner of men-With rash,

unrighteous judgment. They might live according to the will and

word of God, in the Spirit; the soul renewed after his image.

Verse 7. But the end of all things-And so of their wrongs, and

your sufferings. Is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch

unto prayer-Temperance helps watchfulness, and both of them help

prayer. Watch, that ye may pray; and pray, that ye may watch.

Verse 8. Love covereth a multitude of sins-Yea, "love covereth

all things." He that loves another, covers his faults, how many

soever they be. He turns away his own eyes from them; and, as

far as is possible, hides them from others. And he continually

prays that all the sinner's iniquities may be forgiven and his

sins covered. Meantime the God of love measures to him with

the same measure into his bosom.

Verse 9. One to another-Ye that are of different towns or

countries. Without murmuring-With all cheerfulness.

# Prov 10:12.

Verse 10. As every one hath received a gift-Spiritual or

temporal, ordinary or extraordinary, although the latter seems

primarily intended. So minister it one to another-Employ it

for the common good. As good stewards of the manifold grace

of God-The talents wherewith his free love has intrusted you.

Verse 11. If any man speak, let him-In his whole conversation,

public and private. Speak as the oracles of God-Let all his

words be according to this pattern, both as to matter and

manner, more especially in public. By this mark we may always

know who are, so far, the true or false prophets. The oracles

of God teach that men should repent, believe, obey.

He that treats of faith and leaves out repentance, or does not

enjoin practical holiness to believers, does not speak as the

oracles of God: he does not preach Christ, let him think as

highly of himself as he will. If any man minister-Serve his

brother in love, whether in spintuals or temporals. Let him

minister as of the ability which God giveth-That is, humbly and

diligently, ascribing all his power to God, and using it with

his might. Whose is the glory-of his wisdom, which teaches us

to speak. And the might-Which enables us to act.

Verse 12. Wonder not at the burning which is among you-This

is the literal meaning of the expression. It seems to include

both martyrdom itself, which so frequently was by fire, and

all the other sufferings joined with, or previous to, it;

which is permitted by the wisdom of God for your trial.

Be not surprised at this.

Verse 13. But as ye partake of the sufferings of Christ-

# 1Peter 4:1, while ye suffer for his sake,

rejoice in hope of more abundant glory. For the measure of

glory answers the measure of suffering; and much more abundantly.

Verse 14. If ye are reproached for Christ-Reproaches and

cruel mockings were always one part of their sufferings.

The Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you-The same

Spirit which was upon Christ, # Luke 4:18. He is here termed,

the Spirit of glory, conquering all reproach and shame, and

the Spirit of God, whose Son, Jesus Christ is. On their part

he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified-That is,

while they are blaspheming Christ, you glorify him in the

midst of your sufferings, # 1Peter 4:16.

Verse 15. Let none of you deservedly suffer, as an evildoer

-In any kind.

Verse 16. Let him glorify God-Who giveth him the honour so

to suffer, and so great a reward for suffering.

Verse 17. The time is come for judgment to begin at the house

of God-God first visits his church, and that both in justice

and mercy. What shall the end be of them that obey not the

gospel-How terribly will he visit them! The judgments which

are milder at the beginning, grow more and more severe.

But good men, having already sustained their part, are

only spectators of the miseries of the wicked.

Verse 18. If the righteous scarcely be saved-Escape with the

utmost difficulty. Where shall the ungodly-The man who knows

not God. And the open sinner appear-In that day of vengeance.

The salvation here primarily spoken of is of a temporal nature.

But we may apply the words to eternal things, and then they are

still more awful. # Prov 11:31.

Verse 19. Let them that suffer according to the will of God

-Both for a good cause, and in a right spirit. Commit to him

their souls-(Whatever becomes of the body) as a sacred

depositum. In well doing-Be this your care, to do and suffer

well: He will take care of the rest. As unto a faithful Creator

-In whose truth, love, and power, ye may safely trust.

Verse 1. I who am a fellow-elder-So the first though not the

head of the apostles appositely and modestly styles himself.

And a witness of the sufferings of Christ-Having seen him

suffer, and now suffering for him.

Verse 2. Feed the flock-Both by doctrine and discipline.

Not by constraint-Unwillingly, as a burden. Not for filthy

gain-Which, if it be the motive of acting, is filthy beyond

expression. O consider this, ye that leave one flock and go

to another, merely because there is more gain, a large salary!

Is it not astonishing that men can see no harm in this? that

it is not only practised, but avowed, all over the nation?

Verse 3. Neither as lording over the heritage-Behaving in a

haughty, domineering manner, as though you had dominion over

their conscience. The word translated heritage, is, literally,

the portions. There is one flock under the one chief Shepherd;

but many portions of this, under many pastors. But being

examples to the flock-This procures the most ready and free

obedience.

Verse 5. Ye younger, be subject to the elder-In years. And be

all-Elder or younger. Subject to each other-Let every one be

ready, upon all occasions, to give up his own will. Be clothed

with humility-Bind it on, (so the word signifies,) so that no

force may be able to tear it from you.

# James 4:6; # Prov 3:34

Verse 6. The hand of God-Is in all troubles.

Verse 7. Casting all your care upon him-In every want or pressure.

Verse 8. But in the mean time watch. There is a close

connexion between this, and the duly casting our care upon

him. How deeply had St. Peter himself suffered for want of

watching! Be vigilant-As if he had said, Awake, and keep

awake. Sleep no more: be this your care. As a roaring lion

-Full of rage. Seeking-With all subtilty likewise. Whom he

may devour or swallow up-Both soul and body.

Verse 9. Be the more steadfast, as ye know the same kind of

afflictions are accomplished in-That is, suffered by, your

brethren, till the measure allotted them is filled up.

10. Now the God of all grace-By which alone the whole work is

begun, continued, and finished in your soul. After ye have

suffered a while-A very little while compared with eternity.

Himself-Ye have only to watch and resist the devil: the rest

God will perform. Perfect-That no defect may remain.

Stablish-That nothing may overthrow you.

Strengthen-That ye may conquer all adverse power.

And settle you-As an house upon a rock. So the apostle,

being converted, does now "strengthen his brethren."

Verse 12. As I suppose-As I judge, upon good grounds, though not

by immediate inspiration. I have written-That is, sent my letter

by him. Adding my testimony-To that which ye before heard

from Paul, that this is the true gospel of the grace of God.

Verse 13. The church that is at Babylon-Near which St. Peter

probably was, when he wrote this epistle. Elected together

with you-Partaking of the same faith with you. Mark-It seems

the evangelist. My son-Probably converted by St. Peter.

And he had occasionally served him, "as a son in the gospel."

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