14 you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But even if ye do suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye : and 15 fear ye not their fear, neither be ye troubled, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: And be always ready to give an answer to every one that asketh you a reason of 16 the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Having a good conscience, that wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse 17 your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, to suffer for well-doing than for evil18 doing. For Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but raised up to life by the Spirit, 19 By which likewise he went and preached to the spirits in 20 prison, Who were disobedient of old, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight persons, 21 were carried safely through the water: The antitype

V. 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, Isai. viii. 12, 13. Let not that fear he in you, which the wicked feel.

V. 15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts-Have a 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.

V. 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.

V. 17. It is infinitely better, if it be the will of God ye should suffer. His permissive will appears from his providence.

V. 11. 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.

V. 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.

V. 20. When the long-suffering of God waited-For a hundred and twenty years, all the time the ark was preparing: during which Noah warned them all, to flee from the wrath to come.

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

4

whereof, baptism, now saveth us, (not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience 22 toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who being gone into heaven, is on the right hand of God, angels, and authorities, and powers, being subjected to IV. him. 1. Seeing then Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; (for he that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin.) 2 That ye may no longer live the rest of your time in the 3 flesh, to the desire of men, but to the will of God. For the time of life that is past sufficeth to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when ye walked in lasciviousness, evil desires, excess of wine, banquetings, revellings, and 4 abominable idolatries. Wherein they think it strange,

that ye run not with them to the same profusion of riot, 5 speaking evil of you, Who shall give account to him that 6 is ready to judge the living and the dead. For to this

end was the gospel preached to them that are dead also, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, 7 but live according to God in the Spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch 8 unto prayer. And above all things, have fervent love to

V. 22. Angels, and authorities, and powers-That is, all orders both of angels and men.

CHAP. IV. Ver. 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 be thereby made inwardly and truly conformable to the sufferings of Christ: hath ceased from sin―Is delivered from it.

V. 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,

V. 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.

V. 4. The same-As ye did once: speaking evil of you-As proud, singular, silly, wicked, and the like.

V. 5. Who shall give account-Of this, as well as all their other ways, to him who is ready-So faith represents him now.

V. 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. V.7. But the end of all things-And so of your 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.

V. 8. Love covereth a multitude of sins-Yea, love covereth all things. He that loves another, covereth his faults, how many soever they be. He turns away his own eyes from them; and, as far as it is possible, hides them from

9 each other; for love covereth a multitude of sins.* Use 10 hospitality one to another without murmuring. As every

one hath received a gift, so minister it one to another, as 11 good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any man minister, let him minister as of the ability which God supplieth, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the might for ever and ever. Amen.

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Beloved, wonder not at the burning which is among you, which is for your trial, as if a strange thing befel 13 you; But as ye partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may likewise 14 rejoice with exceeding great joy. If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is

Prov. x. 12.

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.

V. 9. One to another-Ye that are of different towns or countries, without murmuring-With all cheerfulness.

V. 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. V. 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 enjuin 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 spirituals 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.

V. 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 are permitted by the wisdom of God for your trial. Be not surprised at this.

V. 13. But as ye partake of the sufferings of Christ, ver. 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.

V14. 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 iv. 19. 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, ver. 16.

15 blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil16 doer, or as a meddler in other men's matters. Yet if any

*

suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him 17 glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: but if it begin. at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the 18 gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, 19 where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

CHAP. V. 1. The elders that are among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and likewise a partaker of the glory which shall 2 be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it not by constraint, but willingly, not for

* Prov. xi. 31.

V. 15. Let none of you deservedly suffer, as an evil-doer-In any kind. V. 16. Let him glorify God-Who giveth him the honour so to suffer, and so great a reward for suffering.

V. 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.

V. 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.

V. 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.

CHAP. V. Ver. 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.

-

V. 2. Feed the flock-Both by doctrine and discipline, not by constraintUnwillingly, 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 larger 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?

3 filthy gain, but of a ready mind. Neither as lording 4 over the heritage, but being examples to the flock. And

when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive 5 the crown of glory that fadeth not away. In like manner, ye younger, be subject to the elder, yea, being all subject to each other, be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of 7 God, that he may exalt you in due time. Casting all8 your care upon him; for he careth for you. Watch: be

vigilant: for your adversary the devil walketh about as 9 a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

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Now the God of all grace, who hath called us by Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, after ye have suffered a while, himself shall perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle 11 you. To him be the glory and the might for ever and Amen.

ever.

* James iv. 6. Prov. iii. 34.

V. 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 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.

V. 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.

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

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

V. 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 subtlety likewise, whom he may devour, or swallow up-Both soul and body.

V. 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.

V. 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 a house upon a rock. So the apostle, being converted, does now strengthen his brethrew.