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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Second Peter I].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D P E T E R.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. I.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter we have,
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I. An introduction, or preface, making way for, and leading to, what is
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principally designed by the apostle,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
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II. An exhortation to advance and improve in all Christian graces,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:5-7">ver. 5-7</A>.
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III. To enforce this exhortation, and engage them seriously and
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heartily to comply with it, he adds,
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1. A representation of the very great advantage which will thereby
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accrue to them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:8-11">ver. 8-11</A>.
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2. A promise of the best assistance the apostle was able to give to
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facilitate and forward this good work,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:12-15">ver. 12-15</A>.
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3. A declaration of the certain truth and divine origin of the gospel
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of Christ, in the grace whereof they were exhorted to increase and
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persevere.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Pe1_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Pe1_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Pe1_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Pe1_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Felicity of the Church.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 67.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to
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them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the
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righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
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2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge
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of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
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3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things
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that <I>pertain</I> unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of
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him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
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4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious
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promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine
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nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
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through lust.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The apostle Peter, being moved by the Holy Ghost to write once more to
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those who from among the Jews were turned to faith in Christ, begins
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this second epistle with an introduction, wherein the same persons are
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described and the same blessings are desired that are in the preface to
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his former letter; but there are some additions or alterations which
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ought to be taken notice of, in all the three parts of the
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introduction.</P>
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<P>
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I. We have here a description of the person who wrote the epistle, by
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the name of <I>Simon,</I> as well as <I>Peter,</I> and by the title of
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<I>servant,</I> as well as that of <I>apostle. Peter,</I> being in both
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epistles, seems to be the name most frequently used, and with which he
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may be thought to be best pleased, it being given him by our Lord, upon
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his confessing <I>Jesus to be Christ the Son of the living God,</I> and
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the very name signifying and sealing that truth to be the fundamental
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article, the rock on which all must build; but the name <I>Simon,</I>
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though omitted in the former epistle, is mentioned in this, lest the
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total omission of that name, which was given him when he was
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circumcised, should make the Jewish believers, who were all zealous of
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the law, to become jealous of the apostle, as if he disclaimed and
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despised circumcision. He here styles himself <I>a servant</I> (as well
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as an apostle) <I>of Jesus Christ;</I> in this he may be allowed to
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glory, as David does,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+116:16">Ps. cxvi. 16</A>.
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The service of Christ is the way to the highest honour,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:26">John xii. 26</A>.
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Christ himself is <I>King of kings, and Lord of lords;</I> and he makes
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all his servants <I>kings and priests unto God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:6">Rev. i. 6</A>.
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How great an honour is it to be the servants of this Master! This is
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what we cannot, without sin, be ashamed of. To triumph in being
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<I>Christ's servant</I> is very proper for those who are engaging
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others to enter into or abide in the service of Christ.</P>
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<P>
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II. We have an account of the people to whom the epistle is written.
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They are described in the former epistle as <I>elect according to the
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foreknowledge of God the Father,</I> and here as <I>having obtained
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precious faith in our Lord Jesus Christ;</I> for the faith here
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mentioned is vastly different from the false faith of the heretic, and
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the feigned faith of the hypocrite, and the fruitless faith of the
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formal professor, how orthodox soever he is. It is <I>the faith of
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God's elect</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+1:1">Tit. i. 1</A>),
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wrought by the Spirit of God in effectual calling. Observe,
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1. True saving faith is a precious grace, and that not only as it is
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very uncommon, very scarce, even in the visible church, a very small
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number of true believers among a great multitude of visible professors
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+22:14">Matt. xxii. 14</A>),
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but true faith is very excellent and of very great use and advantage to
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those who have it. <I>The just lives by faith,</I> a truly divine
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spiritual life; faith procures all the necessary supports and comforts
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of this excellent life; faith goes to Christ, and buys the wine and
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milk
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+55:1">Isa. lv. 1</A>)
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which are the proper nourishment of the new creature; faith buys and
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brings home the tried gold, the heavenly treasure that enriches; faith
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takes and puts on the white raiment, the royal robes that clothe and
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adorn,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:18">Rev. iii. 18</A>.
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Observe,
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2. Faith is alike precious in the private Christian and in the apostle;
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it produces the same precious effects in the one and in the other.
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Faith unites the weak believer to Christ as really as it does the
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strong one, and purifies the heart of one as truly as of another; and
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every sincere believer is by his faith justified in the sight of God,
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and that from all sins,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+13:39">Acts xiii. 39</A>.
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Faith, in whomsoever it exists, takes hold of the same <I>precious</I>
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Saviour, and applies the same precious promises.
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3. This precious faith is obtained of God. Faith is the gift of God,
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wrought by the Spirit, who raised up Jesus Christ from the dead.
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4. The preciousness of faith, as well as our obtaining it, is through
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the righteousness of Christ. The satisfactory meritorious righteousness
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and obedience of Christ gives faith all its value and preciousness: and
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the righteousness of such a person cannot but be of infinite value to
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those who by faith receive it. For,
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(1.) This Jesus Christ is God, yea, <I>our</I> God, as it is in the
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original. He is truly God, an infinite Being, who has wrought out this
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righteousness, and therefore it must be of infinite value.
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(2.) <I>He is the Saviour of those that believe,</I> and as such he
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yielded this meritorious obedience; and therefore it is of such great
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benefit and advantage to them, because, as surety and Saviour, he
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wrought out this righteousness in their stead.</P>
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<P>
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III. We have the apostolical benediction, wherein he wishes for the
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multiplication and increase of the divine favour to them, and the
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advancement and growth of the work of grace in them, and that peace
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with God and in their own consciences (which cannot be without
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<I>grace</I>) may abound in them. This is the very same benediction
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that is in the former epistle; but here he adds,</P>
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<P>
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1. An account of the way and means whereby <I>grace and peace are
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multiplied</I>--it is <I>through the knowledge of God and Jesus
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Christ;</I> this acknowledging or believing in <I>the only living and
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true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent,</I> is the great
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improvement of spiritual life, or it could not be the way to life
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eternal,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:3">John xvii. 3</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. The ground of the apostle's faith in asking, and of the Christian's
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hope in expecting, the increase of grace. What we have already received
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should encourage us to ask for more; he who has begun the work of grace
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will perfect it. Observe,
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(1.) The fountain of all spiritual blessings is the divine power of
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Jesus Christ, who could not discharge all the office of Mediator,
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unless he was God as well as man.
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(2.) All things that have any relation to, and influence upon, the true
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spiritual life, the life and power of godliness, are from Jesus Christ;
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<I>in him all fulness dwells,</I> and it is from him that we receive,
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<I>and grace for grace</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:16">John i. 16</A>),
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even all that is necessary for the preserving, improving, and
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perfecting of grace and peace, which, according to some expositors, are
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called here in
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:3">this verse</A>
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<I>godliness and life.</I>
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(3.) Knowledge of God, and faith in him, are the channel whereby all
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spiritual supports and comforts are conveyed to us; but then we must
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own and acknowledge God as the author of our effectual calling, for so
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he is here described: <I>Him that hath called us to glory and
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virtue.</I> Observe here, The design of God in calling or converting
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men is to bring them to <I>glory and virtue,</I> that is, <I>peace and
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grace,</I> as some understand it; but many prefer the marginal
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rendering, <I>by glory and virtue;</I> and so we have effectual calling
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set forth as the work of the glory and virtue, or <I>the glorious
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power, of God,</I> which is described
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+1:19">Eph. i. 19</A>.
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It is the glory of God's power to convert sinners; this is the power
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and glory of God which are seen and experienced in his sanctuary
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+63:2">Ps. lxiii. 2</A>);
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this power or virtue is to be extolled by all <I>that are called out of
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darkness into marvellous light,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+2:9">1 Pet. ii. 9</A>.
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(4.) In the
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:4">fourth verse</A>
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the apostle goes on to encourage their faith and hope in looking for an
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increase of grace and peace, because the same glory and virtue are
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employed and evidenced in giving the promises of the gospel that are
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exercised in our effectual calling. Observe,
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[1.] The good things which the promises make over are exceedingly
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great. Pardon of sin is one of the blessings here intended; how great
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this is all who know any thing of the power of God's anger will readily
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confess, and this is one of those promised favours in bestowing whereof
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<I>the power of the Lord is great,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+14:17">Num. xiv. 17</A>.
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To pardon sins that are numerous and heinous (every one of which
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deserves God's wrath and curse, and that for ever) is a wonderful
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thing, and is so called,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:18">Ps. cxix. 18</A>.
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[2.] The promised blessings of the gospel are very precious; as the
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great promise of the Old Testament was <I>the Seed of the woman,</I>
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the Messiah
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:39">Heb. xi. 39</A>),
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so the great promise of the New Testament is the <I>Holy Ghost</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+24:49">Luke xxiv. 49</A>),
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and how precious must the enlivening, enlightening, sanctifying Spirit
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be!
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[3.] Those who receive the promises of the gospel <I>partake of the
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divine nature.</I> They are <I>renewed in the spirit of their mind,
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after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness;</I>
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their hearts are set for God and his service; they have a divine temper
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and disposition of soul; though the law is <I>the ministration of
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death,</I> and <I>the letter killeth,</I> yet the gospel is <I>the
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ministration of life,</I> and <I>the Spirit quickeneth</I> those
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<I>who</I> are naturally <I>dead in trespasses and sins.</I>
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[4.] Those in whom the Spirit works the divine nature are freed from
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the bondage of corruption. Those who are, by the Spirit of grace,
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<I>renewed in the spirit of their mind,</I> are translated into <I>the
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liberty of the children of God;</I> for it is the world in which
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<I>corruption reigns.</I> Those who are <I>not of the Father, but of
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the world,</I> are under the power of sin; the world lies in
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wickedness,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+5:19">1 John v. 19</A>.
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And the dominion that sin has in the men of the world is through lust;
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their desires are to it, and therefore it rules over them. The dominion
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that sin has over us is according to the delight we have in it.</P>
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<A NAME="2Pe1_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Pe1_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Pe1_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Pe1_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Pe1_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Pe1_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Pe1_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Spiritual Diligence; Advancement in Holiness.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 67.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith
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virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
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6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and
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to patience godliness;
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7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly
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kindness charity.
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8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make <I>you
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that ye shall</I> neither <I>be</I> barren nor unfruitful in the
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knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see
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afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old
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sins.
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10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your
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calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall
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never fall:
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11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly
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into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
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Christ.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In these words the apostle comes to the chief thing intended in this
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epistle--to excite and engage them to advance in grace and holiness,
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they having already obtained precious faith, and been made partakers of
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the divine nature. This is a very good beginning, but it is not to be
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rested in, as if we were already perfect. The apostle had prayed that
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grace and peace might be multiplied to them, and now he exhorts them to
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press forward for the obtaining of more grace. We should, as we have
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opportunity, exhort those we pray for, and excite them to the use of
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all proper means to obtain what we desire God to bestow upon them; and
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those who will make any progress in religion must be very diligent and
|
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industrious in their endeavours. Without <I>giving all diligence,</I>
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there is no gaining any ground in the work of holiness; those who are
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slothful in the business of religion will make nothing of it; we must
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strive if we will <I>enter in at the strait gate,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+13:24">Luke xiii. 24</A>.</P>
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<P>
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I. Here we cannot but observe how the believer's way is marked out step
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by step.
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1. He must get <I>virtue,</I> by which some understand <I>justice;</I>
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and then the <I>knowledge, temperance, and patience</I> that follow,
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|
being joined with it, the apostle may be supposed to put them upon
|
|
pressing after the four cardinal virtues, or the four elements that go
|
|
to the making up of every virtue or virtuous action. But seeing it is
|
|
a <I>faithful saying, and constantly to be asserted, that those who
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|
have faith be careful to maintain good works</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+3:8">Tit. iii. 8</A>),
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by <I>virtue</I> here we may understand <I>strength</I> and
|
|
<I>courage,</I> without which the believer cannot stand up for good
|
|
works, by abounding and excelling in them. The righteous must be bold
|
|
as a lion
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+28:1">Prov. xxviii. 1</A>);
|
|
|
|
a cowardly Christian, who is afraid to profess the doctrines or
|
|
practise the duties of the gospel, must expect that Christ will be
|
|
ashamed of him another day. "Let not your hearts fail you in the evil
|
|
day, but show yourselves valiant in standing against all opposition,
|
|
and resisting every enemy, world, flesh, devil, yea, and death too." We
|
|
have need of virtue while we live, and it will be of excellent use when
|
|
we come to die.
|
|
|
|
2. The believer must add <I>knowledge</I> to his virtue, prudence to
|
|
his courage; there is a knowledge of God's name which must go before
|
|
our faith
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+9:10">Ps. ix. 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
and we cannot approve of the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of
|
|
God, till we know it; but there are proper circumstances for duty,
|
|
which must be known and observed; we must use the appointed means, and
|
|
observe the accepted time. Christian prudence regards the persons we
|
|
have to do with and the place and company we are in. Every believer
|
|
must labour after the knowledge and wisdom that are profitable to
|
|
direct, both as to the proper method and order wherein all Christian
|
|
duties are to be performed and as to the way and manner of performing
|
|
them.
|
|
|
|
3. We must add <I>temperance</I> to our knowledge. We must be sober and
|
|
moderate in our love to, and use of, the good things of this life; and,
|
|
if we have a right understanding and knowledge of outward comforts, we
|
|
shall see that their worth and usefulness are vastly inferior to those
|
|
of spiritual mercies. Bodily exercises and bodily privileges profit but
|
|
little, and therefore are to be esteemed and used accordingly; the
|
|
gospel teaches sobriety as well as honesty,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+2:12">Tit. ii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
We must be moderate in desiring and using the good things of natural
|
|
life, such as meat, drink, clothes, sleep, recreations, and credit; an
|
|
inordinate desire after these is inconsistent with an earnest desire
|
|
after God and Christ; and those who take more of these than is due can
|
|
render to neither God nor man what is due to them.
|
|
|
|
4. Add to temperance <I>patience,</I> which must <I>have its perfect
|
|
work,</I> or we cannot <I>be perfect and entire, wanting nothing</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+1:4">Jam. i. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
for we are born to trouble, and must through many tribulations enter
|
|
into the kingdom of heaven; and it is this tribulation
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+5:3">Rom. v. 3</A>)
|
|
|
|
which worketh patience, that is, requires the exercise and occasions
|
|
the increase of this grace, whereby we bear all calamities and crosses
|
|
with silence and submission, without murmuring against God or
|
|
complaining of him, but justifying him who lays all affliction upon us,
|
|
owning that our sufferings are less than our sins deserve, and
|
|
believing they are no more than we ourselves need.
|
|
|
|
5. To patience we must add <I>godliness,</I> and this is the very thing
|
|
which is produced by patience, for that works experience,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+5:4">Rom. v. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
When Christians bear afflictions patiently, they get an experimental
|
|
<I>knowledge of the loving-kindness of their heavenly Father, which he
|
|
will not take from his children, even when he visits their iniquity
|
|
with the rod and their transgression with stripes</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+89:32,33">Ps. lxxxix. 32, 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
and hereby they are brought to the child-like fear and reverential love
|
|
wherein true godliness consists: to this,
|
|
|
|
6. We must add <I>brotherly-kindness,</I> a tender affection to all our
|
|
fellow-christians, who are children of the same Father, servants of the
|
|
same Master, members of the same family, travellers to the same
|
|
country, and heirs of the same inheritance, and therefore are to be
|
|
loved with a pure heart fervently, with a love of complacency, as those
|
|
who are peculiarly near and dear to us, in whom we take particular
|
|
delight,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+16:3">Ps. xvi. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
7. <I>Charity,</I> or a love of good-will to all mankind, must be added
|
|
to the love of delight which we have for those who are the children of
|
|
God. God has made of one blood all nations, and all the children of men
|
|
are partakers of the same human nature, are all capable of the same
|
|
mercies, and liable to the same afflictions, and therefore, though upon
|
|
a spiritual account Christians are distinguished and dignified above
|
|
those who are without Christ, yet are they to sympathize with others in
|
|
their calamities, and relieve their necessities, and promote their
|
|
welfare both in body and soul, as they have opportunity: thus must all
|
|
believers in Christ evidence that they are the children of God, who is
|
|
good to all, but is especially good to Israel.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. All the forementioned graces must be had, or we shall not be
|
|
<I>thoroughly furnished for all good works</I>--for the duties of the
|
|
first and second table, for active and passive obedience, and for those
|
|
services wherein we are to imitate God as well as for those wherein we
|
|
only obey him--and therefore to engage us to an industrious and
|
|
unwearied pursuit of them, the apostle sets forth the advantages that
|
|
redound to all who successfully labour so as to get these things to
|
|
<I>be and abound in them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:8-11"><I>v.</I> 8-11</A>.
|
|
|
|
These are proposed,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. More generally,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
The having <I>these things make not barren</I> (or slothful) <I>nor
|
|
unfruitful,</I> where, according to the style of the Holy Ghost, we
|
|
must understand a great deal more than is expressed; for when it is
|
|
said concerning Ahaz, the vilest and most provoking of all the kings of
|
|
Judah, <I>that he did not right in the sight of the Lord</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+16:2">2 Kings xvi. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
we are to understand as much as if it had been said, He did what was
|
|
most offensive and abominable, as the following account of his life
|
|
shows; so, when it is here said that the being and abounding of all
|
|
Christian graces in us will make us neither inactive nor unfruitful, we
|
|
are thereby to understand that it will make us very zealous and lively,
|
|
vigorous and active, in all practical Christianity, and eminently
|
|
fruitful in the works of righteousness. These will bring much glory to
|
|
God, by bringing forth much fruit among men, being <I>fruitful in
|
|
knowledge, or the acknowledging of our Lord Jesus Christ,</I> owning
|
|
him to be their <I>Lord,</I> and evidencing themselves to be his
|
|
servants by their abounding in the work that he has given them to do.
|
|
This is the necessary consequence of adding one grace to another; for,
|
|
where all Christian graces are in the heart, they improve and
|
|
strengthen, encourage and cherish, one another; so they all thrive and
|
|
grow (as the apostle intimates in the beginning of
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
and wherever grace abounds there will be an abounding in good works.
|
|
How desirable it is to be in such a case the apostle evidences,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
There he sets forth how miserable it is to be without those quickening
|
|
fructifying graces; for he who has not the forementioned graces, or,
|
|
though he pretends or seems to have them, does not exercise and improve
|
|
them, <I>is blind,</I> that is, as to spiritual and heavenly things, as
|
|
the next words explain it: <I>He cannot see far off.</I> This present
|
|
evil world he can see, and dotes upon, but has no discerning at all of
|
|
the world to come, so as to be affected with the spiritual privileges
|
|
and heavenly blessings thereof. He who sees the excellences of
|
|
Christianity must needs be diligent in endeavours after all those
|
|
graces that are absolutely necessary for <I>obtaining glory, honour,
|
|
and immortality;</I> but, where these graces are not obtained nor
|
|
endeavoured after, men are not able to look forward to the things that
|
|
are but a very little way off in reality, though in appearance, or in
|
|
their apprehension, they are at a great distance, because they put them
|
|
far away from them; and how wretched is their condition who are thus
|
|
blind as to the awfully great things of the other world, who cannot see
|
|
any thing of the reality and certainty, the greatness and nearness, of
|
|
the glorious rewards God will bestow on the righteous, and the dreadful
|
|
punishment he will inflict on the ungodly! But this is not all the
|
|
misery of those who do not <I>add to their faith virtue, knowledge,</I>
|
|
&c. They are as unable to look backward as forward, their memories are
|
|
slippery and unable to retain what is past, as their sight is short and
|
|
unable to discern what is future; they forget that they have been
|
|
baptized, and had the means, and been laid under the obligations to
|
|
holiness of heart and life. By baptism we are engaged in a holy war
|
|
against sin, and are solemnly bound to fight against the flesh, the
|
|
world, and the devil. Often call to mind, and seriously meditate on,
|
|
your solemn engagement to be the Lord's, and your peculiar advantages
|
|
and encouragements to lay aside <I>all filthiness of flesh and
|
|
spirit.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The apostle proposes two particular advantages that will attend or
|
|
follow upon diligence in the work of a Christian: stability in grace,
|
|
and a triumphant entrance into glory. These he brings in by resuming
|
|
his former exhortation, and laying it down in other words; for what in
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>
|
|
|
|
is expressed by <I>giving diligence to add to faith virtue,</I> &c., is
|
|
expressed in
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>
|
|
|
|
by <I>giving diligence to make our calling and election sure.</I> Here
|
|
we may observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) It is the duty of believers <I>to make their election sure,</I> to
|
|
clear it up to themselves that they are the chosen of God.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The way to make sure their eternal election is to make out their
|
|
effectual calling: none can look into the book of God's eternal
|
|
counsels and decrees; but, inasmuch as <I>whom God did predestinate
|
|
those he also called,</I> if we can find we are effectually called, we
|
|
may conclude we are chosen to salvation.
|
|
|
|
(3.) It requires a great deal of diligence and labour to make sure our
|
|
calling and election; there must be a very close examination of
|
|
ourselves, a very narrow search and strict enquiry, whether we are
|
|
thoroughly converted, our minds enlightened, our wills renewed, and our
|
|
whole souls changed as to the bent and inclination thereof; and to come
|
|
to a fixed certainty in this requires the utmost diligence, and cannot
|
|
be attained and kept without divine assistance, as we may learn from
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+139:23,Ro+8:16">Ps. cxxxix. 23; Rom. viii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
"But, how great soever the labour is, do not think much of it, for
|
|
great is the advantage you gain by it; for,"
|
|
|
|
[1.] "By this you will be kept from falling, and that at all times and
|
|
seasons, even in those hours of temptation that shall be on the earth."
|
|
When others shall fall into heinous and scandalous sin, those who are
|
|
thus diligent shall be enabled to walk circumspectly and keep on in the
|
|
way of their duty; and, when many fall into errors, they shall be
|
|
preserved sound in the faith, and stand perfect and complete in all the
|
|
will of God.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Those who are diligent in the work of religion shall have a
|
|
triumphant entrance into glory; while of those few who get to heaven
|
|
some are scarcely saved
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+4:18">1 Pet. iv. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
with a great deal of difficulty, <I>even as by fire</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+3:15">1 Cor. iii. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
those who are <I>growing in grace,</I> and <I>abounding in the work of
|
|
the Lord,</I> shall have an <I>abundant entrance into the joy of their
|
|
Lord,</I> even that everlasting kingdom where Christ reigns, and they
|
|
shall <I>reign with him for ever and ever.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Pe1_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Pe1_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Pe1_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Pe1_15"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Spiritual Exertions.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 67.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in
|
|
remembrance of these things, though ye know <I>them,</I> and be
|
|
established in the present truth.
|
|
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to
|
|
stir you up by putting <I>you</I> in remembrance;
|
|
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off <I>this</I> my tabernacle,
|
|
even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.
|
|
15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my
|
|
decease to have these things always in remembrance.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The importance and advantage of progress and perseverance in grace
|
|
and holiness made the apostle to be very diligent in doing the work of
|
|
a minister of Christ, that he might thereby excite and assist them to
|
|
be diligent in the duty of Christians. If ministers be negligent in
|
|
their work, it can hardly be expected that the people will be diligent
|
|
in theirs; therefore Peter <I>will not be negligent</I> (that is, at no
|
|
time or place, in no part of his work, to no part of his charge), but
|
|
will be exemplarily and universally diligent, and that in the work of a
|
|
remembrancer. This is the office of the best ministers, even the
|
|
apostles themselves; they are <I>the Lord's remembrancers</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+62:6">Isa. lxxii. 6</A>);
|
|
|
|
they are especially bound to make mention of the promises, and put God
|
|
in mind of his engagements to do good to his people; and they are the
|
|
people's remembrancers, making mention of God's precepts, and putting
|
|
them in mind of the doctrines and duties of Christianity, that they may
|
|
remember God's commandments, to do them. And this the apostle does,
|
|
though some persons might think it needless, inasmuch as they already
|
|
knew those thing that he writes about, and were established in the very
|
|
truth that he insists upon. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. We need to be put in mind of what we already know to prevent our
|
|
forgetting it, and to improve our knowledge, and reduce all to
|
|
practice.
|
|
|
|
2. We must be established in the belief of the truth, that we may not
|
|
be shaken by every wind of doctrine, and especially in that which is
|
|
the present truth, the truth more peculiarly necessary for us to know
|
|
in our day, that which belongs to our peace, and which is more
|
|
especially opposed in our time. The great doctrines of the gospel,
|
|
<I>that Jesus is the Christ, that Jesus Christ came into the world to
|
|
save sinners, that those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ shall be
|
|
saved, and all that believe in God must be careful to maintain good
|
|
works</I>--these are truths the apostles insisted on in their day;
|
|
<I>these are faithful sayings, and worthy of all acceptation</I> in
|
|
every age of the Christian church. And, as these must be constantly
|
|
affirmed by ministers
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+3:8">Tit. iii. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
so the people are to be well instructed and established therein, and
|
|
yet must, after all their attainments in knowledge, be put in mind of
|
|
such things as cannot be too clearly known nor too firmly believed. The
|
|
most advanced Christians cannot, while in this world, be above
|
|
ordinances, nor beyond the need of those means which God has appointed
|
|
and does afford. And, if the people need teaching and exhortation while
|
|
they are in the body, it is very meet and just that ministers should,
|
|
as long as they are in this tabernacle, instruct and exhort them, and
|
|
bring those truths to their remembrance that they have formerly heard,
|
|
this being a proper means to stir them up to be diligent and lively in
|
|
a course of gospel-obedience.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The apostle, being set upon the work, tells us
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>)
|
|
|
|
what makes him earnest in this matter, even the knowledge he had, not
|
|
only that he must certainly, but also that he must shortly, <I>put off
|
|
this tabernacle.</I> Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. The body is but the tabernacle of the soul. It is a mean and
|
|
movable structure, whose stakes can be easily removed, and its cords
|
|
presently broken.
|
|
|
|
2. This tabernacle must be put off. We are not to continue long in this
|
|
earthly house. As at night we put off our clothes, and lay them by, so
|
|
at death we must put off our bodies, and they musts be laid up in the
|
|
grave till the morning of the resurrection.
|
|
|
|
3. The nearness of death makes the apostle diligent in the business of
|
|
life. Our Lord Jesus had shown him that the time of his departure was
|
|
at hand, and therefore he bestirs himself with greater zeal and
|
|
diligence, because the time is short. He must soon be removed from
|
|
those to whom he wrote; and his ambition being that they should
|
|
remember the doctrine he had delivered to them, after he himself was
|
|
taken away from them, he commits his exhortation to writing. The
|
|
apostle had not any great opinion of oral tradition. This was not so
|
|
proper a means to reach the end he was in pursuit of. He would have
|
|
them always to remember these things, and not only to keep them in
|
|
mind, but also to make mention of them, as the original words import.
|
|
<I>Those who fear the Lord make mention of his name,</I> and talk of
|
|
his loving-kindness. This is the way to spread the knowledge of the
|
|
Lord and this the apostle had at heart: and those who have the written
|
|
word of God are thereby put into a capacity to do this.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Pe1_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Pe1_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Pe1_18"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Evidence of the Gospel.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 67.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we
|
|
made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus
|
|
Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
|
|
17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when
|
|
there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is
|
|
my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
|
|
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were
|
|
with him in the holy mount.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here we have the reason of giving the foregoing exhortation, and that
|
|
with so much diligence and seriousness. These things are not idle
|
|
tales, or a vain thing, but of undoubted truth and vast concern. The
|
|
gospel is not a <I>cunningly devised fable.</I> These are not the words
|
|
of one who hath a devil, nor the contrivance of any number of men who
|
|
by cunning craftiness endeavour to deceive. The way of salvation by
|
|
Jesus Christ is eminently the counsel of God, the most excellent
|
|
contrivance of the infinitely wise Jehovah; it was he that invented
|
|
this way of saving sinners by Jesus Christ, whose power and coming are
|
|
set forth in the gospel, and the apostle's preaching was a making of
|
|
these things known.
|
|
|
|
1. The preaching of the gospel is a making known the power of Christ,
|
|
that he is able to save to the uttermost all who come to God by him. He
|
|
is the mighty God, and therefore can save from both the guilt and the
|
|
filth of sin.
|
|
|
|
2. The coming of Christ also is make known by the preaching of the
|
|
gospel. He who was promised immediately after the fall of man, as in
|
|
the fulness of time to be born of a woman, has now come in the flesh;
|
|
and whosoever denies this is an antichrist
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+4:3">1 John iv. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
he is actuated and influenced by the spirit of anti-christ; but those
|
|
who are the true apostles and ministers of Christ, and are directed and
|
|
guided by the Spirit of Christ, evidence that Christ has come according
|
|
to the promise which all the Old-Testament believers died in the faith
|
|
of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:39">Heb. xi. 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ has come in the flesh. Inasmuch as those whom he undertakes to
|
|
save <I>are partakers of flesh and blood, he himself also took part of
|
|
the same,</I> that he might suffer in their nature and stead, and
|
|
thereby make an atonement. This coming of Christ the gospel is very
|
|
plain and circumstantial in setting forth; but there is a second
|
|
coming, which it likewise mentions, which the ministers of the gospel
|
|
ought also to make known, when he shall come in the glory of his Father
|
|
with all his holy angels, for he is appointed to be Judge both of quick
|
|
and dead. He will come to judge the world in righteousness by the
|
|
everlasting gospel, and call us all to give account of all things done
|
|
in the body, whether good or evil.
|
|
|
|
3. And though this gospel of Christ has been blasphemously called a
|
|
<I>fable</I> by one of those wretches who call themselves <I>the
|
|
successors of St. Peter,</I> yet our apostle proves that it is of the
|
|
greatest certainty and reality, inasmuch as during our blessed
|
|
Saviour's abode here on earth, when he took on him the form of a
|
|
servant and was found in fashion as a man, he sometimes manifested
|
|
himself to be God, and particularly to our apostle and the two sons of
|
|
Zebedee, who <I>were eye-witnesses of his divine majesty, when he was
|
|
transfigured before them, and his face did shine as the sun, and his
|
|
raiment was white as the light, exceedingly white, as snow, so as no
|
|
fuller on earth can whiten them.</I> This Peter, James, and John, were
|
|
eye-witnesses of, and therefore might and ought to attest; and surely
|
|
their testimony is true, when they witness what they have seen with
|
|
their eyes, yea, and heard with their ears: for, besides the visible
|
|
glory that Christ was invested with here on earth, there was an audible
|
|
voice from heaven. Here observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) What a gracious declaration was made: <I>This is my beloved Son,
|
|
in whom I am well pleased</I>--the best voice that ever came from
|
|
heaven to earth; God is well pleased with Christ, and with us in him.
|
|
This is the Messiah who was promised, through whom all who believe in
|
|
him shall be accepted and saved.
|
|
|
|
(2.) This declaration is made by God the Father, who thus publicly owns
|
|
his Son (even in his state of humiliation, when he was in the form of a
|
|
servant), yea, proclaims him to be his beloved Son, when he is in that
|
|
low condition; yea, so far are Christ's mean and low circumstances from
|
|
abating the love of the Father to him that his laying down his life is
|
|
said to be one special reason of the Father's love,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+10:17">John x. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
(3.) The design of this voice was to do our Saviour a singular humour
|
|
while he was here below: <I>He received honour and glory from God the
|
|
Father.</I> This is the person whom God delights to honour. As he
|
|
requires us to give honour and glory to his Son by confessing him to be
|
|
our Saviour, so does he give glory and honour to our Saviour by
|
|
declaring him to be his Son.
|
|
|
|
(4.) This voice is from heaven, called here <I>the excellent glory,</I>
|
|
which still reflects a greater glory upon our blessed Saviour. This
|
|
declaration is from God the fountain of honour, and from heaven the
|
|
seat of glory, where God is most gloriously present.
|
|
|
|
(5.) This voice was heard, and that so as to be understood, by Peter,
|
|
James, and John. They not only heard a sound (as the people did,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:28,29">John xii. 28, 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
but they understood the sense. God opens the ears and understandings of
|
|
his people to receive what they are concerned to know, when others are
|
|
like Paul's companions, who only heard a sound of words
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:7">Acts ix. 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
but understood not the meaning thereof, and therefore are said not to
|
|
hear the voice of him that spoke,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+22:9">Acts xxii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Blessed are those who not only hear, but understand, who believe the
|
|
truth, and feel the power of the voice from heaven, as he did who
|
|
testifieth these things: and we have all the reason in the world to
|
|
receive his testimony; for who would refuse to give credit to what is
|
|
so circumstantially laid down as this account of the voice from heaven,
|
|
of which the apostle tells us,
|
|
|
|
(6.) It was heard by them <I>in the holy mount,</I> when they were with
|
|
Jesus? The place wherein God affords any peculiarly gracious
|
|
manifestation of himself is thereby made holy, not with an inherent
|
|
holiness, but as the ground was holy where God appeared to Moses
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:5">Exod. iii. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
and the mountain holy on which the temple was built,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+87:1">Ps. lxxxvii. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
Such places are relatively holy, and to be regarded as such during the
|
|
time that men in themselves experience, or may, by warrant from the
|
|
word, believingly expect, the special presence and gracious influence
|
|
of the holy and glorious God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Pe1_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Pe1_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Pe1_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Inspiration of the Scriptures.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 67.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do
|
|
well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark
|
|
place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
|
|
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of
|
|
any private interpretation.
|
|
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
|
|
but holy men of God spake <I>as they were</I> moved by the Holy Ghost.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these words the apostle lays down another argument to prove the
|
|
truth and reality of the gospel, and intimates that this second proof
|
|
is more strong and convincing than the former, and more unanswerably
|
|
makes out that the doctrine of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus
|
|
Christ is not a mere fable or cunning contrivance of men, but the wise
|
|
and wonderful counsel of the holy and gracious God. For this is
|
|
foretold by the prophets and penmen of the Old Testament, who spoke and
|
|
wrote under the influence and according to the direction of the Spirit
|
|
of God. Here note,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The description that is given of the scriptures of the Old
|
|
Testament: they are called a <I>more sure word of prophecy.</I>
|
|
|
|
1. It is a prophetical declaration of the power and coming, the Godhead
|
|
and incarnation, of our Saviour, which we have in the Old Testament. It
|
|
is there foretold <I>that the seed of the woman shall bruise the
|
|
serpent's head.</I> His power to destroy the devil and his works, and
|
|
his being made of a woman, are there foretold; and the great and awful
|
|
Old Testament name of God, <I>Jehovah</I> (as read by some), signifies
|
|
only <I>He will be;</I> and that name of God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:14">Exod. iii. 14</A>)
|
|
|
|
is rendered by many, <I>I will be that I will be;</I> and, thus
|
|
understood, they point at God's being incarnate in order to the
|
|
redemption and salvation of his people as what was <I>to come.</I> But
|
|
the New Testament is a history of that whereof the Old Testament is a
|
|
prophecy. <I>All the prophets and the law prophesied until John,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+11:13">Matt. xi. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
And the evangelists and the apostles have written the history of what
|
|
was before delivered as prophecy. Now the accomplishment of the Old
|
|
Testament by the New, and the agreeableness of the New Testament to the
|
|
Old, are a full demonstration of the truth of both. Read the Old
|
|
Testament as a prophecy of Christ, and with diligence and thankfulness
|
|
use the New as the best exposition of the Old.
|
|
|
|
2. <I>The Old Testament is a more sure word of prophecy.</I> It is so
|
|
to the Jews who received it as the oracles of God. Following prophets
|
|
confirmed what had been delivered by those who went before, and these
|
|
prophecies had been written by the express command, and preserved by
|
|
the special care, and many of them fulfilled by the wonderful
|
|
providence of God, and therefore were more certain to those who had all
|
|
along received and read the scriptures than the apostle's account of
|
|
this voice from heaven. <I>Moses and the prophets</I> more powerfully
|
|
persuade than even miracles themselves,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+16:31">Luke xvi. 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
How firm and sure should our faith be, who have such a firm and sure
|
|
word to rest upon! All the prophecies of the Old Testament are more
|
|
sure and certain to us who have the history of the most exact and
|
|
minute accomplishment of them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The encouragement the apostle gives us to search the scriptures. He
|
|
tells us, <I>We do well if we take heed to them;</I> that is, apply our
|
|
minds to understand the sense, and our hearts to believe the truth, of
|
|
this sure word, yea, bend ourselves to it, that we may be moulded and
|
|
fashioned by it. The word is that form of doctrine into which we must
|
|
be cast
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+6:17">Rom. vi. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>that formulary of knowledge</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+2:20">Rom. ii. 20</A>)
|
|
|
|
by which we are to regulate our thoughts and sentiments, our words and
|
|
confessions, our whole life and conversation. If we thus apply
|
|
ourselves to the word of God, we certainly do well in all respects,
|
|
what is pleasing to God and profitable to ourselves; and this indeed is
|
|
but paying that regard which is due to the oracles of God. But, in
|
|
order to this giving heed to the word, the apostle suggests some things
|
|
that are of singular use to those who would attend to the scriptures to
|
|
any good purpose.
|
|
|
|
1. They must account and use the scripture as a light which God hath
|
|
sent into and set up in the world, to dispel that darkness which is
|
|
upon the face of the whole earth. The word is a lamp to the feet of
|
|
those who use it aright; this discovers the way wherein men ought to
|
|
walk; this is the means whereby we come to know the way of life.
|
|
|
|
2. They must acknowledge their own darkness. This world is a place of
|
|
error and ignorance, and every man in the world is naturally without
|
|
that knowledge which is necessary in order to attain eternal life.
|
|
|
|
3. If ever men are made wise to salvation, it is by the shining of the
|
|
word of God into their hearts. Natural notions of God are not
|
|
sufficient for fallen man, who does at best actually know a great deal
|
|
less, and yet does absolutely need to know a great deal more, of God
|
|
than Adam did while he continued innocent.
|
|
|
|
4. When the light of the scripture is darted into the blind mind and
|
|
dark understanding by the Holy Spirit of God, then the <I>spiritual day
|
|
dawns and the day-star arises in that soul.</I> This enlightening of a
|
|
dark benighted mind is like the day-break that improves and advances,
|
|
spreads and diffuses itself through the whole soul, till it makes
|
|
perfect day,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+4:18">Prov. iv. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is a growing knowledge; those who are this way enlightened never
|
|
think they know enough, till they come to know as they are known. To
|
|
give heed to this light must needs be the interest and duty of all; and
|
|
all who do truth come to this light, while evil-doers keep at a
|
|
distance from it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The apostle lays down one thing as previously necessary in order
|
|
to our giving heed to, and getting good by, the scriptures, and that is
|
|
the knowing that all prophecy is of divine origin. Now this important
|
|
truth he not only asserts, but proves.
|
|
|
|
1. Observe, No scripture prophecy is of private interpretation (or a
|
|
man's own proper opinion, an explication of his own mind), but the
|
|
revelation of the mind of God. This was the difference between the
|
|
prophets of the Lord and the false prophets who have been in the world.
|
|
The prophets of the Lord did not speak nor do any thing of their own
|
|
mind, as Moses, the chief of them, says expressly
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+16:28">Num. xvi. 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>I have not done any of the works</I> (nor delivered any of the
|
|
statutes and ordinances) <I>of my own mind.</I> But false prophets
|
|
<I>speak a vision of their own heart, not out of the mouth of the
|
|
Lord,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+23:16">Jer. xxiii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
The prophets and penmen of the scripture spoke and wrote what was the
|
|
mind of God; and though, when under the influence and guidance of the
|
|
Spirit, it may well be supposed that they were willing to reveal and
|
|
record such thing, yet it is because God would have them spoken and
|
|
written. But though the scripture be not the effusion of man's own
|
|
private opinion or inclination, but the revelation of the mind and will
|
|
of God, yet every private man ought to search it, and come to
|
|
understand the sense and meaning thereof.
|
|
|
|
2. This important truth of the divine origin of the scriptures (that
|
|
what is contained in them is the mind of God and not of man) is to be
|
|
known and owned by all who will give heed to the sure word of prophecy.
|
|
That the scriptures are the word of God is not only an article of the
|
|
true Christian's faith, but also a matter of science or knowledge. As a
|
|
man not barely believes, but knows assuredly that that very person is
|
|
his particular friend in whom he sees all the proper, peculiar,
|
|
distinguishing marks and characters of his friend, so the Christian
|
|
knows that book to be the word of God in and upon which he sees all the
|
|
proper marks and characters of a divinely inspired book. He tastes a
|
|
sweetness, and feels a power, and sees a glory, in it truly divine.
|
|
|
|
3. The divinity of the scriptures must be known and acknowledged in
|
|
the first place, before men can profitably use them, before they can
|
|
give good heed to them. To call off our minds from all other writings,
|
|
and apply them in a peculiar manner to these as the only certain and
|
|
infallible rule, necessarily requires our being fully persuaded that
|
|
these are divinely inspired, and contain what is truly the mind and
|
|
will of God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. Seeing it is so absolutely necessary that persons be fully
|
|
persuaded of the scripture's divine origin, the apostle
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>)
|
|
|
|
tells us how the Old Testament came to be compiled, and that,
|
|
|
|
1. Negatively: <I>It came not by the will of man.</I> Neither the
|
|
things themselves that are recorded, and make up the several parts of
|
|
the Old Testament, are the opinions of men, nor was the will of any of
|
|
the prophets or penmen of the scriptures the rule or reason why any of
|
|
those things were written which make up the canon of the scripture.
|
|
|
|
2. Affirmatively: <I>Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the
|
|
Holy Ghost.</I> Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) They were holy men of God who were employed about that book which
|
|
we receive as the word of God. If Balaam and Caiaphas, and others who
|
|
were destitute of holiness, had any thing of the spirit of prophecy,
|
|
upon occasion, yet such persons were not employed to write any part of
|
|
the scriptures for the use of the church of God. All the penmen of the
|
|
scriptures were holy men of God.
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>These holy men were moved by the Holy Ghost</I> in what they
|
|
delivered as the mind and will of God. The Holy Ghost is the supreme
|
|
agent, the holy men are but instruments.
|
|
|
|
[1.] The Holy Ghost inspired and dictated to them what they were to
|
|
deliver of the mind of God.
|
|
|
|
[2.] He powerfully excited and effectually engaged them to speak (and
|
|
write) what he had put into their mouths.
|
|
|
|
[3.] He so wisely and carefully assisted and directed them in the
|
|
delivery of what they had received from him that they were effectually
|
|
secured from any the least mistake in expressing what they revealed; so
|
|
that the very words of scripture are to be accounted the words of the
|
|
Holy Ghost, and all the plainness and simplicity, all the power and
|
|
virtue, all the elegance and propriety, of the very words and
|
|
expressions are to be regarded by us as proceeding from God. Mix faith
|
|
therefore with what you find in the scriptures; esteem and reverence
|
|
your Bible as a book written by holy men, inspired, influenced, and
|
|
assisted by the Holy Ghost.</P>
|
|
|
|
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