Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

MMCCCCXV.

GOD'S GOODNESS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRAYER.

1 Pet. v. 10, 11. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

AMONGST the various testimonies of affection which faithful ministers will give to their people, that of praying for them is the most unequivocal, and most important. And in this the Apostles eminently distinguish themselves in all their epistles. In the petitions before us, we behold the glowing zeal of Peter, studious to exalt the honour of his God, and to promote to the utmost the welfare of the saints.

His words scarcely admit of any profitable distribution we shall therefore make some observations on them, in the order in which they lie.

The first thing that calls for our attention is, the honourable appellation he gives to God—

[God is the only fountain of all grace. There is none in the creature, which has not been derived from him. But in him is "all grace;" converting, comforting, sanctifying, establishing grace. He is "the God of" all grace: all kinds of it, and all degrees, are in him. Whatever be the grace that we severally want, we shall find an inexhaustible fulness of it treasured up in him. And, if we ask of him in terms of the most extensive import, and then stretch our imaginations far beyond what it is in the power of language to express, it still will be true, that "he giveth more grace;" and giveth it freely too, according to his own sovereign will, even to the very chief of sinners.]

Next we have an account of what God has done for his believing people

[God has "called them," not merely by the outward ministry of his Gospel, (for that he has vouchsafed to thousands who reject him,) but by the inward operation of his grace. Nor is it to any common mercy that he has called

a John i. 16.

b Jam. iv. 6.

c Matt. xx. 15. 1 Cor. xii. 11.

[ocr errors]

them, but to "his glory," yea, to the "eternal" enjoyment of it. What a stupendous act of grace! Yet this is greatly heightened by the means which he has used for the communication of this blessing. He has sent it by the ministry, (by the ministry, do I say?-hear, O ye heavens, and be astonished, O earth!) He imparts it through the mediation of "Christ Jesus," his only dear Son.

O that this glorious description of the Deity might always. be remembered by us in our addresses at the throne of Grace!]

The petitions which the Apostle offered on behalf of the saints, were exactly such as their state required

[They were now enduring "a great fight of afflictions :" and, in order that they might persevere unto the end, it was necessary that they should be "established" in the faith, "strengthened" in the profession, and "settled" in the enjoyment of the Gospel. For these things therefore the Apostle prayed; knowing, by bitter experience, that they must come from God, the only Author of such inestimable blessings. For these things also should our prayers be offered: and the consideration of what God is in himself, and has done for us, may well encourage us to offer the most enlarged petitions. If we open our mouth ever so wide, we need not doubt but that he will fill it."]

66

His prayers, however, were qualified with a very necessary concession

[God has not given us any reason to expect an exemption from suffering: on the contrary, he has told us plainly, that our road to heaven lies through much tribulation. Even "Christ himself was made perfect through sufferings;" and every child of man must be conformed to him in this respect. Sufferings are sent to try, to illustrate, and to confirm our grace; and finally, to work out for us a proportionable weight of glory. The Apostle therefore did not presume to interfere with the established order of things; but only to pray, that their trials might be as light and transient, as would consist with the accomplishment of their proper ends. In this respect he sets us a good example; and teaches us to desire rather a sanctified use of our afflictions, than a premature removal of them.]

To these he added a doxology well suited to the occasion

davròs, though not noticed in the translation, seems to have considerable force. f Acts xiv. 22. 8 ὀλίγον παθόντας.

e Ps. lxxxi. 10.

[Who can reflect on what God is in himself, or on what he has done for us, or on what he is ready to do for us, and not desire that his name may be glorified, and that every thought may be subjected to his holy will? When the Apostle says, "To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever;" who is not ready to exclaim with ardent affection, "Amen, and amen?"

O brethren, let such views occupy our attention, and such prayers and praises be ever ascending from the altar of our hearts!]

This subject may be of USE,

1. For reproof

[How far are the generality of professing Christians from such exalted views of God, or such deep concern for the welfare of men's souls! If they think of God in the quality of a Governor and Judge, they are not conscious of any defect, though they scarce ever raise their minds to him as their adorable Benefactor: and, if they occasionally promote the comfort of men's bodies, they seem to themselves excused for not attending to their souls. But, beloved, let us not be contented to live in so low a region, or to exercise so little grace: but let our love to God and man bear some affinity and proportion to the love that God has shewn to us.]

2. For encouragement

[What is there that we may not expect at the hands of such a God? We may go to him for ourselves; we may go to him for others: we may ask of him all manner of grace: the weakest may obtain strength; and the most wavering may obtain establishment in the divine life. Let us know the privilege of prayer. Let us, especially under our afflictions, betake ourselves to a throne of grace: and if, while we are praying to him, our trials increase, let us not be discouraged : only let us tarry his leisure; and our sorrows shall ere long be turned to joy, and our prayers to praise1.]

h This was the case with the Israelites, Exod. v. 5-19. with xii. 33.

i Eph. iii. 20.

2 PETE R.

MMCCCCXVI.

PETER'S SALUTATION TO THE SAINTS.

2 Pet. i. 1, 2. Simon Peter, a servant and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.

IN reading the epistles of the different Apostles, whether written to particular Churches, or to the whole catholic Church throughout the world, we cannot but be struck with the benevolence which they breathe in every part, and especially in the salutations with which they begin, and the benedictions with which they close. In the words which we have now read, which, as in the former epistle, are addressed to the whole Church scattered through the Roman empire, we may notice two things, an inscription-and a salutation: to both of which we will now turn your attention.

I. The inscription

Here the Apostle describes,

1. The writer-

[His own proper name was Simon, or Simeon, as he is called in the original and by the Apostle James". The name Peter was given to him by his Lord on two different occasions; partly, to mark his characteristic boldness; and partly to

a Acts xv. 14.

intimate, that on his testimony both to Jews and Gentiles the Christian Church should be established". The office he held as a servant and an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ was the highest that could be assigned to mortal man: and the peculiar care which he took in thus designating his own name and character satisfies our minds that this epistle, no less than the former which bears his name, was written by him: for no bad man would have written it; and no good man could have been guilty of such a forgery as that of assuming the name and office of this inspired Apostle.]

2. The persons addressed

[These were believers throughout the world. They "had faith" in our Lord Jesus Christ, as the only Saviour of fallen man. They had "obtained" this faith, not by any efforts of their own, but, as it were, by lot, just as all the tribes of Israel obtained their portion in the promised land. To each the precise measure was assigned by God himself: nor was there one throughout the whole land who was not constrained to acknowledge that he owed his portion solely to the free and sovereign grace of God – This faith was precisely" the same" whether in Apostles or private Christians, and "alike precious" to them all: for though the faith of different persons might differ widely in its degrees and consequent operations, it was "alike precious" to all, inasmuch as it was the one means of uniting them to Christ, and of saving their souls alive

"Through the righteousness of God our Saviour" too was this faith obtained: for by that righteousness it was purchased for them; and through the prevalence of that righteousness, as pleaded with God in their behalf, was the gift of faith imparted to them

In this respect, then, every saint under heaven answers to the character drawn by the Apostle, and may consider the epistle as addressed personally to his own self in particular, as much as ever it was to the saints in the Apostle's days.]

From the inscription we pass on to,

II. The salutation

"Grace and peace" comprehended all the blessings of the Gospel

[Sometimes, in the salutations of the Apostles, " mercy" is added; "Grace, mercy, and peace:" but generally it is, as here," Grace and peace." By "Grace" I understand all that is necessary for the transformation of the soul into the Divine image; and by "peace," all that is necessary for the

b John i. 42. Matt. xvi. 18.

C

• λαχοῦσι.

« ForrigeFortsæt »