2 pedro calvino

8/12/2019 2 Pedro Calvino

1/316

[Comm_vol45]ThML Template 1.00

Head SectionParagraphlength de!cription o" #oo$% l'r#&

(ate "ir!t p'#li!hed in an) edition

*n) availa#le in"o on the p'#lication hi!tor)

*n) other comment!

+n"ormation !peci"ic to print edition

,.g. -'!ell li#rar)% /1.4 #/h c./.

+mage o" "ront o" #oo$% 2/00 pi3el! ide

+mage o" !pine% 2/00 pi3el! high

P'#li!her code o" electronic edition% a! a!!igned #) the CC,L

*'thor +( a! a!!igned #) p'#li!her-oo$ +( a! a!!igned #) p'#li!her

,dition or ver!ion o" electronic edition

Comment! a#o't editorial practice! hether !pelling

a! normalied% hat a! done ith endo"line

h)phen!% correction! made% tagging practice!% etc.

* li!t o" p'#li!hed edition! and change!

C'rrent editorial6p'#lication !tat'! o" te3t

7ther comment!

COMMENTARIESON

THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES

BY JOHN CALVIN

TRANSLATED AND EDITED

BY THE REV. JOHN OWEN,VICAR OF THRUSSINGTON, AND RURAL DEAN, LEICESTERSHIRE

CHRISTIAN CLASSICS ETHEREAL LIBRARY

GRAND RAPIDS, MIhttp66.ccel.org
http://www.ccel.org/http://www.ccel.org/


2/316

T8*9SL*T78:S P8,;*C,

TH, (edication to


3/316


4/316

Tho'gh there i! no name attached to it% )et there ha! #een 'niver!al con!ent "rom the #eginning

that @ohn a! it! a'thorB and indeed the !t)le o" it thro'gho't i! !'""icient to !he that he a! the

riter o" itB "or hi! =o!pel and the -oo$ o" 8evelation are in thi! re!pect e3actl) ali$eB and it i! a!t)le pec'liarl) hi! on.

@(,% or @'da!% a!% a! he !a)!% the #rother o" @ame!% and there"ore the !on o" *lphae'! or

Cleopa!. Tho'gh he doe! not call him!el" an apo!tle% )et he proved him!el" to #e !o #) !a)ingthat he a! the #rother o" @ame!. He i! called% a! @ame! a!% the #rother o" o'r Lord%40155IMatthe 155. Ke have in Script're no acco'nt o" hi! mini!tr) a"ter the da) o" Penteco!t.

Hi! ,pi!tle a! not at "ir!t 'niver!all) received a! canonical. Thi! i! ac$noledged #) rigen,!use"ius, andJerome# at the !ame time% the) them!elve! !o regarded itB and @erome !a)! that in

hi! da) it a! #) mo!t received a! gen'ineB and it ha! #een >'oted a! a part o" Script're #)

$lement o" *le3andria% %ertullian, $&ril o" @er'!alem%'thanasius, 'm"rose, and'ugustine( "#/

That !ome o" the ,pi!tle! ere not 'niver!all) received a! a'thentic at "ir!t i! no matter o"

onder% hen e con!ider the !cattered condition o" the Ch'rch% and the !cant) mean! o"

comm'nication. The "act% thatsome had do'#t! re!pecting them doe! not in the lea!t degreeinvalidate their gen'inene!!B on the contrar)% it ha! cond'ced to !trengthen the evidence in their

"avorB "or the do'#t! o" !ome m'!t have occa!ioned a more min'te in>'ir) a! to their

a'thenticit). *nd it a! not long #e"ore all the ,pi!tle!% a#o't hich there had #een !ome do'#t!%

had attained the 'niver!al appro#ation o" the Ch'rchB and hatLardner !tate! i! orth) o"!pecial attention% D That no riting!% received #) the primitive Ch'rch a! gen'ine% have #een

!ince proved to #e !p'rio'!B and that no riting!% regarded #) it a! !p'rio'!% have #een !ince

proved to #e gen'ine.

The ,ditor m'!t mention here% hat perhap! he o'ght to have mentioned #e"ore% D that in hi!

tran!lation! he ha! not ala)! retained hat i! called the hi!torical pre!ent ten!e% hich i! o"ten

'!ed #) $alvin, according to the practice o" Latin and =ree$ riter!% and al!o o" the Prophet!

and the ,vangeli!t!. Thi! mode o" riting doe! not accord ith the '!age o" the pre!ent da).

7'r tran!lator! have not #een 'ni"orm in thi! re!pect either in the 9e or the 7ld Te!tamentB "or

the) !ometime! departed "rom the original a! to thi! ten!e% tho'gh% "or the mo!t part% the)retained it. *!% "or in!tance% in 411I@ohn 1140% the hi!torical pre!ent i! not retained in the

th% hile it i! retained in the 40th ver!e. The anomalie! a! to the ten!e! o"ten met ith%

e!peciall) in the P!alm!% have ari!en "rom overloo$ing thi! pec'liarit). The "'t're in He#re i!

ver) o"ten '!ed "or the pre!entB and thi! i! the hi!torical pre!ent% and o'ght to #e rendered in o'rlang'age in the pa!t ten!e.

J.O.

THRUSSLNGTON, Sept.. 29, 1855.

4


5/316

(,(+C*T+79

TO HIS MOST SERENE HIGHNESS,

,(K*8( TH, S+NTH

THE KING OF ENGLAND, THE LORD OF IRELAND, AND A MOST CHRISTIAN

PRINCE,

@7H9 C*L+9.

-,H7L(% + ret'rn to )o' again% mo!t e3cellent


6/316

=o!pel "rom the memor) o" men% that i!% to "'lminate again!t '! ith the horri#le and terri"ic

decree! o" co'ncilB tho'gh man) thin$ that he onl) ma$e! a preten!e. -'t it !igni"ie! #'t little

hether he pretend! or reall) mean! to call a co'ncil. +t i! indeed a thing clear and ell proved%that !ince the Papac) #egan to decline thro'gh the e""ort! o" L'ther% hoever occ'pied that

citadel o" t)rann)% tho'gh the) might hope to o#tain !ome !'pport "rom a co'ncil% the) )et have

!h'nned thi! $ind o" remed) in a) !imilar to a !ic$ man% ho% #eing all over "'ll o" 'lcer!%dread! even the to'ch o" the mo!t tender ph)!ician. There"ore common even among children i!

the !a)ing% that the Papac) cannot otheri!e #e a!!i!ted #) a co'ncil than #) ca'teriing or

amp'tation.

-'t + !ee no ca'!e h) the Pope! dread co'ncil! !o m'ch% e3cept that "ear i! an in!epara#le

companion o" a #ad con!cience. ;or hat% + pra)% a! the late ra##le at Trent% Gto hich )et the)

gave the name o" a hol)% general% and ec'menical !)nod%J #'t a !ort o" empt) apparition% hichno more di!t'r#ed the plea!'re! o" the Pope than the clangor o" tr'mpet!% or the !o'nd o" dr'm!%

ith hich he dail) am'!e! him!el"O Kere% indeed% a !)nod "rom all part! reall) a!!em#led% here

might #e !ome ca'!e o" "ear% le!t a di!t'r#ance% ari!ing in !o great a m'ltit'de% !ho'ld occa!ion a

greater t'm'lt. -'t #) !'ch "ictitio'! co'ncil! a! that o" Trent% ho can #elieve that a Pope co'ld

#e terri"ied an) more than #) children:! rattle!% #'t that on the contrar) he o'ld !eetl)!l'm#er a! thro'gh the #landi!hment! o" a >'ieter !leepO ;or e3ample% to or three cardinal!

!hall #e cho!en #) the Pope% #eing hi! #o!om "riend!% ho !hall ield all the a'thorit). The !amet)rant ill hire "rom hi! co'rtier! !ome greed) "ello "or a "e d'cat! a month% ho% #eing

clothed in the ma!$ o" a patriarch% ill !ervilel) declare a! hi! on opinion hat had #een

dictated to him. S'ch a! that #lind 8o#ert at Trent% hom + !a !ome time ago at 8ati!#on%#'!)ing him!el"% not le!! "ooli!hl) than ic$edl)% in #ehal" o" the Pope% hen #) hi!

inveiglement! he tried to dra me to a con"erence ith Contaren'!. There ill "l) together "rom

all +tal) the threehal"penn) #i!hop!% o" hom there ill #e a va!t a#'ndance. There ill come

al!o "rom ;rance and Spain !ome o" the lightheaded and "at'ito'!% and other! in"amo'! "or thevice! o" their "ormer li"eB ho a"terard! ret'rning home ill #oa!t that the) had rendered a

good and "aith"'l !ervice to the Catholic Ch'rch. Moreover% there ill come "orth "rom the cave!o" mon$! a great con"l'3 o" "rog! into that mar!h% ho #) their eager croa$ing ill #ani!h "araa) ever) tr'th. Khat do + imagine here a ne thing% or do + not% on the contrar)% correctl)

de!cri#e the a!!em#l) hich a! latel) !een at TrentO

Kh) then i! it that the Pope dread! the!e g'ardian! o" hi! on tri#'nal% ho are all% in thefirstplace% hi! on !ervile creat're!B and ho% in thesecondplace% !ee$ no other thing than to gain #)

an) mean! hi! "avorO

7'r @'li'! e!peciall)% ho i! a veteran in matter! o" thi! $ind% can in moc$er)% henever heplea!e!% compo!e !'ch a co'ncil a! thi!% !o a!% in the meantime% to leave a! '!'al the thing

'ndone. *nd% indeed% a! he ha! given to man) o" the (ominican! the red cap% it !eem! to #e no

o#!c're prel'de o" !'ch an event. Thi! order% a! the) !a)% ha! ever #een in "avor ith himB #'t!'ch pro"'!ion ari!e! "rom a higher ca'!e. He% indeed% $no! ell% that none are more !hamele!!

than the!e #eggarl) "ello!% a! he ha! o"ten emplo)ed at hi! nod their illi#eral and !ordid

!ervice!. Khen he rai!ed them again to thi! dignit)% he $ne that hatever he might #id them to

do% none o'ld #e more a'dacio'! or more cr'el than the). -e!ide!% he i! not ignorant that mo!to" the!e h'ngr) dog!% "eeding on the !ame reard!% o'ld r'!h into an) contention! he i!he!. +

do not% hoever% !a) that the) are mi!ta$en ho declare that he doe! not de!ire a co'ncil. -'t

hen he ha! arranged hi! on theater% !ome !'dden !torm ill #e rai!ed ith no great tro'#le%

E


7/316

hich ill di!t'r# the hole proceeding. Hence% at the ver) #eginning% i" hi! on advantage !o

re>'ire it% he ill "old 'p the c'rtain!. * co'ncil% hoever% tho'gh an empt) phantom% he thin$!

to #e to him li$e Herc'le!:! cl'#% to la) Chri!t pro!trate% and to #rea$ in piece! the remnant o" theCh'rch.

Khen thi! prince o" impiet) !o ic$edl) trample! 'pon the glor) o" o'r =od and the !alvation o"

men% doe! it #ecome '! #) !ilence to #etra) the !acred ca'!eO na)% e o'ght to 'ndergo h'ndreddeath!% ere that po!!i#le% rather than to !'""er !o 'north)% ic$ed% and #ar#aro'! oppre!!ion

o" !o'nd doctrine to contin'e 'n$non thro'gh o'r !loth.

-'t let '! grant hat i! hardl) credi#le% that the Pope ith hi! #and doe! !erio'!l) intend to call aco'ncil. +n that ca!e Chri!t ill not% at the "ir!t vie% #e !o gro!!l) moc$edB )et in thi! a) a

ic$ed con!pirac) o'ld #e "ormed *gain!t him na)% the greater the "ame o" the gravit) and

!plendor o" the Papal co'ncil% the more in?'rio'! o'ld it #e to the Ch'rch% and a more dread"'lpe!t o'ld it prove. ;or it cannot po!!i#l) #e hoped% that an a!!em#l) gathered 'nder the

a'thorit) o" *ntichri!t% !ho'ld #e governed #) the Spirit% or that the !lave! o" Satan !ho'ld

e3erci!e an) moderation. +n the "ir!t place% the Pope% the pro"e!!ed and !orn enem) o" Chri!t%

o'ld occ'p) there the chie" place o" a'thorit). Tho'gh he o'ld e!peciall) pretend to a!$ theopinion! o" the ;ather! !itting there% )et #eing terri"ied #) hi! pre!ence% the) o'ld all "ollo

hat o'ld plea!e him. -'t in an a!!em#l) "'ll) agreeing in ever) impiet)% hat need o'ld

there #e o" di!!im'lationO S'ch% + have no do'#t% i! ever) one o" the cardinal!. +n that ver)college% hich pretend! to #e a holier !enate% there prevail!% it i! evident% an ,pic'rean contempt

o" =od% a !avage hatred o" tr'th% a ra#id "'r) again!t all the pio'!. Then the order o" #i!hop!%

doe! it not con!i!t nearl) o" the !ame mon!ter!O e3cept that man) among them are !loth"'l a!!e!%ho neither openl) de!pi!e =od% nor ho!tilel) oppo!e !o'nd doctrineB )et the) are !o enamo'red

ith their on depraved !tate% that the) cannot end're an) re"ormation. *dd to thi!% that

a'thorit) ill re!ide almo!t holl) ith the "e% ho% #eing indeed altogether de!tit'te o" an)concern "or tr'e religion% ill !he them!elve! the mo!t "ierce !'pporter! o" the 8oman See

other! ill ma$e 'p the n'm#er. *! ever) one o" the!e ill !pea$ the mo!t atrocio'! thing!again!t '!% there ill #e man) not onl) o" tho!e ho ma) onl) give their vote!% #'t al!o o" the

prince!% ho ill !'#!cri#e either illingl) and gladl) according to their on inclination!% or"rom am#ition% or "rom "ear.

+ am not hoever% !o 'n?'!t a! not to concede that !ome o" the!e have a !o'nder ?'dgment and

are not otheri!e ill di!po!edB #'t the) do not po!!e!! !o m'ch co'rage% that the) ill dare tore!i!t the ic$edne!! o" the hole #od). There ill #e perhap!% amid!t a tho'!and% to or three

ho ma) dare to give a hal"'ttered ord "or Chri!t% Ga! Peter Pa'l ergeri'! at TrentJ #'t the

hol) co'ncil o" the ;ather! ill have a remed) at hand% !o that !'ch ma) not create an) "'rthertro'#leB "or #eing ca!t into pri!on% the) ill #e pre!entl) driven to a recantation% or the) ill have

to pa) the penalt) o" death "or too m'ch "reedom o" !peech% or the) ill have to drin$ the c'p o"

perpet'al !ilence.

-'t !'ch i! the e>'it) ith hich e are treated% that e are 'ntamea#le and hopele!!l) perver!e

heretic!% e3cept e !ee$ "rom the hol) co'ncil the r'le "or the nece!!ar) re"ormation% e3cept e

ac>'ie!ce itho't an) dem'r in it! decree!% hatever the) ma) #e. Ke% indeed% do not !h'n the

a'thorit) o" a legitimate co'ncil% Gi" !'ch co'ld #e had%J a! e have alread) made !'""icientl)evident #) clear proo"!. -'t hen the) re>'ire that e are to #o to the ?'dgment o" the chie"

adver!ar) o" Chri!t itho't an) appeal% and indeed on thi! condition% that religion i! to #e

Q


8/316

de"ined at their ill and plea!'re% and not #) the Kord o" =od% hat rea!on have e "or

!'#mi!!ion% e3cept e are prepared illingl) and $noingl) to den) Chri!tO There i! no rea!on

"or an) one to o#?ect and !a)% that e di!tr'!t #e"ore the time. Let them give '! a co'ncil inhich there ill #e a "ree li#ert) given to de"end the ca'!e o" tr'th i" to that e re"'!e to come%

and to give a rea!on "or all that e have done% then the) ill ?'!tl) charge '! ith cont'mac).

-'t !o "ar ill a permi!!ion #e given '! "reel) to !pea$% that there i! no do'#t #'t that e !hall #eprevented "rom ma$ing even a !'ita#le de"en!e. ;or ho can the) li!ten to the clear!o'nding

th'nder! o" tr'th% ho can #) no mean! #ear arning! hoever #land and conve)ed in !o"t

hi!per!O -'t thi! the) p'#licl) do D The) invite '!B i! it that the) ma) grant '! !ome place onthe loe!t !eat!O 9a)% the) declare that it i! not la"'l to admit an) one to their !itting! e3cept

the anointed and the mitred. Then let them !it% provided e are heard% declaring the tr'th hile

!tanding. The) an!er% that the) "reel) promi!e a hearingB that i!% that having pre!ented a

!'ppliant petition% #eing ordered immediatel) to depart% a"ter the t'r#'lent clamo'r! o" !omeda)!% e !hall #e recalled "or the p'rpo!e o" #eing condemned. + !a) clamo'r!% not that an)

altercation o" di!!ident! i! to #e in that a!!em#l)% #'t that the !acred ear! o" #i!hop! having #een

!o irreverentl) o""ended #) '!% the indignit) ill appear to them intolera#le. +t i! not 'n$non

ho t'm'lt'o'! i! their violence. S'rel)% hen he) o'ght to determine the ca'!e ith rea!on%thi! can never #e o#tained "rom them% hen not even a !light hearing can #e hoped "or.

Ke !hall endeavor to re!tore =od:! or!hip to it! p'rit)% p'rged "rom the inn'mera#le!'per!tition! #) hich it ha! #een corr'pted. Here the pro"ane orator! ill chatter a#o't nothing

#'t the in!tit'te!% the old rite! and ceremonie! o" the ;ather!% a! tho'gh the Ch'rch ta'ght #) the

cele!tial mini!tr) o" the prophet! and o" Chri!t $ne no other a) o" or!hipping =od than #)adopting% in #r'tal !t'pidit)% the dreg! o" 8om'l'!% made "a!cinating #) the anile dotage! o"

9'ma Pompili'!. -'t here i! that !implicit) o" o#edience hich the Lord ever)here ma$e! !o

m'ch o" and !o di!tinctl) re>'ire!O

+" the controver!) #e concerning the depravit) o" h'man nat're% the mi!era#le and lo!t !tate o"

man$ind% the grace and poer o" Chri!t% or the "reene!! o" o'r !alvation% the) ill immediatel)#ring "orard and dogmaticall) allege the p'tid a3iom! o" the !chool!% a! thing! that o'ght to #e

received itho't di!p'te. The Hol) Spirit teache! '! in Script're% that o'r mind i! !mitten ith!o m'ch #lindne!!% that the a""ection! o" o'r heart are !o depraved and perverted% that o'r hole

nat're i! !o vitiated% that e can do nothing #'t !in% 'ntil he "orm! a ne ill ithin '!. He

con!train! '!% condemned to eternal death% to reno'nce all con"idence in o'r on or$!% and to"lee to o'r onl) a!)l'm% the merc) o" =od% and to tr'!t in it "or all o'r righteo'!ne!!. He al!o%

inviting '! to =od% te!ti"ie! that =od i! reconciled to '! onl) thro'gh the #lood o" Chri!t% and

#id! '! to rel) on Chri!t:! merit!% and to come #oldl) to the heavenl) tri#'nal. That none o" the!ething! ma) #e heard% tho!e endle!! decree! are add'ced% to violate hich i! deemed more

'nla"'l than to di!#elieve =od and all hi! angel!.

7" the !acrament! the) ill not permit a ord to #e !aid% di""ering "rom the notion! entertainedo" them. *nd hat el!e i! thi! #'t to precl'de the po!!i#ilit) o" an) re"ormationO -'t it i! ea!) to

!ho ho prepo!tero'! i! the admini!tration o" the !acrament! 'nder the Papac)% !o that hardl)

an)thing #ear! an a""init) to the gen'ine doctrine o" Chri!t. Khat !p'rio'! corr'ption! have crept

in% na)% hat di!grace"'l !acrilege! have entered +t i! not la"'l to move a >'e!tion on thi!!'#?ect. Hence it i! a common !a)ing ith theologian!% hich the) have p'#li!hed ever)here in

their #oo$! That the Ch'rch ma) remain !a"e% care m'!t e!peciall) #e ta$en that the co'ncil

!ho'ld not admit a do'#t re!pecting the chie" controver!ie! o" the pre!ent da). Come "orth al!o

F


9/316

ha! latel)% in the +talian lang'age% the in!ipid #oo$ o" one M'ti'!% itle!!l) #reathing nothing #'t

carnage% in hich he dell! pro"'!el) on thi! point% that nothing el!e i! to #e done #) the

reverend ;ather!% hen the) meet in co'ncil% #'t to prono'nce hat alread) appear! to themright on the hole !'#?ect% and to compel '! to !'#!cri#e to their !ang'inar) edict!. + !ho'ld not

indeed have tho'ght it nece!!ar) to mention the hoar!e chattering! o" thi! 'nl'c$) ol% had not

Pope @'li'! recommended the or$. Hence reader! ma) ?'dge hat !ort o" co'ncil M'ti'!recommend!% and i! to #e e3pected "rom @'li'! hi! approver.

*! then e !ee that the!e antichri!t! r'!h on ith de!perate pertinacit) in order to de!tro) !o'nd

doctrine% and ith e>'al in!olence #oldl) e3'lt that the) ill !et 'p a ma!$ed co'ncil "or noother p'rpo!e than that% having p't to "light the go!pel% the) ma) cele#rate their on victor)B let

'! al!o in o'r t'rn gather co'rage to "ollo the #anner o" o'r leader% having p't on the armor o"

tr'th. Kere onl) the p're and !imple doctrine o" Script're to !hine "orth a! it o'ght% ever) one%ho re"'!e! not to open hi! e)e!% o'ld ac$noledge the Papac) to #e a !avage and an e3ecra#le

mon!ter% made 'p% thro'gh Satan:! art!% o" inn'mera#le ma!!e! o" error!. ;or e ma$e it evident

#) the mo!t !olid proo"!% that the glor) o" =od i! !o di!tri#'ted #) a !acrilegio'! rending among

"ictitio'! idol!% that hardl) a h'ndredth portion o" hi! right remain! to him. *nd "'rther% hen

the) re!erve "or him !ome portion o" or!hip% e can !ho that no part o" it i! !incere% ina!m'cha! all thing! are "'ll o" the !'per!titio'! invention! o" menB the la o" =od i! al!o loaded ith

!imilar device!% "or mi!era#le con!cience! are held #o'nd 'nder the )o$e o" men% rather thanr'led #) =od:! commandment!B and the) groan and toil 'nder the 'n?'!t #'rden o" !o man)

tradition!% na)% the) are oppre!!ed ith a cr'el t)rann). Ke declare that% prevaricating o#edience

can avail nothing e3cept to lead men to a deeper la#)rinth. Ke !he clearl) "rom Script're% thatChri!t:! poer 'nder the Papac) i! almo!t a#oli!hed% that hi! grace i! in a great mea!'re made

void% that 'nhapp) !o'l! removed "rom him% are in"lated ith a "atal con"idence in their on

poer and or$!. Ke prove that pra)er to =od% !'ch a! i! pre!cri#ed #) hi! ord% Ghich )et i!

the onl) tr'e a!)l'm o" !alvationJ i! holl) !'#verted. Ke plainl) !he that the !acrament! aread'lterated #) e3traneo'! invention!% and are al!o tran!"erred to a "oreign p'rpo!eB "or the poer

o" the Spirit i! impio'!l) tied to them% and hat i! pec'liar to Chri!t i! a!cri#ed to them. Then edi!on the n'm#erseven, hich the) have pre!'mpt'o'!l) adopted. The ma!! al!o% hich the)imagine to #e a !acri"ice% e prove to #e a di!grace"'l denial o" the !acri"ice o" Chri!t. There are

man) other !acrilegio'! thing! o" hich e ma$e it evident that the) are g'ilt).

(o'#tle!!% ere onl) the Script're alloed it! on a'thorit)% there are none o" the!e thing!re!pecting hich o'r adver!arie! o'ld not #e con!trained to #e m'te. *nd thi! i! hat the) #)

no mean! di!!em#le% hen the) contend that oing to the am#ig'o'! meaning o" Script're% e

o'ght to !tand !olel) on the ?'dgment o" the Ch'rch. Kho% + pra)% doe! not !ee% that #) la)inga!ide the ord o" =od% the hole right o" de"ining thing! i! th'! tran!"erred to themO Tho'gh

the) ma) $i!! the clo!ed copie! o" the Script're a! a $ind o" or!hip% hen )et the) charge it

ith #eing o#!c're and am#ig'o'!% the) allo it no more a'thorit) than i" no part o" it e3i!ted inriting. Let them a!!'me !pecio'! title! a! the) plea!e% that the) ma) not appear to allegean)thing #e!ide! the dictate! o" the Spirit% Ga! the) are ont to #oa!t%J )et it i! a !ettled and "i3ed

thing ith them% that all rea!on! #eing laid a!ide% their ill alone o'ght to #e #elieved

Gaujto>pistov.J

Then% le!t the "aith"'l !ho'ld #e carried a#o't #) ever) ind o" impo!t're% le!t the) !ho'ld #e

e3po!ed to the cra"t) cavil! o" the 'ngodl)% #eing ta'ght #) the !'re e3periment o" "aith% let them

$no that nothing i! more "irm or certain than the teaching o" Script're% and on that !'pport let


10/316

them con"identl) rec'm#. *nd !ince e !ee that it i! !hame"'ll) de"ormed #) the "al!e comment!

o" the Sophi!t!% and that at thi! da) the hired ra##le o" the Pope are #ent on thi! arti"ice% in order

that #) their !mo$e the) ma) o#!c're the light% it #ehove! '! to #e more intent on the re!torationo" it! #rightne!!.

+% indeed% have in an e!pecial manner re!olved to devote m)!el" to thi! or$% a! long a! + live%

henever time and opport'nit) !hall #e a""orded me. +n the "ir!t place% the Ch'rch to hich +#elong !hall th'! receive the "r'it o" thi! la#or% !o that it ma) herea"ter contin'e the longerB "or

tho'gh a !mall portion o" time remain! to me "rom the d'tie! o" m) o""ice% )et that% ho !mall

!oever it ma) #e% + have determined to devote to thi! $ind o" riting.

-'t to ret'rn to )o'% mo!t% ill'!trio'!


11/316

C7MM,9T*8+,S

ON

TH, ;+8ST ,P+STL, 7; P,T,8TH, *8=M,9T

TH,de!ign o" Peter in thi! ,pi!tle i! to e3hort the "aith"'l to a denial o" the orld and a

contempt o" it% !o that #eing "reed "rom carnal a""ection! and all earthl) hindrance!% the) might

ith their hole !o'l a!pire a"ter the cele!tial $ingdom o" Chri!t% that #eing elevated #) hope%!'pported #) patience% and "orti"ied #) co'rage and per!everance% the) might overcome all $ind!

o" temptation!% and p'r!'e thi! co'r!e and practice thro'gho't li"e.

Hence at the ver) #eginning he proclaim! in e3pre!! ord! the grace o" =od made $non to '!in Chri!tB and at the !ame time he add!% that it i! received #) "aith and po!!e!!ed #) hope% !o that

the godl) might rai!e 'p their mind! and heart! a#ove the orld. Hence he e3hort! them to

holine!!% le!t the) !ho'ld render void the price #) hich the) ere redeemed% and le!t the)!ho'ld !'""er the incorr'pti#le !eed o" the Kord% #) hich the) had #een regenerated into eternal

li"e% to #e de!tro)ed or to die. *nd a! he had !aid% that the) had #een #orn again #) =od:! Kord%

he ma$e! mention o" their !pirit'al in"anc). Moreover% that their "aith might not vacillate or

!tagger% #eca'!e the) !a that Chri!t a! de!pi!ed and re?ected almo!t #) the hole orld% heremind! them that thi! a! onl) the "'l"illment o" hat had #een ritten o" him% that he o'ld #e

the !tone o" !t'm#ling. -'t he "'rther teache! them that he o'ld #e a "irm "o'ndation to tho!e

ho #elieve in him. Hence he again re"er! to the great honor to hich =od had rai!ed them% thatthe) might #e animated #) the contemplation o" their "ormer !tate% and #) the perception o" their

pre!ent #ene"it!% to devote them!elve! to a godl) li"e.

He a"terard! come! to partic'lar e3hortation!% D that the) ere to cond'ct them!elve! inh'milit) and o#edience 'nder the government o" prince!% that !ervant! ere to #e !'#?ect to their

ma!ter!% that ive! ere to o#e) their h'!#and! and to #e mode!t and cha!te% and that% on the

other hand% h'!#and! ere to treat their ive! ith $indne!!. *nd then he command! them too#!erve hat a! ?'!t and right toard! one anotherB and that the) might do thi! the more

illingl)% he !et! #e"ore them hat o'ld #e the "r'it D a peacea#le and happ) li"e.

*!% hoever% it happened to Chri!tian!% that ho m'ch !oever the) !o'ght peace% the) ere o"tenhara!!ed #) man) in?'rie!% and had the orld "or no ?'!t ca'!e inimical to them% he e3hort! them

calml) to #ear their per!ec'tion!% hich the) $ne o'ld promote their !alvation. ;or thi!

p'rpo!e he #ring! "orard the e3ample o" Chri!t. 7n the other hand% he remind! them hat

'nhapp) end aait! the 'ngodl)% hil!t in the meantime =od onder"'ll) deliver! hi! Ch'rch"rom death #) death. He !till "'rther re"er! to the e3ample o" Chri!t to en"orce the morti"ication

o" the "le!h. To thi! e3hortation he add! vario'! and #rie" !entence!B #'t !hortl) a"ter he ret'rn!

to the doctrine o" patience% !o that the "aith"'l might mingle con!olation ith their evil!%regarding it a! good "or them to #e cha!ti!ed #) the paternal hand o" =od.

11


12/316

*t the #eginning o" the "i"th chapter he remind! the elder! o" their d't)% that the) ere not to

t)rannie over the Ch'rch% #'t to pre!ide 'nder Chri!t ith moderation. He recommend! to the

)o'ng mode!t) and teacha#lene!!. *t length% a"ter a !hort e3hortation% he clo!e! the ,pi!tle itha pra)er.

*! to the place "rom hich he rote% all do not agree. There i!% hoever% no rea!on that + !ee

h) e !ho'ld do'#t that he a! then at -a#)lon% a! he e3pre!!l) declare!. "#-'t a! theper!'a!ion had prevailed% that he had moved "rom *ntioch to 8ome% and that he died at 8ome%

the ancient!% led #) thi! !ole arg'ment% imagined that 8ome i! here allegoricall) called -a#)lon.

-'t a! itho't an) pro#a#le con?ect're the) ra!hl) #elieved hat the) have !aid o" the 8omanepi!copate o" Peter% !o al!o thi! allegorical "igment o'ght to #e regarded a! nothing. +t i! indeed

m'ch more pro#a#le that Peter% according to the character o" hi! apo!tle!hip% traveled over tho!e

part! in hich mo!t o" the @e! re!idedB and e $no that a great n'm#er o" them ere in-a#)lon and in the !'rro'nding co'ntrie!.

1/


13/316

CH*PT,8 1

1 PETER1:1-21.Peter% an apo!tle o" @e!'! Chri!t% to the

!tranger! !cattered thro'gho't Pont'!%=alatia% Cappadocia% *!ia% and -ith)nia%

1.Petr'!% apo!tol'! @e!' Chri!ti%

electi! in>'ilini! >'i di!per!i !'nt perPont'rn% =alatiam% Cappadociam%

*!iam et -ith)niam%

2.,lect according to the "ore$noledge o"=od the ;ather% thro'gh !ancti"ication o" the

Spirit% 'nto o#edience and !prin$ling o" the

#lood o" @e!'! Chri!t =race 'nto )o'% and

peace% #e m'ltiplied.

2.Sec'nd'm precognitionem(eiPatri! in !ancti"icatione Spirit'!%

in o#edientiam et a!per!ionem

!ang'i ni! @e!' Chri!tiB =ratia vo#i!

et pa3 m'ltiplicet'r.

1.)eter, an a*ostle( Khat in thi! !al'tation i! the !ame ith tho!e o" Pa'l% re>'ire! no nee3planation. Khen Pa'l pra)ed "orgraceand*eace, the ver# i! le"t o'tB #'t Peter add! it% and

!a)!% "e multi*lied# !till the meaning i! the !ameB "or Pa'l did not i!h to the "aith"'l the#eginning o" grace and peace% #'t the increa!e o" them% that i!% that =od o'ld complete hat hehad #eg'n.

%o the elect, or the elected. +t ma) #e a!$ed% ho co'ld thi! #e "o'nd o't% "or the election o" =od

i! hid% and cannot #e $non itho't the !pecial revelation o" the SpiritB and a! ever) one i! made!'re o" hi! on election #) the te!timon) o" the Spirit% !o he can $no nothing certain o" other!.

To thi! + an!er% that e are not c'rio'!l) to in>'ire a#o't the election o" o'r #rethren% #'t o'ght

on the contrar) to regard their calling% !o that all ho are admitted #) "aith into the ch'rch% are to

#e co'nted a! the electB "or =od th'! !eparate! them "rom the orld% hich i! a !ign o" election.+t i! no o#?ection to !a) that man) "all aa)% having nothing #'t the !em#lanceB "or it i! the

?'dgment o" charit) and not o" "aith% hen e deem all tho!e elect in hom appear! the mar$ o"=od:! adoption. *nd that he doe! not "etch their election "rom the hidden co'n!el o" =od% #'tgather! it "rom the e""ect% i! evident "rom the conte3tB "or a"terard! he connect! it ith the

sanctification of the S*irit( *! "ar then a! the) proved that the) ere regenerated #) the Spirit o"

=od% !o "ar did he deem them to #e the elect o" =od% "or =od doe! not !ancti") an) #'t tho!ehom he ha! previo'!l) elected.

Hoever% he at the !ame time remind! '! hence that election "lo!% #) hich e are !eparated

"or !alvation% that e ma) not peri!h ith the orldB "or he !a)!% according to the forekno+ledge

of God( Thi! i! the "o'ntain and the "ir!t ca'!e =od $ne #e"ore the orld a! created hom he

had elected "or !alvation.

-'t e o'ght i!el) to con!ider hat thi! precognition or "ore$noledge i!. ;or the !ophi!t!% inorder to o#!c're the grace o" =od% imagine that the merit! o" each are "ore!een #) =od% and thatth'! the repro#ate are di!ting'i!hed "rom the elect% a! ever) one prove! him!el" orth) o" thi! or

that lot. -'t Script're ever)here !et! the co'n!el o" =od% on hich i! "o'nded o'r !alvation% in

oppo!ition to o'r merit!. Hence% hen Peter call! them elect according to the precognition o"=od% he intimate! that the ca'!e o" it depend! on nothing el!e #'t on =od alone% "or he o" hi!

on "ree ill ha! cho!en '!. Then the "ore$noledge o" =od e3cl'de! ever) orthine!! on the

1


14/316

part o" man. Ke have treated thi! !'#?ect more at large in the "ir!t chapter o" the ,pi!tle to the

,phe!ian!% and in other place!.

*! hoever in o'r election he a!!ign! the "ir!t place to the grat'ito'! "avor o" =od% !o again heo'ld have '! to $no it #) the e""ect!% "or there i! nothing more dangero'! or more

prepo!tero'! than to overloo$ o'r calling and to !ee$ "or the certaint) o" o'r election in the

hidden pre!cience o" =od% hich i! the deepe!t la#)rinth. There"ore to o#viate thi! danger% Peter!'pplie! the #e!t correctionB "or tho'gh in the "ir!t place he o'ld have '! to con!ider the

co'n!el o" =od% the ca'!e o" hich i! alone in him!el"B )et he invite! '! to notice the e""ect% #)

hich he !et! "orth and #ear! itne!! to o'r election. That e""ect i! the !ancti"ication o" theSpirit% even e""ect'al calling% hen "aith i! added to the o'tard preaching o" the go!pel% hich

"aith i! #egotten #) the inard operation o" the Spirit.

%o the soourners( ;#4 The) ho thin$ that all the godl) are th'! called% #eca'!e the) are!tranger! in the orld% and are advancing toard! the cele!tial co'ntr)% are m'ch mi!ta$en% and

thi! mi!ta$e i! evident "rom the ord dis*ersion hich immediatel) "ollo!B "or thi! can appl)

onl) to the @e!% not onl) #eca'!e the) ere #ani!hed "rom their on co'ntr) and !cattered here

and there% #'t al!o #eca'!e the) had #een driven o't o" that land hich had #een promi!ed tothem #) the Lord a! a perpet'al inheritance. He indeed a"terard! call! all the "aith"'l

!o?o'rner!% #eca'!e the) are pilgrim! on the earthB #'t the rea!on here i! di""erent. The) ere

!o?o'rner!% #eca'!e the) had #een di!per!ed% !ome in Pont'!% !ome in =alatia% and !ome in-ith)nia. +t i! nothing !trange that he de!igned thi! ,pi!tle more e!peciall) "or the @e!% "or he

$ne that he a! appointed in a partic'lar manner their apo!tle% a! Pa'l teache! '! in4F0/0FI=alatian! /F. +n the co'ntrie! he en'merate!% he incl'de! the hole o" *!ia Minor% "romthe ,'3ine to Cappadocia. "#5

-nto o"edience( He add! to thing! to !ancti"ication% and !eem! to 'nder!tand nene!! o" li"e

#) o"edience, and #) thes*rinkling o" the #lood o" Chri!t the remi!!ion o" !in!. -'t i" the!e #epart! or effects o" !ancti"ication% then !ancti"ication i! to #e ta$en here !omehat di""erent "rom

hat it mean! hen '!ed #) Pa'l% that i!% more generall). =od then !ancti"ie! '! #) an e""ect'alcallingB and thi! i! done hen e are reneed to an o#edience to hi! righteo'!ne!!% and hen e

are !prin$led #) the #lood o" Chri!t% and th'! are clean!ed "rom o'r !in!. *nd there !eem! to #ean implied all'!ion to the ancient rite o" !prin$ling '!ed 'nder the la. ;or a! it a! not then

!'""icient "or the victim to #e !lain and the #lood to #e po'red o't% e3cept the people ere

!prin$ledB !o no the #lood o" Chri!t hich ha! #een !hed ill avail '! nothing% e3cept o'rcon!cience! are #) it clean!ed. There i! then to #e 'nder!tood here a contra!t% that% a! "ormerl)

'nder the la the !prin$ling o" #lood a! made #) the hand o" the prie!tB !o no the Hol) Spirit

!prin$le! o'r !o'l! ith the #lood o" Chri!t "or the e3piation o" o'r !in!.

Let '! no !tate the !'#!tance o" the holeB hich i!% that o'r !alvation "lo! "rom the

grat'ito'! election o" =odB #'t that it i! to #e a!certained #) the e3perience o" "aith% #eca'!e he!ancti"ie! '! #) hi! SpiritB and then that there are to e""ect! or end! o" o'r calling% even renealinto o#edience and a#l'tion #) the #lood o" Chri!tB and "'rther% that #oth are the or$ o" the

Hol) Spirit. "#EKe hence concl'de% that election i! not to #e !eparated "rom calling% nor the

grat'ito'! righteo'!ne!! o" "aith "rom nene!! o" li"e.

1 PETER1:3-3.-le!!ed #e the =od and ;ather o" o'r 3.-enedict'! (e'! et Pater (omini

14


15/316

Lord @e!'! Chri!t% hich% according to hi!

a#'ndant merc)% hath #egotten '! again

'nto a livel) hope% #) the re!'rrection o"

@e!'! Chri!t "rom the dead%

no!tri @e!' Chri!ti% >'i !ec'nd'm

m'ltam !'am mi!ericordiam

regen'it no! in !pem vivare% per

re!'rrectionem @e!' Chri!ti e3

mort'i!%

!.To an inheritance incorr'pti#le% and

'nde"iled% and that "adeth not aa)%

re!erved in heaven "or )o'%

!.+n haereditatem incorr'pti#ilem et

incontaminatam et immarce!ci#ilem%

repo!it'm in caeli! erga vo!%

.Kho are $ept #) the poer o" =od

thro'gh "aith 'nto !alvation% read) to #e

revealed in the la!t time.

.R'i virt'te (ei c'!todimini per

"idem in !al'tem% >'t parata e!t

revelari tempore 'ltimo.

Blessed "e God( Ke have !aid that he main o#?ect o" thi! epi!tle i! to rai!e '! a#ove the orld% in

order that e ma) #e prepared and enco'raged to !'!tain the !pirit'al conte!t! o" o'r ar"are.;or thi! end% the $noledge o" =od:! #ene"it! avail! m'chB "or% hen their val'e appear! to '!%

all other thing! ill #e deemed orthle!!% e!peciall) hen e con!ider hat Chri!t and hi!

#le!!ing! areB "or ever)thing itho't him i! #'t dro!!. ;or thi! rea!on he highl) e3tol! theonder"'l grace o" =od in Chri!t% that i!% that e ma) not deem it m'ch to give 'p the orld inorder that e ma) en?o) the inval'a#le trea!'re o" a "'t're li"eB and al!o that e ma) not #e

#ro$en don #) pre!ent tro'#le!% #'t patientl) end're them% #eing !ati!"ied ith eternal

happine!!.

;'rther% hen he give! than$! to =od% he invite! the "aith"'l to !pirit'al ?o)% hich can !allo

'p all the oppo!ite "eeling! o" the "le!h.

'nd Father of our Lord Jesus $hrist( nder!tand the ord! th'!% D -le!!ed #e =od ho i! the;ather o" @e!'! Chri!t. ;or% a! "ormerl)% #) calling him!el" the =od o" *#raham% he de!igned to

mar$ the di""erence #eteen him and all "ictitio'! god!B !o a"ter he ha! mani"e!ted him!el" in hi!

on Son% hi! ill i!% not to #e $non otheri!e than in him. Hence the) ho "orm their idea! o"=od in hi! na$ed ma?e!t) apart "rom Chri!t% have an idol in!tead o" the tr'e =od% a! the ca!e i!

ith the @e! and the T'r$!. Kho!oever% then% !ee$! reall) to $no the onl) tr'e =od% m'!t

regard him a! the ;ather o" Chri!tB "or% henever o'r mind !ee$! =od% e3cept Chri!t #e tho'ght

o"% it ill ander and #e con"'!ed% 'ntil it #e holl) lo!t. Peter meant at the !ame time tointimate ho =od i! !o #o'nti"'l and $ind toard! '!B "or% e3cept Chri!t !tood a! the middle

per!on% hi! goodne!! co'ld never #e reall) $non #) '!.

Who hath "egotten us again( He !he! that !'pernat'ral li"e i! a gi"t% #eca'!e e are #orn thechildren o" rathB "or had e #een #orn to the hope o" li"e according to the "le!h% there o'ld

have #een no nece!!it) o" #eing #egotten again #) =od. There"ore Peter teache! '!% that e ho

are #) nat're de!tined to eternal death% are re!tored to li"e #) =od:! merc). *nd thi! i!% a! it ere%o'r !econd creation% a! it i! !aid in the "ir!t chapter o" the ,pi!tle to the ,phe!ian!.Livel& or

living ho*e, mean! the hope o" li"e. "#Q*t the !ame time there !eem! to #e an implied contra!t

#eteen the hope "i3ed on the incorr'pti#le $ingdom o" =od% and the "ading and tran!ient hope!o" man.

'ccording to his a"undant merc&( He "ir!t mention! the e""icient ca'!e% and then he point! o't

the mediating ca'!e% a! the) !a). He !he! that =od a! ind'ced #) no merit! o" o'r! toregenerate '! 'nto a living hope% #eca'!e he a!!ign! thi! holl) to hi! merc). -'t that he might

15


16/316

more completel) red'ce the merit! o" or$! to nothing% he !a)!%great .multam/ merc&( *ll%

indeed% con"e!! that =od i! the onl) a'thor o" o'r !alvation% #'t the) a"terard! invent

e3traneo'! ca'!e!% hich ta$e aa) !o m'ch "rom hi! merc). -'t Peter commend! merc) aloneBand he immediatel) connect! the a) or manner% "& the resurrection of $hrist# "or =od doe! not

in an) other a) di!cover hi! merc)B hence Script're ever direct! o'r attention to thi! point. *nd

that Chri!t:! death i! not mentioned% #'t hi! re!'rrection% involve! no incon!i!tenc)% "or it i!incl'dedB #eca'!e a thing cannot #e completed itho't having a #eginningB and he e!peciall)

#ro'ght "orard the re!'rrection% #eca'!e he a! !pea$ing o" a ne li"e.

!.%o an inheritance( "#F The three ord! hich "ollo are intended to ampli") =od:! graceB "orPeter Ga! + have #e"ore !aidJ had thi! o#?ect in vie% to impre!! o'r mind! thoro'ghl) a! to it!

e3cellenc). Moreover% the!e to cla'!e!% Ato an inheritance incorr'pti#le% etc.% and Ato !alvation

read) to #e revealed% + deem a! #eing in appo!ition% the latter #eing e3planator) o" the "ormerB"or he e3pre!!e! the !ame thing in to a)!.

,ver) ord hich "ollo! i! eight). The inheritance i! !aid to #e reserved, or pre!erved% that

e ma) $no that it i! #e)ond the reach o" danger. ;or% ere it not in =od:! hand% it might #e

e3po!ed to endle!! danger!. +" it ere in thi! orld% ho co'ld e regard it a! !a"e amid!t !oman) change!O That he might then "ree '! "rom ever) "ear% he te!ti"ie! that o'r !alvation i!

placed in !a"et) #e)ond the harm! hich Satan can do. -'t a! the certaint) o" !alvation can #ring

'! #'t little com"ort% e3cept each one $no! that it #elong! to him!el"% Peter add!%for &ou( ;orcon!cience! ill calml) rec'm# here% that i!% hen the Lord crie! to them "rom heaven% A-ehold%

)o'r !alvation i! in m) hand and i! $ept "or )o'. -'t a! !alvation i! not indi!criminatel) "or all%

he call! o'r attention to "aith% that all ho are end'ed ith "aith% might #e di!ting'i!hed "rom there!t% and that the) might not do'#t #'t that the) are the tr'e and legitimate heir! o" =od. ;or% a!

"aith penetrate! into the heaven!% !o al!o it appropriate! to '! the #le!!ing! hich are in heaven.

.Who are ke*t "& the *o+er of God( Ke are to notice the connection hen he !a)!% that e are$ept hile in the orld% and at the !ame time o'r inheritance i! re!erved in heavenB otheri!e

thi! tho'ght o'ld immediatel) creep in% AKhat doe! it avail '! that o'r !alvation i! laid 'p inheaven% hen e are to!!ed here and there in thi! orld a! in a t'r#'lent !eaO Khat can it avail

'! that o'r !alvation i! !ec'red in a >'iet har#o'r% hen e are driven to and "ro amid!t tho'!and!hiprec$!O The apo!tle% there"ore% anticipate! o#?ection! o" thi! $ind% hen he !he!% that

tho'gh e are in the orld e3po!ed to danger!% e are )et $ept #) "aithB and that tho'gh e are

th'! nigh to death% e are )et !a"e 'nder the g'ardian!hip o" "aith. -'t a! "aith it!el"% thro'gh thein"irmit) o" the "le!h% o"ten >'ail!% e might #e ala)! an3io'! a#o't the morro% ere not the

Lord to aid '!. "#

*nd% indeed% e !ee that 'nder the Papac) a dia#olical opinion prevail!% that e o'ght to do'#to'r "inal per!everance% #eca'!e e are 'ncertain hether e !hall #e tomorro in the !ame !tate

o" grace. -'t Peter did not th'! leave '! in !'!pen!eB "or he te!ti"ie! that e !tand #) the poero" =od% le!t an) do'#t ari!ing "rom a con!cio'!ne!! o" o'r on in"irmit)% !ho'ld di!>'iet '!.Ho ea$ !oever e ma) then #e% )et o'r !alvation i! not 'ncertain% #eca'!e it i! !'!tained #)

=od:! poer. *!% then% e are #egotten #) "aith% !o "aith it!el" receive! it! !ta#ilit) "rom =od:!

poer. Hence i! it! !ec'rit)% not onl) "or the pre!ent% #'t al!o "or the "'t're.

-nto salvation( *! e are #) nat're impatient o" dela)% and !oon !'cc'm# 'nder earine!!% he

there"ore remind! '! that !alvation i! not de"erred #eca'!e it i! not )et prepared% #'t #eca'!e the

time o" it! revelation i! not )et come. Thi! doctrine i! intended to no'ri!h and !'!tain o'r hope.

1E


17/316


18/316

re"ractor) hor!eB he $ic$! and o""er! ever) re!i!tance% #'t all in vain. Then Peter commend! the

"aith"'l% #eca'!e the) illingl) 'ndergo !orro% and not a! tho'gh "orced #) nece!!it).

-) !a)ing% though no+ for a season, or% a little hile% he !'pplied con!olationB "or the !hortne!!o" time% hoever hard evil! ma) #e% doe! not a little le!!en themB and the d'ration o" the pre!ent

li"e i! #'t a moment o" time.0f need "e# the condition i! to #e ta$en "or a ca'!eB "or he p'rpo!ed

to !he% that =od doe! not% itho't rea!on% th'! tr) hi! peopleB "or% i" =od a""licted '! itho't aca'!e% to #ear it o'ld #e grievo'!. Hence Peter too$ an arg'ment "or con!olation "rom the

de!ign o" =odB not that the rea!on ala)! appear! to '!% #'t that e o'ght to #e "'ll) per!'aded

that it o'ght to #e !o% #eca'!e it i! =od:! ill.

Ke m'!t notice that he doe! not mention one temptation% #'t man)B and not temptation! o" one

$ind% #'t manifold tem*tations( +t i!% hoever% #etter to !ee$ the e3po!ition o" thi! pa!!age in the

"ir!t chapter o" @ame!.

$.Much more *recious than of gold( The arg'ment i! "rom the le!! to the greaterB "or i" gold% a

corr'pti#le metal% i! deemed o" !o m'ch val'e that e prove it #) "ire% that it ma) #ecome reall)

val'a#le% hat onder i! it that =od !ho'ld re>'ire a !imilar trial a! to "aith% !ince "aith i!deemed #) him !o e3cellentO *nd tho'gh the ord! !eem to have a di""erent meaning% he )et

compare! "aith to gold% and ma$e! it more precio'! than gold% that hence he might dra the

concl'!ion% that it o'ght to #e "'ll) proved. "#11+t i! moreover 'ncertain ho "ar he e3tend! the

meaning o" the ord!% Atried dokima>zesqaiand Atrial doki>mion.

=old i!% indeed% tried tice #) "ireB "ir!t. hen it i! !eparated "rom it! dro!!B and then% hen a

?'dgment. i! to #e "ormed o" it! p'rit). -oth mode! o" trial ma) ver) !'ita#l) #e applied to "aithB

"or hen there i! m'ch o" the dreg! o" 'n#elie" remaining in '!% and hen #) vario'! a""liction!e are re"ined a! it ere in =od:! "'rnace% the dro!! o" o'r "aith i! removed% !o that it. #ecome!

p're and clean #e"ore =odB and% at the !ame time% a trial o" it i! made% a! to hether it #e tr'e or

"ictitio'!. + am di!po!ed to ta$e the!e to vie!% and hat immediatel) "ollo! !eem! to "avor

thi! e3planationB "or a! !ilver i! itho't honor or val'e #e"ore it #e re"ined% !o he intimate! thato'r "aith i! not to #e honored and croned #) =od 'ntil it #e d'l) proved.

't the a**earing of Jesus $hrist, or% hen @e!'! Chri!t !hall #e revealed. Thi! i! added% that the"aith"'l might learn to hold on co'rageo'!l) to the la!t da). ;or o'r li"e i! no hidden in Chri!t%

and ill remain hidden% and a! it ere #'ried% 'ntil Chri!t !hall appear "rom heavenB and the

hole co'r!e o" o'r li"e lead! to the de!tr'ction o" the e3ternal man% and all the thing! e !'""er

are% a! it ere% the prel'de! o" death. +t i! hence nece!!ar)% that e !ho'ld ca!t o'r on e)e! onChri!t% i" e i!h in o'r a""liction! to #ehold glor) and prai!e. ;or trial! a! to '! are "'ll o"

reproach and !hame% and the) #ecome glorio'! in Chri!tB #'t that glor) in Chri!t i! not )et

plainl) !een% "or the da) o" con!olation i! not )et come. "#1/

%.Whom having not seen, or% Khom tho'gh )e have not !een. He la)! don to thing!% that the)loved Chri!t hom the) had not !een% and that the) #elieved on him hom the) did not then

#ehold. -'t the "ir!t ari!e! "rom the SecondB "or the ca'!e o" love i! "aith% not onl) #eca'!e the$noledge o" tho!e #le!!ing! hich Chri!t #e!to! on '!% move! '! to love him% #'t #eca'!e he

o""er! '! per"ect "elicit)% and th'! dra! '! 'p to him!el". He then commend! the @e!% #eca'!e

the) #elieved in Chri!t hom the) did not !ee% that the) might $no that the nat're o" "aith i! toac>'ie!ce in tho!e #le!!ing! hich are hid "rom o'r e)e!. The) had indeed given !ome proo" o"

thi! ver) thing% tho'gh he rather direct! hat a! to #e done #) prai!ing them.

1F


19/316

The "ir!t cla'!e in order i!% that "aith i! not to #e mea!'red #) !ight. ;or hen the li"e o"

Chri!tian! i! apparentl) mi!era#le% the) o'ld in!tantl) "ail% ere not their happine!! dependent

on hope. ;aith% indeed% ha! al!o it! e)e!% #'t the) are !'ch a! penetrate into the invi!i#le $ingdomo" =od% and are contented ith the mirror o" the KordB "or it i! the demon!tration o" invi!i#le

thing!% a! it i! !aid in 5F1101IHe#re! 111. Hence tr'e i! that !a)ing o" Pa'l% that e are a#!ent

"rom the Lord hile e are in the "le!hB "or e al$ #) "aith and not #) !ight. G4Q050EI

/Corinthian! 5EQ.J

The !econd cla'!e i!% that "aith i! not a cold notion% #'t that it $indle! in o'r heart! love to Chri!t.

;or "aith doe! not Ga! the !ophi!t! prattleJ la) hold on =od in a con"'!ed and implicit manner%G"or thi! o'ld #e to ander thro'gh devio'! path!BJ #'t it ha! Chri!t a! it! o#?ect. Moreover% it

doe! not la) hold on the #are name o" Chri!t% or hi! na$ed e!!ence% #'t regard! hat he i! to '!%

and hat #le!!ing! he #ring!B "or it cannot #e #'t that the a""ection! o" man !ho'ld #e led there%here hi! happine!! i!% according to that !a)ing%

AKhere )o'r trea!'re i!% there i! al!o )o'r heart. G400E/1IMatthe E/1.J

1e reoice, or% e e3'lt. He again re"er! to the "r'it o" "aith hich he had mentioned% and notitho't rea!onB "or it i! an incompara#le #ene"it% that con!cience! are not onl) at peace #e"ore

=od% #'t con"identl) e3'lt in the hope o" eternal li"e. *nd he call! it o& uns*eaka"le, or

'n'ttera#le% #eca'!e the peace o" =od e3ceed! all comprehen!ion. Khat i! added%full of glor&, or

glori"ied% admit! o" to e3planation!. +t mean! either hat i! magni"icent and glorio'!% or hat i!contrar) to that hich i! empt) and "ading% o" hich men ill !oon #e a!hamed. Th'!

2glorified3 i! the !ame ith hat i! !olid and permanent% #e)ond the danger o" #eing #ro'ght to

nothing. "#1Tho!e ho are not elevated #) thi! ?o) a#ove the heaven!% !o that #eing content ithChri!t alone% the) de!pi!e the orld% in vain #oa!t that the) have "aith.

#.4eceiving the end of &our faith( He remind! the "aith"'l here the) o'ght to direct all their

tho'ght!% even to eternal !alvation. ;or thi! orld hold! all o'r a""ection! en!nared #) i!

all'rement!B thi! li"e and all thing! #elonging to the #od) are great impediment!% hich prevent'! "rom appl)ing o'r mind! to the contemplation o" the "'t're and !pirit'al li"e. Hence the

*po!tle !et! #e"ore '! thi! "'t're li"e a! a !'#?ect o" deep meditation% and he indirectl) intimate!that the lo!! o" all other thing! i! to #e deemed a! nothing% provided o'r !o'l! #e !aved. -)

!a)ing receiving, he ta$e! aa) all do'#t% in order that the) might more cheer"'ll) go on% #eing

certain o" o#taining !alvation. "#14+n the meantime% hoever% he !he! hat the end o" "aith i!%

le!t the) !ho'ld #e overan3io'!% #eca'!e it i! a! )et de"erred. ;or o'r adoption o'ght no to!ati!") '!B nor o'ght e to a!$ to #e introd'ced #e"ore the time into the po!!e!!ion o" o'r

inheritance. Ke ma) al!o ta$e the end "or reardB #'t the meaning o'ld #e the !ame. ;or e

learn "rom the *po!tle:! ord!% that !alvation i! not otheri!e o#tained than #) "aithB and e$no that "aith lean! on the !ole promi!e o" grat'ito'! adoptionB #'t i" it #e !o% do'#tle!!

!alvation i! not oing to the merit! o" or$!% nor can it #e hoped "or on their acco'nt.

-'t h) doe! he mentionsouls onl)% hen the glor) o" a re!'rrection i! promi!ed to o'r #odie!O*! the !o'l i! immortal% !alvation i! properl) a!cri#ed to it% a! Pa'l !ometime! i! ont to !pea$%

D

AThat the !o'l ma) #e !aved in the da) o" the Lord.G4E0505I1 Corinthian! 55.J

1


20/316

-'t it i! the !ame a! tho'gh he had !aid A,ternal !alvation. ;or there i! an implied compari!on

#eteen it and the mortal and "ading li"e hich #elong! to the #od). *t the !ame time% the #od)

i! not e3cl'ded "rom a participation o" glor) hen anne3ed to the !o'l.

1 PETER1:1&-12

1&. 7" hich !alvation the prophet! haveen>'ired and !earched diligentl)% ho

prophe!ied o" the grace that !ho'ld come

'nto )o'

1&. (e >'a !al'te e3>'i!ier'nt et!cr'tati !'nt prophetee% >'i de "'t'ra

erga no! gratia vaticinati !'ntB

11. Searching hat% or hat manner o"

time% the Spirit o" Chri!t hich a! in them

did !igni")% hen it te!ti"ied #e"orehand the

!'""ering! o" Chri!t% and the glor) that

!ho'ld "ollo.

11. Scr'tante! in >'em a't

c'?'!modi tempori! artic'l'm

!igni"icaret >'i in illi! erat Spirit'!

Chri!tiB pri'! te!ti"ican! vent'"a! in

Chri!t'm a""lictione!% et >'ee

!e>''t'rae erant gloria!B

12. nto hom it a! revealed% that not

'nto them!elve!% #'t 'nto '!% the) did

mini!ter the thing! hich are no reported'nto )o' #) them that have preached the

go!pel 'nto )o' ith the Hol) =ho!t !ent

don "rom heavenB hich thing! the angel!

de!ire to loo$ into.

12. R'i#'! revelat'm e!t >'od non

!i#i ip!i!% !ed no#i! mini!tra#ant

haec% >'ae n'nc ann'nciata !'ntvo#i! per co! >'i vo#i! praedicar'nt

evangelit'm% per Spirit'm !anct'm

mi!!'m e coeloB in >'ae de!iderant

angeli pro!picere.

He hence commend! the val'e o" !alvation% #eca'!e the prophet! had their mind! inten!el) "i3ed

on itB "or it m'!t have #een a great matter% and po!!e!!ing pec'liar e3cellenc)% hich co'ld have

th'! $indled in the prophet! a !pirit o" in>'ir) re!pecting it. -'t !till more clearl) doe! =od:!goodne!! toard '! !hine "orth in thi! ca!e% #eca'!e m'ch more i! no made $non to '! than

hat all the prophet! attained #) their long and an3io'! in>'irie!. *t the !ame time he con"irm!

the certaint) o" !alvation #) thi! ver) anti>'it)B "or "rom the #eginning o" the orld it hadreceived a plain te!timon) "rom the Hol) Spirit.

The!e to thing! o'ght to #e di!tinctl) noticed he declare! that more ha! #een given to '! than

to the ancient "ather!% in order to ampli") #) thi! compari!on the grace o" the go!pelB and then%that hat i! preached to '! re!pecting !alvation% cannot #e !'!pected o" an) novelt)% "or the Spirit

had "ormerl) te!ti"ied o" it #) the prophet!. Khen% there"ore% he !a)! that the prophet! !earched

and !ed'lo'!l) in>'ired% thi! doe! not #elong to their riting! or doctrine% #'t to the privatede!ire ith hich ever) one #oiled over. Khat i! !aid a"terard! i! to #e re"erred to their p'#lic

o""ice.

-'t that each partic'lar ma) #e more evident% the pa!!age m'!t #e arranged 'nder certain

propo!ition!. Let the "ir!t then #e thi!% D that the Prophet! ho "oretold o" the grace hichChri!t e3hi#ited at hi! coming% diligentl) in>'ired a! to the time hen "'ll revelation a! to #e

made. The !econd i!% D that the Spirit o" Chri!t predicted #) them o" the "'t're condition o"

Chri!t:! $ingdom% !'ch a! it i! no% and !'ch a! it i! e3pected )et to #e% even that it i! de!tinedthat Chri!t and hi! hole #od) !ho'ld% thro'gh vario'! !'""ering!% enter into glor). The third i!%

D that the prophet! mini!tered to '! more a#'ndantl) than to their on age% and that thi! a!

revealed to them "rom a#oveB "or in Chri!t onl) i! the "'ll e3hi#ition o" tho!e thing! o" hich=od then pre!ented #'t an o#!c're image. The "o'rth i!% D that in the =o!pel i! contained a clear

/0


21/316

con"irmation o" prophetic doctrine% #'t al!o a m'ch "'ller and plainer e3planationB "or the

!alvation hich he "ormerl) proclaimed a! it ere at a di!tance #) the prophet!% he no reveal!

openl) to '!% and a! it ere #e"ore o'r e)e!. The la!t propo!ition i!% D that it hence appear!evident ho onder"'l i! the glor) o" that !alvation promi!ed to '! in the =o!pel% #eca'!e even

angel!% tho'gh the) en?o) =od:! pre!ence in heaven% )et #'rn ith the de!ire o" !eeing it. 9o

all the!e thing! tend to !he thi! one thing% that Chri!tian!% elevated to the height o" their "elicit)%o'ght to !'rmo'nt all the o#!tacle! o" the orldB "or hat i! there hich thi! incompara#le

#ene"it doe! not red'ce to nothing O

1&. f +hich salvation( Had not the "ather! the !ame !alvation a! e haveO Kh) then doe! he !a)that the "ather! in5uired, a! tho'gh the) po!!e!!ed not hat i! no o""ered to '!O The an!er to

thi! i! plain% that !alvation i! to #e ta$en here "or that clear mani"e!tation o" it hich e have

thro'gh the coming o" Chri!t. The ord! o" Peter mean no other thing than tho!e o" Chri!t% henhe !aid%

AMan) $ing! and prophet! have de!ired to !ee the thing! hich )e !ee% and have not !een

them. G4011QIMatthe 11Q.J

*! then the prophet! had #'t a limited $noledge o" the grace #ro'ght #) Chri!t% a! to it!

revelation the) ?'!tl) de!ired !omething more. Khen Simeon% a"ter !eeing Chri!t% prepared

him!el" calml) and ith a !ati!"ied mind "or death% he !heed that he a! #e"ore 'n!ati!"ied and

an3io'!. S'ch a! the "eeling o" all the godl).

11. *nd hat the) in>'ired i! pointed o't hen he add!, Searching +hat, or +hat manner of

time( There a! a di""erence #eteen the la and the go!pel% a veil a! it ere #eing interpo!ed%

that the) might not !ee tho!e thing! nearer hich are no !et #e"ore o'r e)e!. 9or a! it indeedproper% hile Chri!t the S'n o" righteo'!ne!! a! )et a#!ent% that the "'ll light !ho'ld !hine a! at

midda). *nd tho'gh it a! their d't) to con"ine them!elve! ithin their pre!cri#ed limit!% )et it

a! no !'per!tition to !igh ith a de!ire o" having a nearer !ight ;or hen the) i!hed that

redemption !ho'ld #e ha!tened% and de!ired dail) to !ee it% there a! nothing in !'ch a i!h toprevent them patientl) to ait a! long a! it plea!ed the Lord to de"er the time. Moreover% to !ee$

a! to prophecie! the partic'lar time% !eem! to me 'npro"ita#leB "or hat i! !po$en o" here i! nothat the prophet! ta'ght% #'t hat the) i!hed. Khere the Latin interpreter! render% Ao" "'t're

grace% it i! literall)% Ao" the grace hich i! to )o'. -'t a! the meaning remain! the !ame% + a!

not di!po!ed to ma$e an) change.

+t i! more orth) o" o#!ervation% that he doe! not !a) that the prophet! !earched according totheir on 'nder!tanding a! to the time hen Chri!t:! $ingdom o'ld come% #'t that the) applied

their mind! to the revelation o" the Spirit. Th'! the) have ta'ght '! #) their e3ample a !o#riet) in

learning% "or the) did not go #e)ond hat the Spirit ta'ght them. *nd do'#tle!! there ill #e nolimit! to man:! c'rio!it)% e3cept the Spirit o" =od pre!ide! over their mind!% !o that the) ma) not

de!ire an)thing el!e than to !pea$ "rom him. *nd "'rther% the !pirit'al $ingdom i! a higher

!'#?ect than hat the h'man mind can !'cceed in inve!tigating% e3cept the Spirit #e the g'ide.Ma) e al!o there"ore !'#mit to hi! g'idance.

11. %he S*irit of $hrist +hich +as in them( ;ir!t% Aho a! in them% and !econdl)% Ate!ti")ing%

that i!% giving a te!timon)% #) hich e3pre!!ion he intimate! that the prophet! ere end'ed iththe Spirit o" $noledge% and indeed in no common manner% a! tho!e ho have #een teacher! and

itne!!e! to '!% and that )et the) ere not parta$er! o" that light hich i! e3hi#ited to '!. *t the

/1


22/316

!ame time% a high prai!e i! given to their doctrine% "or it a! the te!timon) o" the Hol) SpiritB the

preacher! and mini!ter! ere men% #'t he a! the teacher. 9or doe! he declare itho't rea!on

that the Spirit o" Chri!t then r'ledB and he ma$e! the Spirit% !ent "rom heaven% to pre!ide over theteacher! o" the =o!pel% "or he !he! that the =o!pel come! "rom =od% and that the ancient

prophecie! ere dictated #) Chri!t.

%he sufferings of $hrist( That the) might #ear !'#mi!!ivel) their a""liction!% he remind! themthat the) had #een long ago "oretold #) the Spirit. -'t he incl'de! m'ch more than thi!% "or he

teache! '!% that the Ch'rch o" Chri!t ha! #een "rom the #eginning !o con!tit'ted% that the cro!!

ha! #een the a) to victor)% and death a pa!!age to li"e% and that thi! had #een clearl) te!ti"ied.There i!% there"ore% no rea!on h) a""liction! !ho'ld a#ove mea!'re depre!! '!% a! tho'gh e

ere mi!era#le 'nder them% !ince the Spirit o" =od prono'nce! '! #le!!ed.

The order i! to #e noticedB he mention! !'""ering! "ir!t% and then add! the glorie! hich are to"ollo. ;or he intimate! that thi! order cannot #e changed or !'#vertedB a""liction! m'!t precede

glor). So there i! to #e 'nder!tood a to"old tr'th in the!e ord!% D that Chri!tian! m'!t !'""er

man) tro'#le! #e"ore the) en?o) glor)% D and that a""liction! are not evil!% #eca'!e the) have

glor) anne3ed to them. Since =od ha! ordained thi! connection% it doe! not #ehove '! to !eparatethe one "rom the other. *nd it i! no common con!olation% that o'r condition% !'ch a! e "ind it to

#e% ha! #een "oretold !o man) age! ago.

Hence e learn% that it i! not in vain that a happ) end i! promi!ed to '!B !econdl)% e hence$no that e are not a""licted #) chance% #'t thro'gh the in"alli#le providence o" =odB and

la!tl)% that prophecie! are li$e mirror! to !et "orth to '! in tri#'lation! the image o" cele!tial glor).

Peter% indeed% !a)!% that the Spirit had te!ti"ied o" the coming a""liction! o" Chri!tB #'t he doe! not!eparate Chri!t "rom hi! #od). Thi!% then% i! not to #e con"ined to the per!on o" Chri!t% #'t a

#eginning i! to #e made ith the head% !o that the mem#er! ma) in d'e order "ollo% a! Pa'l al!o

teache! '!% that e m'!t #e con"ormed to him ho i! the "ir!t#orn among hi! #rethren. +n !hort%

Peter doe! not !pea$ o" hat i! pec'liar to Chri!t% #'t o" the 'niver!al !tate o" the Ch'rch. -'t iti! m'ch "itted to con"irm o'r "aith% hen he !et! "orth o'r a""liction! a! vieed in Chri!t% "or e

there#) !ee #etter the connection o" death and li"e #eteen '! and him. *nd% do'#tle!!% thi! i! theprivilege and manner o" the hol) 'nion% that he !'""er! dail) in hi! mem#er!% that a"ter hi!

!'""ering! !hall #e completed in '!% glor) al!o ma) have it! completion. See more on thi! !'#?ect

in the third chapter o" the ,pi!tle to the Colo!!ian!% and in the "o'rth o" the "ir!t ,pi!tle to

Timoth).

12. -nto +hom it +as revealed( Thi! pa!!age ha! #een !trangel) perverted #) "anatic!% !o a! to

e3cl'de the "ather! ho lived 'nder the la "rom the hope o" eternal !alvation. ;or it doe! not

den) that the prophet! '!e"'ll) mini!tered to their on age% and edi"ied the ch'rch% #'t teache!'! that their mini!tr) i! more '!e"'l to '!% #eca'!e e are "allen on the end! o" the orld. Ke !ee

ho highl) the) e3tolled the $ingdom o" Chri!t% ho a!!id'o'! the) ere in adorning it% ho

diligentl) the) !tim'lated all to !ee$ itB #'t the) ere #) death deprived o" the privilege o" !eeingit a! it no i!. Khat el!e then a! thi!% #'t that the) !pread the ta#le% that other! might

a"terard! "eed on the provi!ion! laid on it. The) indeed ta!ted #) "aith o" tho!e thing! hich the

Lord ha! #) their hand! tran!mitted to #e en?o)ed #) '!B and the) al!o partoo$ o" Chri!t a! thereal "ood o" their !o'l!. -'t hat i! !po$en o" no i! the e3hi#ition o" thi! #le!!ing% and e

$no that the prophetic o""ice a! con"ined a! it ere ithin limit!% in order that the) might

!'pport them!elve! and other! ith the hope o" Chri!t% ho a! to come. The) there"ore

//


23/316

po!!e!!ed him a! one hidden% and a! it ere a#!ent D a#!ent% + !a)% not in poer or grace% #'t

#eca'!e he a! not )et mani"e!ted in the "le!h. There"ore hi! $ingdom al!o a! a! )et hid a! it

ere 'nder covering!. *t length de!cending on earth% he in a manner opened heaven to '!% !o thate might have a near vie o" tho!e !pirit'al riche!% hich #e"ore ere 'nder t)pe! e3hi#ited at a

di!tance. Thi! "r'ition then o" Chri!t a! mani"e!ted% "orm! the di""erence #eteen '! and the

prophet!. Hence e learn ho the) mini!tered to '! rather than to them!elve!.-'t tho'gh the prophet! ere admoni!hed "rom a#ove that the grace hich the) proclaimed

o'ld #e de"erred to another age% )et the) ere not !loth"'l in proclaiming it% !o "ar ere the)

"rom #eing #ro$en don ith earine!!. -'t i" their patience a! !o great% !'rel) e !hall #etice and thrice 'ngrate"'l% i" the "r'ition o" the grace denied to them ill not !'!tain '! 'nder

all the evil! hich are to #e end'red.

Which are no+ re*orted to &ou, or anno'nced to )o'. He again mar$! the di""erence #eteen theancient doctrine and the preaching o" the go!pel. ;or a! the righteo'!ne!! o" =od i! revealed in

the go!pel% having a te!timon) "rom the la and the prophet!% !o al!o the glor) o" Chri!t% o"

hich the Spirit te!ti"ied "ormerl)% i! no openl) proclaimed. *nd at the !ame time he hence

prove! the certaint) o" the go!pel% #eca'!e it contain! nothing #'t hat had #een long agote!ti"ied #) the Spirit o" =od. He "'rther remind! them% that 'nder the #anner o" the !ame Spirit%

#) hi! dictation and g'idance% the go!pel a! preached% le!t the) might thin$ o" an)thing h'man

in thi! ca!e.

Which things the angels desire to look into( +t i! indeed the highe!t prai!e to the go!pel% that it

contain! trea!'re! o" i!dom% a! )et concealed and hidden "rom angel!. -'t !ome one ma)

o#?ect% and !a) that it i! not rea!ona#le that thing! !ho'ld #e open and $non to '! hich arehidden "rom angel!% ho ala)! !ee the "ace o" =od% and are hi! mini!ter! in r'ling the ch'rch%

and in the admini!tration o" all hi! #le!!ing!. To thi! + an!er% that thing! are open to '! a! "ar a!

e !ee them in the mirror o" the ordB #'t o'r $noledge i! not !aid to #e higher than that o"angel!B Peter onl) mean! that !'ch thing! are promi!ed to '! a! angel! de!ire to !ee "'l"illed. Pa'l

!a)! that #) the calling o" the =entile! the onder"'l i!dom o" =od a! made $non to angel!."or it a! a !pectacle to them% hen Chri!t gathered into one #od) the lo!t orld% alienated "or !o

man) age! "rom the hope o" li"e. Th'! dail) the) !ee ith admiration the magni"icent or$! o"=od in the government o" hi! ch'rch. Ho m'ch greater ill their admiration #e% at itne!!ing

the la!t di!pla) o" divine ?'!tice% hen the $ingdom o" Chri!t !hall #e completed Thi! i! a! )et

hidden% the revelation o" hich the) !till e3pect and ?'!tl) i!h to !ee.

The pa!!age indeed admit! o" a to"old meaningB either that the trea!'re e have in the go!pel

"ill! the angel! ith a de!ire to !ee it% a! it i! a !ight e!peciall) delight"'l to themB or that the)

an3io'!l) de!ire to !ee the $ingdom o" Chri!t% the living image o" hich i! !et "orth in the go!pel.-'t the la!t !eem! to me to #e the mo!t !'ita#le meaning.

1 PETER1:13-1"13. Khere"ore gird 'p the loin! o" )o'r

mind% #e !o#er% and hope to the end% "or the

grace that i! to #e #ro'ght 'nto )o' at the

revelation o" @e!'! Chri!t

13. R'are !'ccincti l'm#i! menti!

ve!trae% !o#rii% per"ecte !perate in eam

>'ae ad vo! de"ert'r gratiam% in

revelatione @e!' Chri!tiB

1!. *! o#edient children% not "a!hioning)o'r!elve! according to the "ormer l'!t! in

1!. Tan>'am "ilii o#ediente!% noncon"ormati pri!tini!% >'ae in ignorantia

/


24/316

)o'r ignorance ve!tra regnar'nt% c'piditati#'!

1". -eca'!e it i! ritten% -e )e hol)B "or +

am hol).

1". Propterea >'d !cript'm e!t% Sancti

e!tote% >'ia ego !anct'! !'m.G01144ILevitic'! 1144B 1/B /0Q.J

;rom the greatne!! and e3cellenc) o" grace he dra! an e3hortation% that it !'rel) #ehoved them

the more readil) to receive the grace o" =od% a! the more #o'nti"'ll) he #e!toed it 'pon them.

*nd e m'!t notice the connection he had !aid% that !o elevated a! the $ingdom o" Chri!t% to

hich the go!pel call! '!% that even angel! in heaven de!ire to !ee itB hat then o'ght to #e done#) '! ho are in the orldO (o'#tle!!% a! long a! e live on earth% !o great i! the di!tance

#eteen '! and Chri!t% that in vain he invite! '! to him!el". +t i! hence nece!!ar) "or '! to p't o""

the image o" *dam and to ca!t a!ide the hole orld and all hinderance!% that #eing th'! !et atli#ert) e ma) ri!e 'pard! to Chri!t. *nd he e3horted tho!e to hom he rote% to #e prepared

and !o#er% and to hope "or the grace! o""ered to them% and al!o to reno'nce the orld and their

"ormer li"e% and to #e con"ormed to the ill o" =od. "#15

Then the "ir!t part o" the e3hortation i!% to gird 'p the loin! o" their mind and to direct theirtho'ght! to the hope o" the grace pre!ented to them. +n the !econd par% he pre!cri#e! the manner%

that having their mind! changed% the) ere to #e "ormed a"ter the image o" =od.

13. Wherefore gird u* the loins of &our mind( +t i! a !imilit'de ta$en "rom an ancient c'!tomB "or

hen the) had long garment!% the) co'ld not ma$e a ?o'rne)% nor convenientl) do an) or$%

itho't #eing girded 'p. Hence the!e e3pre!!ion!% to gird 'p one:!!el" "or a or$ or an

'nderta$ing. He then #id! them to remove all impediment!% that #eing !et at li#ert) the) might goon to =od. Tho!e ho philo!ophie more re"inedl) a#o't the loin!% a! tho'gh he commanded

l'!t! to #e re!trained and chec$ed% depart "rom the real meaning o" the *po!tle% "or the!e ord!

mean the !ame ith tho!e o" Chri!t%

ALet )o'r loin! #e girded a#o't% and #'rning lamp! in )o'r hand!% G4/1/5IL'$e 1/5%J

e3cept that Peter do'#le! the metaphor #) a!cri#ing loin! to the mind. *nd he intimate! that o'r

mind! are held entangled #) the pa!!ing care! o" the orld and #) vain de!ire!% !o that the) ri!enot 'pard to =od. Kho!oever% then% reall) i!he! to have thi! hope% let him learn in the "ir!t

place to di!entangle him!el" "rom the orld% and gird 'p hi! mind that it ma) not t'rn a!ide to

vain a""ection!. *nd "or the !ame p'rpo!e he en?oin! !o#riet)% hich immediatel) "ollo!B "or hecommend! not temperance onl) in eating and drin$ing% #'t rather !pirit'al !o#riet)% hen all o'r

tho'ght! and a""ection! are !o $ept a! not to #e ine#riated ith the all'rement! o" thi! orld. ;or

!ince even the lea!t ta!te o" them !tealthil) dra! '! aa) "rom =od% hen one pl'nge! him!el"into the!e% he m'!t nece!!aril) #ecome !leep) and !t'pid% and he "orget! =od and the thing! o"

=od.Ho*e to the end, or% Per"ectl) hope. He intimate! that tho!e ho let their mind! loo!e on vanit)%

did not reall) and !incerel) hope "or the grace o" =odB "or tho'gh the) had !ome hope% )et a!the) vacillated and ere to!!ed to and "ro in the orld% there a! no !olidit) in their hope. Then

he !a)!%for the grace +hich +ill "e "rought to &ou, in order that the) might #e more prompt to

receive it. =od o'ght to #e !o'ght% tho'gh "ar o""B #'t he come! o" hi! on ill to meet '!. Hogreat% then% m'!t #e o'r ingratit'de i" e neglect the grace that i! th'! !et #e"ore '! Thi!

ampli"ication% then% i! e!peciall) intended to !tim'late o'r hope.

/4


25/316

Khat he add!%'t the revelation of Jesus $hrist, ma) #e e3plained in to a)! that the doctrine

o" the =o!pel reveal! Chri!t to '!B and that% a! e !ee him a! )et onl) thro'gh a mirror and

enigmaticall)% a "'ll revelation i! de"erred to the la!t da). The "ir!t meaning i! approved #),ra!m'!% nor do + re?ect it. The !econd !eem!% hoever% to #e more !'ita#le to the pa!!age. ;or

the o#?ect o" Peter a! to call '! aa) #e)ond the orldB "or thi! p'rpo!e the "itte!t thing a! the

recollection o" Chri!t:! coming. ;or hen e direct o'r e)e! to thi! event% thi! orld #ecome!cr'ci"ied to '!% and e to the orld. -e!ide!% according to thi! meaning% Peter '!ed the

e3pre!!ion !hortl) #e"ore. 9or i! it a ne thing "or the apo!tle! to emplo) the prepo!ition ejninthe !en!e o" eijv. Th'!% then% + e3plain the pa!!age% D o' have no need to ma$e a long?o'rne) that )o' ma) attain the grace o" =odB "or =od anticipate! )o'B ina!m'ch a! he #ring! it

to )o'. -'t a! the "r'ition o" it ill not #e 'ntil Chri!t appear! "rom heaven% in hom i! hid the

!alvation o" the godl)% there i! need% in the meantime% o" hopeB "or the grace o" Chri!t i! no

o""ered to '! in vain% e3cept e patientl) ait 'ntil the coming o" Chri!t.

1!.'s o"edient children( He "ir!t intimate! that e are called #) the Lord to the privilege and

honor o" adoption thro'gh the =o!pelB and% !econdl)% that e are adopted "or thi! end% that he

might have '! a! hi! o#edient children. ;or tho'gh o#edience doe! not ma$e '! children% a! the

gi"t o" adoption i! grat'ito'!% )et it di!ting'i!he! children "rom alien!. Ho "ar% indeed% thi!o#edience e3tend!% Peter !he!% hen he "or#id! =od:! children to con"orm to or to compl) ith

the de!ire! o" thi! orld% and hen he e3hort! them% on the contrar)% to con"orm to the ill o"=od. The !'m o" the hole la% and o" all that =od re>'ire! o" '!% i! thi!% that hi! image !ho'ld

!hine "orth in '!% !o that e !ho'ld not #e degenerate children. -'t thi! cannot #e e3cept e #e

reneed and p't o"" the image o" old *dam.

Hence e learn hat Chri!tian! o'ght to propo!e to them!elve! a! all o#?ect thro'gho't li"e% that

i!% to re!em#le =od in holine!! and p'rit). -'t a! all the tho'ght! and "eeling! o" o'r "le!h are in

oppo!ition to =od% and the hole #ent o" o'r mind i! enmit) to him% hence Peter #egin! ith theren'nciation o" the orldB and certainl)% henever the Script're !pea$! o" the reneal o" =od:!

image in '!% it #egin! here% that the old man ith hi! l'!t! i! to #e de!tro)ed.0n &our ignorance( The time o" ignorance he call! that #e"ore the) ere called into the "aith o"

Chri!t. Ke hence learn that 'n#elie" i! the "o'ntain o" all evil!. ;or he doe! not '!e the ordignorance% a! e commonl) doB "or that Platonic dogma i! "al!e% that ignorance alone i! the ca'!e

o" !in. -'t )et% ho m'ch !oever con!cience ma) reprove the 'n#elieving% neverthele!! the) go

a!tra) a! the #lind in dar$ne!!% #eca'!e the) $no not the right a)% and the) are itho't thetr'e light. *ccording to thi! meaning% Pa'l !a)!%

Ae hence"orth al$ not a! the =entile!% in the vanit) o" their mind% ho have the mind

dar$ened% #eing alienated "rom the li"e o" =od% #eca'!e o" the ignorance that i! in them.G4041QI,phe!ian! 41Q.J

Khere the $noledge o" =od i! not% there dar$ne!!% error% vanit)% de!tit'tion o" light and li"e%

prevail. The!e thing!% hoever% do not render it impo!!i#le that the 'ngodl) !ho'ld #e con!cio'!o" doing rong hen the) !in% and $no that their ?'dge i! in heaven% and "eel an e3ec'tioner

ithin them. +n !hort% a! the $ingdom o" =od i! a $ingdom o" light% all ho are alienated "rom

him m'!t nece!!aril) #e #lind and go a!tra) in a la#)rinth.

/5


26/316

Ke are in the meantime reminded% that e are "or thi! end ill'minated a! to the $noledge o"

=od% that e ma) no longer #e carried aa) #) roving l'!t!. Hence% a! m'ch progre!! an) one

ha! made in nene!! o" li"e% !o m'ch progre!! ha! he made in the $noledge o" =od.

Here a >'e!tion ari!e!% D Since he addre!!ed the @e!% ho ere ac>'ainted ith the la% and

ere #ro'ght 'p in the or!hip o" the onl) tr'e =od% h) did he charge them ith ignorance and

#lindne!!% a! tho'gh the) ere heathen!O To thi! + an!er% that it hence appear! ho pro"itle!! i!all $noledge itho't Chri!t. Khen Pa'l e3po!ed the vain #oa!ting o" tho!e ho i!hed to #e

i!e apart "rom Chri!t% he ?'!tl) !aid in one !hort !entence% that the) did not hold the head.

G510/1IColo!!ian! /1.J S'ch ere the @e!B #eing otheri!e im#'ed ith n'm#erle!!corr'ption!% the) had a veil over the e)e!% !o that the) did not !ee Chri!t in the La. The doctrine

in hich the) had #een ta'ght a! indeed a tr'e lightB #'t the) ere #lind in the mid!t o" light%

a! long a! the S'n o" 8ighteo'!ne!! a! hid to them. -'t i" Peter declare! that the literaldi!ciple! even o" the La ere in dar$ne!! li$e the heathen!% a! long a! the) ere ignorant o"

Chri!t% the onl) tr'e i!dom o" =od% ith ho m'ch greater care it #ehove! '! to !trive "or the

$noledge o" him

1( He +ho hath called &ou is hol&( He rea!on! "rom the end "or hich e are called. =od !et! '!apart a! a pec'liar people "or him!el"B then e o'ght to #e "ree "rom all poll'tion!. *nd he >'ote!

a !entence hich had #een o"ten repeated #) Mo!e!. ;or a! the people o" +!rael ere on ever)

!ide !'rro'nded #) heathen!% "rom hom the) might have ea!il) adopted the or!t e3ample! andinn'mera#le corr'ption!% the Lord "re>'entl) recalled them to him!el"% a! tho'gh he had !aid%

Ae have to do ith me% )e are mineB then a#!tain "rom the poll'tion! o" the =entile!. Ke are

too read) to loo$ to men% !o a! to "ollo their common a) o" living. Th'! it happen!% that !omelead other! in troop! to all $ind! o" evil% 'ntil the Lord #) hi! calling !eparate! them.

+n #idding '! to #e hol& li$e him!el"% the proportion i! not that o" e>'al!B #'t e o'ght to

advance in thi! direction a! "ar a! o'r condition ill #ear. *nd a! even the mo!t per"ect areala)! ver) "ar "rom coming 'p to the mar$% e o'ght dail) to !trive more and more. *nd e

o'ght to remem#er that e are not onl) told hat o'r d't) i!% #'t that =od al!o add!% A+ am heho !ancti") )o'.

+t i! added%0n all manner of conversation, or% in )o'r hole cond'ct. There i! then no part o" o'r

li"e hich i! not to #e redolent ith thi! good odo'r o" holine!!. ;or e !ee that in the !malle!t

thing! and almo!t in!igni"icant% the Lord acc'!tomed hi! people to the practice o" holine!!% in

order that the) might e3erci!e a more diligent care a! to them!elve!.

1 PETER1:1$-221$. *nd i" )e call on the ;ather% ho

itho't re!pect o" per!on! ?'dgeth

according to ever) man:! or$% pa!! thetime o" )o'r !o?o'rning here in "ear

1$. ,t !i Patrem invocati!% e'm >'i

!ine per!onae acceptione !ec'nd'm

c'?'!>'e op'! ?'dicat% in timoreconver!ante!% ternp'! incolat'! ve!tri

tran!igiteB

1%. ;ora!m'ch a! )e $no that )e ere not

redeemed ith corr'pti#le thing!% a! !ilver

and gold% "rom )o'r vain conver!ation

received #) tradition "rom )o'r "ather!B

1%. Sciente! >'d non

corr'pti#ili#'!% argento vel a'ro%

redempti !iti! U vana conver!atione U

patri#'! traditaB

22. P'ri"icante! anima! ve!tra! in

o#edientia veritati! per Spirit'm% in

/E


27/316

22. Seeing )e have p'ri"ied )o'r !o'l! in

o#e)ing the tr'th thro'gh the Spirit 'nto

'n"eigned love o" the #rethren% !ee that )e

love one another ith a p're heart "erventl).

"raternam charitatem non "ictam% e3

p'ro corde diligite vo! m't'

impen!V.

1$('nd if &e call on the Father( The) are !aid here to call on =od the ;ather% ho pro"e!!ed

them!elve! to #e hi! children% a! Mo!e! !a)!% that the name o" @aco# a! called on ,phraim and

Mana!!eh% that the) might #e co'nted hi! children. G014F1EI=ene!i! 4F1E.J *ccording to thi!

meaning al!o% e !a) in ;rench reclamer( -'t he had a regard to hat he had !aid #e"ore% Aa!o#edient children. *nd "rom the character o" the ;ather him!el"% he !he! hat !ort o"

o#edience o'ght to #e rendered. Heudges, he !a)!% +ithout looking on the *erson, that i!% no

o'tard ma!$ i! o" an) acco'nt ith him% a! the ca!e i! ith men% #'t he !ee! the heart% G01E0QI1Sam'el 1EQBJ and hi! e)e! loo$ on "aith"'lne!!. G/4050I@eremiah 5.J Thi! al!o i! hat Pa'l

mean! hen he !a)! that =od:! ?'dgment i! according to tr'th% G450/0/I8oman! //BJ "or he there

inveigh! again!t h)pocrite!% ho thin$ that the) deceive =od #) a vain preten!e. The meaning i!%that e #) no mean! di!charge o'r d't) toard! =od% hen e o#e) him onl) in appearanceB "or

he i! not a mortal man% hom the o'tard appearance plea!e!% #'t he read! hat e are

inardl) in o'r heart!. He not onl) pre!cri#e! la! "or o'r "eet and hand!% #'t he al!o re>'ire!

hat i! ?'!t and right a! to the mind and !pirit.

-) !a)ing%'ccording to ever& man6s +ork, he doe! not re"er to merit or to reardB "or Peter doe!

not !pea$ here o" the merit! o" or$!% nor o" the ca'!e o" !alvation% #'t he onl) remind! '!% that

there ill #e no loo$ing to the per!on #e"ore the tri#'nal o" =od% #'t that hat ill #e regardedill #e the real !incerit) o" the heart. +n thi! place "aith al!o i! incl'ded in the or$. +t hence

appear! evident ho "ooli!h and p'erile i! the in"erence that i! dran% D A=od i! !'ch that he

?'dge! ever) one o" '! #) the integrit) o" hi! con!cience% not #) the o'tard appearanceB then eo#tain !alvation #) or$!.

%he fearthat i! mentioned% !tand! oppo!ed to heedle!! !ec'rit)% !'ch a! i! ont to creep in% hen

there i! a hope o" deceiving ith imp'nit). ;or% a! =od:! e)e! are !'ch that the) penetrate intothe hidden rece!!e! o" the heart% e o'ght to al$ ith him care"'ll) and not negligentl). He

call! the pre!ent li"e asoourning, not in the !en!e in hich he called the @e! to hom he a!

riting !o?o'rner!% at the #eginning o" the ,pi!tle% #'t #eca'!e all the godl) are in thi! orldpilgrim!. G5F111IHe#re! 111%F.J

1%.Forasmuch as &e kno+, or% $noing. Here i! another rea!on% dran "rom the price o" o'r

redemption% hich o'ght ala)! to #e remem#ered hen o'r !alvation i! !po$en o". ;or to him

ho rep'diate! or de!pi!e! the grace o" the go!pel% not onl) hi! on !alvation i! orthle!!% #'tal!o the #lood o" Chri!t% #) hich =od ha! mani"e!ted it! val'e. -'t e $no ho dread"'ll)

!acrilegio'! it i! to regard a! common the #lood o" the Son o" =od. There i! hence nothing hich

o'ght !o m'ch to !tim'late '! to the practice o" holine!!% a! the memor) o" thi! price o" o'rredemption.

Silver and gold( ;or the !a$e o" ampli")ing he mention! the!e thing! in contra!t% !o that e ma)

$no that the hole orld% and all thing! deemed precio'! #) men% are nothing to the e3cellenc)and val'e o" thi! price.

/Q


28/316


29/316

itho't an) #lemi!hB had he had an) de"ect in him% he co'ld not have #een rightl) o""ered to

=od% nor co'ld he paci") hi! rath.

2&. Who veril& +as foreordained( He again #) a compari!on ampli"ie! the grace o" =od% ithhich he had pec'liarl) "avored the men o" that age. ;or it a! not a common or a !mall "avor

that =od de"erred the mani"e!tation o" Chri!t to that time% hen )et he had ordained him in hi!

eternal co'ncil "or the !alvation o" the orld. *t the !ame time% hoever% he remind! '!% that ita! not a ne or a !'dden thing a! to =od that Chri!t appeared a! a SaviorB and thi! i! hat

o'ght e!peciall) to #e $non. ;or% in addition to thi!% that novelt) i! ala)! !'!picio'!% hat

o'ld #e the !ta#ilit) o" o'r "aith% i" e #elieved that a remed) "or man$ind had !'ddenl)occ'rred at length to =od a"ter !ome tho'!and! o" )ear!O +n !hort% e cannot con"identl) rec'm#

on Chri!t% e3cept e are convinced that eternal !alvation i! in him% and ala)! ha! #een in him.

-e!ide!% Peter addre!!ed the @e!% ho had heard that he had alread) #een long ago promi!edBand tho'gh the) 'nder!tood nothing tr'e or clear or certain re!pecting hi! poer and o""ice% )et

there remained among them a per!'a!ion% that a 8edeemer had #een promi!ed #) =od to the

"ather!.

+t ma) )et #e a!$ed% *! *dam did not "all #e"ore the creation o" the orld% ho a! it that Chri!thad #een appointed the 8edeemerO "or a remed) i! po!terior to the di!ea!e. M) repl) i!% that thi!

i! to #e re"erred to =od:! "ore$noledgeB "or do'#tle!! =od% #e"ore he created man% "ore!a that

he o'ld not !tand long in hi! integrit). Hence he ordained% according to hi! onder"'l i!domand goodne!!% that Chri!t !ho'ld #e the 8edeemer% to deliver the lo!t race o" man "rom r'in. ;or

herein !hine! "orth more "'ll) the 'n!pea$a#le goodne!! o" =od% that he anticipated o'r di!ea!e

#) the remed) o" hi! grace% and provided a re!toration to li"e #e"ore the "ir!t man had "allen intodeath. +" the reader i!he! "or more on thi! !'#?ect% he ma) "ind it in m) +n!tit'te!.

But +as manifest, or mani"e!ted. +ncl'ded in the!e ord!% a! + thin$% i! not onl) the per!onal

appearance o" Chri!t% #'t al!o the proclamation o" the =o!pel. ;or% #) the coming o" Chri!t% =ode3ec'ted hat he had decreedB and hat he had o#!c'rel) indicated to the "ather! i! no clearl)

and plainl) made $non to '! #) the =o!pel. He !a)! that thi! a! done in these last times,meaning the !ame a! hen Pa'l !a)!%

A+n the "'llne!! o" time% G4F0404I=alatian! 44BJ

"or it a! the mat're !ea!on and the "'ll time hich =od in hi! co'n!el had appointed.For &ou(

He doe! not e3cl'de the "ather!% to hom the promi!e had not #een '!ele!!B #'t a! =od ha!

"avored '! more than them% he intimate! that the greater the amplit'de o" grace toard! '!% themore reverence and ardor and care are re>'ired o" '!.

21. Who "elieve( The mani"e!tation o" Chri!t re"er! not to all indi!criminatel)% #'t #elong! to

tho!e onl) on hom he #) the =o!pel !hine!. -'t e m'!t notice the ord!% Who "& him "elieve

in God7 here i! !hortl) e3pre!!ed hat "aith i!. ;or% !ince =od i! incomprehen!i#le% "aith co'ldnever reach to him% e3cept it had an immediate regard to Chri!t. 9a)% there are to rea!on! h)

"aith co'ld not #e in =od% e3cept Chri!t intervened a! a Mediator "ir!t% the greatne!! o" thedivine glor) m'!t #e ta$en to the acco'nt% and at the !ame time the littlene!! o" o'r capacit). 7'r

ac'tene!! i! do'#tle!! ver) "ar "rom #eing capa#le o" a!cending !o high a! to comprehend =od.

Hence all $noledge o" =od itho't Chri!t i! a va!t a#)!! hich immediatel) !allo! 'p allo'r tho'ght!. * clear proo" o" thi! e have% not onl) in the T'r$! and the @e!% ho in the place

o" =od or!hip their on dream!% #'t al!o in the Papi!t!. Common i! that a3iom o" the !chool!%

/


30/316


31/316

the) needed to #e clean!ed al!o "rom the de"ilement! o" the "le!h% a! Pa'l #id! the Corinthian!%

G4Q0Q01I/ Corinthian! Q1BJ#'t a! the principal 'ncleanne!! i! ithin% and nece!!aril) dra! ith it

that hich i! o'tard% Peter a! !ati!"ied ith mentioning onl) the "ormer% a! tho'gh he had!aid% that not o'tard action! onl) o'ght to #e corrected% #'t the ver) heart! o'ght to #e

thoro'ghl) re"ormed.

He a"terard! point! o't the manner% "or p'rit) o" !o'l con!i!t! in o#edience to =od. %ruthi! to#e ta$en "or the r'le hich =od pre!cri#e! to '! in the =o!pel. 9or doe! he !pea$ onl) o" or$!%

#'t rather "aith hold! here the primac). Hence Pa'l !peciall) teache! '! in the "ir!t and la!t

chapter o" the ,pi!tle to the 8oman!% that "aith i! "iat #) hich e o#e) =odB and Peter in *ct!%the "i"teenth chapter% #e!to! on it thi! e'log)% that =od #) it p'ri"ie! the heart.

-nto love of the "rethren,or% nto #rotherl) love. He #rie"l) remind! '! hat =od e!peciall)

re>'ire! in o'r li"e% and the mar$ to hich all o'r endeavor! !ho'ld #e directed. So Pa'l in the"ir!t chapter o" the ,pi!tle to the ,phe!ian!% hen !pea$ing o" the per"ection o" the "aith"'l%

ma$e! it to con!i!t in love. *nd thi! i! hat e o'ght the more care"'ll) to notice% #eca'!e the

orld ma$e! it! on !anctit) to con!i!t o" the verie!t tri"le!% and almo!t overloo$! thi! the chie"

thing. Ke !ee ho the Papi!t! ear) them!elve! #e)ond mea!'re ith tho'!and invented!'per!tition! in the meantime% the la!t thing i! that love hich =od e!peciall) commend!. Thi!%

then% i! the rea!on h) Peter call! o'r attention to it% hen !pea$ing o" a li"e rightl) "ormed.

He had #e"ore !po$en o" the morti"ication o" the "le!h% and o" o'r con"ormit) ith the ill o"=odB #'t he no remind! '! o" hat =od o'ld have '! to c'ltivate thro'gh li"e% that i!% m't'al

love toard! one anotherB "or #) that e te!ti") al!o that e love =odB and #) thi! evidence =od

prove! ho the) are ho reall) love him.

He call! it unfeigned, (ajnupo>kriton)% a! Pa'l call! "aith in 540105I1 Timoth) 15B "or nothing i!more di""ic'lt than to love o'r neigh#or! in !incerit). ;or the love o" o'r!elve! r'le!% hich i!

"'ll o" h)pocri!)B and #e!ide!% ever) one mea!'re! hi! love% hich he !he! to other!% #) hi!

on advantage% and not #) the r'le o" doing good. He add!%ferventl "or the more !loth"'l eare #) nat're% the more o'ght ever) one to !tim'late him!el" to "ervor and earne!tne!!% and that

not onl) once% #'t more and more dail).

1 PETER1:23-223. -eing #orn again% not o" corr'pti#le

!eed% #'t o" incorr'pti#le% #) the ord o"

=od% hich liveth and a#ideth "or ever.

23. 8egeniti non e3 !emine

corr'pti#ili% !ed incorr'pti#ili% per

!ermonem viventi! (ei et manenti!

in aetern'm.

2. -'t the ord o" the Lord end'reth "or

ever. *nd thi! i! the ord hich #) the

go!pel i! preached 'nto )o'.

2. er#'m a'tem (omini manet in

aetern'mB hoc a'tem e!t ver#'m

>'od ann'ntiat'm e!t vo#i!.

23.Being "orn again( Here i! another rea!on "or an e3hortation% D that !ince the) ere ne men

and #orn again o" =od% it #ehoved them to "orm a li"e orth) o" =od and o" their !pirit'al

regeneration. *nd thi! !eem! to #e connected ith a ver!e in the ne3t chapter re!pecting the mil$o" the ord% hich the) ere to !ee$% that their a) o" living might corre!pond ith their #irth.

+t ma)% hoever% #e e3tended ider% !o a! to #e connected al!o ith hat ha! gone #e"oreB "or

1


32/316

Peter collected together tho!e thing! hich ma) lead '! to an 'pright and a hol) li"e. The o#?ect.%

then% o" Peter a! to teach '! that e cannot #e Chri!tian! itho't regenerationB "or the =o!pel i!

not preached% that it ma) #e onl) heard #) '!% #'t that it ma)% a! a !eed o" immortal li"e%altogether re"orm o'r heart!. ;#1F Moreover% the corru*ti"le seedi! !et in oppo!ition to =od:!

ord% in order that the "aith"'l might $no that the) o'ght to reno'nce their "ormer nat're% and

that it might #e more evident ho m'ch i! the di""erence #eteen the children o" *dam ho are#orn onl) into the orld% and the children o" =od ho are reneed into a heavenl) li"e. -'t

2 pedro calvino

Documents