To guard them against the scoffers at God's judgment. fore by the holy pro phets, and of the com mandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: For it 2 V. 325 2 Peter unto you; in both which pose with which I wrote the former; in [both] SECT. I stir up your pure which, I stir up your sincere and upright minds, minds by way of refor such I hope they indeed are, in the rememmembrance: brance of those glorious principles of our holy 11. 1. religion, which may be of the greatest import2 That ye may be tance to your spiritual improvement. mindful of the words is my ardent desire, that in order to your adwhich were spoken beVancement in true religion, you may be mindful of the words which were spoken long before our own time, by the holy prophets who lived in remote ages; and also of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour, who hath condescended by our instrumentality, to send you messages upon which your salvation evidently depends; a method which Divine wisdom and love hath pitched upon, to accomplish that important and desirable end: Knowing this 3 first, as what is most necessary to be remembered and considered, that in the last days, which are now approaching apace, there shall come profane mockers, walking in a most scandalous and licentious manner, according to the impulse of their own ungoverned lusts and appetites: And they shall deride the hope of the faithful 4 followers of Christ, saying, "Where is the boasted promise and declaration of his coming, in which these silly deluded creatures reposed so great a confidence? For since the fathers of former ages are fallen asleep, all things remain just in the same state and situation as [they were] from the beginning of the creation; 3 Knowing this first, in the last days scof fers, walking after their that there shall come own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning coming for since the of the creation. that it was written after the destruction of Jerusalem, and expresses the triumph of profane men, when they saw that Christ did not come to judgment, as it was expected he would then do. He infers from hence, that this epistle was written not by Simon Peter the apostle, but some other Simon. But I confess, I see no reason at all for any such conclusion; nor do I perceive these scoffers were then actually come, but only predicted. b The commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.] Some translate this clause, The commandment of us the apostles of our Lord and Saviour; and would from hence infer, that Simon, who wrote this epistle, was not an apostle himself; but the version I have given, is most agreeable to the order of the original words. The learned author, whom I mentioned above, (sect. IV. note g) observes, that the apo the stolic constitutions affirm, there was a coun c Mockers.] Archbishop Tillotson ex- d Since the fathers are fallen asleep.] Mr. Grove would render it, for except that the fathers are fallen asleep; that is, That the inhabitants of the world are continually changing, and new generations rising instead of the old, all other things conti nue as they were. See Grove's Addit; Posthum. Serm. Vol. I. p. 200. e Whereby. 312 St. Peter would remind them of what they had been taught; SECT. and engagements, and all external privileges of church-communion, i. will be, if these vitals of christianity are wanting. In order to exVer. cite our indolent minds to pursue these Divine graces with a spirit in some measure proportionable to their excellence, let us frequently reflect on our speedy removal from this world and all its vanities; how soon we must enter upon eternity. O, how desir11 able then to enter on the kingdom of Christ, to be honoured with an abundant entrance into everlasting mansions, to be received as with a cordial welcome, to sail, as it were, into that blessed harbour with a full gale of consolation and joy! Be not deceived; God is not mocked; it is the invariable design of the gospel to produce and advance our holiness; it is the immutable constitution of the kingdom of Christ, that without it no man shall be permitted to see the Lord. (Heb. xii. 14.) SECT. ii. I. 12. SECT. II. . The Apostle, in the view of his own approaching dissolution, reminds his Christian brethren that their religion was firmly founded, as it was attested both by the miraculous voice from heaven, which declared Jesus to be the Son of God, and by the divinely inspired prophecies, which also bore testimony to him under that character. 2 Pet. I. 12, to the end. I WHEREFORE I will put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know ed in the present truth. not be negligent to them, and be establish 13 Yea, I think it in this tabernacle, to HAVE been exhorting you to cultivate the several graces of Christianity, and urging this as necessary for the security of your eternal 2 salvation; therefore I will not neglect, always to put you in mind of these things; though I am aware, that you already know them, and are well established by the instruction you have received in the present truth, relating to the practice of 13 these virtues. But I account it right and expedient, yea, what by my office in the church meet, as long as I am of Christ I owe to you, and my other brethren, stir you up, by putting as long as I am in this tabernacle, and inhabit you in remembrance: this frail mortal body, from which, God only knows how soon I may be dislodged, to stir you up by way of remembrance, and to endeavour to keep your hearts under as lively a sense of Di14 vine things as I can; Knowing that all these opportunities of service are confined within very this my tabernacle,even narrow limits; and that I must quickly put off this my tabernacle by death, even as our Lord Christ hath shewed me. Jesus Christ hath shewed me by an express pro Ι phecy, 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off as Our Lord Jesus For they had not followed cunningly devised fables. be able, after my de membrance. 16 For we have not followed cunningly de vised fables, when we made known unto you witnesses of his ma jesty. 313 ii. 2 Peter phecy, and that memorable action of his, when, SECT. just after his resurrection, he commanded me to follow him in token of my readiness to die for him, by the same kind of death which he 1. 14. 15 Moreover, I will suffered. (John xxi. 18, 19, 20) But I will 15 endeavour, that ye may endeavour, to the utmost of my ability, while it cease, to have these pleases God to continue me among you, that things always in re- you may have these things so familiar to your minds now, that ye may also every one of you have them in remembrance after my departure, when I shall have made my exit from the stage of mortality. For we have not been pursuing 16 after a series of artfully devised fables, while we made known unto the you power and coming of the power and coming our Lord Jesus Christ; they were not fallaciously of our Lord Jesus invented, nor rashly credited by us; but we were Christ, but were eye- eye-witnesses of his majesty, and of the solemn pomp and grandeur with which he appeared 17 For he received at his trausfiguration. For he then received 17 from God the Father, from God the Father illustrious honour and glory; honour and glory, when there came such a sublime honour was done him, and a refulgent voice to him from the glory was shed round about him, when such excellent glory, This is a voice was sent forth to him from the magnificent my beloved son, in whom I am well glory of the Shechinah, which then appeared pleased. so conspicuous and glorious, and made that ever memorable proclamation, This is my wellbeloved son in whom I acquiesce, (Mat. xvii. 5,) and in whom my soul is perfectly well-pleased. 18 And this voice And this voice which came down from heaven, 18 which came from heaven we heard when we, his three distinguished friends, James and we were with him in John, as well as myself, actually heard, when we were with him in the holy mount, which was, for the time, consecrated by the visible appear19 We have also a ance of the Divine glory upon it. And we 19 more sure word of pro- have a surer and firmer prophetical word, the do well that ye take evidence of which, on the whole, is far more heed, as unto a light extensive and important than that of any single that shineth in a dark miracle, how conspicuous soever: to which, place, until the day therefore, ye do very well to adhere, and to take heed to its contents, as to a lamp shining in a dark, the holy mount. phecy; whereunto ye dawn, a Surer prophetical word.] Some are of opinion that the apostle intended no romparison in this place, but that the compara. tive is used for the positive; so that it only signifies a very sure prophetical word. As in Heb. xiii. 23, Taxi is used for quickly. Acts xxv. 10, xanov for well. Compare 1 Tim. iii. 14; 2 Tim i. 17, 18. And Mixes for the least, Mat. xi. 11; Luke vii 28 Others assert, that the series of prophecies, when explained in the light of 314 ii. Reflections on the certainty of the Christian religion. ICT obscure, and gloomy place. Observe it there- dawn, and the day-star fore, and adhere to it, till the day dawn, and arise in your hearts: 2 Peter the morning star arise in your hearts, with re 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time I. 16. splendent beams, as the sure herald of an eternal by the will of man: but boly men of God spake as they were moved by Ver. 14 13 15 İMPROVEMENT, MAY that uncertainty, that frailty and brevity of human life, which the ministers of Christ are frequently inculcating upon others, be seriously considered by themselves. Let them remember, that they must quickly put off this tabernacle, and be dismissed from their present state of service; and while they have opportunity therefore, let them stir up the minds of the people committed to their charge, by way of remembrance, and give diligence to make such impressions upon their hearts, that when they themselves are laid down in the silence of the grave, and sleeping among the clods of the valley, by the recollection and improvement of the lessons they taught, survivors may be quickened in their preparation to b Lamp shining in a dark place.] Bishop Chandler supposes, prophecy is so called, because it grows gradually brighter and brighter, as it approaches nearer and nearer to its accomplishment. Bishop Chandler's Defence of Christianity, p. 23. quit Dr. Flem. Christology, Vol. I. p. 147. Clark and Mr. Baxter have understood this, as if the apostle had said, Scripture is not to be interpreted merely as speaking of this particular person of whom it lite rally speaks; but as having a further sense, c No prophecy of scripture is of private to which the expressions of the prophets impulse.] So I render επιλύσεως; and were over-ruled under the influence of the take it to signify, that men did not work spirit, in reference to the gospel-dispenthemselves up into such agitations, as led sation; in respect to which they somethem to utter the predictions and oracles times were carried further than they recorded. And this, I think, the origi- themselves were aware. Mr. Jefferies, nal will very well bear, and the opposi- (alter Dr. Hammond,) observes, that tion justify. To interpret it in opposition uw originally signifies a sign or to the right of private judgment in the in-watch-word given to the racers when they terpretation of scripture, is quite foreign to the apostle's purpose, as well as extremely injurious to common sense. See were to start. See his Review of the controversy between the author of the grounds &c, and his adversaries, p. 149. The Apostle cautions Christians against false teachers; 315 quit their dissolving tabernacles likewise, and to follow their pious SECT. leaders into the joy of their Lord. ii. 17, 18 It must undoubtedly yield us an inconceivable satisfaction as Ver. Christians, that we have not followed cunningly devised fables; that 16 the persons on whose testimony we rely as an authentic evidence to the truth of our haly religion, were eye-witnesses of the illustrious facts on which it is founded; and particularly, that important oracle, the voice from heaven, by which the true and living God declared Jesus of Nazareth to be his well-beloved Son, and recommended him to the obedient regard of all who reverence his own outhority, was, on the mount of transfiguration, distinctly heard by Peter, James, and John; who at the same time were eye-witnesses of his glory. Yet are we bound to acknowledge the Divine oracles of the Old Testament,and the numerous and various prophecies they contain, to be to us a superior, and more sure and incontestible evidence; let us therefore take heed to it, as a glorious light to our feet, and lamp to our paths. And let what is particularly said of the ancient prophets recommend to our regard the whole sacred volume; namely, that it was not written by pri vate impulse, but by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Let us receive it with the profoundest humility, not as the word of man, but as it is indeed and in truth the word of God, which is able to make us wise unto salvation; and let us follow its sacred illumination, 21 till at length it conduct us to the dawning of an eternal day, and to the rising of that bright and morning star, which will shine out hereafter with the full glory of the Sun of righteousness. SECT. III. The Apostle cautions Christians against false teachers; mentioning the judgments which God executed on the fallen angels, on the old world, and on Sodom, and the deliverance of Noah and of Lot, as consideratious which should, on the one hand, terrify the ungodly, and on the other, comfort and establish the hearts of good men. 2 Peter II. 1–9. 2 PETER II. 1. BUT there were false prophets also among the people, even I 2 PETER II. 1. SECT. iii. HAVE observed to you, that it was by a Divine impulse that the prophets delivered and as there shall be false wrote their predictions in former times; but 2 Peter teachers among you, they were not always regarded in a becoming II. 1 who privily shall bring in manner; for there were also false prophets among the |