fear sufferings from them nor to joyn with them in their evil wayes to eschew the same Hence Learn 1. Trouble and persecution cannot arise in the Church when wicked men please to plot it or set a time to the beginning of it were their power policy and malice never so great but only when that fit and prefixed opportunity as the word here signifieth is come which hath been condescended upon in the eternal councel of God who hath also determined how long the troubles of the Church shall continue Hab. 2.3 and at what period of time they shall end Psal 10â— 13 The consideration whereof should quiet and comfort the hearts of the Godly under their sufferings for it is here held forth as a ground of chearfull submission to a suffering lot that the time prefixed and fittest for that businesse as the word signifieth â—s come 2. The Church is the House of God whereof himself is both the Builder Psal 147.2 and the Foundation and chief corner-stone Isa 28.16 wherein he delighteth to dwell Psal 132.14 and which he will therefore protect and defend Zech. 2.5 wherein there should be every thing belonging to a well-ordered family 1 Tim. 3.15 especially holinesse in the members thereof Psal 93.5 for so the Church is here called The House of God 3. As the Lord is pleased sometimes to begin his judgments at the sins of men without the Church that thereby his own may take warning Zeph. 3.6 7. So he seeth it fitting at some other times to take another method and to begin at his own Church with sore corrections while his enemies who must drink the dregs of that cup whereof his own tast but a little Psal 75.8 Jer. 25.29 and 17.18 are spared that he may make use of them as a rod wherewith to scourge his Children Isa 10.5.12 that he may prove himself impartially just in correcting the sins of his own which are oftentimes more dishonourable to him than the sins of others Amos 3.2 for which and the like causes it is that judgment must begin at the House of God 4. Although there be no vindictive wrath in any of the troubles and sufferings of the Godly since Christ hath born that to the full Rom. 5.9 and so all his paths toward his own and consequently even persecution it self must be mercy and truth Psal 25.10 Yet those calamities wherewith the Lord exerciseth his visible Church may be called judgments not only because they are properly such to many wicked and profane with whom God dealeth by these calamities as a just Judge punishing unpardoned iâ—â—â—ities and because that same calamity which â—s a merciful trial to the Godly will be turned in a judgment to their persecutors as the Apostle importeth in the latter part of this Verse but also because even persecution it self and suffering for Christ and his Truth in reference to the Godly as they are alwayes acts of the Lord's love to them Heb. 12.6 So they may be also acts of his holy justice correcting and humbling them for those iniquities which he hath pardoned Psal 99.8 so that those same sufferings which the Godly endure for Christ and his Truth may be to them also fatherly chastisements for their faults which in Scripture are called judgments even upon the Godly Psal 119.75 for here the Apostle speaking of the trials and sufferings of the Godly saith Judgment must begin at the House of God 5. The trials and hard exercises of the Church are certain forerunners of a wofull end abiding the instruments thereof when the Lord hath done his work by them the consideration whereof should keep the Lord's People from fainting under their sufferings from wicked men and from inclining to joyn with them in their evil wayes for present case for if judgment first begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel 6. As the end of all wicked men even of these who have not heard the Gospel shall be everlasting destruction because they have not made use of those natural impressions of God and his Will that are left in them Psal 9.17 So the judgment abiding those who have heard the Gospel and would not suffer themselves to be perswaded to imbrace the blessed offers made therein nor give up themselves to Christ's obedience which is the description the Apostle giveth of those whom he here threatneth supposing them to have been hearers of the Gospel shall be so terrible as no words can expresse Therefore the Apostle useth this question which none can answer What shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel Vers 18. And if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear Here the Apostle cleareth his former argument to this purpose That if even justified persons and holy walkers had such a hard lot in the world that they could not but with great difficulty and through many fiery tryals win to the Kingdom of Heaven Those who did cast off all Religion and gave themselves up to all wickednesse might expect in the day of God's reckoning with them to find no place to shelter themselves from his everlasting wrath and therefore there was no reason why the Godly should fear them or joyn with them in their evil wayes to shun sufferings from them seing their end should be so terrible Hence Learn 1. Although the salvation of all that flie to Christ and take themselves to the study of holinesse be most sure in regard of Christ's undertaking to cause them persevere till they come to it Joh. 10.28 and the way to that salvation be in it self sweet Prov. 3.17 and in regard of Christ's large allowance of strength and comfort easie to the renewed man Mat. 11.30 Yet considering the many fiery trials that are in the way and the Believers own weaknesse it is no easie matter for them to win through to the possession thereof The consideration of which difficulty should be so far from discouraging them in the way that it should provoke them to put on much resolution to hold on that way in Christs strength notwithstanding all difficulties for not the possibility of the Elects losing salvation but the difficulty of attaining it by reason of many trials and their own weaknesse is imported in this expression as a motive to constancy If the righteous scarcely be saved c. 2. While the Lord's People are suffering and wicked persons prospering they should put their hearts frequently to consider how wofull and unspeakably terrible the end of these wicked enemies must be when they shall be forced to appear before their Judge and shall find no place to shelter them from his fierce wrath which shall pursue them to Hell and torment them there for ever that by such thoughts the suffering-Children of God may be moved neither to envie them for their present prosperity nor incline to joyn with them in their sinful courses for eschewing trouble from them Psal 37.1 2 c. and
the Lord's People and which will be comfortable to them and approven of God now and hereafter must be manifested in all the parts of their conversation both in their outward carriage and secret practice in their common affairs and religious performances in duties of Gods immediate Worship and in duties relating to their neighbour as is imported in this What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godlinesse 5. In the discharge of all the duties of holinesse Christians ought to look much to the qualification of their persons that they be reconciled with God through Christ and daily renewing the friendship by the exercise of godly sorrow for sin and a living faith in the Mediator and by keeping their hearts in frame for the particular duties of holinesse they are called to for the Apostle doth not put the question how holy ought our conversation to be but what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godlinesse 6. If the holiest on earth would put their conscience to speak to them after serious consideration of the terror and glory of the second coming of Christ they would be much unsatisfied with their present measure of holiness and would have their desires quickned and their endeavours strengthened after a further measure thereof as is imported in this question of the Apostles put to his own and others conscience What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godlinesse including himself ver 13. Vers 12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God wherein the Heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat The second use of the former doctrine is That the consideration of so dreadfull and glorious a day should make all the Lord's People live in the constant expectation thereof by their prayers and pains furthering these works which must be done before it come which use together with the former the Apostle beareth-in by a new representation of the glory and terror of that day Hence Learn 1. To live in the constant expectation of Christ's glorious appearance is both the duty of all the lovers of Him and a special mean to make them grow in holinesse Therefore is this expectation prest here by a word of the present time importing that it is both a perpetual duty in it self and a special mean of attaining to what is prest before What manner of persons ought ye to be c. looking for the coming of the day of God 2. Although the time of Christ's second coming be so fixed in the decree of God as that it cannot be altered Act. 17.31 Yet ought the Lords People to be no lesse earnest in â—astning their own preparation for it and by their prayers and other means competent to them in their stations furthering these great works to be done before than if that day could be hastned by them for the word in the Original signifieth not only our hastning toward that day but also our hastning of it See Isa 16.5 Looking for and hasting the coming of the day of God 3. It is safe for the Lord's Ministers frequently to represent to His People those Truths that are much contradicted by enemies of Truth that are but little considered by His People and which have greatest influence upon their practice to restrain them from sin and provoke them to duty for such is this Truth concerning the terror and majesty of the last day which the Apostle having spoken of before repeareth here again Wherein the Heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat Vers 13. Neverthelesse we according to His promise look for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousnesse Here is the third use of the former doctrine and it is for the consolation of Believers against all their pains and sufferings in Christ's service and especially against the losse that they may apprehend to be in the fore-mentioned dissolution of all things They have a more excellent state to look for a new World when the old is destroyed where only righteousnesse shall have its constant abode This promise of the new Heavens and the new Earth was first given out to the Church by Isa 65.17 and 66.22 and had some accomplishment as these places make clear at the return from Babylon which was a new World to the ruined and exiled State and Church of the Jews It is also made use-of by the Apostle Paul as having spiritual mercies in it such as conversion regeneration and the like which is as a new World to sinners for he marketh it to have accomplishment this way 2 Cor. 5.17 And yet this Apostle here leadeth Believers to expect more out of that same promise not any worldly or temporal felicity as Millenaries dream because it is a state promised after the day of judgment as fully satisfactory to Believers where no sin but only righteousnesse shall have its constant mansion which cannot agree to any earthly happinesse but must be understood of everlasting blessednesse set forth under these borrowed expressions Doct. 1. One and the same promise may contain several sorts of mercies both temporal and spiritual to be leâ—â—en-out at several times to the Lords People and yet may have its full accomplishment only in Heaven for such is this promise of new Heavens and a new Earth out of which Isaiah hath drawn temporal deliverance Paul spiritual mercies and Peter here everlasting blessednesse Many promises in Scripture are of the same nature e. g. That promise Isa 25.8 The Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces was in part accomplished when the mourning Church came rejoycing home from their exile in Babylon as is clear Psal 126. That same promise hath also been often made good in the Lord 's comforting of particular persons humbly mourning for their sins as appeareth by Psal 116.8 And yet that promise is to have its full accomplishment in Heaven as is clear by Rev. 21.4 The consideration whereof may serve to direct us to a right use-making of many promises 2. The state of Believers in the other life will be wholly new their bodies will be new like Christs glorious Body Philip. 3.21 their spirits also new 1 Joh. 3.2 their duration new a constant presentnesse of enjoying the Lord 1 Thess 4.17 Their exercises shall be new to sing new songs to the Lamb Rev. 5.9 and to follow Him where-ever He goeth Rev. 14 4â— Their cloathing shall be new glory and immortality 1 Cor. 15.53 New food and refreshment to eat of the Tree of life and drink of the Water of life Rev. 22.1 2. and a new light and sun to shine upon them the glory of God and of the Lamb being the light of that new World Rev. 21.23 All which are but borrowed expressions to set forth the glory of that Estate which cannot be fully set forth for even the Apostle not having
forth the praises of him 8. Even the Elect before conversion are living in grosse ignorance of their own miserable condition and the remedy thereof Eph. 5.8 in the slavery of their lusts Rom. 13.12 They are under a staâ—e of wrath as well as others Eph. 2.3 and so without any true comfort Eph. 2.12 All which in Scripture is frequently set out by this word darkness whereby the Apostle expresseth the state of the Elect before conversion 9. Conversion brings sinners into a state of light which comprehends some clear knowledge of their own misery Rev. 3.18 and the remedy thereof 2 Cor. 4.6 a new and spiritual life communicated to them whereby they are enabled to close with Christ and cleave unto him Joh 18.12 to walk in holiness of life Mat. 5.16 their living in his favour Psal 89.15 their having a right to glory Col. 1.12 and his allowance to rejoyce and comfort themselves in their blessed estate Rom. 5.2 All which are set forth in Scripture by this word whereby the Apostle expresseth the excellent state of Converted Ones Who are called out of darkness into his light 10. The blessed estate of true Converts is much to be admired by them considering the Lords wonderful condescendency in plucking them out of so woful a condition as they were in before his marvellous loving kindness in possessing them in such excellent priviledges as they have in their new state and giving them an undoubted right to so matchless an inheritance as cannot but surpass the power of their understanding to comprehend and so make them wonder at their own happiness which is here called marvellous light 11. The way how the Lord brings his own out of the state of nature which is here called darkness into the state of grace which is called light is by his calling of them by the Gospel 2 Thess 2.14 opening their hearts to receive it by the power of his Spirit comming along with it Act. 16.14 and so powerfully changing them into his own Image 2 Cor. 3.18 Who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light 12. These upon whom the Lord hath wrought this blessed change ought frequently to reflect upon their former woful state that they may be kept humble 1 Cor. 15.9 and compassionate to others who are yet in the like Tit. 3.2 3. and likewise upon their present blessed condition that they may be provoked to praise and to the study of holiness 1 Tim. 1.16 17. for which and the like causes the change of Believers from the one state to the other is here represented to their thoughts that they might shew forth the praises of him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light Vers 10. Which in time past were not a people but are now the people of God which bad not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy Here is a further description of that happy change wrought upon these Christian Hebrews to whom he writeth to wit that they who before their imbracing of the Gospel had not been owned nor dealt with by the Lord as his peculiar People in Covenant with him neither yet had enjoyed any of his special mercies were how made his in a more special way than others and had saving and special mercies offered to all of them and bestowed upon some of them So that Hosea's Prophecy chap. 2.23 concerning the restoring of the Jewish Nation after their rejection for a time had now a begun accomplishment in them especially in those of them who had felt the fore-mentioned remarkable change whereby they should be moved to live to the praise of him that made it Hence Learn 1. When the Lord speaks to his Church in one age or to some particular persons in it he doth often speak also to his Church in after-ages and to all the rest of his People who are to live afterward See Mark 13.37 and Heb. 13.4 compared with Josh 1.6 and therefore it is the duty of all his People to mark how far promises made long since to the Church oâ— particular Believers in it have their accomplishment toward themselves that so they finding what was long since spoken to others made good to them they may be the more affected with that ancient and constant love of God whose thoughts hath been upon them for good while he was speaking to others who lived many ages before them for the Apostle cites and applies this Scripture spoken by Hosea to the People in his time as now verified upon these Christian Hebrews to whom he writeth Which in time past were not a people c. 2. They that would delight in shewing forth the praises of God and have their hearts engaged to the study of holiness must learn to dwell upon the thoughts of their wofull case wherein they were before conversion and upon the blessed state whereunto through Gods mercy they are advanced and often to compare the one with the other that so they may be the more affected with the change and engaged to study his honour that made it for after the Apostle had in the former Verse represented this to their thoughts as a motive to holiness he doth here insist upon and represent the same again by a new enlargement of it which is mainly verified in true Converts Who in time past were not a people but are now the people of God c. Although the elect be the Lord's People from eternity in regard of his purpose of grace toward them Psal 90.1 2 Tim. 1.9 Yet in regard of any actual manifestation of special love to them or of his complacency in them as carrying his Image they are not his People but remain slaves to Satan Eph. 2.2 and to their own lusts Tit. 3.3 until such time as by his power put forth with the preaching of the Law their wofull case be discovered to them Luke 1.17 and by the same power coming along with the preaching of the Gospel they be made willing to accept the offer of Reconciliation through Jesus Christ Psal 110.3 and thereby also be fitted for the duties of new obedience for the honour of Christ Isa 43.21 All which as the places cited prove are marks of them whom he doth in a special way own for his People for of the chosen Generation the Apostle thus speaketh in reference to their state before and after conversion VVhich in time past were not a people but are now the people of God 4. Though there be not a sinner in the world who hath not many mercies of God freely bestowed upon him Psal 145.9 and many deserved strokes kept off him Rom. 2.3 Yet even the Elect before their conversion have not obtained that special mercy whereby their sins are actually pardoned Act. 3.19 and whereby the Lord hath complacency in them Ezek. 16.8 and so they cannot be justified actually from eternity for only of true Converts is the Apostle's speech here principally to be understood while he saith That in time past to
wit before their conversion they had not obtained mercy 5. The closing of sinners by Faith with Jesus Christ as the Gospel offers him to them doth bring them to a most sweet and excellent state namely to be owned and dealt with by the Lord as his People in a most special manner whom he will never forsake Psal 94.14 and to obtain mercy of him for pardoning their daily sinfulness Mica 7.18 for pitying and supplying as is fitting all their necessities as the word here translated to obtain mercy signifies and for bearing them through all the straits of their life Psal 23 6. and at last crowning them with glory 2 Tim. 1.18 All which is comprehended under this That they are now the people of God and have now obtained mercy 6. Of all miseries that can be exprest to live in an unconverted state under unpardoned sin is the greatest And of all priviledges in this world to be brought out of that state and to obtain mercy is the greatest and the most engaging to the study of holiness for the one is here held forth as the depth of misery and the other as the height of happiness and the change from the one to the other as one of the strongest engagements to duty lying upon those who in time past were not a people but are now the people of God who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy Vers 11. Dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul The Apostle repeateth and enlargeth that which he pressed in the first Verse of this Chapter in order to their spiritual growth to wit That they should keep up the battel against their inward unmortified lusts and this is prest by three arguments The first is taken from Christ's affection and the Apostle's toward them as being dearly beloved of both The second from their hard lot in the world that they were strangers and pilgrims which was verified in a special way of these scattered Hebrews to whom he writes And the third is from the hazard of the prevailing of these lusts which is no lesse than the eternal ruine of the soul Hence Learn 1. There doth remain even in those who are far advanced in mortification such swarms of sinfull motions and strong inclinations to evils yet in a great part unmortified in them and so prone are they to give way to them and to fall slack in the battel against them that they have great need of exhortation upon exhortation and of one motive upon the back of another to stir them up to that exercise for even these whom the Apostle supponed to have made some progress in mortification Chap. 1. ver 22. and whom he had exhorted to further progress therein in the first Verse of this Chapter he doth here again exhort very earnestly to the same by several arguments Dearly beloved I beseech you abstain from fleshly lusts c. 2. True mortification of sin consisteth not only in abstenance from the outward acts thereof but in the weakning of the root and power of sin within and the inclinations and desires of the soul after the acting thereof which are here called fleshly lusts in regard they tend to the gratifying and pleasing of the flesh and are acted by the outward man abstain from fleshly lusts 3. The best way for Believers to fit themselves for the shewing forth of the praises of God in their practise is To set about the mortifying of those motions and inclinations to sin that remain in their heart these being the cause of all the out-breakings which dishonour God in their conversation Jam. 4.1 for this exhortation may safely be taken as the mean of attaining to that which is the great end of Christians calling exprest in the former Verse That they may shew forth his praise they must abstain from fleshly lusts 4. The love of the Lord manifested toward sinners should be a very strong argument to move them to fight against these lusts which dishonour him and mar the sense of his love and the further manifestation thereof for this stile Dearly beloved may be taken as an argument to the duty prest and understood mainly of the love of God to his People because the Apostle Paul Rom. 9.25 citing the place which this Apostle cited immediatly before doth find in it this stile in reference to God and therefore this Apostle may be conceived to make use of it here in the same sense as a motive to the study of mortification Dearly beloved abstain c. 5. Those who presse people to the mortifying of their beloved lusts had need not only to entertain much love to them in their hearts that so they may deal earnestly with them but likewise by some prudent expressions of their love to them insinuate themselves upon their affections that so the stirring of their passions which are ready to rise when unmortified corruptions are touched both in good 2 Chron. 16.10 and bad Mat. 14.4 5. may be prevented Therfore the Apostle breaths forth his affection to this People which may be safely taken to be also comprehended in this compellation as following after Christ and moving the Apostle to much earnestness Dearly beloved I beseech you abstain c. 6. As it may be the lot of those who in regard of their right to the Covenant of Grace and the benefits thereof are no more strangers and foreiners but fellow-citizens of the Saints and of the Houshold of God to be separated from their native Country as these Christian Hebrews were to whom this is spoken So what ever their condition in the world be they ought to esteem and confess themselves as the best of God's Saints have done Heb. 11.13 strangers and pilgrims who are absent from their own Country 2 Cor. 5.6 and may expect hard usage in their way Gen. 31.15 who ought to lay aside every thing that may hinder them in their journey Heb. 12.1 and have their hearts still homward Heb. 11.16 who should take little pleasure in the delights that offer themselves in the course of their pilgrimage Gen. 23.4 and esteem it a great honour to get leave to do any piece of service to God while they are upon their journey 1 Chron. 29.15 and should count much of any mercifull providence they meet with Ruth 2.10 and make their case an argument to God for his pity and kindness Psal 119.19 and a motive to themselves to abstain from every thing that may hinder them in their journey homward for this is brought in by the Apostle as an argument to all the duties of holiness and especially to the study of mortification that they were strangers and pilgrims 7. The inward motions of unmortified corruptions which are in the Godly do not only fight against the welfare of their bodies Prov. 14. 30. against that light and knowledge of God which is in their understandings Rom. 7.23 and against the graces and motions of God's
in duties a great remnant of hypocrisie deadnesse and unwillingnesse to the practice of many known duties for the Apostle findeth it necessary to write two Epistles for the up-stirring of pure minds or as the word in the Original signifieth minds so sincere that they may be judged by the Sun 5. The Word of the Lord hath most weight with People when not only they that carry it to them are holy and so esteemed by the People but the minds of the hearers are carried above the Messengers to Jesus Christ and their hearts in hearing or reading are filled with some sense of His Soveraignity who doth imploy those Messengers and of His usefulnesse for them in all His Offices Therefore that the Word which the Apostle here exhorteth them to study may have the more weight he leadeth them not only to look upon the Messengers that carried it as holy men but to consider the soveraignity excellency and usefulnesse of Christ in His Offices to which He is anointed Be mindfull of the Words which were spoken by the holy Prophets and of the Commandments of us the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 6. The way to keep life in the affections of the Lord's People is to have their wit and memory actually exercised about the Truths of God both the Prophesies and Promises of good to the Church and People of God and to presse the Precepts enjoyning their duty for that the Apostle may gain his principal scope to wit the rousing up of their affections he maketh this his speech subordinate thereto That they might be mindful of the Words that were spoken before by the holy Prophets and of the Commandments of the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 7. Although the Lord hath letten forth His mind to His Church by little and little in several Ages of the World and by several Messengers Heb. 1.1 Yet is there such a compleat harmony among all the parts of His Mind that all serve for one and the same principal scope the up-stirring of the Lord's People to a hearty receiving and use-making of Christ and His Truth for unto this scope the Apostle here affirmeth that the whole Doctrine both of the Prophets and Apostles did harmoniously tend Vers 3. Knowing this first that there shall come in the last dayes scoffers walking after their own lusts 4. And saying Where is the promise of His coming For since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation That the Apostle may attain his fore-mentioned scope he doth forewarn of the rise of profane mockers toward the end of time who that they might sin the more securely should question the second coming of Christ and plead for an eternity of this present World pretending this reason for it That since the whole frame of Nature had kept one constant tenour and course since the death of Adam Seth Enos and the rest of the first fathers it was not to them credible that ever there should be such a change as was foretold to be at the day of judgment Doct. 1. Variety of very fierce and discouraging opposition in the way of Christ and that from several sorts of enemies is the lot wherewith the Church and People of Christ may resolve to be exercised for the Apostle having forewarned of and guarded against open persecutors in the former Epistle subtil and fair pretending Hereticks in the former Chapter he doth here forewarn ofâ— and guard against a third sort to wit profane scoffers of Christ's second coming 2. The consideration of the hazard that the best are in of being drawn aside some one way or other from the Truth and Way of Christ by such variety of opposition as they ordinarily meet with ought both to stir up Ministers carefully to warn and guard People against the same and People to the use-making of their pains for after the Apostle had guarded against open persecutors and cunning deceivers he doth here bring in the forewarning of the third sort of enemies scoffers which may be taken both for a reason of his pains in writing two Epistles as also for a reason why they should be stirred up by what he had written Knowing this that besides furious persecutors and subtil deceivers they should also be exercised with profane scoffers They who have not been terrified by the first sort nor deceived by the second are in hazard to be discouraged by the third 3. The certainty and necessity of being exercised with variety of opposition in the Way of Christ is one of the principles of Christianity which ought to be held in the first place by all that resolve to adhere to any other saving Truth they who do not first know this and notwithstanding thereof resolve upon adherance to the Truth in Christ's strength will readily when they meet with such a lot be surprised therewith and either forsake the Truth or faint in their adherance to it Therefore the Apostle would have them knowing this first that after several other sorts of enemies there were also to come in the last dayes scoffers 4. There are no such pure or peaceable times to be expected by the Church and People of God within time wherein the fore-mentioned lot is not to be expected they who dream of the best times to the Church on Earth look for them toward the end of time and yet the Spirit of God here forwarneth that beside the rage of persecutors and prevailing of hereticks there shall come in the last dayes scoffers 5. It is a clear evidence that men are slaves to their lusts when they do strongly desire an eternall enjoyment of this present world and labour to banish out of their own hearts the thoughts of a day of judgment Yea their so doing is also the cause why they give up themselves to the service of their lusts the believing consideration of the terror of that day to the wicked being a special help to mortification and of the sweetnesse thereof to the Godly a special encouragement in the battel against corruption for their scoffing at the promise of Christ's second coming may be looked upon here both as the evidence and cause of their walking after their ungodly lusts 6. When men are left of God to vile opinions for not receiving the Truth in love they are then oftentimes plagued further not only with devilish wit to find out seeming reasons for the defence of them very plausible to themselves and others like themselves but also to take manifest falshoods for undeniable grounds of their errors for these mockers here lay all the weight of their blasphemous opinion upon this seeming reason That since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were c. which appeareth from the Apostle's contrary instance ver 6. to be a manifest falshood 7. Although it be a sweet mercy much to be acknowledged by the Lord's People that things in nature do ordinarily keep one constant
course and that they are not terrified with the frequent change thereof but may be thereby confirmed in the faith of the Lords constancy and faithfulnesse as David was Psal 119.90 91. Yet men that are in love with their lusts do make a wofull use of the consideration thereof hardening themselves in their conceit that there shall never be a change that so they may sin the more securely for thus did these scoffers abuse this mercy taking occasion there-from to question the promise of Christ's second coming and to walk the more boldly after their ungodly lusts since all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation Vers 5. For this they willingly are ignorant of that by the Word of God the Heavens were of old and the Earth standing out of the Water and in the Water 6. Whereby the World that then was being overflowed with Water perished 7. But the Heavens and the Earth which are now by the same Word are kept in store reserved unto Fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men Because these mockers did pretend reason for their blasphemous opinion the Apostle taketh pains to confute it by several reasons such as they did not love to understand The first taken from the work of Creation is That the whole fabrick of the Heavens was set up by a Word of God's The second taken from an ordinary and daily work of Providence is That the Earth being the lowest and heaviest of the Elements is by His Word kept from being overflowed by the Waters that go about it and cover it in many places ver 5. The third taken from an extraordinary work of Providence is That by a Word of His letting out the Waters to their natural course the whole Earth was once overflowed in the time of the floud ver 6. The conclusion drawn from these three is That His Word is a sufficient ground for us to believe that He shall come again to judgment and that this whole frame of Nature is keeping to the fore as fewel to burn up all the ungodly especially profane mockers of that day ver 7. Hence Learn 1. When vile blasphemies are not only boldly vented but maintained with some shew of reason to make them taking with people they ought then to be solidly confuted and born down with strength of reason grounded upon the Scripture Though otherwise when they are only simply or rashly asserted and are not taking with hearers it is sufficient to reject them with detestation and expressions of our abhorrency of them for because this blasphemy had a seeming reason to back it with the Apostle taketh pains to confute it by many solid reasons drawn from the Scriptures 2. They that are in love with their lusts and errors they love also to be ignorant of these Truths the knowledge whereof might disquiet them in following their lusts and maintaining their errors Yea they would willingly be ignorant of what they do know that so they might sin the more securely for these men here whom the faith of a day of judgment could not but terrifie are discovered to be willingly ignorant of these things that might have helped them to believe it 3. As the whole frame of Nature had its being and hath its subsistance by the Word of God So the believing consideration of this is sufficient to make the most unlikely thing that God hath promised to be credible to us They who look right upon what God hath already done by a Word will never think any thing He hath promised or foretold impossible for the Apostle giveth this as a sufficient confutation of their blasphemous mockery at the promised appearance of Christ That since by the Word of the Lord the Heavens were of old and the Earth standing out of the Water and in the Water it is not incredible that all shall be taken down with as little difficulty as it was at first set up and hath hitherto been upheld which is the force of the Apostle's reasoning here 4. It is a standing miracle of Nature that the Earth is not overflowed by the Water while one part of it is covered therewith and another not whereof though some probable natural reasons may be given Yet all will not satisfie till we look to God's Decree of Providence and His executing thereof by His Word by which the Earth is standing out of the Water and in the Water 5. However error when it is looked upon alone as the cunning craftinesse of men usually representeth it may seem to have a kind of likelihood and probability Yet when it is compared with the clear light of the Truth shining upon it it doth manifestly appear to be a lying deceit for that plausible assertion All things continue as they were from the beginning ver 4. wherewith these scoffers laboured to weaken the faith of a day of judgment is clearly discovered to be a manifest lie by this contrary instance ver 6. The World that then to wit before the floud was being overflowed with Water perished 6. Particular judgments upon some wicked men while others are spared do prove that there shall be a general judgment for seing some are justly punished here and others deserving no lesse are spared He who is immutably and impartially just must have a day for judging these afterward who are spared in time Therefore doth the Apostle bring in the instance of the floud upon the ungodly World not only as a contradiction to their assertion ver 4. but as a proof against them of a day of judgment The World being overflowed with Water perished 7. The day of Christ's second coming will be a most dreadfull and terrible day to all ungodly men who banish the thoughts of it and desire eternally to possesse this present World and the pleasures thereof when they shall see all those creatures which they have abused to serve them in their serving of their lusts burning fewel to kindle as it were that flame which shall burn them up for ever and ever and shall not be so happy as to be destroyed with the rest of the creatures but shall then enter into their never-ending torment for the Heavens and the Earth which are now are kept in store reserved unto Fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men Vers 8. But Beloved be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day The Apostle having by strength of reason drawn from Scripture overthrown the opinion of these mockers of Christ's second coming He doth in this and the two following Verses hold forth three reasons which may satisfie the Godly concerning the delay thereof The first which is in this Verse is That the delay ought not to be judged of according to our sense or apprehension but according to the duration of God with whom that space of time which seemeth very long to us is but as one day and