Chapter 1: verse 7. faith is said to be more precious then gold that (3)

2. To exhort us, to give God thanks, that we live in those Churches, out of which all such old wives fables are wholly removed, and wherein nothing is proposed but the sincere word of God.

Doctrine 2. _All those professors of the faith that do not adde vertue unto faith; and all those Preachers that do not with zeale and constancy stirre up the faithfull to labour for vertue, do greatly dishonour the Gospell, as if it were of the same nature with cunningly devised fables._

This is gathered from the connexion of these words with the words foregoing, which were explained in the Analysis. For this is the force of the Apostles reason; If I did account the truth of the Gospell like unto a cunningly devised fable, I could not so earnestly, and with such constancy stir you up to imbrace and adorne it; nor could ye receive those things that we have spoken of, without an endeavour to abound in vertue, if ye did not account them like unto cunningly devised fables.

_Use_ 1. This may serve to admonish, 1. All Preachers to beware of carelessenesse and negligence in stirring up the people unto piety. And 2. All the faithfull also to beware of luke-warme and unfruitfull profession of the faith. For neither of them can be without an implicit and vertuall blasphemy. And they that so carry themselves, although they do not in words; yet they do in their deeds confesse, and make it to appeare, that they make no more account of the Gospell, then of an old wives fable.

2. To exhort us, to give all diligence to sanctify, as it were, the Gospell of Christ which we professe, and to shew it in our lives, that we think farre otherwise of the nature of it, then the profane multitude doth.

Doctrine 3. _The summe of the Gospell consists in declaring the power and comming of Christ._

This is gathered from these words, _We made knowne unto you the power and comming of our Lord Iesus Christ_. For his power hath respect unto his divine nature, together with the effects thereof, _Romans 1.4._ And his comming hath respect unto his humane nature, together with the end and benefit of his incarnation. Now if these two be joyned together, namely, that Christ came to save us, and that he came with power, so that he had all sufficiency & efficacy at his comming, nothing more can be desired to comfort the faithfull.

_Vse_ 1. This may serve to admonish, 1. Preachers, to make the power and comming of Christ the center as it were of all their Sermons. The Apostle, _1 Corinthians 2.2._ _Determined to know nothing save Iesus Christ and him crucified_, & then also, 2. the hearers, to have a speciall eye unto that in the hearing of Sermons, how they may profit in the understanding of this mystery.

2. To exhort us, to fetch all the obedience which we performe unto God, from him as from the fountaine. For whatsoever duties flow not from the power and comming of Christ, are not Evangelicall, but are infected with hypocrisie, or consist in civility.

Doctrine 4. _The certainty of this Gospell, even as it may be had after the manner of men, is as great as any we can have of any things that are done and past._

This is gathered from these words; _We have seene, we have heard_. For it is confirmed by the testimony of those, that sensibly perceived it; who by the confession of all were men at least worthy to be believed, having no reason to witnesse any otherwise then the thing it selfe was; in regard that they could not expect to receive any profit thereby from men; and being such as confirmed it unto us, not by the bare testimony of their words, but also with their life and blood: so that even after the manner of men we may be as certaine of the Gospell as we are, that there was sometimes a Monarchy of the Assyrians, Grecians, Romans: that there were Captaines, and Knights, of such and such a countrey, or the like.

_Vse_ 1. This may serve to reprove and condemne the perversnesse of men, who easily believe all other things, though there be but weak arguments to confirme it; but they can scarce be brought to receive the Gospell of salvation.

2. To exhort us to strengthen our faith with such like reasons, even to the full assurance thereof, _1 Iohn 1.3,4._ For although we our selves have not seene these things, yet we must as strongly and firmely believe them, as if we our selves had seene them with our eyes, _Iohn 20.29._ This pertaines unto the thankfulnesse which we ♦owen to God, that he would not barely declare unto us his will, but also confirme it by testimonies, _Luke 1.2._ For this was one of the speciall offices of the Apostles, to witnesse those things which they had seene of Christ, _Acts 1.22._ & _2.32._

♦ “oweu” replaced with “owen”

Doctrine 5. _A great Majesty was sensibly perceived by the Apostles._

This is gathered from these words, _We have seene his Majestie_. So great was this Majestie, that the Disciples could not beare it, _Matthew 17.6._ It astonished and amazed _Peter_, _Marke 9.6._

_Vse_ 1. This may serve to instruct us, to conceive by this proofe, how great the glory and Majestie of Christ is now in Heaven, how great it shall be at the last day, and how great we also shall be made in the life to come.

2. To exhort us, to have Christ in high estimation: We have no cause to be ashamed of so great a Majestie; according to that of our Saviour; _If any one be ashamed of me in this adulterous generation, him will I be ashamed of before God and his Angels._

Doctrine 6. _This majestie was expressed in those words of God_, This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased.

In these words is contained both the power and comming of Christ, whereof the Apostles witnessed, and wherein is contained the summe of the Gospell, as we said before. This is gathered from the connexion of the words, which these have with the former, _We made knowne_, &c. For in the title of _Sonne_ is declared the honour and glory of Christ, where he is called _this my Sonne_: in the title of _beloved_ is shewed the comming of Christ, and the end thereof, namely to reconcile us unto God, and make us beloved of him: whence he is called, _My beloved in whom I am well pleased_. By the title of _Sonne_ is chiefly signified the kingdome of Christ, by the title of _beloved in whom I am well pleased_, is signified the Priesthood of Christ; and by the third thing which is added, _Matthew 17.5._ is signified his Propheticall office: _heare ye him_. And that which is there expressed, is here understood; so that there is nothing in Christ and the Gospell which may not fitly be reduced to these few words.

_Use_ 1. This may serve to instruct us, for the building up of our faith, to have alwayes in our mindes that divine voice; for therefore came it twice from Heaven, once in the Baptisme of Christ, and once in this transfiguration which _Peter_ hath reference unto in this place: All the word of God indeed comes from him, but there are some parts of it which come from him unto men in a more speciall manner, that is, immediately. Such was the Decalogue in the Old Testament: such was the voice, _Iohn 12.28._ and such was this voice that was twice repeated: Now as we should magnifie every word of God, so in a speciall manner should we observe and take notice of such words as these.

2. To admonish us, to depend upon Christ alone, and to have recourse unto him only, in those things which pertaine unto our salvation. 1. Because such a testimony was never given of any one besides Christ. 2. In this testimony, power, honour, and glory is so given unto Christ, that it is denied unto all others: for the demonstrative particle _that_, as it is in the originall, ὁ υἱώς ὁ ἀγαπητώς, hath an exclusive vertue, as touching all others, excluding all others from being partakers of it.

Doctrine 7. _This voice of God did effectually bring honour and glory unto Christ._

This is gathered from these words, _He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice unto him._

_Reason_ 1. Because the testimony of God is infallibly true.

2. There is joyned with it omnipotent power, when it is said to come from the excellent glory.

_Vse_ 1. This may serve to instruct us, by faith to relye upon every testimony of God. For that which God promiseth or any way witnesseth, is as sure as that which we have already received or do see brought to passe. We may oftentimes doubt of mens words, because they have neither perfect truth, nor perfect power: but the excellent glory of God, whereof mention is here made, requires far otherwise of us.

2. To exhort us, for the confirmation of our faith, to have alwayes in our eyes the excellent glory of God, whereby he can and also will do whatsoever he hath said.

Doctrine 8. _Those things which pertaine unto the kingdome of Christ, are so holy, that they make the place it selfe, wherein they are declared, in some sort holy._

This is gathered from these words: _in the holy Mount_. For this Mount was not holy, but by this transfiguration, and this voice that came from heaven, _Exodus 3.5._ _Iohn 6.3._

_Vse_ 1. This may serve to reprove the stupidity of those, that are nothing taken with such things as these that are so holy.

2. To exhort us, reverently and religiously to prepare our selves, and apply our mindes unto holy exercises, _Ecclesiastes 5.1._

* * * * *

Verse 19. _We have also a more sure word of prophesie; whereunto
ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that
shineth in a dark place, untill the day dawne, and the
day-starre arise in your hearts._

Verse 20. _Knowing this first, that no prophesie of the
Scripture is of any private interpretation:_

Verse 21. _For the prophesie came not in old time by the will of
man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by
the holy Ghost._

The Analysis.

Peter had before proved the certainty of the Gospell by the testimony of the Apostles, who were eye-witnesses and eare-witnesses of it; now he proves the same certainty by the testimony of the word of prophesie; which he sets forth, 1. By the adjunct of stability, and that in comparison to the testimony of the Apostles, in respect whereof this word of prophesie is said to be more sure. 2. By the duty adjoyned which is due unto this word of prophesie, namely, a religious heed and attention which should be given unto this word. Wᶜʰ attention is declared, 1. By the end and use of this word of prophesie, which is by way of comparison set forth by the use of a light, 2. by the helping cause, 3. By the esteeme which we should have of the Prophesie of Scripture, verse 20,21. namely, that it is by the instinct of the Holy Ghost; which is set forth by those Prophesies that are contrary thereunto, namely, such, as are of private interpretation, or by the will of man. By prophesie is meant, not the foretelling of those things, ♦that depend upon any naturall causes, (for so the Astrologers and Physitians can foretell many things, being skilfull in the naturall causes,) nor of those things that depend upon the will of any creature (for so those that know other mens counsell, may foretell many things, probably at least) but prophesie is a fore-telling of those things, that depend only upon the will of God, and can be knowne by God alone, and those to whom he hath revealed it. By the word of Prophesie is meant the Prophesie of holy Scripture, as it is expresly set downe, verse 20. which is distinguished in this respect not only from false prophesies, but also from other true ones, which were never in the Canon of the Scripture.

♦ “thar” replaced with “that”

The Doctrines rising herehence.

Doctrine 1. _The word of Prophesie is a more sure testimony then the testimony of any men, or of those things that our senses themselves can give us._

This is gathered from the comparison which is here made betwixt this testimony and that which went before. But it is said to be more sure, not more true: because that which the Apostles witnessed, was as true; but their testimony did not carry with it so great a confirmation of the truth.

_Reason_ 1. Because it appeared not so much to be a divine testimony, being not as yet expressed in the Scriptures.

2. Because it could not prevaile so much upon the mindes of the Jewes, as the word of prophesie, which had now for many ages bin as it were habitually confirmed in their minds.

3. Because the testimony of one that foresaw the truth, hath more divine operation in it, then the testimony of him that witnesseth what he hath seen or heard being present, _Iohn 5.36,39._ There are three degrees of testimonies, 1. Of _Iohn._ 2. Of the workes of Christ. 3. Of the Scripture or word of prophesie. The testimony of works is said to be greater then the testimony of _Iohn_, and the testimony of the Scripture by way of gradation is intimated to be greater then both.

_Vse_ 1. This may serve to instruct us, in all those things that pertaine unto faith and our salvation to depend only upon the Scriptures, because nothing can be more sure.

2. To exhort us, to give God thankes, that he hath not only made knowne unto us his truth, but hath also confirmed it by strong and sure reasons, and in all respects hath had regard to and provided for the weaknesse of our faith.

3. To reprove many Christians, which do too much stagger and doubt of these truths. For there appeares such a wavering and doubting of the minde, where the life is doubtfull and uncertaine, and is not surely grounded and ordered according to the rules of Christ. Now we should be as sure of these matters of faith by the Scriptures, as we are of those things that we our selves see now present before our eyes; and go on as firmely and constantly in the way of Christ, as if we did now with our eyes see Christ himself, and all those things that he hath promised us; or as if we did now heare that voice, _Arise ye dead and come to judgement_.

Doctrine 2. _The prophesie of the Old Testament gives a most sure testimony of the power and comming of Christ._

This is gathered from the reference which this 19 verse hath to verse 16. So _Luke 1.20._ _Acts 3.18,24._ & _10.43._

_Reason_ 1. The greatnesse of this mystery, which was such, that it must not be shewed on a sudden to the world, but, for dignity sake, as it were, by such like messengers going before.

2. That it might the more appeare that these things come from God, who was the only author of such like prophesies.

3. Because the salvation of the people of God from the beginning of the world depended upon the beleeving of this mysterie.

_Vse_ 1. This may serve to instruct us, to confirme our faith more and more by such like arguments.

2. To exhort us, highly to esteeme of this mysterie, because God himselfe alwayes made such reckoning of it, that he would have his Prophets from the beginning of the world to be exercised in the declaration of it.

3. To admonish us, that it should never seeme tedious unto us, to heare and meditate upon those things, which pertain unto this mysterie, seeing God would have this alwayes pressed by all his Prophets.

Doctrine 3. _It is most praise-worthy in Christians alwayes to give diligent heed unto the Prophesies and the rest of the Scripture._

This is gathered from these words: _Ye do well that ye take heed_. By _taking heed_ is meant, 1. A search and inquiry after the sense of the Scriptures, or the truths that are contained in them. 2. An applying of those truths unto the ends and uses whereunto they serve. 3. A religious affection of the minde, whereby the conscience is subdued unto those truths as unto the rules of faith and manners: how they do well, that do thus give heed unto the Scriptures.

_Reason_ 1. Because this obedience pleaseth God.

2. Because they provide well for themselves, to be directed unto eternall happinesse.

_Vse_ 1. This may serve to refute the Papists, and some other foolish men, who deny that they do well, which give heed unto the Scriptures.

2. To reprove all profane and worldly men, who take great care about their worldly profits, or their carnall pleasures, but give little or no heed at all unto the Scriptures.

3. To exhort us, to stirre up in our selves daily this care of attention.

Doctrine 4. _The Scripture is a light shining unto those that religiously give heed unto it._

This is gathered from these words, _Take heed as unto a light that shineth_. Now it is called a light,

_Reason_ 1. Because it is cleare and manifest in it selfe.

2. Because it makes all other things cleare and manifest.

3. Because it enlightens also the eyes of our minde, so that we are able to behold the heavenly mysteries of the kingdome of God.

_Vse_ 1. This may serve to refute the Papists, who tax the Scriptures of obscurity.

2. To reprove and condemne those, that walk in the midst of this light, and yet perceive no more of the things of God, then as if they were in darknesse.

3. To exhort us, 1. To give God thanks for so great a benefit. For God now deales with us, as he did heretofore with the Israelites, in whose dwellings there was light, when in all the land of the Egyptians there was thick darknesse, _Exodus 10.22,23._ 2. To walke in this light, not to sleepe or have fellowship with the workes of darknesse, as it is _Ephesians 5.8,11,14._

Doctrine 5. _The whole condition of this our life hath much darknesse in it._

This is gathered from these words; _A light shining in a darke place._ We may see the explication of these words in _Calvin_.

_Reason._ Because without the light of the Scriptures and faith we are nothing but darknesse; seeing therefore this light is communicated unto us but imperfectly in this life, there must needs be as yet much darknesse.

_Use_ 1. This may serve to admonish us, not to puffe up our selves with the opinion of knowledge, but humbly to acknowledge our imperfections.

2. To exhort us, so much the more diligently to give heed unto the light.

Doctrine 6. _We must give heed unto the Scriptures, untill a greater light be communicated unto us, then we can have out of the Scriptures, that is, untill the last end of this life._

This is gathered from these words, _untill the day dawne_. Although they were very strongly confirmed, verse 12. Yet they must still give heed unto the Scriptures. _Daniel_ himselfe, though a Prophet, gave heed unto the Prophesies of _Ieremy_, _Daniel 9.2._ _Peter_ himselfe gave heed unto the Epistles of _Paul_, chapter 3. verse 15. _Paul_ himselfe had great care of the Parchments, that is, of the volumes and books of Scripture, _2 Timothy 4.13._

_Vse_ 1. This may serve to refute the Anabaptists, who say that the Scriptures are only profitable for novices and young beginners, and not for the stronger.

2. To reprove those, that rest in that knowledge of the Scriptures, which they have, and seeke no farther.

Doctrine 7. _Very great knowledge, light and cleerenesse shall be communicated unto us in the life to come._

This is gathered from the comparison that is made betwixt the life present and the life to come: In the present we have a light as it were in a darke place, but in that to come we shall have full noone as it were, _1 Corinthians 13.12._

_Vse._ This may serve to exhort us earnestly to desire to come unto that perfection, and in the meane time to exercise our selves in those things that lead thereunto.

Doctrine 8. _The light of the Scripture profiteth none but the faithfull._

This is gathered from these words: _Knowing this first_, that is, beleeving, _Hebrews 4.2._ No great or noble effect is produced, unlesse the matter, or the object wherein it should be produced, be prepared before: the seed it selfe that is cast into the ground, doth not grow, unlesse the ground be plowed and harrowed. Besides, whereas the Scripture is a testimony, and the strength of the testimony depends upon the authority of him that witnesseth, the Scripture can be of no force, if the authority of God be not acknowledged in it.

_Vse._ This may serve to direct us, when we come to the reading or hearing of the Scriptures, alwayes to lift up our mindes unto God, and stirre up true faith in our hearts.

Doctrine 9. _The first thing to be believed is, that the Scriptures are not of any inhumane interpretation, but of divine revelation._

This is gathered from these words: _Knowing this first_, &c.

The Papists and some others gather from this place, that the interpretation of Scripture doth not belong unto private men, but unto the Church, that is, the _Pope_ and the Councels whom he approves of: but in this sense this place makes most against them: for first it is not here said that a private man may not interpret the Scriptures, but that he may not make an interpretation of his owne; now by a mans owne interpretation is meant a humane interpretation, that is made by the will of man; as it evidently appeares by the opposition, verse 21. So that the Prophets themselves, although they were publick Doctors of the Church, yet if they should have said any thing of themselves without the revelation of God, that would have beene their owne, that is, a humane interpretation: whence also it followes that every interpretation of the _Pope_, which he takes not from cleare Scripture, or hath it not by some extraordinary revelation, is his owne in that sense as this word is taken in this place. Secondly, By _interpretation_ in this place is not meant the interpretation of Scripture, that was before revealed, but the revelation it self, as it appears by the 21 verse where this interpretation is made to consist therein, that the Prophets spake their prophesies as they were moved by the holy Ghost. 3. _Peter_ himselfe, who in the opinion of the Papists was at that time head of the Church, bids the faithfull here, search the Scriptures, he doth not bid them depend upon him, and alwayes look for interpretation. 4. He attributes more and greater strength unto the Scripture, then to his own testimony. 5. He cals the Scripture a light, and the condition of the Church a dark place: the Papists on the contrary attribute darknesse unto the Scripture, and light and clearnesse unto the Church. 6. He commends the vulgar sort of the faithfull, that they did take heed unto the Scriptures, in these words, _Ye do well_. But the Papists by this ♦interpretation debarre the faithfull from the reading of the Scripture.

♦ “interpretaion” replaced with “interpretation”

_Use_ 1. This may serve to refute the Papists, that put the Church before the Scripture, and say that the first thing to be believed is, that the Church cannot erre.

2. To exhort us, to lay this foundation firme and sure in our hearts.

Doctrine 10. _The holy Ghost moved those men that were authors of the Scriptures._

This is gathered from these words: _As they were moved by the holy Ghost._

_Use._ This may serve to instruct us, by continuall prayer to seek for the aid of the Spirit, for the understanding of the Scriptures. The Scripture must be understood by the help of the same Spirit, by whom it was dictated, as _Hieronymus_ _Eodem spiritu debet intelligi Scriptura, quo fuit dictata_.

Doctrine 11. _The men which the holy Ghost made use of, to deliver the Scriptures, were holy men of God._

_Holy_, because they were sanctified inwardly, & also set apart to this most holy work. _Men of God_ they were, because they were called by God to this office, and they did declare the will of God, and they did labour also to bring men unto God.

_Vse._ This may serve to exhort us, to labour to be like unto them, according to our ability, both in holinesse, and in zeale of the Lord.

Illustration: (‡ decoration)