A godly & fruitful exposition upon all the First epistle of Peter by that pious and eminent preacher of the word of God, John Rogers.

Verse 20.

Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of tbe world, but was manifest in these last times for you.

Verse 21.

Who by him do believe in God that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.

HE proceeds to speak of Christ, as of one of whom he cannot make an end of speaking, and describes him, 1. By his Antiqui∣ty. 2. By the time of his taking flesh, and the reason of it: He was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world; there's his Antiquity: He was manifest in these last times for you; there's both the time, and reason of his Manifestation. Those for whom he was manifested he describes also, 1. By their Faith in God. 2. By the means whereby they did attain thereto, namely Jesus Christ; where's shewed, both why they did for the time present, and might still also believe and hope in God; namely, because he raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, both which were for our good.

Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world,]* 1.1 Here the Apostle prevents an Objection: He had said, they were redeem∣ed from their vain conversation, which they had received from their Fathers by Christs Blood: why then belike (might they have said) our Fathers lived and dyed in their sins, and in their vain conversa∣tion, or else they had some other way of being Redeemed and San∣ctified, and so God had no Church in former times; yet saith the Apostle, God had his Church among the Forefathers, and such as were Redeemed, Justified, and Sanctified, as well as we, and that also by no other way then we; for Christ, though he came not in the Flesh till these last times, yet he hath been the Savior of the world from the beginning in Gods counsel, and the effic••cy of his death and merit: So that first he answereth what they might have doubted of their Fathers, and then shews Christs Antiquity, that they might see he was not a new way devised of late, and that after Four thousand years it came into Gods minde thus to redeem mankinde: Oh, No, saith he, it was ordained before the world, and hath been in force in all times: And this he speaks the rather, because we are ready to suspect Novelty, neither can we freely fasten our Faith upon any new devised way: He tells then, they may freely rest upon him, as being the ancient way of Salvation.

But was manifest in these last times for you.] He adds these words to stir up their hearts to more thankfulness and duty, who being so un∣worthy, should yet have the vantage of all the Fathers: Christ was but promised to them, he was performed to themselves: Now its worth much thanks to have a benefit promised of God, who is so sure of his Word, and to us so unworthy, but then it deserves much more thanks when the benefit is performed.

Who was fore-ordained,]* 1.2 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ordained before; The word sig∣nifieth foreknown, as its elsewhere rendred, to shew that Gods fore∣knowledge

is not idle, nor separate from his Decree and Will, as some think.

Now that Christ was ordained before the World;* 1.3 he was he that was foretold by the Prophets,* 1.4 signified by their Sacri∣fices, promised to Abraham, The seed in whom all the nations of the world should be blessed;* 1.5 so to Adam, The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the Serpent;* 1.6 yea, he is termed, The Lamb slain from the foun∣dation of the world;* 1.7 neither is this all, He was ordained before the world: Whatsoever God brings to pass in time (as nothing,* 1.8 nor the smallest or most casual thing but comes to pass by his Providence) that he decreed beforetime; for nothing comes to pass without Gods know∣ledge (for then were not he infinite in Wisdom) nor without his Will, for then were not he infinite in Power.

How could this be,* 1.9 seeing there was no need of Christ till after the world was made, and man was the last creature that was made, and that in inno∣cency; Was the remedy ordained before the malady?

The remedy was ordained before the misery;* 1.10 was, but not before the misery was foreknown to be: Thus was the Lords order, He be∣fore all time set down this to glorifie himself: How? In the Salva∣tion of some of mankinde, and condemnation of others: Well, how could he bring this to pass? he decreed to make man male and fe∣male, and to make them holy; he decreed also to leave them to them∣selves, that falling, he might make a way for the glorifying of his mercy and justice, which if man had continued righteous, had been stopt up; then he decreed to give his Son to redeem the vessels of mercy. Now for his decreeing of Adams fall, let it not seem strange; he did not onely foresee, but decree it, yet so, as he is altogether free from any fault thereof: God, Man and the Devil had all a hand in that action, yet man and the Devil most guilty, and the Lord most free, as may appear partly by their diverse ends that they aymed at, and partly by their maner of bringing it to pass. Their ends; God aymed to glorifie his mercy in saving some, and his justice in con∣demning others; a good end: The Devils aym was to strip the Lord of any creature on earth to serve him, and to overthrow all mankinde: Adam and Eve they listened to the Devil, counting God as it were a lyar (that had threatned them when there was nothing so) and envi∣ous of their good estate, therefore thought without him to thrust themselves up into his seat, and make themselves equal with him; two vile ends: for the maner also there are great odds; God effects it thus, He makes man an holy and happy creature, gives him a command∣ment to exercise his obedience, gives him power to obey, useth rea∣sons to have him take heed of breaking it, threatens death thereupon, onely leaves him to himself, and to the Devils temptations, yet suffi∣ciently armed to resist him, onely follows him not with new grace, which he was not bound to do: Who can finde any fault in this? The Devil effects it by alluring and tempting them to do that which God forbade, and that by his vile lyes: Adam and Eve they believe the Devil, and break the Commandment of their Creator: Who can

herein lay any thing to Gods charge, or have cause to complain? Hath the Devil? nothing done but what he perswaded to: Hath Adam and Eve? nothing done but what they voluntarily without any com∣pulsion yielded unto: Have their Posterity? Neither; for 1. The godly they are restored to a better condition in Christ, then they lost in Adam. 2. The wicked they are never punished till they have justly deserved it by their own sins; therefore its without cause to complain: So is God just, Man and the Devil to be condemned.

What!* 1.11 shall they be blamed for doing the will of God, for doing that which he had decreed?

They aymed at no such end,* 1.12 but to fulfil their own lusts; there∣fore are they justly to be blamed.

1. This setteth out the exceeding goodness and mercy of God,* 1.13 thus graciously to plot a remedy so soon, which no man could have done, God like a Father did plot and forecast for us: If we had been left without a remedy, or must have shifted for one, it had gone ill with us. Now as this should make us love the Lord for his goodness and care, so what a comfort is this to poor souls, that seeing their mi∣sery, desire above all the world to be delivered out of the same; Shall these miss of it, if they seek it of God with humble heart? If the Lord had this care of his Church ere it was, will he suffer it to want any thing now, that is, if it seek it of him? Did the Lord ordain a remedy before the world was? was he so careful? and now will he not bestow this remedy on all that truly desire it? Will a Father be so provident to lay up corn and necessaries into his house, before there be need of them; and when need is, and the children call and cry for bread, will he deny it them?

2. This should marvellously provoke all to labor for their part in Christ:* 1.14 Was he fore-ordained of the Father, and did he come and suffer, and shall we not lay out for him? O monstrous carelesness and unthankfulness! yet how few seek him? how few seek him aright? Few seek him as a Savior, fewer as their Lord and King, most so cold∣ly as that they shall not obtain such a benefit as this.

3. This sheweth,* 1.15 that as God ordained some to Salvation before the world, which was the cause of ordaining Christ, so this was most free;* 1.16 for what could we do to move him before we were, before the world was? No, as God sent his Son into the world of his meer mercy, so he ordained him of the same.

4. If Christ were thus ordained,* 1.17 then he is no new Savior, but the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world,* 1.18 by whom all the Fathers have been saved;* 1.19 Abraham saw his day, and believed, therefore none needs doubt or fear to trust in him:* 1.20 He that believeth in him shall never be confounded, nor make haste. O that the Jews and Turks would be∣lieve this! but they will one day be confounded with shame, and make haste to seek another Savior, when their former shall fail them.

5. Lay for Christ,* 1.21 ere thou lay a foundation for the world, let him be first sought after:* 1.22 Till we have Christ,* 1.23 neither our persons nor

works please God, nor have we right to the things of the world, nor any promise of blessing.

Before the foundation of the world,]* 1.24 As the foundation of the world was laid,* 1.25 so it may and shall be unlaid, and pull'd down, and that by him that laid it: The time will come, when the Elements shall melt, &c.* 1.26 when the earth, with all the works therein shall be consumed with fire. As all things here be frail, and of no continuance or certainty, but subject to many alterations; so the world it self, that hath worn out many generations of people, it self shall have an end, already waxeth old.

Trust not to it,* 1.27 it will deceive all that do; Its like a great round Bowl, whereon if a man should offer to stand, it would roll away, and lay him under feet, if not break his back: Too too many break themselves with the world, onely Heaven lies foursquare.

But was manifest] He is manifested three ways;* 1.28 1. By the Word and Sacraments: 2. By his coming in the flesh: 3. By his last co∣ming to Judgement. Here the second is chiefly meant; for he was revealed in all Ages to our Forefathers in the Word and Sacraments,* 1.29 but yet not so evidently and clearly as in our times, in these last times, wherein he was made manifest in the flesh.

Note here,

1. The constancy and unchangeableness of the Lord,* 1.30 who as he Ordained Christ before the world,* 1.31 so he sent him in due time into the world: The Lord is not as man, that he should lye or repent, his purposes are unvariable, and his promises most certain and sure; he wants no power to effect his Decrees and Purposes, No length of time could make him alter or fail, neither the wretchedness of the Age that he came in, which was wofully corrupt, when even they that bare the Name of the Church were defiled in Judgement and Conversation, God notwithstanding would accomplish his purpose: So it is with every one whom he elected before the world, he will not lose one, but in time afford them effectual means for Faith and Repentance;* 1.32 no length of time, no mans badness shall hinder this work. The Lord had decreed to call and make his Covenant with Abraham, and yet what was he but a blinde Idolater till God called him? What also Paul, who notwithstanding was ordained from his Mothers womb, nay, before the world, to be a special instrument in the Church?

1. This may comfort godly Parents over their children that be yet uncalled,* 1.33 they may have hope they be in the compass of Gods election, and so that God will one day have mercy on them: Oh, but they be thus and thus bad! Its grievous indeed, but that shall not hinder, if they belong to Gods election: Shall the wretchedness of man make the faith of God of none effect? nay, let God be true, and every man a lyar; wheresoever God hath any elect ones, he will finde them out and remember them.

2. It teacheth us also to be constant in all our good purposes;* 1.34 Hell is full of purposes,* 1.35 Heaven of performances:* 1.36 How many good pur∣poses

in sickness, after the Word, before the Sacrament, &c. have we, which prove as blossoms without fruit?

2. The constancy of Gods promises they be Yea and Amen;* 1.37 no length of time can make him break a promise (as this of sending Christ into the world) as neither the unworthiness of men: The Israelites as wretched as might be, yet they could not make him break promise with Abraham to give them Canaan; one would think he should cut them off in the mid-way, but he had respect to his Name: This was the cause that Gods Servants were always glad of a promise,* 1.38 as Nehe∣miah. So are his threatnings, as that with Adam and Eve, though then there were no more upon the earth: So even with our Lord Je∣sus himself, that innocent Lamb of God, yet standing as our Surety, God spared him not, but according to the threatning of death, gave him to dye; notwithstanding of his prayers and strong cryes, he abated nothing, but laid it on him to the uttermost.

1. Here's a comfort to Gods people,* 1.39 finde out, apply, and hold fast the promises in all our necessities: Stand upon them, on any one one of them, as upon an unmoveable foundation; God cannot fail, who ever trusted in him and was confounded? Happy is the man that trusteth in him.

2. Let the wicked know how small account soever they make now of the Lords threatnings,* 1.40 they shall finde them too true for them: And if the Lord Jesus, the innocent Son of God, the Surety, found it, shall those horrible monsters, that shake off all care of God and goodness, think to scape free, and finde his Word loose? No, though they bare themselves upon late repentance.

In these last times] Christ was not exhibited till after Four thou∣sand years of the world:* 1.41 and why not before,* 1.42 or all this while? be∣cause God decreed it to be no sooner: why decreed he it to be no sooner? because he would not: If any go yet further, and ask why he would not? this is Presumption, and curious Pride: we must not ask a reason further then the will of God, where none is revealed, God determined (as we shall see after) to bestow a greater priviledge on the last age of the world, then on the former, and who should question him for the same? This then was the time which God in his counsel had appointed,* 1.43 which is called by the Apostle, the ful∣ness of time: when all time was run out that was to be before, then he came; so that he could not possibly have comed any sooner, nor tarried any longer: If we respect the Power of God simply, he could have sent him sooner, but if Gods Decree, he could come no sooner; even as Christs bones could not be broken in respect of Gods Decree, though the nature of them was as other mens, subject to be broken: Nor could Christ have lived longer in the world in respect of Gods Decree,* 1.44 though he might by the course of nature and strength of body continued many years.* 1.45

Note we then from hence, that

What God hath decreed, as he will effect, so will he do in the due and appointed time;* 1.46 whomsoever he hath chosen he will call, every

one in their time, yet after Peter writes to the Christians scattered in those places; what is this, but that the time of their calling was not yet come,* 1.47 which afterward was fulfilled? At the first sending out of the Apostles,* 1.48 they were forbid to go into the way of the Gentiles, but afterwards (and that upon the forementioned ground) bid to Preach to all Nations:* 1.49 So the Jews shall be called, but when? when the fulness of the Gentiles shall be come in: Some were called into the Vineyard to work at one hour, some at another.

1. This may teach us,* 1.50 being truly called, and our time come, high∣ly to praise God.

2. And for those that yet be behinde,* 1.51 be not out of hope, wait still, use the means, &c. and when God sends the means, hope the time is coming: who knoweth whether God hath not some Elect among the Indians that he will send means unto, which they have hitherto wanted, and so call them to the knowledge of Christ Jesus? The like may be said of particular persons: But let none hence cast off care, and say my time is not yet come wherein I shall be called, and so neglect the Word, and live badly, but let such use the means with all speed, to day, while its called to day: The longer any goeth on uncalled, its the more dangerous sign of no Election of God.

3. Here see the reason why many a good Prayer and good Enter∣prize taketh not effect by and by,* 1.52 but the wicked prevail, even be∣cause the time is not yet come.

Further,* 1.53 observe three differences of times, Before the Law, Un∣der the Law, and After the Law, or after the manifestation of Christ: Why is this last called The last times?* 1.54 A. They be so in comparison of former times; and these from Christ onward, are the next before the end of the world, when there shall be no more time.

God will never speak to his Church after any other maner;* 1.55 he will make no new Covenant,* 1.56 no new Gospel, Religion, maner of Worship, Sacraments, Faith, but hath revealed all his will to us in his Son Christ Jesus, he will never alter his course; we have all that ever we may look for here on earth,* 1.57 nothing can be more clear.

This condemneth the Turks,* 1.58 which look for their Mahomet, and the Jews which look for I know not what Messiah and Lordly Sa∣vior: The Papists also, being belike ashamed of what God hath re∣vealed in his Gospel, patch together an infinite number of mens inven∣tions, so that their Religion is as a beggars cloak, full of pieces, of divers colours set on at divers times.

These being termed the last times,* 1.59 because they be the imme∣diate times before the Worlds end;* 1.60 it followeth, that having been so ever since the Apostles, we live in the latter end of the last times.

1. Here's comfort to Gods people, that the last day is so near, which therefore they may wait for with patience.* 1.61

2. Terror to the wicked,* 1.62 that think it will not come, because de∣fer'd, and so many hundred years it hath been called the last time; but God is not slack, but patient for his Elects sake that yet are behinde: If it had come one hundred years ago, we had been prevented,

But a thousand years are but as one day with the Lord, and it will surely come, and that too soon to the wicked, who shall feel the terror thereof.

For you] The Reason of Christs coming thus towards the end of the world,* 1.63 because God had appointed to do a greater favor to the last age, not but that those which went before, both knew and saw Christ, as Abraham, though afar off; So that here the Fathers are not excluded, but he was manifest for us, that we might have a fuller sight of him then the fathers; their light was but dim in comparison of ours.

How much then are we bound to God?* 1.64 and ought we not to have more knowledge and faith, and shew more tokens of thankfulness then they? But alas, though we have the Gospel and Sacraments so clear∣ly, never did iniquity more abound: Thus do we reward the Lord for his kindeness.

Who by him do believe in God] He saith, They believed, how came he to know that? he hoped so, and in charity so judged of them, as who willingly gave themselves to the profession of Christian Religi∣on, and for the same did undergo persecution: Therefore I say, he hoped the more confidently of them, even as we may do of such Assem∣blies as these on the week days;* 1.65 a man may hope better of them, then of those which come by commandment (as others of Custom, not Conscience) especially considering the discouragements they meet withal, and their constancy notwithstanding; A man cannot but think they should come for Conscience, and expect better things at their hands then others; which I desire you would be careful, to declare well at home in your places and several dealings, not onely to Gods glory, your own comfort, and winning on of others, but stopping up the mouthes of the worst, that are ready to pry into, and speak all evil of the forwarder sort of professors.

By him] We cannot believe in God,* 1.66 but by the Son: For 1. The Father dwelleth in the light that none can attain unto;* 1.67 How then shall we come to him of our selves, we being so poor and weak, and he of so infinite Majesty?* 1.68 As in the Summer we cannot directly look upon the Sun shining in his full strength, but may view it in a pail of Water;* 1.69 so must we see the Father in the Son, who is the image of the Father,* 1.70 and the ingraven form of his person. 2. God is infinitely just,* 1.71 and we extreamly wicked, he a consuming fire, and we stubble; How then can we come to him, believe in him, or take comfort, but onely in and by the Lord Jesus our Mediator? who by his death hath made satisfaction to his Father,* 1.72 and covered us with his righte∣ousness:* 1.73 He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, none cometh to the Fa∣ther but by him;* 1.74 By him we have boldness and access with confidence: Its life eternal to know the onely true God,* 1.75 but how shall that be done? onely by Jesus Christ: He therefore that would believe in God, and have comfort thereupon, must first know and believe in Christ Jesus, even know him to be for natures and offices as he is, God and man, and be∣lieve in him as the onely Savior who reconcileth us to the Father.

1. Therefore Jews and Turks believe not in God,* 1.76 because they believe not in Christ, and know him not.

2. All are Hereticks that deny any of Christs natures or offices,* 1.77 for we must believe him to be such as the Word declares him to be.

3. The Papists,* 1.78 which in effect deny his Humane Nature, by stand∣ing for Transubstantiation; and his offices Priestly, by their Masses, Satisfactions, Joynt-intercessions; his Prophetical, by their own Traditions; his Kingly, by making the Pope head of the Church, making Laws to binde the Conscience, to forgive sins, save, damn, &c. Therefore they cannot truly believe in God, and therefore it stands them in hand to know Christ aright, and then to believe in him.

4. This condemneth a number of ignorant creatures among us,* 1.79 which will come to God, but how? by their good meanings, good prayers, good serving of God, civil life, and the like; as others which seem better taught, by their repenting, and crying God mercy: Oh, this goes for current, and in the mean time take no thought how his justice should be satisfied: These may cry their hearts out to God, and finde no mercy; they must bring Christ their Surety in their hand, and plead mercy for his sake, and his satisfaction: Such as were stung by the Fiery-Serpents, could not be otherwise healed, but by looking up upon the Brazen-Serpent, neither we otherwise accepted of God, then through Christ: Humble thou therefore thy self, confess thy sins, judge thy self, know Christ, and plead his satisfaction.

That raised him up from the dead,* 1.80 and gave him glory] The Father is here said to have raised up Christ,* 1.81 and yet the Son saith of himself, That he laid down his life, and took it to him again. A. Whatsoever the Father did herein, the same did the Son, and the Holy Ghost: The work is common to all.

Here I might speak, 1. Of our Saviors Resurrection, and shew how carefully all the Evangelists have recorded it, with the witnesses there∣of, and how all the Apostles in their Sermons stood upon it, and how the Devil and the Jews endeavored to hinder it, and what great bene∣fits ensue unto us hereby. 2. Of his Ascension, after forty days be∣ing on earth,* 1.82 and how he changed his place, and vanished not, and how though absent in his Humanity, he is ever present by his Spirit, and how he is most highly advanced, and how his Godhead was not thus advanced (it was impossible) nor his manhood by it self had such a name, and such glory due to it, but that the person of Christ, God and man was advanced, and how now he makes intercession, and hath prepared a place for us; but of these I have spoken at large on the Creed.

That your faith and hope might be in God] Every one that believeth in Christ that these things belong to him,* 1.83 may boldly believe and hope in God, for all good for this life, and that which is to come, look for a full discharge of all sins, for power to rise to a new life, for a glo∣rious resurrection; look also on God with boldness, by the interces∣sion

of Christ, and be assured of, expect and wait for an entrance into the same glory our Head is entred into.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The preventi∣on of an Ob∣jection.
• * 1.2

  Acts. 1. & 4.
• * 1.3

  Doctr.
• * 1.4

  Christ was or∣dained before the world.
• * 1.5

  Gen. 12. 3. & 3. 15.
• * 1.6

  Rev. 13 8.
• * 1.7

  Iohn 6. 27.
• * 1.8

  Eph. 1. 4.
• * 1.9

  Object.
• * 1.10

  Sol.
• * 1.11

  Object.
• * 1.12

  Sol.
• * 1.13

  Use 1.
• * 1.14

  Use 2.
• * 1.15

  Use 3.
• * 1.16

  Ioh. 3. 16.
• * 1.17

  Use 4.
• * 1.18

  Rev. 13. 8.
• * 1.19

  Ioh. 8. 56.
• * 1.20

  Rom 9. 33.
• * 1.21

  Use 5.
• * 1.22

  Mat. 6. 33.
• * 1.23

  Ioh. 6. 27.
• * 1.24

  Obs.
• * 1.25

  The world shall not al∣ways continue.
• * 1.26

  2 Pet. 3. 10.
• * 1.27

  Use.
• * 1.28

  Christ how manifested.
• * 1.29

  Heb. 9. 26.
• * 1.30

  Doctr.
• * 1.31

  God is con∣stant and un∣changeable.
• * 1.32

  Acts 13. 48.
• * 1.33

  Use. 1.
• * 1.34

  Use 2.
• * 1.35

  Acts 11. 29, 30
• * 1.36

  Psal. 76. 11.
• * 1.37

  Gods promi∣ses are un∣changeable.
• * 1.38

  Neh. 1. 9.
• * 1.39

  Use 1.
• * 1.40

  Use 2.
• * 1.41

  Obser.
• * 1.42

  Christ was then exhibit it when God de∣creed that he should so be.
• * 1.43

  Gal. 4. 4.
• * 1.44

  Doctr.
• * 1.45

  What God hath decreed shall be in due time accom∣plished.
• * 1.46

  Acts 16. 6, 7.
• * 1.47

  Mat. 10. 5.
• * 1.48

  Mat 28. 19.
• * 1.49

  Rom. 11. 25.
• * 1.50

  Use 1.
• * 1.51

  Use 2.
• * 1.52

  Use 3.
• * 1.53

  Three diffe∣rences of times.
• * 1.54

  Why this cal∣led the last time.
• * 1.55

  Obser.
• * 1.56

  God will no otherwise re∣veal his will, then he hath already done.
• * 1.57

  Heb. 1. 1.
• * 1.58

  Use.
• * 1.59

  Doctr.
• * 1.60

  We now live in the latter end of the last times.
• * 1.61

  Use 1.
• * 1.62

  Use 2.
• * 1.63

  Why Christ came towards the latter end of the world.
• * 1.64

  Use.
• * 1.65

  What we are to do, and how to carry our selves, that others may think well of us.
• * 1.66

  Doctr.
• * 1.67

  We cannot be∣lieve in God, but by the Son.
• * 1.68

  Reas. 1.
• * 1.69

  2 Cor. 4. 4.
• * 1.70

  Heb. 13.
• * 1.71

  Reas. 2.
• * 1.72

  Iohn 14. 6.
• * 1.73

  Eph. 3. 12.
• * 1.74

  Heb. 10. 19
• * 1.75

  Iohn 17. 3.
• * 1.76

  Use 1.
• * 1.77

  Use 2.
• * 1.78

  Use 3.
• * 1.79

  Use 4.
• * 1.80

  Obs.
• * 1.81

  In Christs Re∣surrection the whole Trinity had a hand.
• * 1.82

  Phil. 2. 9.
• * 1.83

  The benefits which those reap that be∣lieve in Christ