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 14.

And if ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

A Third Reason to perswade to rejoyce in persecution, because its a blessed thing, and who would not rejoyce in that that will make him happy? and though he instanceth in one kinde, and that which may seem no great persecution, yet he is to be understood of all others whatsoever; That such shall be blessed, he proveth, because thus to suffer is an argument that the Spirit of God, even the glorious Spirit resteth on them; who, howsoever on the adversaries part he is bla∣sphemed and ill spoken of, yet is glorified by them that suffer patiently and joyfully for Christs sake: Here then, besides that suffering for Christ we are happy, we may be induced thus to suffer for him, for that his Spirit resteth on us so doing, and hereby also he is glorified: In the words we have a proposition, and the confirmation thereof.

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye,] There's the proposition; This may seem to be but a slender thing to be reckoned among persecutions, and that which may be easily born; No, its that which many have found harder to bear, then loss of goods, blows, yea death it self: Some which have suffered torments coura∣giously, and indured the loss of all with joyfulness, yet have almost sunk under slanders and ill tongues: David much complains of his adversaries, that they made Songs of him, that they spake words like the prickings of a Sword, and like sharp Arrows: Sampson could not endure to be mockt of the Philistines, had rather pull down the House on himself and them;* 1.1 Job also complains of such; Ishmaels mocking of Isaac is termed a persecution;* 1.2 The most ingenuous mindes can hard∣liest bear reproaches. Here note,

1. That a good name is a tender thing,* 1.3 which is and ought to be dear to us; As we are forbid thus to wrong others, so the Lord ap∣pointed those to be severely punished which should so do.* 1.4

1. This rebuketh those that make no account of a good name,* 1.5 though it be better then good oyntment,* 1.6 but live so badly, as they pull an ill name on themselves; some indeed would yet have a good name, though they deserve the contrary, but they must first win it, and then wear it; Such as are desperate, and care not what men say of them, its a sign they are so bad, as no man can speak worse of them then they deserve; These cannot be discredited.

2. It condemneth those that care not how they raise lyes,* 1.7 spread tales of their Neighbors, and seek their discredit, or rail on them and revile them,* 1.8 they do worse then if they stole away their goods,* 1.9 or wounded their bodies, for the name is more tender and dear, and hardlier cured and recovered, if it be wounded or lost; they that give themselves over hereto, are fools, neither are they Citizens of Sion: Such are as a Maul,* 1.10 and a Sword, and a sharp Arrow, and such was Ziba, See 2 Sam. 16. 3.

2. That railers,* 1.11 mockers and slanderers of Gods Servants are per∣secuters; David in the person of Christ complaineth of such: Such also are they that revile them by the name of hypocrites,* 1.12 precise fools, humerous, singular, fantastical Puritans, &c. I mean those that re∣vile the true Servants of God, who for their zeal are often thus dealt with, whom those slanderers would no less smite with the hand, then they do with the tongue, if times did but bear them out; They would be no less forward to hale before Magistrates, cast into Prison, &c.

1. Let them that have been and be such,* 1.13 repent hereof as of perse∣cution,* 1.14 else with Ishmael they shall be cast our,* 1.15 and as they be worse then Balaam, so shall they speed worse.

2. Let all others avoid this as a fearful sin,* 1.16 for its to be like the De∣vil,* 1.17 the accuser of the Brethren, who shall answer for this at the last day.

3. For those that be railed on,* 1.18 are slandered, or have lyes devised against them, let them know, they are Martyrs before God, and suf∣fer persecution, which is an honor; let them bear this patiently, and go on constantly, and not be discouraged, and there's good hope they shall bear greater persecutions if they come, which else in likely∣hood they cannot.

3. That it hath been an usual custom in the world to reproach,* 1.19 re∣vile, and slander Gods Servants for their godliness: Sore eyes can∣not abide the light, and there's an enmity between the seed of the Woman and the Serpent; and when other weapons have failed them, they have used this of their tongue, whereby indeed they prevail much to the disgrace of Religion.

1. Being so now we must not think it strange,* 1.20 for the Devil is now as malicious as ever, and hath instruments as fit for his turn as ever; If now endeavoring carefully to serve God, we be counted proud fel∣lows,

factious, Enemies to the State, &c. we must not be too much dis∣quieted, were not the Prophets, the Apostles, Christ himself thus re∣puted? we are not too good to go hand in hand with them; its a piece of our livery to be thus dealt with.

2. When we hear any reports against Gods Servants,* 1.21 know them well ere we believe them, we should else condemn the innocent; even Christ was slandered for a Conjurer and Traytor, and the Apostle Paul for a pestilent fellow, yet who were more freer? who more wronged?

4. That such as are reproached for the name of Christ,* 1.22 are happy; I say, for the name of Christ, or for being true Christians, believing in Christ, and serving him; for not the punishment, but the Cause makes a Martyr: How can this be will some say, and what blessed∣ness can there be in being railed upon and slandered? why, thus saith our Apostle,* 1.23 and he knew what he said, having learned the same of his Lord and Master, whom he heard so speak.

Its a blessed thing to be a Christian washt in the blood of Christ, reconciled to God, whom the Angels protect, who is the heir of Gods promises and blessings here, and of eternal salvation hereafter: Even an Emperor without this, is but as a man in great jolity to night, that must to execution to morrow: But to be railed on for being a Christian, is a greater blessedness,* 1.24 a special honor: Its honor to be a Princes Ser∣vant, but to be about him, and to have the guard of his own person, and to stand in his defence against an Enemy, or to be called forth to justifie his lawful Title, is far greater.

Again, Its a blessed thing to be willing and able to suffer for Christ, flesh and blood cannot; we might have been of the persecuters, or of them that regard no Religion at all, or to suffer any thing for it, or making profession of Religion, should yet shrink from it, rather then suffer for its Cause;* 1.25 Therefore to suffer for it is a blessed thing, which is to us a token of Salvation.

1. Therefore we must not onely not be dismaid,* 1.26 but bear these things patiently, yea joyfully, for should we not rejoyce in that that makes us blessed? If therefore we shrink at the least of these things, and pull in our heads, where's our faith? labor, that if we should be mockt and railed on, it may not be for nothing, but for true grace, faith wrought in us by the Word, &c. If we have these things, no matter though we have some mocks withal.

2. See that wicked persecuters make Gods Servants happy,* 1.27 yea, more happy then they should be, so that in seeking their hurt, they do them good many ways; They purge and try them, make them the more dear to God, and set the greater Crown upon their heads: what a priviledge have the Servants of God, that all things, even their per∣secuters should work together for their good; Its not so with others, yet are not we to thank the wicked for this, who intend no such thing: The Caldeans and Sabeans were an occasion that Job had twice as much goods given him as he had before, but no thank to them, for they took from him what they could; Its God who blesseth the more those whom the wicked curse.

5. That the judgement of the world is contrary to Gods;* 1.28 They think not any blessedness to be in being railed on for Christs sake, but that blessedness stands in Health, Wealth, Honor, favor of Princes, &c. Alas, poor vanishing vanities to be lost every day, but blessed∣ness is in being a Christian, and suffering for the same, Gods thoughts are not as mans; The blinde world cannot judge of colours, and Car∣nal men savor not of things Spiritual.

1. Therefore look that we never esteem,* 1.29 nor be carried with the judgement of the world, no not of the wise men of the world, which is a crooked rule to go by; They say, its not good to be too forward is matters of Religion, but go so far, as they may come back when they will, and save themselves from danger, and have two strings to their bow; but let us know this to be cursed policy, this ami∣ty with the world, to be enmity with God.

2. If we think troubles for a good conscience,* 1.30 base, vile, and ac∣cursed, and so shun them, though with an ill conscience, we are then of the world, and either wholly carnal, or in great part; Shall we ac∣count that cursed, which the Lord calls blessed? True, we must not bring troubles on our selves, nor desire persecution; yet if God call us to them, we must not count them base, but glorious; not cursed, but blessed: So if we think basely of them that suffer, or are in per∣secution, and shun them, then are we carnal and of the world; nay, we ought to esteem highly of them, and think them glorious persons, because they be honored of God, and greatly graced of him.

For the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you,] He proves what he affirmed; If ye suffer for Christs sake, its an argument ye have the Spirit of God in you, which is a glorious Spirit, and makes you glorious, notwithstanding the ignominy and reproach the world casts upon you, as though you were of all others the vilest; whereupon you must needs be blessed, which Spirit is on their part ill spoken of, but on yours that suffer is glorified; So that as the Spirit makes you glo∣rious, you glorifie it by your constant and joyful suffering. Hence Note,

1. That to suffer for Christs sake,* 1.31 is a sign that we have the Spirit of God in us; for 1. The world would not hate us except they saw some work of Gods Spirit in us, for if we lived after the maner of the world, they would let us alone. 2. Such have the Spirit of Ado∣ption,* 1.32 assuring them of Gods love, of pardon and Salvation, which makes them willing to suffer. 3. Its the Spirit that comforts, and heartens to such weighty things; flesh and blood will endure nothing for Religion, neither can it, but through the Spirit we are enabled: Steven a comfortable Martyr,* 1.33 Why? Its said, He was full of the Holy Ghost: It was by the Spirit of God onely that the Martyrs en∣dured so constantly, not a few of them being weak, sick, tender, feeble of nature, and fearful; It was of the Spirit that Mr. Glover spake when he came to the Stake to be burnt, He is come Austin, he is come; having been very heavy and comfortless the night before: In ill I confess some may be as stiff, as the best can be in the truth, but they cannot

suffer so joyfully as the Servants of God;* 1.34 for its through the Spirit of God that they suffer.

1. Therefore if we have had,* 1.35 or finde any power to endure perse∣cution, we may know that we have Gods Spirit, and thereupon ought to be both thankful and joyful.

2. As we would suffer with comfort and joy,* 1.36 let us labor for the Spirit, and for a greater measure thereof daily.

3. As for those that neither can nor will endure any thing,* 1.37 its a sign they are carnal, and without the Spirit: And indeed, none can suffer much or joyfully, but such as have the Spirit, and therefore so few having the Spirit, there would be but a few to stand for the truth, if there should come a time of tryal.

2. That such as are endued with Gods Spirit,* 1.38 be blessed; for such as have and are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God; and they, yea they onely which be sanctified here, shall be glorified here∣after;* 1.39 The Spirit is given to the Elect, not to the world, its the earnest of our salvation, and seals us up to the day of Redemption. Again, such are freed from the bondage of sin to serve God, such also have God abiding in them, yea, and hereby the Word, the Sacraments, Prayer, Afflictions, all things are profitable to us; Hereby we are enabled to every duty, and armed against temptations.

1. This may comfort those that can prove they have the Spirit of God in them;* 1.40 they are comforted, sanctified, and guided thereby: This is the earnest and pledge of eternal life; they are blessed, though but mean; they may come into Gods presence boldly; they shall want nothing that is good.

2. It may be a terror to those that live after the flesh;* 1.41 They have no mark whereby to free them from being reprobates; for if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, the same is none of his, Christ never dyed for such, they are yet under the bondage of sin.

3. This should teach us,* 1.42 having the Spirit, to beware of doing any thing whereby to grieve or weary such a guest (sin is a filthy thing, and that wherewithal the Spirit cannot away) yea, to use all means to che∣rish it daily, suffering our selves to be guided thereby, as that which will not be there where it may not rule.

3. That the Spirit is glorious in it self,* 1.43 and makes them glorious be∣fore God and man that be endued therewith; it makes them shine more gloriously then the Sun: And this the Apostle opposeth to the igno∣minies and reproaches wherewith the world doth besmear them; Its as if he should say, Though the world reproach you as vile, yet know, that you are glorious in Gods account, because of his Spirit that dwells in you.

1. Therefore be not dismaid,* 1.44 though the world stain us, and ac∣counts us vile, yet are we glorious to God.

2. We must esteem of the Servants of God,* 1.45 in whom we see the Spirit of God, as of glorious persons, yea, though the world disgrace them, and count them as off-scourings, and not worthy to live, we must count them as Gods worthies, and Warriers, as his principal

Servants; we must count them such, as the world is not worthy of: They that esteem basely of them,* 1.46 do not consider that Gods Spirit is in them,* 1.47 and resteth on them.* 1.48 Contrarily, they that have not the Spirit of God in them, are base and vile, let the world make what reckoning of them it will.

4. That there's no small difference between the common gifts of the Spirit that the Reprobates have,* 1.49 and the Spirit of Sancti∣fication, which is bestowed on Gods Elect; those may be lost, this cannot, it resteth on them, yea, abideth and continueth with them.

On their part he is ill spoken of,] Here note, that

They that rail upon,* 1.50 and revile the Servants of God for their well∣doing, they speak ill of the Spirit of God; they think they have but to do with the men, and them they will be bold with, to speak their pleasure of; but they deceive themselves, in speaking ill of Gods Servants, they speak ill of the Spirit of God; as the Israelites, when they murmured against Moses and Aaron,* 1.51 murmured against God: He that despiseth you (saith our Savior) despiseth me.* 1.52 Therefore when TURKS and JEWS mock and reproach us for believing in CHRIST, they reproach both the Word, that so teacheth us, and the Spirit that thus guideth us, and assureth our hearts herein; as he that reproacheth a Servant for doing that his Master commands, or a Schollar for speaking as he is taught, reproacheth the Master and Teacher: So when the Papists call the Doctrine which we preach and profess, Heresie, and us Heretiques, do they not reproach the Word that so teacheth, and the Spirit that so assureth us? So they among our selves, that rail on men for their zeal and forwardness in hearing the Word, keeping the Sabbath, shunning some sins and cor∣ruptions, that the world swallow up, &c. What do these, but re∣proach Gods Spirit? We do not these things of our selves, but by the warrant of the Spirit.

Take heed therefore that that be evil which thou speakest against,* 1.53 else whilest thou reproachest goodness in thy Servant, Childe, Neigh∣bor, Tenant, &c. thou art a caviller against God.

The common sort, that cannot abide the true obedience of Gods Commandments, nor that any should be more precise then they list to be,* 1.54 despise the Word and Spirit; they be like Ahab to Micaiah: Wouldst thou have God to make new Scriptures, more loose to serve thy turn, or to be like thy self? No, know, these Scriptures shall stand firm, as to the comfort and salvation of all that are willing to be guided thereby, so to the confusion of all that kick against the same, or hate to be reformed. If therefore you list not to be ruled by the Word and Spirit, yet speak not against the same, for so you shall encrease your sin, and make your judgement greater, which how∣soever will be great enough. If you will not walk in obedience to Gods Laws, yet suffer others that would.

On your part he is glorified.]* 1.55 Another Reason to move us to joyful∣ness in persecution, Thereby we glorifie God, we honor the Spirit,

when undaunted we stand constantly against all our enemies: Hereby we shew, that the Spirit of God is of puissance and force to make the weak strong; We glorifie him also, when we so love him, as we will suffer for his sake; so we give glory to him, when we trust him of his word, who hath promised eternal life to them that hold out; so when we obey him, and do that willingly he calls us to; so many praise God for our constancy, whereby they be strengthened, and God is honored,* 1.56 that they cannot prevail against us, but though they take away our lives, yet they cannot make us yield to them.

We should therefore willingly and joyfully suffer, that so we may glorifie God: we may think our selves happy, if by any means, whe∣ther in life or death, we may effect this.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iob. 30. 9.
• * 1.2

  Gal. 4. 29.
• * 1.3

  A good name is a tender thing.
• * 1.4

  Prov. 21. 1.
• * 1.5

  Use 1.
• * 1.6

  Eccles. 7. ••.
• * 1.7

  Use 2.
• * 1.8

  Prov. 10. 18.
• * 1.9

  Psal. 15. 3.
• * 1.10

  Prov. 25. 18.
• * 1.11

  Slanderers of Gods Servants are persecuters.
• * 1.12

  Psal. 22. 6. 7.
• * 1.13

  Use 1.
• * 1.14

  Gal. 4. 30.
• * 1.15

  Numb. 23. 8.
• * 1.16

  Use 2.
• * 1.17

  See Iude 15.
• * 1.18

  Use 3.
• * 1.19

  To slander Gods Chil∣dren for their godliness is usual.
• * 1.20

  Use 1.
• * 1.21

  Use 2.
• * 1.22

  Such as are re∣proached for the name of Christ are happy.
• * 1.23

  Matth. 5. 11.
• * 1.24

  Phil. 1. 29.
• * 1.25

  Phil. 1. 28.
• * 1.26

  Use 1.
• * 1.27

  Use 2.
• * 1.28

  The judge∣ment of the world is con∣trary to Gods.
• * 1.29

  Use 1.
• * 1.30

  Use 2.
• * 1.31

  To suffer for Christs sake an evidence of Gods Spirit in us.
• * 1.32

  Iohn 15. 19.
• * 1.33

  Iohn 16. 3. 7.
• * 1.34

  Matth. 10. 20.
• * 1.35

  Use 1.
• * 1.36

  Use 2.
• * 1.37

  Use 3.
• * 1.38

  Such as are en∣dued with Gods Spirit are blessed.
• * 1.39

  Rom. 8. 14.
• * 1.40

  Use 1.
• * 1.41

  Use 2.
• * 1.42

  Use 3.
• * 1.43

  Such as are en∣dued with Gods spirit are glorious.
• * 1.44

  Use 1.
• * 1.45

  Use 2.
• * 1.46

  See Ioh. 15. 21.
• * 1.47

  1 Iohn 3. 24.
• * 1.48

  Psal. 15. 4. and 119. 199.
• * 1.49

  The gifts of the Spirit which the god∣ly have, cannot be lost.
• * 1.50

  They that speak ill of Gods servants for their well∣doing, speak ill of Gods Spirit.
• * 1.51

  Exod. 16. 18.
• * 1.52

  Luke 10. 16.
• * 1.53

  Use.
• * 1.54

  1 King. 22. 13.
• * 1.55

  By our suffer∣ing of persecu∣tion God is glorified.
• * 1.56

  See Ioh. 21. 19.