In this part of the chapter, there is contein’d an exhortation to persist and goe forward in the grace of God; which is the Scope of the whole Epistle, as was shewed before. Now this duty is described in generall in the 13. verse, and afterwards is set forth, and pressed by divers arguments in the verses following. From the description of the grace before proposed, there is as it were a conclusion drawne, which is inferred by a necessary connexion and consequence from the nature of that grace, as it was before described; which evidently appeares by the conjunction Wherefore; and that is the reason why in all the parts of this exhortation, as they are distinctly propounded, there is a singular respect had to some part of the description that went before, wherein the nature of that grace was explained. The duty therefore to which the Apostle doth exhort, is described. First by the cause and principall part thereof; which is a lively hope, of which there was mention made before in the third verse. Secondly, By the singular object of this hope, in beholding whereof it should be confirmed and strengthned; which is that grace? that is now in some measure brought unto the faithfull, but shall hereafter be communicated more fully and perfectly; in these words: Hope for that Grace, which is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; which part of the description, is taken from the end of the 7. verse. 3. By the adjunct of constancy and perseverance, which is especially aim’d at in the whole Epistle, as the chiefe scope thereof; in these words: hope to the end. 4. There is added also the manner and meanes of performing this duty, when he tells us, that it should be done couragiously and readily, with sobriety and watchfulnesse, in these words: Gird up the loines of your mind, be sober. This exhortation is set forth and pressed by divers arguments; the first of which is taken from regeneration or effectuall calling, whereby all the faithfull are made the Sonnes of God, which reason is taken from the 5. verse, where mention is made of the regeneration of the faithfull, by the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ: because by this regeneration or calling, the faithfull are translated from the state of sin, into the state of grace: therefore this reason is given in both respects; both that they should renounce their former sinnes, verse 14. and that they should conforme themselves to the holinesse of that calling wherewith they are called, verse 15. Which is urged and enforced by a double argument: the first is taken from the likenesse, that ought to be betwixt the person calling and the persons called, as the Scripture it selfe in the old Testament witnesseth, verse 15,16. The second is taken from the severity of Gods judgement, which they can by no meanes escape, that call God their Father, and yet dishonour his name, verse 17. The second argument of the exhortation, is taken from redemption, and the meanes and end thereof, verse 18,19. Of which there was mention made before at the end of verse 3. and verse 11. Because the consideration of this redemption obtained by Jesus Christ, and of Christ himselfe, is very necessary and effectuall to admonish, and stir up the faithfull, to take care of their duty: therefore the Apostle stayes a while upon the description of Christ, as he was from all eternity fore-ordained to performe the office of a mediatour, at the beginning of the 20. verse, and as he was manifest in time, verse 20,21. which is taken from verse 11,12.
The third argument is taken from sanctification, as it flowes from the regeneration of the spirit, and from the word of God, which are the proper causes thereof, verse 22,3,4,5. whereby the way that part of Christian duty is commended, that hath respect to the mutuall love of the faithfull amongst themselves, verse 22. because all the faithfull by regeneration, are made partakers of the same spirituall life; but yet the chiefest argument, whereby we are exhorted to constancy in that and every other grace, is taken from the incorruptible nature of the word, whereby we are regenerated, and consequently of regeneration it selfe; which is set forth by a comparison of things that are unlike it. Verse 23,24,25.
The DOCTRINES arising herence are these.
Doctrine 1. The Consideration of the grace of God, that is brought unto us in Christ, should stir us up to the practice of Piety.
This is gathered from the connexion, which is intimated in that particle, Wherefore, verse 13.
Reason 1. Because the end of Grace is to free us from sin, and to make us conformable to the image of God, Luke 1.74,75. 2. Because by that meanes it is very fitting for us, to teach and further us in that practice. Titus 2.11,12. 3. Because it cannot be truly learned by us, unlesse it worke this in us, Ephesians 4.20,1,2,3,4.
Vse 1. This may serve to [♦]condemne those that turne the grace of God into wantonnes Galatians 5.13. 2. To exhort us to use all care to make this grace effectuall in our hearts, that it may bring forth great fruits of Piety.
[♦] “condemme” replaced with “condemne”
Doctrine 2. The foundation of sound holinesse is firmely to hope for that grace that shall be revealed at the comming of Iesus Christ our Lord.
This is gathered from the 13. verse. So Philippians 3.20. Titus 2.13.