Thus of the first reason taken from God's acceptation: the same reason follows in the beginning of this Verse, and that is taken from their calling: and for these words, For thereunto were ye called, the sense is, that unto patient suffering for well-doing, they were tied by their calling, if need did require. Now, God calls men to suffering,1 diverse ways. First, by his decree: for, he hath here destinated men to be made like to his Son, in suffering unjustly; they were ordained to afflictions, Rom. 8.29. 1. Thes. 3.3. Secondly, by his Word or Law we are called to it, because the Word of God doth require, that we should take up our cross, and suffer for the truth, as many Scriptures show. Thirdly, by the work of God's grace, when he makes us again new men in Jesus Christ: for, by the same calling that he calls us to be Saints, he calls us to suffer for sanctity; and this seems to be intended specially here. Fourthly, God calls us to suffer by his special gift: for, as he ⟨p. 788⟩hath given us to believe, so hath he given us to suffer for his sake. Now, God by every gift doth really call us to the execution and use of it, when there is occasion. Fifthly, Servants and other Inferiors are called to suffer correction, though it should be unjust, even by their particular Calling. Sixthly, the coherence shows, that the example of Christ, suffering unjustly, is a pattern that calls us also to suffer, and so to walk in his steps. This last, and the third way of Calling, are especially meant in this place: and so from thence, diverse things may be briefly noted by way of doctrine. For, of our effectual Calling I have at large entreated both in the former chapter, and the tenth verse of this chapter.
THus of the first reason taken from God's acceptation: the same reason followes in the beginning of this Verse, and that is taken from their calling: and for these words, For thereunto were yee called, the sense is, that vnto patient suffering for well-dooing, they were tied by their calling, if need did require. Now, God calls men to suffering,1 diuerse waies. First, by his decree: for, he hath heer destinated men to be made like to his Sonne, in suffering vniustly; they were ordayned to afflictions, Rom. 8.29. 1. Thes. 3.3. Secondly, by his Word or Law wee are called to it, because the Word of God doth require, that wee should take vp our crosse, and suffer for the truth, as many Scriptures shew. Thirdly, by the work of God's grace, when hee makes vs again new men in Iesus Christ: for, by the same calling that he calls vs to be Saints, he calls vs to suffer for sanctity; and this seems to bee intended specially heer. Fourthly, God calls vs to suffer by his speciall gift: for, as he ⟨p. 788⟩hath giuen vs to beleeue, so hath he giuen vs to suffer for his sake. Now, God by euery gift doth really call vs to the execution and vse of it, when there is occasion. Fiftly, Seruants and other Inferiours are called to suffer correction, though it should be vniust, euen by their particular Calling. Sixtly, the coherence shewes, that the example of Christ, suffering vniustly, is a pattern that calls vs also to suffer, and so to walk in his steps. This last, and the third way of Calling, are especially meant in this place: and so from thence, diuerse things may be briefly noted by way of doctrine. For, of our effectual Calling I haue at large intreated both in the former chapter, and the tenth verse of this chapter.
- 1God calls men to suffer divers ways.God calls men to suffer diuers waies.
