An analytical exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustratedAn analyticall exposition of both the epistles of the Apostle Peter illustrated

Verse. 13. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is Good? Verse. 14. But and if ye suffer any thing for righteousness sake, happy are ye, and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. Verse. 15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear, having a good conscience: Verse. 16. That whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Verse. 13. And who is he that will harme you, if ye be followers of that which is Good? Verse. 14. But and if ye suffer any thing for righteousnesse sake, happy are ye, and be not afraid of their terrour, neither be troubled. Verse. 15. But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts, and bee ready alwayes to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekenesse and feare, having a good conscience: Verse. 16. That whereas they speake evill of you, as of evill doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

The Analysis.

That which the Apostle had before proposed concerning the practise of piety, he doth there persuade them unto by an argument taken, 1. from the effect thereof, that by this means men are freed and delivered from those harms, which the wicked seek occasion to bring upon them, v. 13. 2. From the happiness adjoined, because no afflictions that are suffered for righteousness and godliness sake, are able to exclude that, verse 14. at the beginning. 3. He shows the right manner of undergoing afflictions, so that happiness may follow thereupon, which consists 1. in the laying aside of that fear and perturbation, which usually mens minds are troubled with in their afflictions, in these words, be not afraid of their terror. 2. In that confidence and reliance of our hearts upon God, whereby his name is sanctified, and by virtue whereof that immoderate fear may be laid aside. And this confidence is set forth by its proper effect, which consists in courageous and ready confession of the faith; of which confession he sets down two properties, namely, meekness and fear or reverence, and moreover he shows the helping and preserving cause thereof, namely, a good conscience, and the effect also which it will work in others, verse 16. to wit, that it will make their enemies with shame to leave off their speaking evil of them.