prophesie of the Old Testament gives a most sure testimony of the power and comming of Christ. This is gathered from the reference which this 19 verse hath to verse 16. So Luke 1. 20. Acts 3. 18 24. 10. 43. Reason 1. The greatnesse of this mystery which was such that it must not be shewed on a sudden to the world but for dignity sake as it were by such like messengers going before 2. That it might the more appeare that these things come from God who was the only author of such like prophesies 3. Because the salvation of the people of God from the beginning of the world depended upon the beleeving of this mysterie Vse 1. This may serve to instruct us to confirme our faith more and more by such like arguments 2. To exhort us highly to esteeme of this mysterie because God himselfe alwayes made such reckoning of it that he would have his Prophets from the beginning of the world to be exercised in the declaration of it 3. To admonish us that it should never seeme tedious unto us to heare and meditate upon those things which pertain unto this mysterie seeing God would have this alwayes pressed by all his Prophets Doct. 3. It is most praise-worthy in Christians alwayes to give diligent heed unto the Prophesies and the rest of the Scripture This is gathered from these words Ye do well that ye take heed By taking heed is meant 1. A search and inquiry after the sense of the Scriptures or the truths that are contained in them 2. An applying of those truths unto the ends and uses whereunto they serve 3. A religious affection of the minde whereby the conscience is subdued unto those truths as unto the rules of faith and manners now they do well that do thus give heed unto the Scriptures Reason 1. Because this obedience pleaseth God 2. Because they provide well for themselves to be directed unto eternall happinesse Vse 1. This may serve to refute the Papists and some other foolish men who deny that they do well which give heed unto the Scriptures 2. To reprove all profane and worldly men who take great care about their worldly profits or their carnall pleasures but give little or no heed at all unto the Scriptures 3. To exhort us to stirre up in our selves daily this care of attention Doct. 4. The Scripture is a light shining unto those that religiously give heed unto it This is gathered from these words Take heed as unto a light that shineth Now it is called a light Reason 1. Because it is cleare and manifest in it selfe 2. Because it makes all other things cleare and manifest 3. Because it enlightens also the eyes of our minde so that we are able to behold the heavenly mysteries of the kingdome of God Vse 1. This may serve to refute the Papists who tax the Scriptures of obscurity 2. To reprove and condemne those that walk in the midst of this light and yet perceive no more of the things of God then as if they were in darknesse 3. To exhort us 1. To give God thanks for so great a benefit For God now deales with us as he did heretofore with the Israelites in whose dwellings there was light when in all the land of the Egyptians there was thick darknesse Exod. 10. 22. 23. 2. To walke in this light not to sleepe or have fellowship with the workes of darknesse as it is Ephesians 5. 8. 11. 14. Doct. 5. The whole condition of this our life hath much darknesse in it This is gathered from these words A light shining in a darke place We may see the explication of these words in Calvin Reason Because without the light of the Scriptures and faith we are nothing but darknesse seeing therefore this light is communicated unto us but imperfectly in this life there must needs be as yet much darknesse Vse 1. This may serve to admonish us not to puffe up our selves with the opinion of knowledge but humbly to acknowledge our imperfections 2. To exhort us so much the more diligently to give heed unto the light Doct. 6. We must give heed unto the Scriptures untill a greater light be communicated unto us then we can have out of the Scriptures that is untill the last end of this life This is gathered from these words untill the day downe Although they were very strongly confirmed verse 12. Yet they must still give heed unto the Scriptures Daniel himselfe though a Prophet gave heed unto the Prophesies of Ieremy Daniel 9. 2. Peter himselfe gave heed unto the Epistles of Paul c. 3. v. 15. Paul himselfe had great care of the Parchments that is of the volumes and books of Scripture 2 Tim 4. 13. Vse 1. This may serve to refute the Anabaptists who say that the Scriptures are only profitable for novices and young beginners and not for the stronger 2. To reprove those that rest in that knowledge of the Scriptures which they have and seeke no farther Doct. 7. Very great knowledge light and cleerenesse shall be communicated unto us in the life to come This is gathered from the comparison that is made betwixt the life present and the life to come In the present we have a light as it were in a darke place but in that to come we shall have full noone as it were 1 Cor. 13. 12. Vse This may serve to exhort us earnestly to desire to come unto that perfection and in the meane time to exercise our selves in those things that lead thereunto Doct. 8. The light of the Scripture profiteth none but the faithfull This is gathered from these words Knowing this first that is beleeving Hebr. 4. 2. No great or noble effect is produced unlesse the matter or the object wherein it should be produced be prepared before the seed it selfe that is cast into the ground doth not grow unlesse the ground be plowed and harrowed Besides whereas the Scripture is a testimony and the strength of the testimony depends upon the authority of him that witnesseth the Scripture can be of no force if the authority of God be not acknowledged in it Vse This may serve to direct us when we come to the reading or hearing of the Scriptures alwayes to lift up our mindes unto God and stirre up true faith in our hearts Doct. 9. The first thing to be believed is that the Scriptures are not of any inhumane interpretation but of divine revelation This is gathered from these words Knowing this first c. The Papists and some others gather from this place that the interpretation of Scripture doth not belong unto private men but unto the Church that is the Pope and the Councels whom he approves of but in this sense this place makes most against them for first it is not here said that a private man may not interpret the Scriptures but that he may not make an interpretation of his owne now by a mans owne interpretation is meant a humane interpretation that
is made by the will of man as it evidently appeares by the opposition verse 21. So that the Prophets themselves although they were publick Doctors of the Church yet if they should have said any thing of themselves without the revelation of God that would have beene their owne that is a humane interpretation whence also it followes that every interpretation of the Pope which he takes not from cleare Scripture or hath it not by some extraordinary revelation is his owne in that sense as this word is taken in this place Secondly By interpretation in this place is not meant the interpretation of Scripture that was before revealed but the revelation it self as it appears by the 21 vers where this interpretation is made to consist therein that the Prophets spake their prophesies as they were moved by the holy Ghost 3 Peter himselfe who in the opinion of the Papists was at that time head of the Church bids the faithfull here search the Scriptures he doth not bid them depend upon him and alwayes look for interpretatioâ— 4 He attributes more and greater strength unto the Scripture then to his own testimony 5 He cals the Scripture a light and the condition of the Church a dark place the Papists on the contrary attribute darknesse unto the Scripture and light and clearnesse unto the Church 6 He commends the vulgar sort of the faithfull that they did take heed unto the Scriptures in these words Ye do well But the Papists by this interpretaion debarre the faithfull from the reading of the Scripture Vse 1. This may serve to refute the Papists that put the Church before the Scripture and say that the first thing to be believed is that the Church cannot erre 2. To exhort us to lay this foundation firme and sure in our hearts Doct. 10. The holy Ghost moved those men that were authors of the Scriptures This is gathered from these words As they were moved by the holy Ghost Vse This may serve to instruct us by continuall prayer to seek for the aid of the Spirit for the understanding of the Scriptures The Scripture must be understood by the help of the same Spirit by whom it was dictated as Hier. Eodem spiritu debet intelligi Scriptura quo fuit dictata Doct. 11. The men which the holy Ghost made use of to deliver the Scriptures were holy men of God Holy because they were sanctified inwardly also set apart to this most holy work Men of God they were because they were called by God to this office and they did declare the will of God and they did labour also to bring men unto God Vse This may serve to exhort us to labour to be like unto them according to our ability both in holinesse and in zeale of the Lord. Chapter II. Verse 1. But there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction Verse 2. And many shall follow their pernicious wayes by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evill spoken of Verse 3. And through covetousnesse shall they with feined words make merchandize of you The Analysis HItherto the Apostle propounded an exhortation and confirmed it also in the foregoing Chapter In the two following Chapters he strengthens it by removing the impediments that might make this exhortation of no effect And the chiefe impediments are fals teachers and profane scoffers of these former he speaks Ch. 2. Of the latter chap. 3. The false teachers he doth first describe secondly reprove he describes them from the beginning to those words in vers 3. whose judgement c. Then he reproves them 1 in generall in these words that they are damned men which he doth afterwards prove 1 by the usuall course of Gods justice from verse 4. to the 10. 2. By their deserts whereby they bring upon themselves the revenging justice of God from verse 10. to the end of the Chapter In the description of the false teachers he makes 1 A comparison of the like betwixt the false teachers and those that were false prophets among the people of Israel partly that he might joyne together this discourse with the former where he spake of true Prophets and partly that he might meet with the scandall which might arise by such seducers and partly that he might stirre up the faithfull so much the more to beware of their seducing In the first respect the last words of the former Chapter and the first of this Chapter make such a discreet axiom as this although there were many Prophets among the People of Israel that were holy men of God and were moved by the Spirit of God in those things that they spake yet among the same people also there were many false Prophets This discretion is shewed in these words But there were In the second respect these words make a copulate axiom thus Like as there were false Prophets among the People of Israel so also shall there be false teachers among you In the third respect there is intimated and implicitely contained such a connex axiom as this If there shall be false teachers among you like as there were false Prophets among the people of Israel then must you be alike careful to beware of these as the Israelites were warned heretofore to beware of them After that description which is made by way of comparison followes an absolute description wherein the false teachers are described by their effects Which effâ—cts have either an immediate reference unto the false teachers themselves or unto others by them Those that have reference unto the false teachers themselves are 1 The bringing in of heresies which are set forth by their adjunct that they are damnable whereof he gives a reason also taken from the nature of heresies which is said to be such that it brings in a denying of the Lord. 2. The second effect is that they bring upon themselves swift destruction In respect of others the first effect is that they shall have many followers who are pointed out by another effect accompanying this seducing namely a speaking evill of the truth or of the Gospell which shall come to passe by their meanes The other effect is the abuse of those whom they do seduce for gain which abuse is set forth by the helping cause namely by fained words The Doctrines arising herehence Doct. 1. There are alwayes false prophets and false teachers in the Church This is gathered from these words there were there shall bee Reason This comes to passe in a threefold respect 1 in respect of God 2. In respect of the Devill 3. In respect of men First in respect of God and that 1 that they which are approved in the Church may be made manifest 1 Cor. 11. 19. Deut. 13. 3. 2. That the obstinate wicked may perish in their ungodlinesse and cruelty 2 Thess. 2. 10 11
voice Iohn 12. 28. and such was this voice that was twice repeated Now as we should magnifie every word of God so in a speciall manner should we observe and take notice of such words as these 2. To admonish us to depend upon Christ alone and to have recourse unto him only in those things which pertaine unto our salvation 1. Because such a testimony was never given of any one besides Christ. 2. In this testimony power honour and glory is so given unto Christ that it is denied unto all others for the demonstrative particle that as it is in the originall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath an exclusive vertue as touching all others excluding all others from being partakers of it Doct. 7. This voice of God did effectually bring honour and glory unto Christ. This is gathered from these words He received from God the Father honour and glory when there came such a voice unto him Reason 1. Because the testimony of God is infallibly true ◠2. There is joyned with it omnipotent power when it is said to come from the excellent glory Vse 1. This may serve to instruct us by faith to relye upon every testimony of God For that which God promiseth or any way witnesseth is as sure as that which we have already received or do see brought to passe We may oftentimes doubt of mens words because they have neither perfect truth nor perfect power but the excellent glory of God whereof mention is here made requires far otherwise of us 2. To exhort us for the confirmation of our faith to have alwayes in our eyes the excellent glory of God whereby he can and also will do whatsoever he hath said Doct. 8. Those things which pertaine unto the kingdome of Christ are so holy that they make the place it selfe wherein they are declared in some sort holy This is gathered from these words in the holy Mount For this Mount was not holy but by this transfiguration and this voice that came from heaven Exod. 3. 5. Iohn 6. 3. Vse 1. This may serve to reprove the stupidity of those that are nothing taken with such things as these that are so holy 2. To exhort us reverently and religiously to prepare our selves and apply our mindes unto holy exercises Eccles. 5. 1. Verse 19. We have also a more sure word of prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawne and the day-starre arise in your hearts Verse 20. Knowing this first that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation Verse 21. For the prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost The Analysis PEter had before proved the certainty of the Gospell by the testimony of the Apostles who were eye-witnesses and eare-witnesses of it now he proves the same certainty by the testimony of the word of prophesie which he sets forth 1. By the adjunct of stability and that in comparison to the testimony of the Apostles in respect whereof this word of prophesie is said to be more sure 2. By the duty adjoyned which is due unto this word of prophesie namely a religious heed and attention which should be given unto this word W ch attention is declared 1. By the end and use of this word of prophesie which is by way of comparison set forth by the use of a light 2. by the helping cause 3. By the esteeme which we should have of the Prophesie of Scripture verse 20 21. namely that it is by the instinct of the Holy Ghost which is set forth by those Prophesies that are contrary thereunto namely such as are of private interpretation or by the will of man By prophesie is meant not the foretelling of those things that depend upon any naturall causes for so the Astrologers and Physitians can foretell many things being skilfull in the naturall causes nor of those things that depend upon the will of any creature for so those that know other mens counsell may foretell many things probably at least but prophesie is a fore-telling of those things that depend only upon the will of God and can be knowne by God alone and those to whom he hath revealed it By the word of Prophesie is meant the Prophesie of holy Scripture as it is expresly set downe verse 20. which is distinguished in this respect not only from false prophesies but also from other true ones which were never in the Canon of the Scripture The Doctrines rising herehence Doct. 1. The word of Prophesie is a more sure testimony then the testimony of any men or of those things that our senses themselves can give us This is gathered from the comparison which is here made betwixt this testimony and that which went before But it is said to be more sure not more true because that which the Apostles witnessed was as true but their testimony did not carry with it so great a confirmation of the truth Reason 1. Because it appeared not so much to be a divine testimony being not as yet expressed in the Scriptures 2. Because it could not prevaile so much upon the mindes of the Jewes as the word of prophesie which had now for many ages bin as it were habitually confirmed in their minds 3. Because the testimony of one that foresaw the truth hath more divine operation in it then the testimony of him that witnesseth what he hath seen or heard being present Ioh. 5. 36 39. There are three degrees of testimonies 1 Of Iohn 2. Of the workes of Christ. 3. Of the Scripture or word of prophesie The testimony of works is said to be greater then the testimony of Iohn and the testimony of the Scripture by way of gradation is intimated to be greater then both Vse 1. This may serve to instruct us in all those things that pertaine unto faith and our salvation to depend only upon the Scriptures because nothing can be more sure 2. To exhort us to give God thankes that he hath not only made knowne unto us his truth but hath also confirmed it by strong and sure reasons and in all respects hath had regard to and provided for the weaknesse of our faith 3. To reprove many Christians which do too much stagger and doubt of these truths For there appeares such a wavering and doubting of the minde where the life is doubtfull and uncertaine and is not surely grounded and ordered according to the rules of Christ. Now we should be as sure of these matters of faith by the Scriptures as we are of those things that we our selves see now present before our eyes and go on as firmely and constantly in the way of Christ as if we did now with our eyes see Christ himself and all those things that he hath promised us or as if we did now heare that voice Arise ye dead and come to judgement Doct. 2. The