A godly & fruitful exposition upon all the First epistle of Peter by that pious and eminent preacher of the word of God, John Rogers.

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Author:	Rogers, John, 1572?-1636.
Title:	A godly & fruitful exposition upon all the First epistle of Peter by that pious and eminent preacher of the word of God, John Rogers.
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Print source:	A godly & fruitful exposition upon all the First epistle of Peter by that pious and eminent preacher of the word of God, John Rogers. Rogers, John, 1572?-1636., Simpson, Sidrach, 1600?-1655. London: Printed by John Field, and are to be sold by Peter Cole ..., 1650.
Subject terms:	Bible. -- N.T. -- Peter, 1st. -- Commentaries. Bible. -- N.T. -- Peter, 1st. -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
URL:	https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A57537.0001.001
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Table of Contents

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title page

To the Reader.

THE CONTENTS OF THIS EXPOSITION.

CHAP. I.

CHAP. II.

CHAP. III.

CHAP. IV.

CHAP. V.

ERRATA.

A Godly and Fruitful EXPOSITION ON THE FIRST EPISTLE OF S^t. PETER.

CHAP. I.

Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to the Strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bythinia.Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you and Peace be multiplied.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that faeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you.

Who are kept by the power of God, through Faith unto Salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.

Wherein ye greatly rejoyce, though now for a season (if need be) yeare in heaviness through manifold temptations.

That the trial of your Faith being much more precious then of Gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Whom having not seen, ye love, in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Receiving the end of your Faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Of which Salvation the Prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the Grace that should come unto you.

Searching what or what maner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us, they did minister the things which are now reported unto you, by them that have preached the Gospel unto you, with the holy Ghost sent down from Heaven; which things the Angels desire to look into.

Wherefore gird up the loyns of your minde, be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

As obedient children, not fashioning your selves accord∣ing to the former lusts in your ignorance.

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all maner of conversation.Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.

And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of per∣sons judgeth according to every mans work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corrupti∣ble things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your Fathers;But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish, and without spot.

Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of tbe world, but was manifest in these last times for you.Who by him do believe in God that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit, unto unfained love of the brethren; see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incor∣ruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass: the grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away.But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever; and this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.

CHAP. II.

To whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious;Ye also as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifice, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Wherefore it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious, and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious; but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,And a stone of stumbling, and rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the peo∣ple of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtain∣ed mercy.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, they may by your good works which they shall behold, glorifie God in the day of visi∣tation.

Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake, whether it be to the king as supreme,Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him, for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well.

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King.

Servants, be subject to your Masters with all fear, not onely to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

For even hereunto were we called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.

Who did no sin, neither wus guile found in his mouth.

Who when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatned not, but committed himself, to him that judgeth righteously.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin, should live unto righteonsness, by whose stripes ye were healed.

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the great Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

CHAP. III.

Likewise ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives.

While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plait∣ing the hair, and of wearing of gold, or putting on of apparel.But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

For after this maner in the old time, the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord, whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Likewise ye husbands, dwell with them according to know∣lege, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindred.

Finally, be ye all of one minde, having compassion one of an∣other, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous,Not rendring evil for evil, or railing for railing; but con∣trariwise blessing, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are over the Righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye, and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.

But sanctifie 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, that whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil doers, they may be ashamed that falsly accuse your good conversation in Christ.

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing, then for evil doing.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.

By which also he went and preached to the Spirits in Pri∣son:Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffer∣ing of God waited in the days of Noah, while the Ark was a pre∣paring, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

The like figure whereunto, even Baptism, doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God) by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels, and authorities, and powers, being made subject unto him.

CHAP. IV.

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm your selves likewise with the same minde; for he that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin:That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

For the time past of our life may suffice us, to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquettings, and abominable idolatries.

Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of ryot, speaking evil of you.

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

For for this cause was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.

But the end of all things is at hand, be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

And above all things, have fervent charity among your selves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Use hospitallity one to another without grudging.

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

If any man speak, let him speak as the Oracles of God: If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever, Amen.

Beloved, think it not strange, concerning the fiery tryal, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.But rejoyce, in as much as ye are partakers of Christs suffer∣ings, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

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.

But let none of you suffer as a murtherer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busie body in other mens matters.Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorifie God on this behalf.

For the time is come, that judgement must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God?

And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the un∣godly and the sinner appear?

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

CHAP. V.

The Elders which are among you, I exhort, who am also an Elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the over∣sight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready minde.

Neither as being Lords over Gods heritage, but being ensam∣ples to the flock.

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Likewise ye yonger, submit your selves unto the elder; yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility, for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Humble your selves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

Casting all your care on him, for he careth for you.

Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring Lyon walking about, seeketh whom he may devour.

Whom resist stedfast in the Faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren that are in the world.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

By Silvanus, a faithful Brother, unto you (as I suppose) I have written briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

The Church that is at Babylon elected together with you, sa∣luteth you, and so doth Marcus my son.

Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus, Amen.