DISCOURSE: 2405 A WORLDLY LIFE TO BE RELINQUISHED 1 Peter 4:3. _The time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles_. THE end of all God’s dispensations towards his people is to promote their advancement in righteousness and true holiness. The Lord Jesus Christ himself... [ Continue Reading ]
DISCOURSE: 2406 NEARNESS TO DEATH A MOTIVE TO WATCHFULNESS 1 Peter 4:7. _The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer_. THE office of the Gospel is, not to fill the mind with notions, but to renew the heart, and sanctify the life. It is true indeed, that the smalle... [ Continue Reading ]
DISCOURSE: 2407 THE DUTY AND OFFICE OF CHRISTIAN LOVE 1 Peter 4:8. _Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins_. THE divine authority of our religion is fully established. Its external evidences demonstrate God to be its author; nor are it... [ Continue Reading ]
DISCOURSE: 2408 PERSECUTION FOR CHRIST’S SAKE 1 Peter 4:12. _Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may... [ Continue Reading ]
DISCOURSE: 2409 THE END OF UNBELIEVERS 1 Peter 4:17. _What shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God?_ MANY are the troubles of the righteous: and though their afflictions are not always penal, yet they are for the most part to be considered as paternal chastisements, and as the judg... [ Continue Reading ]
DISCOURSE: 2410 THE DIFFICULTY OF SALVATION 1 Peter 4:18. _If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?_ EARNESTNESS in the concerns of religion is often thought unnecessary; but the attainment of salvation is by no means easy. This appears from the representa... [ Continue Reading ]
DISCOURSE: 2411 ADVICE TO THE PERSECUTED OR TEMPTED 1 Peter 4:19. _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_. GOD has mercifully engaged to save his people at the last. They may however meet with... [ Continue Reading ]