"Who hath called us out of darkness into His marvellous [1 Pet. 2.9.] light, by the glory and power that shineth forth in the Gospel." And lest they should wonder how this could be, he further adds, "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and v. 4. precious promises; that by these you might be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust;" as if he had said, God hath given us the great things before mentioned in Christ, because He hath given us the promise of them; so that it is our own fault if we have them not. For in Christ He hath promised us such illuminations and assistances of His Holy Spirit, that if we do but believe and trust, as we ought, in them, we may thereby be instructed and enabled to mortify all worldly and carnal affections, and to purify our corrupt nature to that degree, that we may be made partakers of the Divine Nature, not of the essence or substance of it, but so as that we shall be made over again as we were at first, in the image and likeness of God, holy, as " He who hath [1 Pet. 1. 15.] called us is holy:" which, therefore, is elsewhere expressed by our being "partakers of His holiness;" and they who Heb. 12. 10. are such, are certainly possessed, according to His promise, of "grace and peace,” and “all things pertaining to life and godliness." The way being thus opened, the Apostle brings in the words of my text, saying, " And besides this," or rather (as the original words, xai avrò rouro may be rendered)“ and accordingly, or therefore, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue." For this is plainly an inference drawn from the premises, like that of St. Paul, who having discoursed of the promises which God hath made us in the new covenant, draws this conclusion from them; "Having there- 2 Cor. 7. 1. fore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." So here St. Peter, having acquainted those who believed in Christ, that God in Him hath given them such promises, that if they were not failing to themselves in the use and application of them, they might be partakers of the Divine nature; he therefore adviseth them "to give all diligence, to add to their faith virtue," and so CXXXIV. SERM. on till they were accordingly sanctified, or made holy in all manner of conversation. This being the greatest encouragement that could be given them to do it, and that which would make them inexcusable, unless they did it. For [2 Cor.3.5.] although they were "not sufficient of themselves to think any thing as of themselves," much less to attain and exercise such great virtues as are here specified, so that it would be in vain to attempt it by their own power; yet, seeing Almighty [2 Cor. 12. God Himself hath promised to assist them in it, that " His 9.] grace shall be sufficient for them, and His strength made [Phil.4.13.] perfect in their weakness," so that they may "do all things through Christ Who strengtheneth them," this should put them upon using their utmost care and diligence to add one grace unto another, till they have completed the whole chain, so as to be restored to that Divine temper of mind, that they may, according to their capacity, be like to God Himself. It is now their own fault if they do it not, and it will be their joy and glory if they do it. Now, as St. Peter wrote this to those who believed in Christ, I am to repeat the same, and to explain it to such as profess to do so; and I hope really do it: for, I suppose, all here present are baptized into Christ, and so made members of His body. If there be any who are not, I have nothing at present to say to them, but only to wish them to have a care of themselves, and to come into the Church, and so to Christ while they may, lest being not found in Christ, they be lost and undone for ever. But I hope there are none here present so careless of their own welfare, but that you are all in the number of Christ's Disciples, being made so by being baptized according to His institution and command, and accordingly believe in Him as your only Saviour, to save you from your sins, and to bring you at last to Heaven. It is to you that these words belong; you are all in the number of those who are here required "to add to your faith, virtue." If you had not faith, you could not add virtue to it. But from your presence here at this time, I cannot but in charity conclude that you have it already, and therefore need not advise you to get it. Howsoever, it may not be amiss to put you in mind how to act and exercise it so, as that you may attain "the end of your faith, even the salva- [1 Pet. 1.9.] tion of your souls." You say you believe in Christ; and I suppose you do so: but what do ye believe in Christ for? For the pardon of your sins? Ye do well: ye may, and ought to believe in Him for that: for, He being the propitiation for your sins, in Him they may be all pardoned, though none can be pardoned without Him. But your sins can never be pardoned, unless you first repent of them. And therefore you must first believe in Christ to give you repentance, and then forgiveness of sins. As God hath pro- Acts 5. 31. mised in Jesus Christ to give you a new heart, and to renew [Ps.51.10.] a right spirit within you; that you may walk in His ways, and keep His statutes, you must first believe in Him for the performance of such promises in the use of the means which He hath ordained for that purpose; such as fasting, and praying, and watching, and reading and hearing His Holy Word. These things which are in your own power you must constantly exercise yourselves in; you must never neglect your private devotions, nor any opportunities that you can get of performing them in public. And you must perform them all in the Name of Christ, believing and trusting on Him to co-operate with them, that they may be effectual to the "turning you from darkness to light, from [Acts 26. the power of Satan unto God;" and so to your hearty and 18.] sincere repentance for all your sins. And when you have done that, then you may and must believe in Christ for the pardon of them, not doubting but that God for His sake will acquit and discharge you from all the punishments that you were obliged to undergo for them. And so, if you would act your faith aright, whatsoever God hath said in His holy Word, you must not doubt in the least of it, but be fully persuaded in your minds that it is as infallibly true and certain, as you are or can be of any thing you see, or hear, or understand; and more too; forasmuch as you have the Word of God Himself for that, which is infinitely more than you have for any thing that you perceive only by your senses or reason. It is indeed the firmest ground that you can ever have to believe any thing at all. Thus it is that you ought to act your faith in every thing which God hath revealed to you. So far as you know CXXXIV. SERM. it to be revealed by Him, you must take His Word for it, without troubling yourselves with inquiring any further into it. It is sufficient that He who cannot lie, hath said it; and He said it, that you might believe it upon His Word, which therefore you are bound to do, in the highest manner that it is possible for you to believe any thing in the world. [Rom. 8. 34.] Thus you must believe that God in the beginning created the Heaven and the earth, as certainly as if you had seen Him do it that He is wheresoever you are, as certainly as that you yourselves are there: that Jesus Christ His only Son is of the same substance, or one with the Father, as certainly as that He is His Son: that He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary, as certainly as that He was ever conceived and born at all: that He died for your sins, as certainly as that ever you committed them. Thus you must believe, that you must one day stand before His tribunal, as certainly as if you were now before it; that you must then give Him an account of your whole lives, as certainly as that you are now alive: and that He is now in Heaven making intercession for you, as certainly as you believe that you yourselves are upon the earth. And thus you ought to believe whatsoever you find to be revealed in the Scriptures, as certainly as you find it to be there revealed, without making any doubt or question of it; particularly the great promises which God hath there made in Jesus Christ, to cleanse and purify your hearts by His Holy Spirit; you must believe that He will perform them, and then He will most certainly perform them to you. So that by this means ye may be enabled by Him to attain and exercise all such graces as are necessary to fit you for His service upon earth, and to live with Him in Heaven. Such a faith as this is can never be alone, but will always have a train of other graces and virtues attending upon it; which you are therefore commanded to add to your faith, as a mark and sign that it is such a faith as the Gospel requires and that which you must add in the first place, and most immediately to it, is virtue. For Almighty God, in Whom ye believe, doth here expressly require you by His Apostle," to add to your faith virtue." Virtue, I know, is a word that is commonly used for morality, or probity in general, even for all such good dispositions and qualities as are required to make a virtuous and good man. But many of them being hereafter particularly named as well as virtue, the word in this place is plainly taken in a more restrained sense, wherein it is sometimes used for courage, resolution, and zeal for the service and honour of God, which naturally follows upon a firm and steadfast faith. For he that believes in Almighty God the Governor of the world, and in Jesus Christ the Saviour of mankind, must needs cleave to Him with full purpose of heart, and resolve steadfastly with himself to serve and glorify Him, whatsoever comes of it, that so he may continue in His love and favour. What noble exploits did the Saints of old perform! What hazards did they run! What difficulties did they overcome by faith! Heb. 11. With what undaunted courage did St. Paul go through all the troubles he met with, and defy the bonds and afflictions which he knew beforehand would befall him in doing his duty!" But none of these things," saith he, "move me, Acts 20. 24. neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God." And elsewhere he saith, "I have learned Phil. 4. 11. in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." And accordingly he adviseth all that believe, to "be strong Ephes.6.10. in the Lord, and the power of His might." This therefore is that true magnanimity and fortitude, that Christian virtue which you are here commanded to add unto your faith. As you believe in the Almighty Disposer of all things, you must not be afraid of any thing that can happen to you in your serving Him. As you must not run yourselves into danger, so you must not run from any duty to escape it. Whatsoever rubs or impediments you meet with in the way to Heaven, you must not regard them, but still go on, 'pressing towards the mark for the prize of the high calling [Phil. 3. 14.] of God in Jesus Christ." This is to be virtuous indeed, to "quit yourselves like men," like Christians, like those who [1 Cor. 16. hope to be with Christ ere long in Heaven, when nothing upon earth can hinder your progress thither, but you still keep on an even course, notwithstanding all the discourage 13. 13.] |