It is true, we do not, in this age, see crosses erected, and fires kindled, for the destruction of the Lord's people : but has persecution ceased ? Is not a life of real godliness still hated by the world ? Does it not invariably become an object of reproach ; and do not the opprobrious names given to religious people lower them in the estimation of others, insomuch that all their good qualities are lost sight of, and they are deemed worthy only of pity and contempt ? No thanks to the world, then, that fires are not kindled as much as ever : it is to our laws, and to the providence of our God, we owe it, that bounds are prescribed, beyond which the enmity of men is no longer suffered to exert itself. But it is still as true as ever, that " all who will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution V]
But let us pass on to, II. His exhortation —
St. Peter well knew, that all who retained their enmity against God and his Christ, must soon perish : he therefore exhorted his hearers to save themselves from the impending ruin. The same exhortation befits us also. Is it asked, How are we to save our- selves from this untoward generation ?
We ANSWER,
1. Renounce their ways —
[Judge ye, Whither such ways must lead. Need you be told, that, " except ye repent, ye must all perish ; " or, that, " if ye believe not, ye cannot see life, but the wrath of God abideth on you ;" or, that all who make Christ " a stumbling- stone, will be broken in pieces ?" Deceive not yourselves : think not that the number of your associates will afford you any security : numbers did not protect the inhabitants of the plain, or the antediluvian world ; nor shall you find the ter- mination of the broad road any other than you have been forewarned concerning it. Of this you may rest assured, that " whatsoever you sow, you shall also reap : if you sow to the flesh, you shall, of the flesh, reap corruption : you must sow to the Spirit, if you would, of the Spirit, reap life everlasting."]
2. Forsake their company —
[We know that you cannot entirely separate from the ungodly ; for then, as the Apostle says, " you must needs go out of the world." But you are not to choose them as your companions ; for, " what communion hath light with darkness,
1 2 Tim. iii. 12.
s 2