c God watchcth over them, looks favourably on them and hears their Prayers, fee P{. 34. 15, This he lays down as a motive fo Pa- tience under Injuries, and to keep us from tumultuating Paſſions, and Defires of Kevenge ; that God ſees all we ſuffer, hath a care of us, and is ready to hear, and in due time to help us. d His Anger or Indiznation ; Face being here taken not for God's Favour (as many times it is) but in the contrary Senſe, 2s Lev. 17.10.and 20. 5. P/.68. i, 2. Men ſtew by their Countenances whether they be angry or pleaſed; and hence it is, that God's Face is taken for Is Favour, tometimes for His Diſpleaſure. A farther Argument to perſwade us to Patience, that God undertakes to plead our Cauſe againſt our Ene- mics, and avenge us on them; whereas, if 'we think to ſecure our felves againſt them by undue means, we make God an Enemy to us.
13 And who zs he e that will harm you, if ye be followers of taat which is good f *
e i, e. None, or few will harm you, as being convinced and over- « come by your good Deeds, whereby even they are many times mo]- fifcd and meltcd, that are of themſelves moſt wicked and hard- hearted, x Sam. 24. 16, 17. f Either Followers of God, who doth Goof, to the Evil and Unkind; but then it ſhould be rendred Followers of him who 1s Good, or rather, Followers of thoſe things that are Good, 4. d. if you be diligent in doing good to others, none will have the Heart to do you hurt.
14 * But and if ye ſufter for righteouſneſs ſake g happy Þ are yor, and ÞF be not afraid of their terror z,
neither be troubled #.
g If ye ſuffer unjuſtly, whether it be for the true Profeſſion of the Goſpel, or in the Exerciſe of Righteouſneſs, being Followers of that which is Good, and walking in the Prattice of the Duties be- fore-mentioned, h Both in the ſpiritual Benefit ye gain by Suffer- ings, viz. your edification in Faith, Patience, Humility, &5c. the Glory which redounds to God who ſupports you under, and car- ries you through them, and the Reward you your ſelves expe after them, Matth. 5. 10, gc. - i Either be not afraid after the manner of carnal Men (as the Prophet's meaning is, T/a. 8.) or, rather (the Apoſtle accommodating the Words of the Prophet to his preſent purpoſe) be not afraid of thoſe formidable things wherewith they threaten you; or, be not afraid of themſelves and their Threat- nimzs, whereby they would ſtrike Terror into you ; and fo here is a Metonymy in the Words; fear, the Effet being put for the Cauſe; thus Fear 1s taken, P/. 64. I. and 91. 5. and Prov. I. 26. & Viz. Inordinately, with ſuch a Fear as is contrary to Faith, and hinders you from doing your Duty, John 14. 1.
15 ButfanQtity / the Lord God in your Hearts, and * be ready always m1 to g7ve an anſwer 7 to every man o that a$keth you a reaſon of the hope p thar is
in you, with meckneſs and || fear. | Exalt Him 1n your Hearts, and give Him the Honour of all His
L PETEMK
Chap. [1]
by believing them, and depending apon His Promites for Defon-. -and Affiſtance againſt all the Evils your Enemies mav threiten you with. 7 Prepared to anſwer when duly called to it. n Or. +: pe _ an Apclogy or Defence, viz. of the Faith ye profeſs ; the word. i ufo Ads 22.1. and 1 Cor. $. 3. 6 Either that hath Authority to examine you, arid take an account of your Religion; or, that asks with Mo deſty and a defire to be ſatished, and learn of you. Þ 5. e. Faith for which Hope is frequently uſed in Scripture, which is bui/t upon Faith The Senſe is, whereas, Unbelievers, your Perſecutors eſpecially _ kh ſcoff at your Hope of future Glory, as vain and groundleſs, and ar your ſelves as mad, or fooliſh, for venturing the loſs of all in thi- World, and expofing your ſelves to ſo many Sufferings in expetta- tion of ye know not what Uncertainties in the other ; do ye there fore be always ready to defend and juſtifie your Faith againit all Ol. jetors, and to ſhew how reaſonable your Hope of Salvation is. ang on how ſure a Foundation it is built. q Either, with Meebne(s in relation to Men, in oppoſition to Patſion and intemperate 7c (your Confeſſion of the Faith muſt be with Courage, but yet with Spirit of Meekneſs and Modeſty) and Fear or Reverence 1n relation to God, which, where it prevails, overcomes the fiercenet: of Men: Spirits, and makes them ſpeak modeſtly of the things of God, and gLve que reſpect to men ; Or, Fear may be ſet in oppoſition to pride, and preſumption of a Man's own Wiſdom or firength, q. d. Make conteffion of your Faith humbly, with Fear and Trembling not 11 confidence of your own ſtrength, or gifts, or abilities.