The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 204

catee the continuance of God with you, but the satisfaction of God in you. His spirit "re,teth" upon you. The teaching is: (1) God is near those who are par- takers of Christ's sufferings, The Spirit of Goel is with them. (2) God is near them to glorify them, and himself to rejoice in them. "The Spirit of glory resteth." The music of the Beatiturlcs is ringing through Peter's soul, anc1• he flin"s out their consoling, inspiriting tones to all who were or ever shall be in the ,?fiery trial" through which all Christians pass, "Blessed are they that arc persecuted for ricrhtcons- 0 ness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."-U. R. T. Vere. 15-19.-Suffering, shameful and glorious. "For let none of you suffer as a murderer," etc. The apostle is still dwelling on the "fiery trial." All trial to the Christian is a fire that (1) gives great pain; (2) destroys evil; (3) purifies the good, Notice- !. SUFFERING FOB WRONG-DOING IS CERTAIN AND IS SHAMEFUL, "Let none of you suffer as a murderer," etc. 'l'hie is strange counsel to Christians. That it is thus given to them: 1. Reminds us of the classes from which the first converts were drawn. No doubt many were not only from the poorest, but from criminal, classes. Hence the apostle's reminder after he has described some of the basest of characters, "Such '"ere some of you." 2. Suggests to us to be on our guard against sins to which before we became Ohristians we were addicted.~ The old taint is a peril. Perhaps few now need fear being "murderers" or "malefactors," but many may be on their guard avinst being" meddlers." "Lay aside the sin that so easily besets." "Them that obey not the gospel." Here is another class whose sufferings will bring shame. The climax of judg- ment is for them. Who can tell what their " end" will be ? " The house of God" is under his control, nnd all in it must suffer for their wrong-doing. Those who know the claims• of the gospel, the possibilities it offers, and yet despise it and reject it, "do not obey it," must have even severer suffering than Christians who have blundered into error or been overborne by evil, for they at least have (1) resignation; (2) hope of better life; (3) conscious fellowship with a forgiving God. II, SUFFERING FOB RIGHT-DOING MAY BEFALL US, BUT WILL DE A SOURCE OF GLORY. This Peter noted in earlier paragraphs, and reverts to again. "Suffer as a Christian," that is, because he is a Christian. The very name was at first one of scorn. And the name of scorn has become a name that glorifies God. So with all the sufferings th:i.t the character of those who truly wear that name has ever brought upon them. .A.re they the sufferings of (1) poverty, (2) unpopularity, (3) contempt, (4) persecution, They are sufferings none need be ashamed of, but in which they may, as the noblest of men have done, glorify God. Ill. SUFFERING FOB BIGHT-DOING MUST BE ENDURED IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT. The words of the nineteenth verse, the final words about " the fiery trial," are aduressed to those who suffer because they are Christians, 1. They "suffer according to the will of God." (1) Because he wills it; (2) along the course of his wise providence. 2. In Guch sufferiugs they are to "commit their souls, in well-doing unto a faithful Creator." Here is the obligation of: (1) Trust. "Commit;" deposit the treasure. (2) Dutiful- ness. "In well-doing;" keep on doing the right. (3) Trust in and dutifulness towards God. "Faithful Creator." He knows-he cares: he will be faithful to his creation, and emphaticaily to the trustful ones. He who g:i.ve the soul its existence, and knows its capacities and needs, is its loving Guardian.-U. R. T. Vtrs. 1-6.-Goining to judgment. I. TnE EXAMPLE OF CnBIS1' CARRIES WITII IT THE RESOLUTION TO SUFFER, " Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind." Peter goes back to the starting-point, that from it, with prnct.ical instruction, he may go beyond the present session of Christ at the right hanrl of God, viz. to his coming to judgment. He does not say," put to death in the flesh," but more generally, to suit the condition of those whom he was address- ing, "suffered in the flesh." When it is saitl that he su.ffered, we aro to understimd that he did not avoid, but bravely faced, whatever suffering came to him in the way of riahteousness, He armed himself with the resolution to suffer; and thus he wa, prep~red for it when it came. Let us also arm ourselves with the same mind. Let u::; not, in the way of evil compliance, avoid suffering. Let us be resolved bra,ely to face  200 THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PE'l'ER. [en. tv, 1-19.