1 Peter 4:17-19 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us… I. WHEN MEN DO SUFFER REALLY AND TRULY FOR THE CAUSE OF RELIGION AND GOD'S TRUTH, they may with confidence commit themselves (their lives and all that is dear to them) to the more especial care of His providence. When men may be said to suffer truly for the cause of religion and God's truth, and when not. 1. When men suffer for not renouncing the true religion, and because they will not openly declare against it, and apostatise from it. 2. When then they are persecuted only for making an open profession of the Christian religion, by joining in the assemblies of Christians for the worship of God. 3. When they suffer for not betraying it by any indirect and unworthy means. 4. When they suffer for the maintenance and defence of any necessary and fundamental article of it, though they be not required to renounce the whole Christian religion. 5. When they suffer for maintaining the purity of the Christian doctrine and worship; and for opposing and not complying with those gross errors and corruptions which superstition and ignorance had, in a long course of time, brought into the Christian religion. 6. When they suffer for not disclaiming and renouncing any clear and undoubted truth of God whatsoever; yea, though it be not a fundamental point and article of religion.Cases wherein men may seem to suffer for the cause of religion, but cannot truly be said to do so. 1. When they rashly expose themselves to danger and run upon sufferings for the sake of religion. 2. When they suffer not for their faith, but their fancy, and for the wilful and affected error of a mistaken conscience. 3. When they suffer for the open profession and defence of truths not necessary. II. HOW FAR THEY MAY RELY UPON THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD TO BEAR THEM OUT IN THESE SUFFERINGS. To which I answer: that provided we do what is our duty on our part, the providence of God, will not be wanting on His part to bear us out in all our sufferings for His cause, one of these three ways. 1. To secure us from that violent degree of temptation and suffering, which would be too strong for human strength and patience. 2. In case of such extraordinary temptation and trial, to give us the extraordinary supports and comforts of His Holy Spirit. 3. In case of a temporary fall and miscarriage, to raise us up by repentance, and a greater resolution and constancy under sufferings. III. WHAT GROUND AND REASON THERE IS FOR GOOD MEN TO EXPECT THE MORE PECULIAR AND ESPECIAL CARE OF GOD'S PROVIDENCE IN CASE OF SUCH SUFFERINGS. The providence of God extends to all His creatures, according to that of the Psalmist: "The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works." But He exerciseth a more peculiar providence towards mankind; and more peculiar yet towards those who study to please Him by obeying Him and doing His will (Psalm 11:7; Psalm 33:18). When, in all our sufferings for the cause of religion, we may, with confidence, commit ourselves to the more especial care of God's providence. 1. Provided always that we neglect no lawful means of our preservation from sufferings, or our deliverance out of them. 2. Provided, likewise, that we do not attempt our own preservation or deliverance from suffering by evil and unlawful means. 3. Provided, also, that we do trust the providence of God, and do indeed commit ourselves to it; relying upon His wisdom and goodness, and entirely submitting ourselves to His will and disposal, both as to the degree and duration of our sufferings. 4. Provided yet further, that we pray earnestly to God for His gracious help, for His merciful comfort and support under sufferings; that He would be pleased to strengthen our faith, and lengthen out our patience, in proportion to the degree and duration of our sufferings. 5. Provided, moreover, that we be not confident of ourselves, and of the force and strength of our resolution. 6. Provided furthermore, that, according to our ability, we have been much in the exercise of alms and charity. 7. Provided, above all, that we be sincere in our religion, and endeavour to be universally good, and "holy in all manner of conversation," and "to abound in all the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God." This is the largest sense of well-doing, and the most necessary, to prepare us for sufferings, and to give us courage and constancy under them; and likewise to engage the providence of God to a tender care of us, and concernment for us, if He shall see it fit to bring us into a state of suffering. (Abp. Tillotson.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? |
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