I. Ep. St. Peter Chap. 1. — Verse. 25.

But the word of the Lord endures for ever, and this is the word which by the Gospel is preached to you.

The word of God is so like himself, and carries so the image and impression of his power and wisdom, that where they are spoken of together it is sometimes doubtful whether the words are to be referred to himself, or to his word, so Hebrews 14:12. And so here: but there is no hazard, seeing there is truth in both, and pertinency too, for they that refer them to God, affirm that they are intended for the extolling of his word, being the subject in hand, and that we may know it to be like him. But I rather think here, that these words are meant of the word, it is called living as here, Hebrews 4. And abiding for ever is expressly repeated of it here in the Prophet's words. And (with respect to those learned men, that apply them to God) I remember not that this abiding for ever is used to express God's eternity in himself. However this incorruptible seed is the living and everlasting word of the living and everlasting God, and is therefore such, because he whose it is, is such.

Now this is not to be taken in an abstract sense of the word only in its own nature, but as the principle of regeneration, the seed of this new life; because the word is enlivening and living; therefore they with whom it is effectual, and into whose hearts it is received are begotten again, and made alive by it, and because the word is incorruptible, and endures for ever, therefore that life begot by it, is such too, cannot perish nor be cut down, as the natural life. No, this spiritual life of grace is the certain beginning of that eternal life of glory, and shall end in it, and therefore has no end.

As the word of God in itself cannot be abolished, but surpasses the endurance of the heaven and earth as our Savior teaches, and all the attempts of men against the divine truth of that word to undo it, are as vain, as if they should consult to pluck the sun out of the firmament, so likewise in the heart of a Christian, it is immortal, and incorruptible. Where it is once received by faith, it cannot be obliterated again, all the powers of darkness cannot destroy it, although they be never so diligent in their attempts that way; and this is the comfort of the saints, that the life which God by his word has breathed into their souls, though it have many, and strong enemies, such as they themselves could never hold out against, yet for his own glory, and his promise sake, he will maintain that life and bring it to its perfection. God will perfect that which concerns me, says the Psalmist. It is grossly contrary to the truth of the Scriptures to imagine, that they that are thus renewed can be unborn again: this new birth is but once of one kind, though they are subject to frailties and weaknesses here in this spiritual life, yet not to death any more, not to such way of sinning as would extinguish this life. This is that which the Apostle John says, he that is born of God sins not, and the reason he adds, is the same that is here given, the permanence and incorruptibleness of this word, the seed of God abides in him.

This is the word which by the Gospel is preached to you.] It is not sufficient to have these thoughts of the word of God in a general way, and not to know what that word is, but we must be persuaded, that that word which is preached to us, is this very word of so excellent virtue, and of which these high things are spoken, that it is incorruptible, and abides for ever, and therefore surpasses all the world, and all the excellencies and glory of it. Although delivered by weak men the Apostles, and by far weaker than they in the constant ministry of it, yet it loses none of its own virtue, for that depends upon the first owner, and author of it, the everliving God, who by it begets his chosen to eternal life.

This therefore is that which we should learn thus to hear, and thus to receive, and esteem, and love this holy, this living word, to despise all the glittering vanities of this perishing life, all outward pomp, indeed all inward worth, all wisdom, and natural endowments of mind, in comparison of the heavenly light of the Gospel preached to us. Rather to hazard all than lose that, and banish all other things from that place that is due to it, to lodge it alone in our hearts, as our only treasure here, and the certain pledge of that treasure of glory laid up for us in heaven: to which blessed state God of his infinite mercy bring us. Amen.