1 Peter 3

The dove is the emblem of meekness; 'tis sine Felle, without gall; we should be as doves for meekness, we must avoid unruly passion, which is brevis Insania, a short frenzy; we must be without the gall of bitterness and revenge; we must be of mild spirits, praying for our enemie…

Whereas it was in your heart to build a house to my name, you did well that it was in your heart. God punishes intentional wickedness, and crowns intentional goodness; you did well that it was in your heart: God takes notice of the least scintilla, the least spark of grace in hi…

2. Sanctification is an intrinsic thing; it lies chiefly in the heart. It is called the adorning the hidden man of the heart (1 Peter 3:4). The dew wets the leaf, the sap is hid in the root; the religion of some consists only in externals, but Sanctification is deeply rooted in…

Wives submit yourselves to your own husbands as to the Lord. It is observable the Holy Ghost passes by Sarah's failings; he does not mention her unbelief; but he takes notice of that which was good in her, her reverence and obedience to her husband (1 Peter 3:6). Sarah obeyed Ab…

And then examine whether it is a true ground or not. As the apostle bids us give a reason for our faith (1 Peter 3:15), so ask of your soul the reason for its doubting. Thus David in Psalm 42:5: 'Why are you cast down, O my soul?'

And therefore Peter exhorts the Christians to have their conversation honest among the Gentiles; that they which speak evil of them as of evil doers, might by their good works which they should see, glorify God in the day of their visitation. 1 Peter 2:12. And he bids godly wive…

He must curse, that has absolute power and authority to inflict the same, when he will. But we are not absolute Lords over any man, or any creature; and therefore we must remember Saint Peter's lesson, 1 Peter 3:9, We must not render evil for evil, nor rebuke for rebuke; But con…

The Ark of Noah and our baptism, are figures correspondent one to the other: that, that Noah's Ark was to them, Baptism is to us. Thus teaches Saint Peter, 1 Peter 3:20-21. To the Ark of Noah the figure which now saves us, even Baptism agrees.

For the preventing whereof, the Apostle here, or rather the Holy Ghost by him teaches us, that true faith and salvation by the Messiah, belongs to Sarah, as well as Abraham; to women as well as to men. And Saint Peter also most plainly (1 Peter 3:7) teaches us, that they are hei…

Faith and Fear go hand in hand; Faith keeps the heart cheerful, Fear keeps the heart serious; Faith keeps the heart from sinking in despair, Fear keeps it from floating in presumption; all the Graces display themselves in their beauty: Hope is the Helmet, 1 Thessalonians 5.8. Me…

Then he answered, I believe in God the father, etc. And thus did every one of years make profession of his faith: and it is likely that Peter alluded to this, saying the stipulation or answer of a good conscience makes request to God (1 Peter 3:21). The second cause is, however…

Works are to be done in respect of God: that his commandments may be obeyed — 1 John 5:12; that his will may be done — 1 Thessalonians 4:3; that we may show ourselves to be obedient children to God our Father — 1 Peter 1:14; that we may show ourselves thankful for our redemption…

3. Keep down your vain heart by this consideration: that God values no man a jot the more for these things. God values no man by outward excellencies but by inward graces; they are the internal ornaments of the spirit which are of great price in God's eyes (1 Peter 3:4). He desp…

Answer: That is denied, he died for them as they were sinners, but as within the pale and under the covering of the fair and sweet shadow of eternally choosing love, otherwise, if Christ died for sinners as sinners; he died for all sinners; and for those that are finally obstina…

So when we read of him fulfilling all or any part of righteousness, let us take his mind in also, to be that the law might be fulfilled in us (as it follows there), who were then represented in him, and so the fulfilling of it is accounted ours. Let us behold him in his lifetime…

And when was that done, or to be done, but at his Resurrection? So the phrase in Timothy imports, if you compare it with another in Peter, (1 Peter 3:18), Being put to death in the flesh, [and quickened in (or by) the spirit.] Paul, he says, [Justified in the spirit;] Peter, he…

These two latter that remain here in the text (Christ's sitting at God's right hand and his interceding for us) are brought in here by the Apostle as those which have a redundant force and prevalence in them for the non-condemnation of the elect, that although the two former abu…

There are four things in easiness to be entreated. First, easy to be pleased (1 Peter 3:18), anything that you do about them, is pleasing to them, that is a point of gentleness; and a gracious man in whom is the life and power of godliness, he is easy to be pleased. If you go ab…

And this practice must be enlarged to all his works without exception, to his judgments, as well as to his works of mercy. Therefore we are commanded in persecution to sanctify God in our hearts (1 Peter 3:17). And Moses, because he failed in the doing of this duty, was barred t…

The sixth: in all things we do or suffer, we must depend on the goodness, providence, and mercy of God, for the success of our labors, and for ease or deliverance out of misery. This is to live by faith: and, as Peter says (1 Peter 3:17), to sanctify God in our hearts. The last:…

And that we may be able to suffer for the name of God, we must pray for this gift at God's hand. For power to suffer is the gift of God (Philippians 1:29): and we must observe the commandment of God, not to fear the terrors of men (Revelation 2:10; 1 Peter 3:14). And for this ca…

Answer. The words were uttered by Sara, but they were afterward approved by God (Genesis 21:12), and thus they are the voice of scripture. Objection 2. Sara is commended for her subjection to Abraham (1 Peter 3:6), yet here she speaks imperiously, "Cast out the bondwoman." Answe…

I answer, the outward baptism is nothing without the inward. Not the washing of the flesh, but the stipulation of a good conscience saves (1 Peter 3:18). Circumcision is profitable, if you keep the law (Romans 2:25).

Meekness is, the settling, or quieting of the mind, freeing it from perturbation, especially in repressing the revengeful affection. A meek and quiet spirit are joined together (1 Peter 3:4). A notable example hereof we have in Moses, who being provoked, instead of anger, showed…

For Isaiah stirs us up to covet after this latter; and teaches us to be assured that those with whom God is appeased, shall enjoy a peace that is blessed and happy indeed. Thus he sets integrity before them for the object of their desires, that so they may attain that peace whic…

And so Peter says, "Who is he that will harm you, if you be followers of that which is good?" (1 Peter 3:13). Yet, in consequence of the unbridled wickedness of the world, it too frequently happens, that good men, through a zeal of righteousness, arouse against them the resentme…

Though the report of the last judgment is now widely circulated, and though there are a few persons who have been taught by God to perceive that Christ will come as a Judge in due time, yet it is proper that those persons should be aroused by this extraordinary kindness of God,…

For not only does he abstain from revenge, but pleads with God the Father for the salvation of those by whom he is most cruelly tormented. It would have been a great matter not to think of rendering evil for evil, (1 Peter 3:9;) as Peter, when he exhorts us to patience by the ex…

And therefore although the skill and wisdom mentioned differed not in the kind of it from that which others attained by industry; yet he received it by an immediate Afflatus or Inspiration of the Holy Ghost, as to that degree at least, which he was made Partaker of. Sect. 27 Las…

For the Nature of thing▪ is different and distinct from the Means, and Evidences or Pledges of them. But such only is Baptism, with the Profession of the Doctrine of it, as is acknowledged by all who have Treated of the Nature of that Sacrament. (2.) The Apostle Peter really sta…

Sect. 2 (4) Answerable to these Promises and Precepts and in the Confirmation of them we have the Institution of the Ordinance of Baptisme, the Outward way and Means of our Initiation into the Lord Christ and the Profession of the Gospel, the great Representation of the Inward w…

So Christ our second surety, (in whose justification all who believe in him, and whose surety he is, are virtually justified,) was not justified until he had done the work the Father had appointed him, and kept the Father's commandments, through all trials, and then in his resur…

(3.) But especially, Providence is remarkable, in making one instrumental to the eternal good of the other, 1 Corinthians 7:16 How knowest you, O Wife, but you maist save your Husband? or how knowest you, O Man, whether you shalt save your Wife? Hence is that grave Exhortation t…

Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep (Romans 12:5). Be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another (1 Peter 3:8) — these are Apostolic rules for, and trials of Gospel love. It was a sad condition that David was in; and it was a very sinful condi…

And as to the especial nature of this ordinance, he appoints it to be such, as to represent the certainty and truth of his grace in pardon, unto their senses by a visible pledge. He lets them know that he would take away their sin, wherein their spiritual defilement does consist…

(1 Timothy 2:9-10) Whose adorning (says the Apostle, speaking of believing women) let it not be in costly apparel, embroidered hair, etc. but (what then should be in the place thereof?) modesty, sobriety, and good works. So (1 Peter 3:3-5) Whose adorning let it not be the plaiti…

A misery that many families fall into, through the indiscreet heats and fierceness of the man upon every trivial offence of the wife, though perhaps it was sometimes unthought of, and sometimes unavoidable. Sixth; Another duty of the husband, is to give due respect and honor to…

Do not quarrel and contend, do not break forth into brawls and clamors, and bitter reviling speeches, against such as give you no occasion, but desire to live at peace with you; and if others are angry and quarrel with you, labor to pacify their anger, do not stir up the coals b…

Herod was eaten with worms, because he made a fine oration, and gave not God the glory; it's gross sacrilege to ascribe anything to ourselves: let him that glories glory in the Lord; If you be called to make a confession of your faith, and to produce your treasure before courts,…

The manner of God's saving those persons, when all the world besides was so overthrown, was very wonderful and remarkable. It was a wonderful and remarkable type of the redemption of Christ, of that redemption that is sealed by the baptism of water, and is so spoken of in the Ne…

The tree that is to be hewen down for the fire, stands in the Orchard among other flourishing trees, where it has enjoyed the benefit of a good soyl, a strong fence and much culture; but being barren, these priviledges secure it not from the fire. It is not our standing in the v…

1 Peter 3:4 [latter part.] — Even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. The Apostle Peter in this Epistle, (as also his beloved Brother Paul in many of his) is very large in pressing upon Christians the conscientious discharge of t…

However, some base and servile spirits may insult over the tame and humble: yet with all persons of honor, it is confessedly a piece of cowardice to set upon an unarmed unresisting man, that resents not provocation, and is ready to yield to every demand. Who is he that will harm…

If the master be mild, it ill becomes the servant to be froward. The apostle is speaking of Christ's meekness under his sufferings, when he says, that he left us an example, that we should follow his steps (1 Peter 3:21). Let us observe particularly the meekness of our Lord Jesu…

And that we may not think ourselves discharged from this duty by our inability to defend the truths and ways of God, and so make our ignorance and unskilfulness in the word of righteousness, an excuse for our cowardice and want of zeal, we ought to take pains to furnish ourselve…

2. They are heirs of righteousness (Hebrews 11:7). Noah was an heir of the righteousness which is by faith: which Peter calls a being heir of the grace of life (1 Peter 3:9). And James puts both these together (James 2:6), heirs of the kingdom which God has promised: that is, of…

It serves to the conviction and stopping of the mouths of some enemies of God, both here and hereafter. Here: 1 Peter 3:16 — keeping a good conscience, that wherein they speak against you as evildoers, they may be ashamed, beholding your good conduct in Christ. By keeping a good…

God himself has given a pattern hereof in his Law: for the main scope of the fifth Commandment tends to instruct us in the particular duties of our several callings. Hereby much credit is brought to our profession, and the doctrine of God our Savior is adorned (Titus 2:10; 1 Pet…

Concerning adultery, we deny not, but that it gives just cause of divorce: but withal we say (as we have good warrant from Christ's words) that it is the only cause of just divorce. For to make a separation for departing from the Catholic faith, is directly contrary to Saint Pau…

Upon this ground the Prophets and Apostles have often urged the same. Sarah is commended for this, that she was subject to her husband (1 Peter 3:6). Hereby the Holy Spirit would teach wives, that subjection ought to be as salt to season every duty which they perform to their hu…