1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:1

O’Bey not] or beleeve not Be won] that is to say, disposed and induced to thinke well of the Gospell, to desire the knowledge of it and be converted unto it, see Matth. 18. 15. 1 Corinthians 9:19-22.

1 Peter 3:2

With feare] that is to say, in holy modesty, reverence, and humility.

1 Peter 3:4

The hidden man] namely, the whole state, the vertues and qualities of the soule regenerated by the Holy Ghost, the forme whereof doth not appeare to the outward sences, but is inward, and knowne by God onely, see Psal. 45. 13. Is not corruptible] opposite to the corruptible ornaments of the body.

1 Peter 3:6

Not afraid] growing confident in God, that following your vocation, he will preserve you from all trouble and danger which you might feare from your unbeleeving husbands.

1 Peter 3:7

According to] the Italian, discreetly; or according to knowledge, being the husband ought by right to be more understanding then the woman Or, according as you are enlightned in the will of God, by the Gospell Honour] namely, a certaine respect, with a circumspectnesse to not offend, contemne, or reject them by reason of their naturall infirmities The weaker vessell] the Scripture calls all men vessels, in regard of their body and calling, &c. 1 Thessalonians 4:4. 2 Timothy 2:20. Heires together] namely, with the women, who in Christ are partakers of the same benefit of Gods grace, and of the right to everlasting life, see 1 Corinthians 11:11. Be not] as well by the passion of wrath, as by dissension: whereas prayer ought to proceed from a quiet spirit, and requires the consent of hearts, and forgivenesse of offences, see Matth. 5. 23, 24. and 6. 14, 15. & 18, 19.

1 Peter 3:9

Thereunto] namely, to endure afflictions patiently, 1 Thessalonians 3:3. 1 Peter 2:21. Or, to performe Christs command, Matth. 6. 14, 15 and to imitate his example, 1 Peter 2:23.

1 Peter 3:13

That will harme you] there is no better, nor more secure way, for to mitigate the hearts of them that would injure one, then meere goodnesse: nor any better defence then innocency: and if notwithstanding this, a man doe receive any injury, it is no more a true evill, but a triall, and exercise, which proves to be for a mans praise and salvation.

1 Peter 3:14

Of their terrour] namely, with a carnall feare of worldly men, your persecuets, which without faith takes away the understanding, and deprives man of all good advice and counsell.

1 Peter 3:15

Sanctifie] that is to say, give glory to him truely and heartily considing in his grace, power, and promise, see Isaiah 8:13. And feare] namely holy modesty, and humility.

1 Peter 3:16

Falsely accuse] or trouble In Christ] namely, the Christian conversation of such men, as being by faith united to Christ, doe live and are governed by his Spirit.

1 Peter 3:17

It is better] this is said because that mans understanding is more impatient at undeserved then at deserved evils.

1 Peter 3:18

Christ also] who is the most perfect example; and in being conformable to whom consists the supreame vertue and happinesse, 1 Peter 2:21. Bring us] that is to say, should reconcile us, and rejoyne us to him againe, and should give us enterance into his glory, Hebrews 2:10. Put to death] the Italian, mortified; that is to say, overcome with evils, and afterwards really dead, according to his humane nature, which he had taken upon him in his passible and mortall condition, but risen again from the dead by vertue of his divine nature, here called spirit, as Romans 1:4. 1 Timothy 3:16.

1 Peter 3:19

By which] the Italian, in which; namely, in which divine nature, he did formerly manifest himselfe to the world, in the daies of Noah, who was by his Spirit driven and inspired to preach repentance, Hebrews 11:7. 2 Peter 2:5. as all the Prophets spake by Christs Spirit, 1 Peter 1:11. Now St Peters meaning seemes to be, that though Christ were at all times the great Prophet of the Church, yet the greatest part of the world was incredulous, and rebellious to him, as it appeared more expressely and generally in Noahs time; and therefore it ought not to seeme strange if the same thing happeneth under the Gospell: but then salvation is likewise onely for beleevers, and perdition for all the rest of the unbeleeving world, as it happened at that time He went] a figurative kind of speech, because Gods glorious abode is in Heaven: and from thence he is said to come, and descend, when he manifests himselfe to the world by some singular operation Preached] that is to say, he caused Noah to preach Unto the Spirits] namely, to the men of that age whose soules are now in the infernall prisons, imprisoned, as it were, there against the day of judgement, see 2 Peter 2:4.

1 Peter 3:20

Soules] that is to say, persons By water] the Italian By meanes of the water] that is to say, the water which drowned all the world, carrying and bearing up the Arke.

1 Peter 3:21

The like figure] that is to say, Noahs saving by meanes of the Arke, in the middle of the deluge, may be taken for a figure of the beleevers salvation out of the abisse of everlasting death, which swalloweth up all the world, and from whence they are delivered by vertue of Christs resuriection, applyed and sealed unto them by baptisme, see upon 1 Corinthians 10:2. Not the putting away] that is to say, not this corporall washing, which is used in the action of outward baptisme, which is of no efficacy for the soule, of it selfe: but the inward action, wrought by the power of the Holy Ghost, whereby the beleevers conscience is in a manner eased, loosed, and purified; so that it being tried and questioned before God, it answeres and witnesseth to it selfe by the holy Ghost pardon, grace, and peace, Romans 8:16. 1 Corinthians 2:12. which is the foundation, earnest, and beginning of everlasting salvation By the resurrection] by which Christ being come out of the abisse of death, brings his members after him into everlasting life, see John 12:32. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.