In this, men readily deceive themselves. They can do anything well, in imagination, better than the real task that is in their hands. They presume that they could do God good service in some place of command who serve Him not, as becomes them, in that which is, by far, the easier, the place of obeying wherein He hath set them. They think that, if they had the ability and opportunities that some men have, they would do much more for religion and for God than they do. And yet, they do nothing but spoil a far lower part than that which is their own and is given them to study and act aright in. But, our folly and self-ignorance abuse us – it is not our part to choose what we should be, but to be what we are to His glory who gives us to be such. Be thy condition never so mean, yet thy conscience towards God, if it be within thee, will find itself work in that. If it be little that is entrusted to thee in regard of your outward condition or any other way, be thou faithful in that little, as our Savior speaks, and thy reward shall not be little: “He shall make thee ruler over much” (Matthew 25.23). – Robert Leighton (1611-1684), from his commentary on 1 Peter. Comment on 1 Peter 2.18-20.
Category Archives: Robert Leighton
Some Good Advice
The sum is: remember always the presence of God, rejoice always in the will of God, and direct all to the glory of God. – Robert Leighton (1611-1684)
Robert Leighton on First Peter
The grace of God in the heart of man is a tender plant in a strange, unkindly soil and, therefore, cannot well prosper and grow without much care and pains, and that of a skilfull hand, and which hath the art of cherishing it: for this end hath God given the constant ministry of the Word to His Church, not only for the first work of conversion, but also for confirming and increasing of His grace in the hearts of His children…
This excellent Epistle (full of evangelical doctrine and apostolical authority) is a brief and, yet, very clear summary both of the consolations and instructions needful for the encouragement and direction of a Christian in his journey to heaven, elevating his thoughts and desires to that happiness, and strengthening him against all opposition in the way, both that of corruption within, and temptations and afflictions from without.
The heads of doctrine contained in it are many, but the main that are most insisted on, are these three, faith, obedience, and patience; to establish them in believing, to direct them in doing, and to comfort them in suffering. And, because the first is the ground-work and support of the other two, this first chapter is much occupied with persuading them of the truth of the mystery which they had received and did believe, viz, their redemption and salvation by Christ Jesus; that inheritance of immortality bought by His blood for them, and the evidence of their right and title to it.
And then he uses this belief, this assurance of the glory to come, as the great persuasive to the other two, both to holy obedience, and constant patience, since nothing can be too much either to forego or undergo, either to do or to suffer, for the attainment of that blessed state.
Robert Leighton (1611-1684), An Obedient and Patient Faith: An Exposition of First Peter reprint (Amityville: Calvary Press, 1995), pp. 10-11. Original title: A Practical Commentary on the First Epistle of St. Peter (published in two volumes in 1693 and 1694).
