1 Peter 1:17-21 And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work… I. DIVERS SORTS OF EVILS HAVE BROKEN INTO THE LIFE OF MAN BY THE TRADITIONS OF FATHERS, as — 1. Gross errors in opinion. 2. Divers superstitions in their life, as were the traditions of the Pharisees. 3. Children learn divers sins only, or chiefly from their parents. II. If any ask WHY THE TRADITIONS OF PARENTS SHOULD BE SO INFECTIOUS. 1. Because they are cast into the natures of the children in the youngest years, and so are the more infectious because they were first seasoned with them. 2. Because of the affection children bear to their parents, and their opinion of their sufficiency. 3. Because they are continually conversant with them, and so see no other or no better precepts or examples. III. The use may be for INSTRUCTION, BOTH TO PARENTS AND CHILDREN. 1. Parents should be humbled under the consideration of the misery they bring upon their children, both by propagation and tradition. 2. Children should also learn from hence(1) Not to rest wholly upon the tradition of parents, anal to know it is not a sufficient rule to warrant their actions. (2) What good is commended especially of the good fathers, those we should embrace, and the rather for their sakes. 3. Shall not this evidently confute their gross folly, that so much urge the traditions of the fathers? 4. Are men so zealous for the tradition of their fathers of the flesh; and shall not we be much more zealous for the traditions of God Himself delivered in His Word? His counsels are all perfect; there can be no defect in them; and further, no parents can afford us such acceptation, or reward for obedience. (N. Byfield.) Parallel Verses KJV: And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: |
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