Christianity at the first in such a
manner as He did, driven and tried by the wrestling of faith, in
shame, death, and bloodshed, that it might become truly strong and
mighty, and that the more it was oppressed the more it might rise
above it. This is St. Peter's meaning in this place, that we should
not let faith rust and lie still, since it is so ordained that it is
ever made more and more strong by trial and exercise, until it is
assured of its calling and election, and cannot fail.

And here is also a bound set as to how we should proceed with
reference to election. There are many light-minded persons who have
not felt much of the power of faith, who fall in this matter,
stumbling upon it; and they trouble themselves at first with it, and
by reason would satisfy themselves whether they are elected, so that
they may be assured whereon they stand. But desist from this, at
once; it is a thing that cannot be apprehended (grasped). But if you
will be assured, you must reach it by the way which St. Peter here
strikes out for you. If you choose another for yourself, you have
failed already, and your own experience must teach you so. If faith
is properly exercised and tried, then are you at last assured of the
fact that you cannot fail, as now further follows:

_For if ye do these things ye shall never fall._ That is, ye are to
stand fast, not stumble nor sin, but go onward thoroughly upright and
active, and all shall go well with you. But if you would set it right
by your reasonings, the devil will soon throw you into despair and
hatred of God.

V. 11. _And so shall an entrance be ministered unto you abundantly,
into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ._
This is the way by which we enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore,
no one should propose, by such dreams and reasonings concerning faith
as he has invented in his heart, to enter therein. There must be a
living, active, tried faith. God help us! How have our deceivers
written, taught and spoken against this text, yet whoever has even
the least measure and only a spark of faith, shall be saved when he
comes to die.

If you would pry into this matter, and in this way attain such faith
quickly and suddenly, you will then have waited too long. Yet you are
to understand well, that they who are strong have enough to do,
although we are not to despair even of such as are weak, for it may
indeed well happen that they shall endure, though it will