y and godly life and conversation.
For Peter describes this day as one that is to come even now, so that
men should be prepared for it, to hope for it with joy, and even
hasten to run to meet it, as that which sets us free from death, sin
and hell.

V. 12, 13. _In which the heavens shall pass away by fire, and the
elements shall be melted with fervent heat; but we look for a new
heaven and a new earth, according to his promise, in which dwelleth
righteousness._ God has promised by the prophets, here and there,
that he would create a new heaven and a new earth,--as in Is. lxv.,
"Behold, I will create a new heaven and a new earth, wherein ye shall
be happy, and shout and leap for joy." So in xxx. "The appearance of
the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the splendor of the
sun shall be seven times as bright, as though seven days were joined
one into another;" and Christ says, Matt. xiii., "The righteous shall
shine like the sun, in their Father's kingdom." How that is to pass
away we cannot know, except that the promise is, that such a heaven
and earth are to be, wherein no sin, but righteousness only, and the
children of God shall dwell; as also St. Paul says, Rom. viii., there
shall be pure love, pure joy, and nothing but God's kingdom.

Here some may disquiet themselves as to whether the saints shall have
their station in heaven or on earth. The text seems to imply that man
shall dwell upon the earth,--yet so that all heaven and earth shall
be a paradise wherein God dwells, for God dwells not alone in heaven,
but in all places, wherefore the elect shall be also even where He
is.

V. 14. _Therefore, my beloved, since ye look for such things, be
diligent, that ye may be found of him without spot, and blameless, in
peace._ Since ye have escaped, he says, such misery, and come to so
great joy, ye should suffer yourselves to be persuaded to despise
willingly all that is upon the earth, and suffer cheerfully whatever
duty requires. Therefore should ye be diligent, that ye may live a
peaceful and blameless life.

V. 15. _And the long-suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ account for
your salvation._ In that He so spares, and delays, and does not come
to speedy judgment, take account of this as designed for your
benefit. He had good reason to be angry and to punish, yet out of His
grace He does it not.

V. 15, 16. _As also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom
that has been given unto him has wr