as to do that which
pleases God, and not with the idea that we should or can deserve
anything by it. _Not according to the lusts of men_ (says he),--that
is, that we should not do that to which we might yet be tempted by
others; for we are not to be conformed to this world, as Paul says,
Rom. xii. What the world demands of us we must refuse.

V. 3. _For the time past of our life is enough to have wrought the
will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess
of wine, revellings, banquetings and abominable idolatries._

We have already gone altogether too far, that before our believing we
have so shamefully spent our life in accordance with the will of the
Gentiles, which is the same with lusts of men. Therefore as long as
life continues we should see to it that we do that which is
well-pleasing to God; for we have our enemy in our flesh, the one
that is the real knave--not gross matter merely, but more
particularly blindness of mind, which Paul calls carnal wisdom,--that
is, the policy of the flesh. If we have subdued this depravity, that
other is carefully to be constrained, which does our neighbor injury
in so secret a manner as not to be observed.

St. Peter calls that lasciviousness that is accompanied with outward
gestures or words by which evil intentions are expressed, though the
deed itself be not performed, and it is that which is unchaste to the
sight and hearing, upon which afterward the lust and the act also
follow. Thereupon there succeeds such idolatry as is abominable. And
we may easily bring all this upon us, for when we have lost faith we
have certainly lost God, also, and may fall into more abominable
idolatries than the heathen, if we view the matter aright.

V. 4-5. _And it surprises them that ye run not with them to the same
excess of disorderly life, and they calumniate you, who must give
account to Him that is ready to judge the living and the dead._

That is, ye have hitherto lived after the manner of the heathen, but
since you have now forsaken it, it appears strange to men, and seems
shameful and foolish, and they say, "What great fools they are to
withdraw themselves from all worldly good and gratification." But let
it seem strange to them; let them libel you; they shall yet be
compelled to give in their account; wherefore leave it to Him that
will judge righteously.

V. 6. _For to this end also was the Gospel preached to the dead, that
they should be judge