A17384:2084
A commentary: or, sermons upon the second chapter of the first epistle of Saint Peter wherein method, sense, doctrine, and use, is, with great variety of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of divinity largely discussed. By Nicholas Byfield, late preacher of God's Word at Isle-worth in Middlesex.A commentary: or, sermons vpon the second chapter of the first epistle of Saint Peter vvherein method, sense, doctrine, and vse, is, with great variety of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of diuinity largely discussed. By Nicholas Byfield, late preacher of God's Word at Isle-worth in Middlesex.
London: printed by Humphrey Lownes for George Latham, 1623London: printed by Humfrey Lownes for George Latham, 1623
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The third thing is a question; Why GOD should suffer the soul to be thus annoyed by the flesh; saying, He could have made man again in Christ, as he made Adam in Paradise, and so have utterly abolished the flesh?1 For answer hereunto, three things may be said. First, that we are bound with all thankfulness to praise God for that grace he hath given us in Christ, though it be not full perfect; and so ought not to reason with GOD, why he gave us not more grace; and the rather, because we look for a time, when we shall be more happy in that respect, than ever Adam was: and besides, though grace given us, be imperfect, in respect of degree, and so, less than Adam's was; yet it is perfect, in respect of continuance: and so it is better than Adam's. Thirdly, there may be divers reasons assigned, why GOD did suffer the flesh to remain in us after calling, for a time, that is, while we war in this world: for, 1. It shows the greatness of God's power, that can keep us, notwithstanding such continual danger we are in. 2. By this conflict, divers graces of the Spirit are raised up and exercised, which else were of ⟨p. 465⟩little use; as, godly sorrow, poverty of spirit, desire of death, and faith also hath much employment about this combat. 3. By this combat, all the graces of God's Spirit are proved to be right, and not counterfeit in the true Christians: for, no man can constantly bear arms against the flesh, but he is a new creature. This combat, then, serves for the trial of the gifts and graces of Christians. 4. By this combat, we are cured of the horrible disease of self-love & pride in our selves, and made more to love God, and trust in him; as knowing, that we deserve no favour at his hand, nor can be strong in our own might. 5. It is equal we should war, before we triumph; that we should fight in the battles on earth, before we reign in heaven.
The third thing is a question; Why GOD should suffer the soule to be thus annoyed by the flesh; saying, He could haue made man again in Christ, as he made Adam in Paradise, and so haue vtterly abolished the flesh?1 For answer heerunto, three things may be said. First, that we are bound with all thankfulness to praise God for that grace he hath giuen vs in Christ, though it bee not full perfect; and so ought not to reason with GOD, why he gaue vs not more grace; and the rather, because wee look for a time, when wee shall bee more happy in that respect, than euer Adam was: and besides, though grace giuen vs, bee imperfect, in respect of degree, and so, lesse than Adam's was; yet it is perfect, in respect of continuance: and so it is better than Adam's. Thirdly, there may be diuers reasons assigned, why GOD did suffer the flesh to remain in vs after calling, for a time, that is, while wee warre in this world: for, 1. It shewes the greatnes of God's power, that can keep vs, notwithstanding such continual danger we are in. 2. By this conflict, diuers graces of the Spirit are raised vp and exercised, which else were of ⟨p. 465⟩little vse; as, godly sorrow, pouerty of spirit, desire of death, and faith also hath much imployment about this combate. 3. By this combate, all the graces of God's Spirit are proued to be right, and not counterfet in the true Christians: for, no man can constantly beare armes against the flesh, but hee is a new creature. This combate, then, serues for the triall of the gifts and graces of Christians. 4. By this combate, wee are cured of the horrible disease of self-loue & pride in our selues, and made more to loue God, and trust in him; as knowing, that we deserue no fauour at his hand, nor can be strong in our owne might. 5. It is equall we should war, before we triumph; that wee should fight in the battels on earth, before we raign in heauen.
Lastly, it makes heaven and grace more precious in our sight, and breeds in us a desire to be dissolved, and so warns from the love of this present evil world.
Lastly, it makes heauen and grace more precious in our sight, and breeds in vs a desire to bee dissolued, and so warns from the loue of this present euill world.
In the fourth place we must consider, by what means the soul may preserve it self against the treacheries and assaults of the flesh: and so the means is to be used either before the conflict, or in the conflict, or after the conflict.
In the fourth place we must consider, by what means the soule may preserue it self against the treacheries and assaults of the flesh: and so the means is to be vsed either before the conflict, or in the conflict, or after the conflict.
Before the conflict, if we would take a sound course to be preserved against the danger of the flesh, we must look to these things: 1. We must stand upon our guard, and keep a daily watch over our hearts and ways, and not be reckless to despise our own ways, or never ⟨p. 466⟩take notice of our hearts: he lives dangerously, that lives securely: we must take a diligent view of our own natural dispositions, to be able to discern distinctly, what it is the flesh usually is prone to, or employed in. 2. We must be sure to commit our selves to God, and by faith lay hold upon Jesus Christ, and settle our selves in our assurance: for that cuts off many of the main advantages of the flesh, especially it quencheth all those hellish darts that arise from doubtings and despair: which is to discern the flesh. 3. We must quicken in us our hope of a better life: for that will show us so much glory to be had in the service of Christ, as all the motions of the flesh will seem vain in comparison: we are never allured by the lusts of the flesh, but when we have forgotten heaven, or are destitute of the lively hope of it. 4. We must be sober, in the use of outward things, 1. Pet. 1.13. and remove from the flesh, those things we observe the flesh to be apt to dally withal: if the flesh could be divorced from the world, there were little or no danger. 5. We must with all readiness, upon all occasions, entertain all good motions any way cast into us by Gods Spirit: for as those are set up and nourished, the flesh is subdued and kept under. 6. We must daily commit our selves and our souls to God by prayer, and beseech him to keep us, and accordingly to beg strength to ⟨p. 467⟩avoid those evils, which by nature we find our selves most prone to, 2. Tim. 1.12.
Before the conflict, if wee would take a sound course to bee preserued against the danger of the flesh, we must look to these things: 1. We must stand vpon our guard, and keep a daily watch ouer our hearts and waies, and not be retchlesse to despise our owne waies, or neuer
Now if the flesh, notwithstanding, do on the sudden (either provoked by the world, or enticed by the devil) make assault and lust after evil things: then in the conflict, our armour must be, 1. Contrary lustings, Gal. 1.17. The Spirit must lust against the flesh, by raising up holy desires, and loathing of those base affections of the flesh. 2. Prayer: we must crucify them, drag them before the Cross of Christ, and there accuse them, shame them, judge them, condemn them, and beg virtue from the death of Christ to kill them. 3. The Word of God. For as Christ beat away the devil, by alleging what was written: so should we get store of places of Scripture, which we might allege to our own hearts, when we are enticed to any sin: and so the promises of the Gospel would be as shoes to our feet; that neither thorny care prick, nor vain pleasures defile us: and so those promises are, because they both show us greater things then fleshly pleasures can be, and withal show us such treasure in Christ, as may free us from living in care.
Now if the flesh, notwithstanding, doe on the sudden (either prouoked by the world, or entised by the deuill) make assault and lust after euill things: then in the conflict, our armour must be, 1. Contrary lustings, Gal. 1.17. The Spirit must lust against the flesh, by raising vp holy desires, and loathing of those base affections of the flesh. 2. Prayer: we must crucifie them, drag them before the Crosse of Christ, and there accuse them, shame them, iudge them, condemne them, and begge vertue from the death of Christ to kill them. 3. The Word of God. For as Christ beat away the deuill, by alleaging what was written: so should wee get store of places of Scripture, which wee might alleage to our owne hearts, when wee are entised to any sinne: and so the promises of the Gospell would bee as shooes to our feete; that neither thorny care prick, nor vaine pleasures defile vs: and so those promises are, because they both shew vs greater things then fleshly pleasures can bee, and withall shew vs such treasure in Christ, as may free vs from liuing in care.
Two rules are of excellent use for this purpose.
Two rules are of excellent vse for this purpose.
1. To silence the flesh: When it assaults, not to suffer it to plead much, but presently resist it. 2. To look to the beginnings of any corruption: not to dally with it, and give it way upon ⟨p. 468⟩pretence of safety: for it may strangely provoke, and beyond expectation, if it be not looked to at first.
1. To silence the flesh: When it assaults, not to suffer it to plead much, but presently resist it. 2. To looke to the beginnings of any corruption: not to dallie with it, and giue it way vpon ⟨p. 468⟩pretence of safety: for it may strangely prouoke, and beyond expectation, if it bee not looked to at first.
After the conflict, we must remember two things.
After the conflict, wee must remember two things.
1. To give thanks to God for the help of his presence, as accounting it a singular favour to be protected against so vile an enemy. 2. To take heed of security; so to consider of our present deliverance, as to look for more conflicts.
1. To giue thanks to God for the help of his presence, as accounting it a singular fauour to be protected against so vile an enemy. 2. To take heed of security; so to consider of our present deliuerance, as to looke for more conflicts.
In the fifth place it is profitable, considering what reasons Christians have to be careful of themselves, and attend their souls in respect of the flesh: for, 1. This combat is a daily combat: the war is never at an end: it is an adversary, that never takes so much as a day of truce. 2. There is no safety or help, by running away: for thy adversary is seated within thee, and thou canst not run from thy self. 3. The flesh hath might and continual aid from the devil and the world; which, almost with infinite variety of occasions, ministers obstinacy to the flesh. 4. For want of care, many worthy Champions have been for the time foiled shamefully; as were Noah, Lot, David, Peter, and others. 5. No Christian can avoid it, but hath this combat within him, Gal. 5.17.
In the fift place it is profitable, considering what reasons Christians haue to bee carefull of themselues, and attend their soules in respect of the flesh: for, 1. This combate is a dayly combate: the warre is neuer at an end: it is an aduersary, that neuer takes so much as a day of truce. 2. There is no safety or help, by running away: for thy aduersary is seated within thee, and thou canst not runne from thy selfe. 3. The flesh hath might and continuall aid from the diuell and the world; which, almost with infinite variety of occasions, ministers obstinacy to the flesh. 4. For want of care, many worthy Champions haue beene for the time foiled shamefully; as were Noah, Lot, Dauid, Peter, and others. 5. No Christian can auoyd it, but hath this combate within him, Gal. 5.17.
And as these or the like reasons may breed care and watchfulness: so hath the true Christian ⟨p. 469⟩no cause of despair, but rather many arguments of hope of good success, and daily victories and triumphs over the flesh, if he be watchful: for, 1. God hath provided him of armour against those kinds of assaults: and it is mighty to preserve and subdue, 2. Cor. 10.3, 4. 2. Christ in his power doth rest in us, for this end, to assist us in the combat, as we cry for help, 2. Cor. 12.10. 3. We fight against an adversary hath been often foiled by all sorts of Godly Christians, and by our selves in divers particular combats; yea, against an adversary, that hath received a deadly wound that cannot be cured: for, so the flesh the first day of our conversion was mortified. All that are Christs, have mortified the flesh with the lusts thereof. 4. We have assurance of victory, if we resist, Rom. 8.38. 5. An incorruptible Crown is laid up for all that overcome, 2. Tim. 4.7, 8. Reu. 2.
And as these or the like reasons may breed care and watchfulnes: so hath the true Christian ⟨p. 469⟩no cause of despaire, but rather many arguments of hope of good successe, and daily victories and triumphs ouer the flesh, if he be watchfull: for, 1. God hath prouided him of armour against those kindes of assaults: and it is mighty to preserue and subdue, 2. Cor. 10.3, 4. 2. Christ in his power doth rest in vs, for this end, to assist vs in the combate, as we cry for help, 2. Cor. 12.10. 3. We fight against an aduersary hath beene often foiled by all sorts of Godly Christians, and by our selues in diuers particular combates; yea, against an aduersary, that hath receiued a deadly wound that cannot bee cured: for, so the flesh the first day of our conuersion was mortified. All that are Christs, haue mortified the flesh with the lusts thereof. 4. Wee haue assurance of victory, if wee resist,
Now, for the seventh point: we obtain victory against the flesh divers ways, as, 1. In our justification,1 when we by faith obtain the pardon of our sins committed, and a righteousness able to cover us, notwithstanding all the spite the flesh doth us. This is our victory in Christ, Rom. 7. 2. In our sanctification: and so we get victory. 1. When we conquer some sins wholly, so that we never commit them again. ⟨p. 470⟩2. When we turn, and subdue the power of the sin that remains; so as they cannot reign, though they rebel. 3. We shall have our final and full victory in our glorification in the day of CHRIST, when the flesh shall be utterly abolished for ever.
Now, for the seuenth point: wee obtaine victory against the flesh diuers waies, as, 1. In our iustification,1 when wee by faith obtaine the pardon of our sinnes committed, and a righteousnes able to couer vs, notwithstanding all the spite the flesh doth vs. This is our victory in Christ, Rom. 7. 2. In our sanctification: and so wee get victory. 1. When we conquer some sins wholly, so that we neuer commit them againe. ⟨p. 470⟩2. When we turn, and subdue the power of the sin that remains; so as they cannot raigne, though they rebell. 3. We shall haue our finall and full victory in our glorification in the day of CHRIST, when the flesh shall be vtterly abolished for euer.
Now for the eighth point: we may know, that we are not at any time overcome, by these signs, if we find them in us.
Now for the eightth point: wee may knowe, that wee are not at any time ouercomne, by these signes, if we finde them in vs.
11. If we judge our selves for all known sins; so as there be no sin arising from the flesh, but we condemn it, and keep our selves as men condemned in the flesh, being grieved at the rebellion of the flesh in us, Rom. 7.1. Pet. 4.7. 2. If we hold fast our assurance of faith, we are safe, so long as we keep the faith, 2. Tim. 4.7. 3. If we go on in our Christian way or course, and do not give-over the practice of known duties, against the light of our consciences: if we finish our course, 2. Tim. 4.7.
11. If wee iudge our selues for all knowne sinnes; so as there be no sin arising from the flesh, but wee condemn it, and keep our selues as men condemned in the flesh, being grieued at the rebellion of the flesh in vs, Rom. 7.1. Pet. 4.7. 2. If we hold fast our assurance of faith, we are safe, so long as we keep the faith, 2. Tim. 4.7. 3. If wee goe on in our Christian way or course, and doo not giue-ouer the practice of knowne duties, against the light of our consciences: if we finish our course, 2. Tim. 4.7.
Use 1. The use of all should be,
Vse 1. The vse of all should be,
First, for information; and so two ways: for, 1. It shows the miseries of such persons as never feel this combat, that have all quiet in them: it is a sign, the flesh and the devil rule all, and there is no sanctified Spirit to resist. 2. It shows the folly of some godly persons, that are troubled, as if their states were not right, because they find such a combat in themselves: whereas they should rather conclude the contrary, that therefore there is some workmanship of Christ in them, which is so opposed by ⟨p. 471⟩the flesh and the devil; and that it is the case of all the godly, to be assaulted with rebellious thoughts and desires, and other practices of the flesh, reckoned up before.
First, for information; and so two waies: for, 1. It shewes the miseries of such persons as neuer feel this combate, that haue all quiet in them: it is a signe, the flesh and the diuell rule all, and there is no sanctified Spirit to resist. 2. It shewes the folly of some godly persons, that are troubled, as if their states were not right, because they finde such a combat in themselues: whereas they should rather conclude the contrary, that therefore there is some workmanship of Christ in them, which is so opposed by ⟨p. 471⟩the flesh and the diuell; and that it is the case of all the godly, to bee assaulted with rebellious thoughts and desires, and other practices of the flesh, reckoned vp before.
