Filter authors and titles

A17385:1076

A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St.…

Name: A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…
Author: Nicholas Byfield

A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St. Peter Wherein are most judiciously and profitably handled such points of doctrine as naturally flow from the text. Together with a very useful application thereof: and many good rules for a godly life. By Nicholas Byfield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex. To which is now newly added an alphabetical table, not formerly published.

:1073p. 83¶2

2 That the Lord is many times loth to discover the precise time of his mercy: as for a long time he would not let it be known when Christ should come, so it was ab•ut the calling of the Gentiles, and so it is about the time of our going to heaven. For if it should be far off, men would grow the more impatient with their present condition, and by this means God tries the faith, and patience, and obedience of his people: and thus are blessings more admired and welcome when they do come; and by works of preparation the happiness of the Elect is greatly furthered.

2 That the Lord is many times loth to discover the precise time of his mercy: as for a long time he would not let it be known when Christ should come, so it was ab•ut the calling of the Gentiles, and so it is about the time of our going to heaven. For if it should be farre off, men would grow the more impatient with their present condition, and by this meanes God tries the faith, and patience, and obedience of his people: and thus are blessings more admired and welcome when they doe come; and by works of preparation the happinesse of the Elect is greatly furthered.

:1074p. 83

But is it not uncomfortable to be ignorant of the time when God will show his mercy?

But is it not uncomfortable to be ignorant of the time when God will shew his mercy?

:1075p. 83

It is not: for 1 The time is infallibly set by God. 2 The Lord hath chosen and appointed the fittest time. 3 The Lord is precise in keeping his time.

:1076p. 83¶3

3 The third Observation is, that when the circumstance of time is not of absolute necessity for our good to be known, we must be sober and temperate, and enquire with all humility: we may learn this of the Prophets about salvation it self, they are said to enquire diligently; but about the time, it is barely said, they searched.

3 The third Observation is, that when the circumstance of time is not of absolute necessitie for our good to be knowne, we must be sober and temperate, and enquire with all humilitie: we may learne this of the Prophets about salvation it selfe, they are said to enquire diligently; but about the time, it is barely said, they searched.

:1077p. 83

Thus of the third thing.

:1078p. 83–84¶4

4 The fourth thing is the Occasion; which was an inspiration of the holy Ghost, which testified of Christs sufferings, and strange glories should follow ⟨p. 84⟩after. So that the efficient cause of the inspiration was the holy Ghost, which was in them: The final cause was to testify or bear witness: The subject matter of this inspiration was twofold. 1 Of the sufferings of Christ. 2 Of the glories should follow.

4 The fourth thing is the Occasion; which was an inspiration of the holy Ghost, which testified of Christs sufferings, and strange glories should follow ⟨p. 84⟩after. So that the efficient cause of the inspiration was the holy Ghost, which was in them: The finall cause was to testifie or beare witnesse: The subject matter of this inspiration was twofold. 1 Of the sufferings of Christ. 2 Of the glories should follow.

:1079p. 84

The Spirit that was in them.

:1080p. 84

Note that he saith not the Spirit of God, but the Spirit of Christ: so the holy Ghost is called the Spirit of the Son, Gal. 4.6. He may be called the Spirit of Christ, because he is given by Christ, and because he is given to the members of Christ, and because he should be especially manifested in the times under Christ, and because it did especially reveal Christ, and chiefly because it was essentially joined unto Christ, and did proceed of Him and the Father from all eternity.

Note that he saith not the Spirit of God, but the Spirit of Christ: so the holy Ghost is called the Spirit of the Sonne, Gal. 4.6. He may be called the Spirit of Christ, because he is given by Christ, and because he is given to the members of Christ, and because he should be especially manifested in the times under Christ, and because it did especially reveale Christ, and chiefly because it was essentially ioyned unto Christ, and did proceed of Him and the Father from all eternitie.

:1081p. 84

Now for the use hereof. Here is both Information and Consolation. We may be informed here, that the doctrine of the Trinity was not unknown in the Church of the Jews, in that we see, that the Spirit of God was called the Spirit of Christ. As for that place in Act. 19. where some say, they had not heard, whether there were a holy Ghost or no; It is to be understood of the extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost, which at the time of the conversion of many did fall upon them, and not of the nature of the holy Ghost. This doctrine also may comfort us greatly: for whereas it it the office of the holy Ghost to mortify the deeds of the flesh, to lead us into all truth, to be a comforter, to bear witness unto our spirits, to help us when we know not how to pray as we ought, &c. This doctrine (I say) may greatly encourage us to beg the holy Ghost, and to believe our help therein, seeing he is sent of Christ; and is at his disposing that dyed for us, and gave himself for us: how shall he not then give us his holy Spirit also, if we ask it of him?

Now for the use hereof. Here is both Information and Consolation. We may be informed here, that the doctrine of the Trinitie was not unknowne in the Church of the Jewes, in that we see, that the Spirit of God was called the Spirit of Christ. As for that place in Act. 19. where some say, they had not heard, whether there were a holy Ghost or no; It is to be understood of the extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost, which at the time of the conversion of many did fall upon them, and not of the nature of the holy Ghost. This doctrine also may comfort us greatly: for whereas it it the office of the holy Ghost to mortifie the deeds of the flesh, to lead us into all truth, to be a comforter, to beare witnesse unto our spirits, to help us when we know not how to pray as we ought, &c. This doctrine (I say) may greatly incourageus to beg the holy Ghost, and to beleeve our help therein, seeing hee is sent of Christ; and is at his disposing that dyed for us, and gave himselfe for us: how shall he not then give us his holy Spirit also, if we aske it of him?

:1082p. 84

Further, hence we may note, that the Spirit of God is the only immediate fountain and original of all Prophesies concerning times and things to come. The Oracles of the Gentiles were but either delusions under ambiguous sentences, or but conjectures; or else when they did foretell aright, they were permitted of God for the further hardening of the people, either from Scripture, or other revelation to foretell. As for the Sibyls that prophesied of Christ, &c. it is no absurdity to grant, that they were stirred up by the holy Ghost to prophesy of Christ among the Gentiles, &c.

Further, hence we may note, that the Spirit of God is the onely immediate fountaine and originall of all Prophesies concerning times and things to come. The Oracles of the Gentiles were but eyther delusions under ambiguous sentences, or but coniectures; or else when they did foretell aright, they were permitted of God for the further hardning of the people, eyther from Scripture, or other revelation to foretell. As for the Sibyls that prophesied of Christ, &c. it is no absurditie to grant, that they were stirred up by the holy Ghost to prophesie of Christ among the Gentiles, &c.

:1083p. 84

Verse 12. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they should minister the things which are now showed unto you by them, which have preached unto you the Gospel by the holy Ghost sent down from heaven, the which things the Angels desire to behold.

Verse 12. Vnto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they should minister the things which are now shewed unto you by them, which have preached unto you the Gospell by the holy Ghost sent down from heaven, the which things the Angels desire to behold.

:1084p. 84–85

THE fifth and last thing concerning the testimony of the Prophets, is the success of their enquiry, and diligent search: and that in general is, that they were answered and resolved of God. Now in the Lords answer there are two things to be observed. 1. The manner how God gave his answer, that is to say, by Revelation: To whom it was revealed. 2. The matter of the answer, which stands here of two parts. The first concerns the persons: the second concerns the things promised of God. The persons are considered both negatively and affirmatively. Negatively: the Prophets were resolved that they themselves were not the men whom those Oracles concerned. Affirmatively: they were told, that those things, which they prophesied of, they did minister unto us Christians. Thus of the persons. Now the things promised or prophesied of, are not only propounded, but commended, and further described and that two ways. 1. By the glory of their efficient causes, and those are ⟨p. 85⟩either less principal, namely, the Apostles and other Ministers of the Gospel, or more principal, namely, the holy Ghost sent down from heaven. 2. By the adjunct respect of the Angels in heaven, who are said to desire to look unto those things that are thus treasured up in the Ark of the Church.

THE fift and last thing concerning the testimony of the Prophets, is the successe of their enquiry, and diligent search: and that in generall is, that they were answered and resolved of God. Now in the Lords answer there are two things to be observed. 1. The manner how God gave his answer, that is to say, by Revelation: To whom it was revealed. 2. The matter of the answer, which stands here of two parts. The first concernes the persons: the second concernes the things promised of God. The persons are considered both negatively and affirmatively. Negatively: the Prophets were resolved that they themselves were not the men whom those Oracles concerned. Affirmatively: they were told, that those things, which they prophesied of, they did minister unto us Christians. Thus of the persons. Now the things promised or prophesied of, are not onely propounded, but commended, and further described and that two wayes. 1. By the glory of their efficient causes, and those are ⟨p. 85⟩either lesse principall, namely, the Apostles and other Ministers of the Gospel, or more principall, namely, the holy Ghost sent downe from heaven. 2. By the adjunct respect of the Angels in heaven, who are said to desire to look unto those things that are thus treasured up in the Arke of the Church.

:1085p. 85

Now from the coherence and general consideration of these words, we may be assured of this general doctrine, that such as diligently seek unto God shall be satisfied, and resolved, and answered. God is no accepter of persons: he that resolved the Prophets, will answer us also: it is an unchangeable order of promise, such as seek shall find, such as ask shall have, such as knock shall be opened unto, Mat. 7.8. yea he saith, every one that asketh, &c. yea it is certain, that God will make this good unto the diligent use of every one of his ordinances, as Prayer, Isaiah 30.19. Joel 2.19. Jer. 33.3. Reading, Job. 5.29. Hearing, Isaiah 56.3. Mich. 2.7. Conference, Isaiah 19.24.25.

Now from the coherence and generall consideration of these words, we may be assured of this generall doctrine, that such as diligently seek unto God shall be satisfied, and resolved, and answered. God is no accepter of persons: he that resolved the Prophets, will answer us also: it is an unchangeable order of promise, such as seeke shall finde, such as aske shall have, such as knock shall be opened unto, Mat. 7.8. yea he saith, every one that asketh, &c. yea it is certaine, that God will make this good unto the diligent use of every one of his ordinances, as Prayer, Esay 30.19. Ioel 2.19. Ier. 33.3. Reading, Iob. 5.29. Hearing, Esay 56.3. Mich. 2.7. Conference, Esay 19.24.25.

:1086p. 85

The use is first for confutation of their wretched Atheism,¹ that scorn Gods ordinances, as bare and empty actions: but if there were no more to commend them then what this doctrine assures, it might sufficiently censure them for their just contempt. For in these and every of these the Lord meeteth his servants, and doth as it were by a heavenly intercourse confer with his people▪ and familiarly make himself known unto them, as one man is known unto another by conversation, or his name: therefore are they called his name in the third commandment. 2. Secondly, we should be encouraged in all distresses, and doubts, and ignorances to have recourse unto God, and in all humility, and constancy, and faith to seek unto him in the name of Christ, who was ever known to be a Counsellor unto his people;² but then let me add this, that we look to our selves when we come unto God, for there are divers men whom God will not answer, or if he do, it is in justice, as Mich. 3.7. Zach. 7.11. Ezech 20.3.31.

The use is first for confutation of their wretched Atheisme,¹ that scorne Gods ordinances, as bare and empty actions: but if there were no more to commend them then what this doctrine assures, it might sufficiently censure them for their just contempt. For in these and every of these the Lord meeteth his servants, and doth as it were by a heavenly entercourse conferre with his people▪ and familiarly make himselfe knowne unto them, as one man is knowne unto another by conversation, or his name: therefore are they called his name in the third commandement. 2. Secondly, we should be incouraged in all distresses, and doubts, and ignorances to have recourse unto God, and in all humility, and constancy, and faith to seeke unto him in the name of Christ, who was ever knowne to be a Councellour unto his people;²

:1087p. 85

But what must we do, that God might answer us?¹

But what must we doe, that God might answer us?¹

1Quest. Answ.

:1088p. 85¶1

1. First, we must be such as will answer when God calls, else it is just, we should call when God will not answer,¹ Zach. 7.11.

1. First, we must be such as will answer when God calls, else it is just, we should call when God will not a•swer,¹ Zach. 7.11.

1[…]〈…〉

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Verse 12. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they should minister the things which are now showed unto you by them, which have preached unto you the Gospel by the holy Ghost sent down from heaven, the which things the Angels desire to behold.

Verse 12. Vnto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they should minister the things which are now shewed unto you by them, which have preached unto you the Gospell by the holy Ghost sent down from heaven, the which things the Angels desire to behold.