A17385:1125
A17385:1125
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.A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St. Peter VVherin are most judiciously and profitably handled such points of doctrine as naturally flow from the text. Together with a very usefull 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 alphabeticall table, not formerly published.
London: printed by Miles Flesher and Robert Young, 1637
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.
T•at not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister.
The plain meaning is, that the Lord would have them to know, that they were implied in these prophesies of glory, not that they should thereby reveal any further blessedness unto themselves (for they should die before those days come) but should therein do service unto Churches that should come long after.
The plain meaning is, that the Lord would have them to know, that they were implyed in these prophesies of glory, not that they should thereby reveale any further blessednesse unto themselves (for they should die before those daies come) but should therein doe service unto Churches that should come long after.
Here are divers things to be noted hence.
That the Lord hath been used to deny the requests,1 or desires of his servants in respect of the circumstances of their suits, such as were time, place, manner, means, measure &c yea, we see, how he denieth his best servants in the letter of his desires: Isaac must not have his will concerning Esau: nor Joseph concerning Manasseh: Moses may see Canaan, but he must not enter in: David must not prosper in his beloved Absalom: the Apostles must not be ⟨p. 88⟩great in an earthly kingdom: nor Paul have his tentation depart just as soon as he prays: Jonah must not be humoured; nor Elijah die when he list: David shall not bring in the Ark at his pleasure: nay Christ himself must not be heard in the very letter of his desires; for the cup did not pass from him. The Use is therefore to commit our ways to God with all patience and humility,2 and never rebel in our hearts, if the Lord cross us, but rather confess our errors, and yield our selves to God, as knowing that all shall work together for the best, &c. and he will so hear and so answer, as may be best for our best good.
That the Lord hath beene used to deny the requests,1 or desires of his serva•ts in respect of the circumstances of their suits, such as were time, place, manner, meanes, measure &c yea, we see, how he denieth his best servants in the letter of his desires: Isaac must not have his will concerning Esau: nor Ioseph concerning Manasses: Moses may see Canaan, but he must not enter in: David must not prosper in his beloved Absolon: the Apostles must not be ⟨p. 88⟩great in an earthly kingdome: nor Paul have his tentation depart just as soon as he prayes: Ionah must not be humored; nor Elias die when he list: David shall not bring in the Arke at his pleasure: nay Christ himselfe must not be heard in the very letter of his desires; for the cup did not passe from him. The Use is therefore to commit our waies to God with all patience and humility,2 and never rebell in our hearts, if the Lord crosse us, but rather confesse our errors, and yeeld our selves to God, as knowing that all shall work together for the best, &c. and he will so heare and so answer, as may be best for our best good.
1The Lord hath been used to train his servants to know that their labours are to be spent for the good of others, as well as themselves: thus the Prophets must hear of it, God hath distributed his gifts not only for the use of each member,2 but for the benefit of the whole body, 1 Cor. 12. The Use should be to teach all sorts of men to promote to their uttermost the common good, and to do it out of conscience, and heartily, and with all diligence, as we would care for our own things, especially promoting the edification of the body with all love and industry, Rom. 12.6.1 Pet. 4.9, 10. Eph. 4.26. Thus should ministers, and magistrates, and masters of families, and every Christian with his acquaintance. We are Stewards of Gods gifts, and they must be implo•ed about Gods work, not our own only: the Masters advantage is most principally to be respected: and therefore this must needs be a great reproof to such▪ as can only mind their own things, and not the things of Jesus Christ, Phil. 2. It will be a singular comfort to such as excel in gifts, or riches, or power, if they can say at their death beds, not unto my self, but unto the servants of God, or to the poor, or to the Church, or to the service of my country, or to the conversion of souls, &c. have I ministered the wit, or learning, or wealth, or power the Lord hath given me. Contrariwise, it cannot but be woeful to some to remember on their death beds, that they have spent their means, and gifts to promote wicked courses, and to procure sin, or to maintain the riotous, or gamesters, or whores, or dogs, or any way their own lusts, oh what will they say when they are asked, whom have you clothed, fed, comforted, counselled, admonished, &c.
1The Lord hath been used to traine his servants to know that their labours are to be spent for the good of others, as well as themselves: thus the Prophets must heare of it, God hath distributed his gifts not onely for the use of each member,
But unto us.
1But why are we honoured thus and not the Prophets?
1The Lord showeth mercy on whom he will show mercy: I mean it for the manner, and time, and measure, and means: we must not herein dispute with God: yet even this tends wonderfully to the praise of Gods constant love to his Church, we see he doth not grow weary of his affection; he did not spend all his grace and favour upon Kings, Patriarchs, and Prophets, but he is ready to entertain even the prodigal son of the Gentiles with as hearty, or rather more hearty entertainment then ever he did the Jewish children that had not departed out of their fathers household. Secondly, this also shows, that extraordinary gifts are not the best for us: we want the gifts of prophecy, but to have the glorious grace of Christ is better then all; for we see the Prophets desired it more, and great reason: for one may be a Prophet and yet not be saved, Math. 7. but so one cannot have the true grace of Christ but they shall be saved: he is in better case that can pray with the Spirit, then he that can prophesy. For God is rich to all that call upon him, and whosoever calleth on the name of the Lord shall be saved, Rom. 10.10. Joel 2.
1The Lord sheweth mercy on whom he will shew mercy: I meane it for the manner, and time, and measure, and meanes: we must not herein dispute with God: yet even this tends wonderfully to the praise of Gods constant love to his Church, we see he doth not grow weary of his affection; he did not spend all his grace and favour upon Kings, Patriarchs, and Prophets, but he is ready to entertaine even the prodigall sonne of the Gentiles with as hearty, or rather more hearty entertainment then ever he did the Jewish children that had not departed out of their fathers houshold. Secondly, this also shews, that extraordinary gifts are not the best for us: wee want the gifts of prophesie, but to have the glorious grace of Christ is better then all; for we see the Prophets desired it more, and great reason: for one may be a Prophet and yet not be saved, Math. 7. but so one cannot have the true grace of Christ but they shall be saved: hee is in better case that can pray with the Spirit, then he that can prophesie. For God is rich to all that call upon him, and whosoever calleth on the name of the Lord shall be saved,
Besides, we may note here, that God will not be bound to show his tenderest kindness to his best servants: no doubt the Prophets were better servants to God then we are; yet you see, they must not envy it to know that others shall be more made on then they. Finally, here is implied, that Gods ⟨p. 89⟩promises and provisions of grace can never be in vain. If it be not for the Prophets, yet it must be for us. For so in the original it is, as if it were rendered: but yet unto us; to note, that no word of God shall be in vain, Isaiah 55.11.
Besides, we may note here, that God will not be bound to shew his tenderest kindnesse to his best servants: no doubt the Prophets were better servants to God then we are; yet you see, they must not envie it to know that others shall be more made on then they. Finally, here is implyed, that Gods ⟨p. 89⟩promises and provisions of grace can never be in vaine. If it be not for the Prophets, yet it must be for us. For so in the originall it is, as if it were rendered: but yet unto us; to note, that no word of God shall be in vaine, Esay 55.11.
They did minister.
This phrase imports divers things.
1. We are here again occasioned to think of a strange depth of respect God bears to the meanest of his children: none are too good in his account to do them service: the Prophets must not think scorn to minister to them, yea so doth God reckon of them, that Kings and Queens must not be too good to nurse them: yea, we see here the Angels are desirous to know, or do any thing that concerns them: yea, the holy Ghost will leave heaven to do them good. Oh the bottomless depth of Gods love! and oh the barrenness, and shallowness, and unthankfulness of mans heart, that cannot be more inflamed towards God to render love for love! yea we should be afraid ever to challenge God for want of love, we should account it a great offence to call his affection in question, the Lord takes it wonderful ill, Isaiah 49.15, 16. & 40.26. oh that God should love us so beyond all president, all desert; yea above all we could desire, and yet we be still so slow hearted!
1. Wee are here againe occasioned to think of a strange depth of respect God beares to the meanest of his children: none are too good in his account to doe them service: the Prophets must not think scorne to minister to them, yea so doth God reckon of them, that Kings and Queenes must not be too good to nurse them: yea, we see here the Angels are desirous to know, or doe any thing that concerns them: yea, the holy Ghost will leave heaven to doe them good. Oh the bottomlesse depth of Gods love! and oh the barrennesse, and shallownesse, and unthankfulnesse of mans heart, that cannot be more inflamed towards God to render love for love! yea wee should be afraid ever to challenge God for want of love, we should account it a great offence to call his affection in question, the Lord takes it wonderfull ill, Esay 49.15, 16. & 40.26. oh that God should love us so beyond all president, all desert; yea above all we could desire, and yet we be still so slow hearted!
2. From this phrase we may note, that the greatest in the Church ought to account it their honour to do service to their brethren. It it charged upon all without exception to serve one another by love, Gal. 5. and Christ saith of the greatest, let him be your servant, Mat. 20.1 The Use is for all of us to search our hearts to see whether we can find such a noisome pride in our selves, as that at any time, we should think our selves too good to do Gods work, or to do service to any of Gods people; if we do find it; let us purge it out as vile leaven, and be humbled for it before God: else the Lord may perhaps find out ways to shame us, and scourge us, that we dream not of.
2. From this phrase we may note, that the greatest in the Church ought to account it their honour to doe service to their brethren. It it charged upon all without exception to serve one another by love, Gal. 5. and Christ saith of the greatest, let him be your servant, Mat. 20.1 The Use is for all of us to search our hearts to see whether we can finde such a noisome pride in our selves, as that at any time, we should think our selves too good to doe Gods work, or to doe service to any of Gods people; if we doe find it; let us purge it out as vile leaven, and be humbled for it before God: else the Lord may perhaps finde out waies to shame us, and scourge us, that we dreame not of.
3. This word Minister, as it is in the original, excellently imports how we should serve one another. For it is to serve, as the Deacons did: 1. out of conscience of a calling and commandment from God. 2. with all diligence. 3. constantly. 4. cheerfully, Rom. 12.5. with all humility, making our selves equal with them of the lower sort. All this the Deacons did.
3. This word Minister, as it is in the originall, excellently imports how we should serve one another. For it is to serve, as the Deacons did: 1. out of conscience of a calling and commandement from God. 2. with all diligence. 3. constantly. 4. cheerfully, Rom. 12.5. with all humility, making our selves equall with them of the lower sort. All this the Deacons did.
4. This word imports, that spiritual things are from God only in respect of beginning and as the primary cause. For the Prophets do but minister them: They have nothing but that they have received: for every good and perfect gift cometh down from God the Father of lights, which should teach us in the use of all means to direct our hearts to God.
4. This word imports, that spirituall things are from God onely in respect of beginning and as the primary cause. For the Prophets doe but minister them: They have nothing but that they have received: for every good and perfect gift commeth downe from God the Father of lights, which should teach us in the use of all meanes to direct our hearts to God.
The things which were reported unto you.