A17385:1164
A17385:1164
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.
Now because this news contains the more excellent part of Gods word, therefore I will consider of it more exactly. This heavenly news is the more admirable, if we consider, 1. What it is that the Gospel doth signify. 2. How we are assured of the news in the Gospel. 3. What are the effects of it. 4. What is required in the persons that have any part in this news.
Now because this newes contains the more excellent part of Gods word, therefore I will consider of it more exactly. This heavenly newes is the more admirable, if we consider, 1. What it is that the Gospell doth signifie. 2. How we are assured of the newes in the Gospell. 3. What are the effects of it. 4. What is required in the persons that have any part in this newes.
Then I would resolve certain questions; and lastly, make some use of all.
Then I would resolve certaine questions; and lastly, make some use of all.
For the first: the Gospel brings news unto forlorn men.
For the first: the Gospell brings newes unto forlorne men.
1. Of peace and reconciliation with God. The Gospel of peace,1 2. Of remission and forgiveness of our sins, Act, 10.43. 3. Of freedom from death and condemnation. 4. Of a divine and most sufficient righteousness to be revealed from heaven, Rom. 1.16, 17. 5. Of eternal life: The Gospel of the Kingdom, Mat. 9.35. and all for Christ Jesus sake the son of David, Rom. 1.23.
1. Of peace and reconciliation with God. The Gospell of peace,1 2. Of remission and forgivenesse of our sins, Act, 10.43. 3. Of freedome from death and condemnation. 4. Of a divine and most sufficient righteousnesse to be revealed from heaven, Rom. 1.16, 17. 5. Of eternall life: The Gospell of the Kingdome, Mat. 9.35. and all for Christ Jesus sake the son of David, Rom. 1.23.
1. By the testimony of the Spirit.1 2. By the vaticinies of the Prophets. 3. By the miracles that first confirmed it. 4. By the testimony of Christ himself, that in our nature preached it, Mat. 4.13. 5. By the word of God, or of the Apostles.
1. By the testimony of the Spirit.1 2. By the vaticinies of the Prophets. 3. By the miracles that first confirmed it. 4. By the testimony of Christ himselfe, that in our nature preached it, Mat. 4.13. 5. By the word of God, or of the Apostles.
The effects of the Gospel are: 1. It brings life and immortality to light, 2 Tim. 1.10.1 2. It melts the hearts of Gods elect more then any thing with voluntary grief for sin: it makes men condemn themselves in the flesh, 1 Pet. 4.6. 3. It revives and refresheth with wonderful encouragements, 1 Pet. 4.6. 4. It makes a man sacrifice himself to God, Rom. 15.16. 5. It is the ministry of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3. 6. It fenceth the affections against the love & care after worldly things: Hence we are said to be shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. 7. It establisheth hope, Col. 1.23. 8. It is the power of God to salvation, Rom. 1.16.
The effects of the Gospell are: 1. It brings life and immortality to light, 2 Tim. 1.10.1 2. It melts the hearts of Gods elect more then any thing with voluntary griefe for sin: it makes men condemne themselves in the flesh, 1 Pet. 4.6. 3. It revives and refresheth with wonderfull encouragements, 1 Pet. 4.6. 4. It makes a man sacrifice himselfe to God, Rom. 15.16. 5. It is the ministery of the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3. 6. It fenceth the affections against the love & care after worldly things: Hence we are said to be shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace. 7. It establisheth hope,
Fourthly, there are eight things required in every one that would have part in the Gospel.
Fourthly, there are eight things required in every one that would have part in the Gospell.
1. Reformation of life.1 2. Faith and trust in it, Mat. 16.15, 16. Eph. 1.13. Heb. 4.2. and to this end get evidence and seal to it, Eph. 1.13. 3. A singular estimation of it: so great, as 1. Our chiefest praise should be in the Gospel. 2. We should be content to suffer any thing for it, and not be ashamed of the afflictions or bonds of the Gospel, Mark 8.35. & 10.29. 1 Thes. 1.5. 2 Tim. 1.8. Philem. 13. ⟨p. 92⟩4. Poverty of spirit, Isaiah 61.1. 5. A diligent strife and constant endeavour to attend upon it, we should press to it, Luke 16.16. 6. Professed subjection to it, 2 Cor. 9.12. 7. We should endeavour to live so, as might become the Gospel, Phil. 1.27. 8. We should continue in it, and not be moved away from the hope of it, Col. 1.23. a vile offence to be turned from it, Gal. 1.6.
1. Reformation of life.1
1Distinguish: If the Gospel be taken for the news of Christ come in the flesh, then it was not preached, till the times of Christ and the Apostles: But if it be taken for the promise of grace and pardon in Christ, it was given in Paradise to Adam, and continued by the Patriarchs and Prophets, Act. 10. 43. Heb. 13.8. Moses wrote of Christ, Joh. 5.46.
1Distinguish: If the Gospell be taken for the newes of Christ come in the flesh, then it was not preached, till the times of Christ and the Apostles: But if it be taken for the promise of grace and pardon in Christ, it was given in Paradise to Adam, and continued by the Patriarks and Prophets, Act. 10. 43. Heb. 13.8. Moses wrote of Christ, Ioh. 5.46.
Moses wrote of Christ two ways. 1. By writing the promise concerning the Messiah to come. 2. By the whole ceremonial law and service. For all those were shadows of Christ to come.
Moses wrote of Christ two waies. 1. By writing the promise concerning the Messias to come. 2. By the whole ceremoniall law and service. For all those were shadowes of Christ to come.
1But the Gospel is said to be hid and concealed from ages and generations &c. Rom. 16.26. Eph. 3.5. Col. 1.26.
1But the Gospell is said to be hid and concealed from ages and generations &c. Rom. 16.26. Eph. 3.5. Col. 1.26.
11. In the manner of revelation: The law is written in some sort in the heart of man, Rom. 2.15. but the Gospel now may not be known to nature, but revealed by Christ, Mat. 16.17.
11. In the manner of revelation: The law is written in some sort in the heart of man, Rom. 2.15. but the Gospell now may not be knowne to nature, but revealed by Christ, Mat. 16.17.