A17385:1206
A17385:1206
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.
Thirdly, in that the holy Ghost in the primitive times did so visibly fall upon the Apostles and the Disciples, it may serve for divers uses. 1. To confirm u• in the truth of the Gospel, since the prophesies were therein so accomplished, and the doctrine of Christ crucified so miraculously sealed. 2. It may •u•ble us, that we cannot see the glory of the Scriptures, seeing they proceed from such a fountain. 3. It may make us in love with the Scriptures, since they were penned by men so miraculously qualified by the holy Spirit of God. 4. It may assure us of incredible success, if we could stir up the holy Ghost in us, we might get wonderful knowledge and grace, if we did strive in these times of the Gospel. For though that manner of presence be cea•ed; yet God is no respectre of persons, but the Spirit of God now by lesser means is able to produce the same effects in the hearts of men, in what is necessary to salvation. For of these times it is that was spoken Jer. 31.33. to spare instances in other things. 5. Lastly, it may confirm us against the scorns, and disgraces of the world, by which men every where dishonour the knowledge and practice of the holy things brought to us with the Gospel. These things that so many deride, came to us from the holy Ghost, who came down from heaven to propound, and confer them upon the Church.
Thirdly, in that the holy Ghost in the primitive times did so visibly fall upon the Apostles and the Disciples, it may serve for divers uses. 1. To confirme u• in the truth of the Gospell, since the prophesies were therein so accomplished, and the doctrine of Christ crucified so miraculously sealed. 2. It may •u•ble us, that wee cannot see the glory of the Scriptures, seeing they proceed from such a fountaine. 3. It may make us in love with the Scriptu•es, since they were penned by men so miraculously qualified by the holy Spirit of God. 4. It may assure us of incredible successe, if wee could stir up the holy Ghost in us, we might get wonderfull knowledge and grace, if we did strive in these times of the Gospell. For though that manner of presence be cea•ed; yet God is no respecter of persons, but the Spirit of God now by lesser means is able to produce the same effects in the hearts of men, in what is necessary to salvation. For of these times it is that was spoken Ier. 31.33. to spare i•stances in other things. 5. Lastly, it may confirme us against the scornes, and disgraces of the world, by which men every where dishonor the knowledge and practice of the holy things brought to us with the Gospell. These things that so many deride, came to us from the holy Ghost, who came downe from heaven to propound, and conferre them up•n the Church.
Sent down.] It is to be noted further, that he saith, that the holy Ghost was sent. For from thence,
Sent downe.] It is to be noted further, that he saith, that the holy Ghost was sent. For from thence,
1. I observe an evident proof, that the holy Ghost is a person distinct from the Father and the Son.
1. I observe an evident proofe, that the holy Ghost is a person distin•t from the Father and the Son.
2. Hence ariseth the consideration of the nature of this mission. Mission is a• attribute given here to the holy Ghost. Now divine attribute▪ are either essential, or personal. Essential are such proprieties as equally belong to all the persons in respect of the essence, as to be wise, just, merciful, holy, &c. Personal attributes are such proprieties as are given only to the persons ⟨p. 95⟩apart, the one from the other, & do note a difference of the persons, as to beget, to be begotten, to send forth, to be sent forth, to proceed, to conceive, &c. Now these personal attributes may be distinguished also thus: Some are proper to each person alone; so in one, as not in any other: as to beget (in the Father,) to be begotten (in the Son), to proceed (in the holy Ghost:) some of these attributes are common to two of the persons, but not to the third, as proceeding in the holy Ghost is both from the Father and the Son, so to send forth is the attribute both of the Father and Son: so likewise to receive is common to the Son and to the holy Ghost: so that we see whither mission must be referred. Yet to make it more clear, we must understand, that there is a double sending forth: the one internal, the other external. Internal, when the Father and the Son cause the holy Ghost to proceed: External, when the Father and Son send forth the holy Ghost for outward operations amongst the Creatures, especially in the Church; and thus the holy Ghost is sent forth by the Father, Joh. 14.16. and by the Son, Joh. 15.16, of this mission is that speech, Gal 4.7.
2. Hence ariseth the consideration of the nature of this mission. Mission is a• attbute given here to the holy Ghost. Now divine attbute are either essentiall, or personall. Essentiall are such proprieties as equally belong to all the persons in respect of the essence, as to be wise, just, mercifull, holy, &c. Personall attributes are such proprieties as are given onely to the persons
It doth not. For 1. it is not always true,1 that he that is sent forth is inferior to him that sent him. For Jonathan may send David, and David send Jonathan, and yet be both equal. Commission may import inferiority, not mission: or if it did hold amongst men, yet it is not true in the Trinity. 2. This word is used for want of words, metaphorically, to shadow out something above our reach. For it doth not note either a servile subjection, or a local motion; but it is used to express either some effect of his working, or some sign of his presence: so that the meaning is, the holy Ghost was sent: that is, he wrought some notable effect on earth, or showed that he was present by some sign.
It doth not. For 1. it is not alwaies true,1 that he that is sent forth is inferiour to him that sent him. For Ionathan may send David, and David send Ionathan, and yet be both equall. Commission may import inferiority, not mission: or if it did hold amongst men, yet it is not true in the Trinity. 2. This word is used for want of words, metaphorically, to shadow out something above our reach. For it doth not note either a servile subjection, or a locall motion; but it is used to expresse either some effect of his working, or some signe of his presence: so that the meaning is, the holy Ghost was sent: that is, he wrought some notable effect on earth, or shewed that he was present by some signe.
Now for some use of this sending of the holy Ghost,1 we may in this doctrine observe, 1. That to be sent of God is no disparagement unto us, he sent his own Spirit. 2. We may here note some things, wherein we may resemble and express the image of the holiness of the Trinity in us. Would we live together as the three persons in the Trinity do? Then 1. we must live without envy one at another. 2. We must not think much to be employed one by another, or to be advised and appointed in well doing. 3. The salvation of the elect should be dearer to us, then any respect of our selves, or our own estate, we must not seek our own things. The holy Ghost repines not at his mission, and the Father thinks not his Son and Spirit too good to be sent unto us. As we grow in these things, so we more express a likeness to the Trinity.
Now for some use of this sending of the holy Ghost,1 we may in this doctrine observe, 1. That to be sent of God is no disparagement unto us, hee sent his owne Spirit. 2. We may here note some things, wherein wee may resemble and expresse the image of the holinesse of the Trinity in us. Would we live together as the three persons in the Trinity doe? Then 1. we must live without envie one at another. 2. Wee must not think much to be imployed one by another, or to be advised and appointed in well doing. 3. The salvation of the elect should be dearer to us, then any respect of our selves, or our owne estate, we must not seek our owne things. The holy Ghost repines not at his mission, and the Father thinks not his Son and Spirit too good to be sent unto us. As we grow in these things, so we more expresse a likenesse to the Trinity.
Down from heaven.
Downe from heaven.
Something may be noted in that the holy Apostle addeth, that he was sent from heaven. 1. It imports what this world is, it is but a place of misery, and to come into it, is to come down. 2. It expresseth what heaven is; it is the place of Gods residence, the place where God dwells, the Palace of the great King, as Princes have their Palaces, so hath God, and as a Princes palace differs from a cottage, so doth heaven from earth.
Something may be noted in that the holy Apostle addeth, that hee was sent from heaven. 1. It imports what this world is, it is but a place of misery, and to come into it, is to come downe. 2. It expresseth what heaven is; it is the place of Gods residence, the place where God dwels, the Palace of the great King, as Princes have their Palaces, so hath God, and as a Princes palace differs from a cottage, so doth heaven from earth.
The Use should be to inflame our affections towards this holy place:1 oh how should we lo•g to see where God dwells? what natures have we to long to see the courts of Princes, and yet cannot long after the courts of our God? and yet in Princes courts, 1. Not entertained,• ut many times repulsed. 2. Not known many times of any body. 3. Not dwell there. ⟨p. 96⟩4. Not favoured of the King, or his son. 5. The Lords will not attend us to carry us to the King, or show us all, &c. 6. Soon are we cloyed with the glory of it, if we had all we would. 7. In the Kings court we see the glory of others, not •ur own. But contrary to all these, it is in heaven, as it shall be with the righteous.
The Use should be to inflame our affections towards this holy place:1 oh how should wee lo•g to see where God dwels? what natures have wee to long to see the courts of Princes, and yet cannot long after the courts of our God? and yet in Princes courts, 1. Not entertained,• ut many times repulsed. 2. Not knowne many times of any body. 3. Not dwell there. ⟨p. 96⟩4. Not favoured of the King, or his sonne. 5. The Lords will not attend us to carry us to the King, or shew us all, &c. 6. Soone are we cloyed with the glory of it, if we had all we would. 7. In the Kings court we see the glory of others, not •ur owne. But contrary to all these, it is in heaven, as it shall be with the righteous.
Which things the Angels desire to look into.
Which things the Angels desire to looke into.
In these words, the grace brought unto us in the Gospel is commended by the adjunct desire the Angels have to look into it: if such glorious creatures see such worth in these things, then they are certainly to be highly accounted of and rejoiced in: but the Angels do so as saith the holy Ghost, who is acquainted with the desires of Angels as well as with the thoughts of men. Therefore &c.
In these words, the grace brought unto us in the Gospell is commended by the adjunct desire the Angels have to looke into it: if such glorious creatures see such worth in these things, then they are certainly to be highly accounted of and rejoyced in: but the Angels doe so as saith the holy Ghost, who is acquainted with the desires of Angels as wel as with the thoughts of men. Therefore &c.
1Before I enter upon the particular consideration of these words, I must in general observe one doctrine from the coherence, viz. that as any are more holy and happy, so they do more admire the grace brought unto us in the Gospel: it is much that the Prophets give such testimony: so is it that the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel spake such glorious things of it: but if that may not confirm us, the holy Spirit of God and the Angels of God shall be brought in to deliver not their opinions only, but their desires also.
1Before I enter upon the particular consideration of these words, I must in generall observe one doctrine from the coherence, viz. that as any are more holy and happy, so they doe more admire the grace brought unto us in the Gospell: it is much that the Prophets give such testimony: so is it that the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospell spake such glorious things of it: but if that may not confirme us, the holy Spirit of God and the Angels of God shal be brought in to deliver not their opinions onely, but their desires also.
Which may serve,
1. For singular reproof of the madness of our natures, that cannot be won to know or regard wherein the chief good lies, but are so infinitely distracted with endless hunting after the riches or pleasures of life. Oh how are our hearts sunk deep in rebellion, when neither the verity of these things, nor our own mortality, nor such abundant testimonies from heaven can move us? But woe unto us for two reasons from hence: First, we shall be made inexcusable, since God hath warned and instructed us with such undeniable testimonies. Secondly, here we see the cause why we seek not after the grace of Christ in the Gospel; it is because we are alienated both from holiness, and happiness. For if we had experience in either, we would judge as •he Angels of heaven do.
1. For singular reproofe of the madnesse of our natures, that cannot be won to know or regard wherein the chiefe good lies, but are so infinitely distracted with endlesse hunting after the riches or pleasures of life. Oh how are our hearts sunke deepe in rebellion, when neither the verity of these things, nor our owne mortality, nor such abundant testimonies from heaven can move us? But woe unto us for two reasons from hence: First, wee shall be made inexcusable, since God hath warned and instructed us with such undeniable testimonies. Secondly, here we see the cause why wee seek not after the grace of Christ in the Gospell; it is because we are alienated both from hol•nesse, and happinesse. For if we had experience in either, we would judge as •he Angels of heaven doe.
2. For singular strengthening and encouragement to every one that hath true grace: let him rejoice in his portion: the Gospel is the best riches, it were •ot bought dear if a man sold all he had to purchase it: we should rather take the judgement and opinion of one Angel, then of a thousand worldly persons: […] is no matter what they say, they know not their felicity: flesh and blood hath had no revelation in these things; it is the Spirit of God only tha• can show us the things given us of God; it is the scope of this place to confirm the consolations, ver. 3, 4, 5.
2. For singular strengthning and incouragement to every one that hath true grace: let him rejoyce in his portion: the Gospell is the best riches, it were •ot b•ught deare if a man sold all he had to purchase it: we should rather take the judgement and opinion of one Angell, then of a thousand worldly persons: 〈…〉 is no matter what they say, they know not their felicity: flesh and bloud hath had no revelation in these things; it is the Spirit of God onely tha• can shew us the things given us of God; it is the scope of this place to confirme the consolations, ver. 3, 4, 5.