A17385:1274
A17385:1274
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.
The reasons are six, taken 1. From the image of God, ver. 14, 15, 16. 2. From the judgement of God, ver. 17. 3. From the redemption in Christ, ver. 18. to 22. 4. From the relation to the godly, ver. 22. 5. From the immortality of the soul, ver. 23. 6. From the immortality of the body, ver. 24, 25.
The reasons are sixe, taken 1. From the image of God, ver. 14, 15, 16. 2. From the judgement of God, ver. 17. 3. From the redemption in Christ, ver. 18. to 22. 4. From the relation to the godly, ver. 22. 5. From the immortality of the soule, ver. 23. 6. From the immortality of the body, ver. 24, 25.
Thus for the order: From the coherence divers things may be noted.
First, that we are seldom comforted, but we had need to be exhorted, so apt are our hearts to security, and so usual is it, that deadness of spirit should follow lively joys. Besides, Satan is aptest to cast in his base injections after any comfort, as it was with Paul after his revelations.
First, that we are seldome comforted, but we had need to be exhorted, so apt are our hearts to security, and so usuall is it, that deadnesse of spirit should follow lively joyes. Besides, Sathan is aptest to cast in his base injections after any comfort, as it was with Paul after his revelations.
Secondly, that the best use of Consolation, is to stir us up to godly conversation, and the settling of faith and hope; and thereby we may note a difference between the illusions of Satan, and the true comforts of the holy Ghost.
Secondly, that the best use of Consolation, is to stirre us up to godly conversation, and the setling of faith and hope; and thereby wee may note a difference betweene the illusions of Sathan, and the true comforts of the holy Ghost.
Thirdly, that the meditation of the desire of the Angels, and the true Prophets of God should make us ashamed of the slowness of our hearts, and quicken us to gird up the loins of our minds.
Thirdly, that the meditation of the desire of the Angels, and the true Prophets of God should make us ashamed of the slownesse of our hearts, and quicken us to gird up the loines of our minds.
Gird up the loins of your minds.
Gird up the loines of your minds.
These words are metaphorical, and may be three ways interpreted.
These words are metaphoricall, and may be three waies interpreted.
1. First, hereby may be signified, that we should with all care lay hold upon Gods covenant, and in our minds and affections embrace it: For the girdle upon Jeremies loins is a type of Gods covenant with the people, Jer. 13.11.
1. First, hereby may be signified, that wee should with all care lay hold upon Gods covenant, and in our mindes and affections imbrace it: For the girdle upon Ieremies loynes is a type of Gods covenant with the people, Ier. 13.11.
2. It may note the humiliation wherewith our minds and hearts should be abased before the Lord: so to gird the loins must be taken, Isaiah 32.11.
2. It may note the humiliation wherewith our minds and hearts should be abased before the Lord: so to gird the loynes must be taken, Esay 32.11.
3. But thirdly and chiefly, hereby is signified the care we should have to remove all the impediments that might hinder faith and godliness: it being a metaphor taken from the manner of the Eastern people, who wore long garments, which till they were girded up, were a great hinderance both to labour and travail.
3. But thirdly and chiefly, hereby is signified the care we should have to remove all the impediments that might hinder faith and godlinesse: it being a metaphor taken from the manner of the Easterne people, who wore long garments, which till they were girded up, were a great hinderance both to labour and travaile.
4. To these may be added, that it is used to note the watchful expectation of Christs coming, Luke 12.35.
4. To these may be added, that it is used to note the watchfull expectation of Christs comming, Luke 12.35.
And so in general we may here note,
And so in generall we may here note,
1. That true godliness, and devotion, and faith have many hinderances: There are many lets in the way of life; never any could order their course so wisely, but they did find impediments.
1. That true godlinesse, and devotion, and faith have many hinderances: There are many letts in the way of life; never any could order their course so wisely, but they did find impediments.
1The use is for confutation of such as find no hinderances: If it be the true grace of Christ, there are lets: a sign they are in a slumber, and know not the ways of heaven: these ways are strait and narrow. Secondly, for comfort and encouragement to the godly that are troubled with lets; it hath always been so, the godly were ever annoyed with the loins and long garments.
1The use is for confutation of such as find no hinderances: If it be the true grace of Christ, there are lets: a signe they are in a slumber, and know not the waies of heaven: these waies are strait and narrow. Secondly, for comfort and incouragement to the godly that are troubled with letts; it hath alwaies been so, the godly were ever annoyed with the loynes and long garments.
2. That the first care should be to be prepared, and resolved against these lets.
2. That the first care should be to be prepared, and resolved against these letts.
3. That these lets are daily, they are as the very garments of our backs.