A17385:1346
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.…
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.
But yet the main doctrine that the Apostle persuades unto, is, that we should seriously labour to perfect our trust and hope of a better life; that we should not be quiet, till we had established our hearts in the assurance of it. Being converted, God would have us set our selves, as it were, wholly after heaven. For the explanation of this doctrine, I consider, 1. What it is to trust perfectly on the grace of God. 2. Why we should be so constant and confident in it. 3. How we should show it, that we do trust perfectly. 4. What we may do to attain this assurance, &c.
But yet the maine doctrine that the Apostle perswades unto, is, that wee should seriously labour to perfect our trust and hope of a better life; that we should not be quiet, till we had established our hearts in the assurance of it. Being converted, God would have us set our selves, as it were, wholy after heaven. For the explanation of this doctrine, I consider, 1. What it is to trust perfectly on the grace of God. 2. Why we should be so constant and confident in it. 3. How we should shew it, that we doe trust perfectly. 4. What we may doe to attaine this assurance, &c.
For the first: To trust perfectly, is
1. To hope and trust upon it sincerely, and that hath two things in it:1 For §1first it is to trust upon it without hypocrisy. 2. To trust upon it without profaneness. Without hypocrisy we trust upon eternal life, when we do it not only in words, or in show, but when we do it not without warrant from Gods promises. Many men are confident of their salvation, but alas it is but in show or in words only; for their own hearts believe it not, or if they do, they hope upon unknown means without any ground of warrant from the Word. 3. To hope without profaneness, is to bring such a trust as is joined with a care of holiness of life; care of such a conversation, a may some way become the glory we look for. It is not to turn the grace of God nto wantonness, or to make the doctrine of our salvation by Christ a doctrine of liberty for the flesh.