A17385:1372
A17385:1372
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.
2. We must try our selves, whether we have true grace or no, 1 Thes. 2.16.
2. Wee must try our selves, whether wee have true grace or no, 1 Thes. 2.16.
3. We must pray unto the God of hope to give us his Spirit of revelation, that we may know the hope of our calling, and accordingly may find all peace and joy in believing it, Eph. 1.18. Rom. 15.13.
3. We must pray unto the God of hope to give us his Spirit of revelation, that we may know the hope of our calling, and accordingly may find all peace and joy in beleeving it, Eph. 1.18. Rom. 15.13.
4. We should labour to be established in all well-doing, even in every good work and word, 2 Thes. 2. ult. denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and living soberly, and righteously, and religiously in this present world, or else we can never attain this blessed hope, Tit. 2.12, 13.
4. We should labour to be established in all well-doing, even in every good worke and word, 2 Thes. 2. ult. denying ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, and living soberly, and righteously, and religiously in this present world, or else we can never attaine this blessed hope, Tit. 2.12, 13.
The Use may be,
First, for confutation of popish doctrine about the hope of salvation,1 and that in two points. First, that they make hope to differ from faith in infallibility, as if faith were certain, but hope conjectural: whereas we see perfection, and full assurance, and not wavering, is given to hope as well as by faith; and so it shows the tenure by hope, is as certain and infallible as by faith. Secondly, in that they deny that men can be certain infallibly of their salvation, their hope can be but probable; we see we are charged to mend that fault in our hope, and to perfect it,2 and get even a plerophory of hope to the end, Heb. 6.11.
First, for confutation of popish doctrine about the hope of salvation,1 and that in two points. First, that they make hope to differ from faith in infallibility, as if faith were certaine, but hope conjecturall: whereas we see perfection, and full assurance, and not wavering, is given to hope as well as by faith; and so it shewes the tenure by hope, is as certaine and infallible as by faith. Secondly, in that they deny that men can be certaine infallibly of their salvation, their hope can be but probable; we see we are charged to mend that fault in our hope, and to perfect it,2 and get even a plerophorie of hope to the end, Heb. 6.11.
Secondly, it may serve for humiliation to four sorts of men amongst us.
Secondly, it may serve for humiliation to foure sorts of men amongst us.
1. The first is hypocrites, who bear but the show of hope, or have but the bare words of hope: what will become of them, when God shall take away their souls, Job 27.8. their hope will be as the house of a spider, Job 8.13. and as the giving up of the ghost, Job 11.2.
1. The first is hypocrites, who beare but the shew of hope, or have but the bare words of hope: what will become of them, when God shall take away their soules, Iob 27.8. their hope will be as the house of a spider, Iob 8.13. and as the giving up of the ghost, Iob 11.2.
2. The second is open profane persons, that never made any show or conscience of repentance. These are without hope, Eph. 2.12. so far are they from a perfect hope, they are sure to lose heaven, 1 Cor. 6.9. Deut. 29.19 &c.
2. The second is open profane persons, that never made any shew or conscience of repentance. These are without hope, Eph. 2.12. so far are they from a perfect hope, they are sure to lose heaven, 1 Cor. 6.9. Deut. 29.19 &c.
3. Of weak and wayward Christians. This doctrine should found in their ears as a great reproof, Why do ye doubt, oh ye of little hope? doth God require a perfect hope, and are ye still after so many days so much unsettled, unperfected? We should account it a great shame to have but a little hope, especially after so long profession, and so much means, and so many pledges of Gods love.
3. Of weak and wayward Christians. This doctrine should found in their eares as a great reproofe, Why doe ye doubt, oh ye of little hope? doth God require a perfect hope, and are yee still after so many daies so much unsetled, unperfected? We should account it a great shame to have but a little hope, especially after so long profession, and so much meanes, and so many pledges of Gods love.
4. Of backsliding Christians that fall away; or to •se the phrase of the Apostle, are moved away from the hope of heaven, either internally by an habitual forgetfulness of it, or externally by revolt or apostasy to the love of the world: These are so far from perfecting their assurance, that they fall away from it.
4. Of backsliding Christians that fall away; or to •se the phrase of the Apostle, are moved away from the hope of heaven, either internally by an habituall forgetfulnesse of it, or externally by revolt or apostasie to the love of the world: These are so far from perfecting their assurance, that they fall away from it.
Thirdly,§3 this should serve for instruction to quicken us to use all means for perfecting of our hope, devoting our selves to the study of heavenly things, and to the daily contemplation of the glory to come, according to the counsel of the Apostle, Heb. 6.11. not suffering slothfulness to hinder from the serious performance of our duties herein, ver. 12.
Thirdly,§3 this should serve for instruction to quicken us to use all meanes for perfecting of our hope, devoting our selves to the study of heavenly things, and to the daily contemplation of the glory to come, according to the counsell of the Apostle, Heb. 6.11. not suffering slothfulnesse to hinder from the seri•us performance of our duties herein, ver. 12.
Lastly, here is great encouragement to all such of Gods servants,§4 as do trust upon God for their salvation: the Lord will never fa•le them that trust in him and whatsoever become of the hypocrite, yet will he never cast away the perfect man, Job 8.13, 20. If God require so great trust, it imports there is a sure preparation of a glorious estate. Oh saith the Psalmist, how great is his goodness that he hath laid up for them that trust in him, Psal. 31.19. Thus of the m•nner of our hope, Trust perfectly. Now followeth the object of it, viz. The grace which is to be brought unto us in the revelation of Jesus Christ: and here first of the object it self, and then of the time of the communication of it.
Lastly, here is great encouragement to all such of Gods servants,§4 as doe trust upon God for their salvation: the Lord will never fa•le them that trust in him and whatsoever become of the hypocrite, yet will he never cast away the perfect man, Iob 8.13, 20. If God require so great trust, it imports there is a sure preparation of a glorious estate. Oh saith the Psalmist, how great is his goodnesse that he hath laid up for them that trust in him, Psal. 31.19. Thus of the m•nner of our hope, Trust perfectly. Now followeth the object of it, viz. The grace which is to be brought unto us in the revelation of Iesus Christ: and here first of the object it selfe, and then of the time of the communication of it.
The grace which is to be brought unto you.
Grace sometimes signifies the Gospel,1 Tit. 2.11. sometimes the favour of God in Christ, so in the salutations of the Epistle: sometimes an external calling or function so Paul calls his Apostleship a grace, Rom. 1.16. sometimes the gifts of the holy Ghost, so usually: lastly, sometimes the glory of heaven, so here.
Grace sometimes signifies the Gospell,1 Tit. 2.11. sometimes the favour of God in Christ, so in the salutations of the Epistle: sometimes an externall calling or function so Paul calls his Apostleship a grace, Rom. 1.16. sometimes the gifts of the holy Ghost, so usually: lastly, sometimes the glory of heaven, so here.