A17385:1382
A17385:1382
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.
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.
It is true, that some read it, the grace that is brought in the revelation of Jesus Christ: and so it means that true grace which in this world the Elect do ⟨p. 110⟩receive, when Christ is revealed to them in their conversion to God by the mighty power of the Gospel: and so four things might be observed:
It is true, that some reade it, the grace that is brought in the revelation of Iesus Christ: and so it meanes that true grace which in this world the Elect doe ⟨p. 110⟩receive, when Christ is revealed to them in their conversion to God by the mighty power of the Gospell: and so foure things might be observed:
1. That God revealeth his Son in all that shall be saved at some time of their life or other.
1. That God revealeth his Sonne in all that shall be saved at some time of their life or other.
2. That Christ is never revealed in us till the time the grace of the sanctifying Spirit be wrought in us, and the riches of Gods graces in his promises be declared to us. For there is a double grace in the revelation of Christ. 1 The declaration of Gods grace in his promises. 2. The possession of the graces of his holy Spirit.
3. That were not, this grace is brought unto us, offered and urged upon us, we would live and die without it.
3. That were not, this grace is brought unto us, offred and urged upon us, we would live and die without it.
4. That when we know our interest in Gods favour, and that we have received the true grace of Christ, we should trust perfectly in it, and that i• all the four senses before opened.
4. That when we know our interest in Gods favour, and that wee have received the true grace of Christ, we should trust perfectly in it, and that i• all the foure senses before opened.
But I take it in the sense as it is rendered by the Kings Translators, and so understand it of the glory of heaven, which is to be considered both in the nature of it, it is called grace; and the time of manifestation, not on••y in general, that is to be brought unto us: but in special, at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
But I take it in the sense as it is rendred by the Kings Translators, and so understand it of the glory of heaven, which is to be considered both in the nature of it, it is called grace; and the time of manifestati•n, not on••y in generall, that is to be brought unto us: but in speciall, at the revelation of Iesus Christ.
1Grace.] The glory of heaven is called grace in three respects. 1. Because it is given freely without our deserts, as the Scriptures prove, Eph. 2.5.8. Tit. 2.11. Rom. 4.16. & 5.21. 2. Because it is assured unto us by grace: as the body of Christ is called bread, because it is signified by it; so our hope and everlasting consolation is assured by grace, 2 Thes. 2.16. 3. Because grace and holiness is the greatest part of the kingdom of heaven. For righteousness is the main thing wherein the kingdom of God consists: as the image of God in the creation was Adams greatest happiness, not Paradise only, see Psal. 17. ult. Rom. 14.17.1 P•t. 3.7. & 5.10.
1Grace.] The glory of heaven is called grace in three respects. 1. Because it is given freely without our deserts, as the Scriptures prove, Eph. 2.5.8. Tit. 2.11. Rom. 4.16. & 5.21. 2. Because it is assured unto us by grace: as the body of Christ is called bread, because it is signified by it; so our hope and everlasting consolation is assured by grace, 2 Thes. 2.16. 3. Because grace and holinesse is the greatest part of the kingdome of heaven. For righteousnesse is the maine thing wherein the kingdome of God consists: as the image of God in the creation was Adams greatest happinesse, not Paradice onely, see
1The Uses are,
1. We should therefore disclaim al• conceit of our own merits, and use our hearts to it affectionately, to profess that we are all that we are only by the grace of God, 1 Cor. 15.10.
1. We should therefore disclaime al• conceit of our owne me•its, and use our hearts to it affectionately, to professe that we are all that we are onely by the grace of God, 1 Cor. 15.10.
2. It should inflame our thankfulness: we should never be without this sacrifice, considering we have so great inheritance by the mere grace of God in Christ. It is worth the noting, that the same word for thankfulness doth signify grace in the original.
2. It should inflame our thankfulnesse: we sh•uld never be without this sacrifice, considering we have so great inheritance by the meere grace of God in Christ. It is worth the noting, that the same word for thankfuln•sse doth signifie grace in the originall.