A17385:1387
A17385:1387
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.
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.
3. We should have our conversation according to the grace of God, 2 Cor. 1. 12. seeing grace is that which will live by us for ever, we should be taken up with a perpetual care of getting and increasing of it.
3. We should have our conversation according to the grace of God, 2 Cor. 1. 12. seei•g grace is that which will live by us for ever, we should be taken up with a perpetuall care of getting and increasing of it.
4. Seeing God doth all for us freely, w• should be importunate in prayer that he would make us worthy of the […] him to fulfil all the goo• pleasure of his own goodness, especially the work• of our faith with power, that h•• name and grace may be glorified in u•, 2 The•. •.11, 12.
4. Seeing God doth all for us freely, w• should be importunate in prayer that he would make us worthy of the 〈…〉 him to fulfill all the goo• pleasure of his own goodnesse, especially the work• of our faith with power, that h•• name and grace may be glorified in u•, 2 The•. •.11, 12.
1. Though they deserve it not. 2. In gr•at abundance. 3. In matters of holiness as much as any other way, it being the best means to show mercy to the souls of men. 4. To bring it to them, not tarry till it be sought of us. 5. In the most seasonable time: God doth not give heaven, or his blessings all at once, as men do their works of mercy all at one time of the year. 6. With constancy: God will never leave till they be in heaven. 7. With faith and faithfulness: so as promised mercy may be trusted ⟨p. 111⟩on without fail; God never disappoints after he hath promised, we may trust perfectly on it.
1. Though they deserve it not. 2. In gr•at abun•ance. 3. In matters of holinesse as much as any other way, it being the best meanes to shew mercy to the soules of men. 4. To bring it to them, not tarry till it be sought of us. 5. In the most seasonable time: God doth not give heaven, or his blessi•gs all at once, as men doe their workes of mercy all at one time of the yeere. 6. With constancie: God will never leave till they be in heaven. 7. With faith and faithfulnesse: so as promised mercy may be trusted ⟨p. 111⟩on without faile; God never disappoints after he hath promised, wee may trust perfectly on it.
Which is to be brought unto you.
Which is to be broug•t unto you.