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.…

Name: A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…
Author: Nicholas Byfield

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.

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Verse 14. &c. As obedient children not fashioning your selves unto the former lusts of your ignorance.

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Hitherto of the three things to which the Apostle exhorts. The reasons follow, whereof the first is contained in these verses, and it is taken from the image of God, in which Gods children ought to resemble him: they should strive against all inward evils, and refrain all the excesses of life, and address themselves with all care and confidence to the provision of a better life, because they are begotten again unto God, and it is required of them that they should be holy as he is holy.

HItherto of the three things to which the Apostle exhorts. The reasons follow, whereof the first is contained in these verses, and it is taken from the image of God, in which Gods children ought to resemble him: they should strive against all inward evils, and refraine all the excesses of life, and addresse themselves with all care and confidence to the provision of a better life, because they are begotten again unto God, and it is required of them that they should be holy as he is holy.

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This reason is both propounded and expounded: propounded in these words, as obedient children: It is expounded two ways, 1. By description, 2. By proof or testimony. It is described negatively and affirmatively: by negation he shows what we should shun, viz. fashioning your selves according to the lusts of your former ignorance: Affirmatively he sets it out by showing, 1. the pattern to be imitated: 2. and the manner of our imitation. The pattern is the holiness of him that called us: The manner is to be holy in all manner of conversation. Thus of the description. For the proof 2. things are to be considered. 1. Whence the proof is fetched, •n these word, As it is written. 2. What is alleged in these words, Be ye holy as I am holy.

This reason is both propounded and expounded: propounded in these words, as obedient children: It is expounded two waies, 1. By description, 2. By proofe or testimony. It is described negatively and affirmatively: by negation he shewes what we should shun, viz. fashioning your selves according to the lusts of your former ignorance: Affirmatively he sets it out by shewing, 1. the patterne to be imitated: 2. and the manner of our imitation. The patterne is the holinesse of him that called us: The manner is to be holy in all manner of conversation. Thus of the description. For the proofe 2. things are to be considered. 1. Whence the proofe is fetched, •n these word, As it is written. 2. What is alledged in these words, Be ye holy as I am holy.

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As obedient children.

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These two words import a twofold consideration: 1. they are the children of God: 2. you must obey as children.

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The first point gives an occasion to consider of three things.

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1. That God hath children, not only Christ his natural Son, and the Angels his sons by creation, but the Saints also by adoption and regeneration.

1. That God hath children, not onely Christ his naturall Son, and the Angels his sons by creation, but the Saints also by adoption and regeneration.

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2. That it behoves Christians to seek and know their adoption to be the sons of God. It is wonderful to think of the almost infinite carelessness of men, that can hear of so great felicity, as the adoption of sinful men to be the sons of God, and yet there is no heart in man to seek after it.

2. That it behoves Christians to seeke and know their adoption to be the sons of God. It is wonderfull to think of the almost infinite carelesnesse of men, that can heare of so great felicity, as the adoption of sinfull men to be the sons of God, and yet there is no heart in man to seeke after it.

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3. In that the Apostle applies the consideration hereof to persuade to holiness of life, it shows, that the assurance of Gods favour as our Father, doth kindle obedience, and make us more fit for all well-doing, as these places prove. 1 Thes. 1.5, 6, 7. 2 Pet. 1.8, 9, 10. 1 Cor. 2.12, 14. 2 Tim. 1.12. Heb. 10.22.¹ The Use is, First for confutation of their fancies, that think assurance would breed security, and that it is better to be a little doubtful then fully resolved: whereas both Scripture and experience is against it; yea there ⟨p. 113⟩is a secret corruption in the hearts of the very godly herein, nourished perhaps by the devil. But let us be fully persuaded to pray with all importunity, that God would give us this knowledge.

3. In that the Apostle applies the consideration hereof to perswade to holinesse of life, it shews, that the assurance of Gods favour as our Father, doth kindle obedience, and make us more fit for all well-doing, as these places prove. 1 Thes. 1.5, 6, 7. 2 Pet. 1.8, 9, 10. 1 Cor. 2.12, 14. 2 Tim. 1.12. Heb. 10.22.¹ The Use is, First for confutation of their fancies, that thinke assurance would breed security, and that it is better to be a little doubtfull then fully resolved: whereas both Scripture and experience is against it; yea there

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But I have felt more hardness of heart,¹ and corruption of nature since assurance, then I had before.

But I have felt more hardnesse of heart,¹ and corruption of nature since assurance, then I had before.

1Object.

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First, examine thy heart, whether thou call not peace of conscience by the name of hardness of heart.¹

First, examine thy heart, whether thou call not peace of conscience by the name of hardnesse of heart.¹

1Solut. Of those that think they feel more hardness of heart after assurance then before.Solut. Of those that think they feel more hardnesse of heart after assurance then before.

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2. Know, that hardness of heart, and unfitness to holy duties is in us by nature, and is not taken away by assurance; neither is thy case the worse, that thou feelest it more now then before. For that may import more softness of heart.

2. Know, that hardnesse of heart, and unfitnesse to holy duties is in us by nature, and is not taken away by assurance; neither is thy case the worse, that thou feelest it more now then before. For that may import more softnesse of heart.

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3. Consider, that God may withhold his comforts, and lead thee to some tentations to try thee, whether thou wilt believe without feelings: It is not strange for Gods servants after their greatest comforts to be assailed with greatest trials. For so after forgiveness of sins, we are taught to look for tentations, and pray against them in the Lords prayer: as Christ was tempted presently after his confirmation in Baptism: Paul soiled with vile tentations after his revelations: David afflicted worse then before after his anointing.

3. Consider, that God may withhold his comforts, and lead thee to some tentations to try thee, whether thou wilt beleeve without feelings: It is not strange for Gods servants after their greatest comforts to be assailed with greatest tryals. For so after forgivenesse of sinnes, we are taught to looke for tentations, and pray against them in the Lords prayer: as Christ was tempted presently after his confirmation in Baptisme: Paul soiled with vile tentations after his revelations: David afflicted worse then before after his annointing.

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4. It will be profitable to set thy heart in some order, and by examination and particular judging of thy self, resisting evil, to reduce thy self into a better frame, and order of well-doing.

4. It will be profitable to set thy heart in some order, and by examination and particular judging of thy selfe, resisting evill, to reduce thy selfe into a better frame, and order of well-doing.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

Verse 14. &c. As obedient children not fashioning your selves unto the former lusts of your ignorance.