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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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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.

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Thus of the first point.

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For the second: we may here observe, that the image of God in us consists in obeying God with the obedience of children, where two things may be noted.

For the second: wee may here observe, that the image of God in us consists in obeying God with the obedience of children, where two things may be noted.

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1. The imperfection of our obedience, it is but as the conformity that is in children to the holiness either inherent,¹ or prescribed by the Parent. 2. The manner of the truth of our obedience, and so there are six things imported in that similitude, which must be in our obedience. 1. It must proceed from love to God and goodness, not for servile ends. 2. It must be without distrustful care about success in outward things, or a present reward of well-doing: so is it in a child. 3. With constancy: a child is not hired for a day, or a year, to give over upon a quarters warning. 4. With humility and fear. 5. With faith or some persuasion of acceptation. 6. In all things: so do Children.

1. The imperfection of our obedience, it is but as the conformity that is in children to the holinesse either inherent,¹ or prescribed by the Parent. 2. The manner of the truth of our obedience, and so there are sixe things imported in that similitude, which must be in our obedience. 1. It must proceed from love to God and goodnesse, not for servile ends. 2. It must be without distrustfull care about successe in outward things, or a present reward of well-doing: so is it in a child. 3. With constancy: a child is not hired for a day, or a year, to give over upon a quarters warning. 4. With humility and feare. 5. With faith or some perswasion of acceptation. 6. In all things: so doe Children.

1Our obedience must be •he obedience of children in six respects.

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Not fashioning your selves according to the lusts of your former ignorance.

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One great part of our holiness, and Gods image in us, is to keep our selves free from the lusts of our former ignorance, that is, from the power of such sins as we were specially guilty of before our callings, or are specially hateful in unregenerate men.

One great part of our holinesse, and Gods image in us, is to keep our selves free from the lusts of our former ignorance, that is, from the power of such sins as we were specially guilty of before our callings, or are specially hatefull in unregenerate men.

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Before I enter upon the particular opening of the words, in general these things may be observed.

Before I enter upon the particular opening of the words, in generall these things may be observed.

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1. That it is a singular dishonour to our holy profession, for such as profess sincerity in their carriage, to relapse into the similitude of carnal men, and to bear again the image of the old Adam, or to fall to the sins again, they have repented of in profession.

1. That it is a singular dishonour to our holy profession, for such as professe sincerity in their carriage, to relapse into the similitude of carnall men, and to beare againe the image of the old Adam, or to fall to the sins againe, they have repented of in profession.

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2. That after calling we must not only avoid the foul acts of evil, but strive against the power of lusts of evil, even against the power of internal concupiscence.

2. That after calling we must not onely avoid the foule acts of evill, but strive against the power of lusts of evill, even against the power of internall concupiscence.

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In particular I consider in these words three things.

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1. The evils to be eschewed: viz. lusts, and former lusts. 2. The manner of eschewing: not fashion your selves. 3. The motive: they were the fruits of former ignorance.

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For the first I propound three things to be also considered.

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Westminster Assembly24

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