A17385:1464
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.…
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.
4. Lastly, here is implied, wherein the holiness of a Christian doth consist, viz. 1. To be free from the power of his old corruptions. 2. To fashion himself to the law of God, and the law of his mind: It doth not consist in the perfect resembling of the holiness of Gods law, but in a desire and daily endeavour to fit and frame himself more and more to the holiness set before him, and that daily striving still to come nearer and nearer to the pattern.
4. Lastly, here is implyed, wherein the holinesse of a Christian doth consist, viz. 1. To be free from the power of his old corruptions. 2. To fashion himselfe to the law of God, and the law of his minde: It doth not consist in the perfect resembling of the holinesse of Gods law, but in a desire and daily endevour to fit and frame himselfe more and more to the holinesse set before him, and that daily striving still to come neerer and neerer to the patterne.
Ignorance.]
There are three sorts of ignorance. 1. There is a profitable ignorance. 2. There is an ignorance of mere negation, that is no sin. 3. There is a ignorance of corrupt disposition. There is a profitable ignorance, viz. not to know evil: so it had been good for Adam never to have known evil by experience: so had it been good for the Jews, if they had never known the fashions of the Gentiles: and in some respect for Apostates, if they had never known the truth, 2 Pet. 2.21. There is also an ignorance of mere negation, as Christ knew not the day of Judgement, and husbandmen know not Physic, or Astronomy, &c. and yet sin not. But most usually ignorance is taken in the third sense, to note, that want of knowledge is joined with evil disposition also: and so it is taken here. Now this ignorance is either of frailty, or of wilfulness and presumption: The one is in the godly after calling, and they pray against it, and confess it, and mourn for it; and the other is in wicked men, and they like themselves well enough notwithstanding; yea they refuse the knowledge of Gods ways, and willingly live without knowledge; and this latter is here meant.